Ram is finally preparing to put a full-size sport-utility vehicle in American driveways, turning its truck expertise into a three-row family hauler aimed squarely at the biggest names in the segment. The brand’s first big SUV is expected in 2028, and early signals suggest a body-on-frame rig that leans heavily on Ram 1500 hardware while adding modern powertrains and tech. If Ram executes the formula, this could be the brand’s most important new product since its pickup line split from Dodge.
Instead of reviving a retro nameplate in spirit only, Ram appears to be building a serious rival to the Chevrolet Suburban, Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and GMC Yukon Denali, with a mix of internal combustion and range-extended electric options. I see a product strategy that tries to satisfy traditional truck buyers and emerging EV-curious shoppers at the same time, using Stellantis resources to move quickly into a space Ram has left untouched for decades.
Ram’s first modern SUV and why 2028 matters
The headline development is simple: Ram is getting its first modern full-size SUV, with the company targeting a launch in 2028 for a large, three-row model built in the United States. Reporting indicates that Ram, long known for rugged pickups, has formally committed to selling an SUV for the first time, positioning it as a flagship alongside its half-ton trucks and heavy-duty rigs, and tying it to a broader Stellantis investment plan in the country. That timing gives Ram a few years to refine the package while the full-size SUV market continues to grow and older rivals edge closer to replacement cycles.
From a product cadence perspective, 2028 also lines up neatly with Ram’s current truck roadmap and Stellantis’ pledge to invest $13 billion in the United States through 2029, which includes funding for new platforms and electrified powertrains. When Stellantis outlined that spending, it linked the upcoming Ram SUV to that investment, signaling that this is not a low-budget derivative but a core part of the group’s North American strategy. The decision to anchor the SUV in that long-term plan suggests Ram wants a vehicle that can evolve through mid-cycle updates and powertrain changes rather than a short-lived experiment.
Platform, size, and the Jeep Grand Wagoneer connection
Under the skin, the clearest clue to the SUV’s character is its relationship with the Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Stellantis executive Filosa has confirmed that the new Ram SUV will be mechanically similar to the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, which means a body-on-frame layout, independent rear suspension, and a footprint that sits firmly in the full-size category. That shared architecture should give Ram a proven foundation for towing, ride comfort, and off-road capability, while also helping Stellantis spread development costs across two high-margin nameplates.
Additional reporting reinforces that Ram’s large SUV will likely share underpinnings with Jeep’s Grand Wagoneer and be built alongside it, pointing to a common manufacturing base and similar dimensions. I expect the Ram version to skew slightly more utilitarian in tuning and packaging, with a stronger emphasis on cargo space and work-ready features, while Jeep continues to chase the luxury end of the market. The shared bones, however, mean Ram can tap into an existing frame, suspension, and electronics suite that has already been engineered to handle big loads and three-row seating.
Design preview: Think of it as the Ram 1500’s SUV variant
On the design front, early renderings and analysis suggest the new model will look very much like a Ram 1500 that has been stretched upward and capped with a long roof. One detailed preview frames it bluntly: Think Of It As The Ram 1500’s SUV Variant, with a front fascia that borrows the truck’s bold grille and lighting signature, then transitions into a boxy greenhouse and squared-off rear. That approach would give Ram instant brand recognition in crowded parking lots and let the SUV piggyback on the pickup’s reputation for toughness.
Styling breakdowns point to a vehicle that aims to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Lincoln Navigator and GMC Yukon Denali in presence, using upright proportions, strong fender lines, and a tall beltline to convey mass and capability. Let the renderings guide expectations and you see a long wheelbase, generous rear overhang for cargo, and a stance that looks ready to tow a large boat or camper. I expect Ram to refine the details as production nears, but the core idea of a Ram 1500-inspired SUV variant seems locked in, and that continuity should help reassure truck loyalists that this is not a soft crossover.
Powertrains: ICE, range-extended EV, and the Hurricane factor
Powertrain strategy is where Ram appears ready to differentiate itself from some traditional rivals. Reporting indicates that the large Ram SUV is coming in 2028 with both internal combustion engines and a range-extended EV setup, giving buyers a choice between conventional gasoline power and an electrified configuration that uses a combustion engine as a generator. That dual-path approach mirrors Ram’s broader truck strategy and positions the SUV to serve both long-distance towing needs and urban customers who want electric driving without range anxiety.
Under the hood, the most likely star is The Hurricane inline-six, which has already been pitched as a replacement for big V8s in Stellantis’ full-size vehicles. Analysis of Ram’s first SUV expects the Hurricane to deliver full-size truck-level towing ability while offering better efficiency and smoother power delivery than an old-school eight-cylinder. In a range-extended EV configuration, a version of that engine could act primarily as a generator, similar in concept to the setup in the Ram 1500 Ramcharger, which pairs a V6 with a battery and electric motors to create what one review calls the best electric truck with a V6. Meet the Ram Ramcharger and you see the template: electric drive for everyday use, with a combustion engine stepping in to keep the batteries fed on longer hauls.
Ramcharger lessons and the shadow of the old Dodge SUV
Ram does not have to start from scratch on electrified trucks, and that experience should directly inform the SUV. The 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger uses a V6 engine as a generator for its battery-electric drivetrain, allowing the truck to operate like an EV in many situations while still refueling quickly at gas stations. Meet the Ram Ramcharger and you see how Ram has already tackled packaging a battery, motors, and fuel system into a full-size frame, experience that can translate into a smoother development path for a range-extended SUV with similar hardware.
There is also a historical echo Ram will have to navigate. Dodge once sold a large SUV under the Ramcharger name from 1974 to 1993, a two-door bruiser that competed with the Chevrolet Blazer and Ford Bronco. That heritage gives Stellantis a ready-made story about rugged, body-on-frame SUVs, but it also raises expectations among enthusiasts who remember the old Dodge SUV as a simple, durable off-roader. I expect Ram to lean on that legacy in marketing while making clear that the new model is a far more refined, tech-heavy machine, closer in spirit to a modern three-row family hauler than a bare-bones trail rig.
Three-row packaging and what the cabin could offer
One of the few hard product details already confirmed is that the upcoming Ram will be a three-row SUV, which instantly places it in the same conversation as the Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Expedition Max. A video breakdown of the project notes that the idea of a Ram sport utility vehicle has been floating around for years, but now it finally feels real with Ram confirming a full-size, three-row layout that can carry large families and their gear. That configuration is essential if Ram wants to compete for suburban buyers who need seating for seven or eight and do not want to step into a minivan.
Another early look at what a new RAM full-size SUV could look like highlights the long roofline and extended rear section needed to package three rows and meaningful cargo space behind them. Here the focus is on how the brand has confirmed that a three-row SUV is coming in 2028, and the renderings show a cabin that could borrow heavily from the Ram 1500’s upscale interior, including large touchscreens, premium materials, and clever storage solutions. I expect Ram to position the SUV’s cabin as a key selling point, blending the truck’s work-ready ergonomics with family-friendly features like sliding second-row seats, power-folding third-row benches, and multiple USB-C ports across all rows.
Towing, payload, and real truck capability
Capability will be central to the Ram SUV’s pitch, and early expectations are that it will deliver towing and payload figures that feel much closer to a full-size pickup than a crossover. Analysis of Ram’s first SUV argues that the new model should have formidable, full-size truck-level towing ability, especially if it uses the Hurricane inline-six with its standard output and high-output variants. That engine, combined with a robust frame shared with the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, should allow Ram to target trailers in the 8,000 to 10,000 pound range, depending on final tuning and axle ratios.
At the same time, the SUV will need to be more manageable on the road than a long-bed pickup, which is where independent rear suspension and careful chassis tuning come into play. By using a suspension layout similar to the Grand Wagoneer and pairing it with advanced stability control systems, Ram can aim for a vehicle that feels composed in daily driving yet remains stable when loaded with passengers and gear. I expect Ram to emphasize features like integrated trailer brake controllers, multiple tow/haul drive modes, and camera-based towing aids to make the SUV feel approachable for buyers who have never pulled a large trailer before.
Market positioning: taking on Suburban, Expedition, and luxury rivals
In the marketplace, Ram’s big SUV is clearly being aimed at the same customers who shop the Chevrolet Suburban, Ford Expedition, and their luxury cousins. One detailed design preview explicitly compares the upcoming Ram to the Lincoln Navigator and GMC Yukon Denali, framing it as a contender in both mainstream and premium full-size segments. That dual focus makes sense, because Ram has already proven with its pickups that it can sell work-truck trims alongside high-end models with leather-lined cabins and big price tags.
I expect Ram to mirror that strategy here, offering a spread from relatively simple, tow-focused versions to plush trims that rival the nicest family SUVs on the market. The brand’s existing success with high-end pickups gives it credibility to charge serious money for a fully loaded SUV, especially if the interior and technology match or exceed what buyers see in a Navigator or Yukon Denali. At the same time, Ram will need to keep an eye on pricing and fuel economy to avoid scaring off buyers who might otherwise default to a Suburban or Expedition, particularly as interest rates and fuel costs remain volatile.
How Stellantis’ U.S. investment shapes the SUV’s future
None of this happens in a vacuum, and Stellantis’ broader strategy in the United States is a big part of why the Ram SUV is finally moving from rumor to reality. When Stellantis announced its pledge to invest $13 billion in the United States through 2029, it tied that spending to new products, electrification, and manufacturing upgrades that would support vehicles like the Ram SUV and the Jeep Grand Wagoneer. That level of investment signals a long-term commitment to full-size trucks and SUVs in the U.S. market, even as the company also pushes smaller EVs in other regions.
By building the Ram SUV alongside the Grand Wagoneer and sharing major components, Stellantis can spread that investment across multiple high-margin vehicles, improving the business case for both. I see this as a hedge against uncertainty in the EV transition: the company can offer internal combustion, range-extended, and potentially full battery-electric variants over time, all on a common architecture funded by that $13 billion commitment. For Ram, that means the 2028 SUV is not just a one-off experiment but a cornerstone of its lineup for the next decade, with room to evolve as regulations and customer preferences shift.
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