Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $54,480 (Base Model: $33,340)
Seating Capacity: 5 (tight squeeze in the rear seating area)
Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; Daytime running headlights; electronic stability control; electronic roll mitigation; an electric parking brake; a hillstart assist system; a rear back up camera; a tire pressure monitoring system a tire fill alert system; a traction control system; heated exterior mirrors; a cargo lamp; a locking tailgate; and a trailer sway damping system
Tradesman Standard Equipment: 18-inch wheels; an 8-speed automatic transmission; a headlamp off time delay system; a rear fixed window; tinted glass windows; power heated mirrors with manual fold-away; active grille fuel saving shutters; manual adjustable front seats; split bench front seat; rear folding seat; a 5-inch infotainment touchscreen; a 7-pin wiring harness; a 730 amp maintenance free battery; a class 3 hitch receiver; a 23 gallon fuel tank; a manual operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel; and a steering wheel mounted shift column
Laramie: a 5.7-liter Hemi; 395-horsepower; leather bucket (front) seats; a class four receiver hitch; a keyless remote system; a remote start system; a U-Connect 8-inch infotainment screen; AppleCar Play; Google Android Auto System; 9 speakers with a subwoofer; an automatic dual temperature control system; 115-auxilaru power outlet; 12-volt auxiliary power outlet; and a leather wrapped heated steering wheel
Option: a full length upgraded front floor console; a radar activated stop-go cruise control system; an advance braking assist system; a full speed collision warning assist system; a lane departure warning assist system; a parallel/perpendicular parking assist system; a 360-camera; chrome tow hooks; wheel-to-wheel side steps; four adjustable cargo tie down hooks; LED bed lighting; a spay-in bedliner; 1-year SiriusXM service; a 5-year SiriusXM traffic service; HD radio; CD player; Uconnnect navigation system; an automatic high-beam headlamp control system; an electronic blindspot system with cross path detection; heated second-row seats; front and rear park assist with stop; rain sensitive windshield wipers; a power remote tailgate release; a tailgate ajar warning light; a tri-fold tonneau cover; an anti-spin differential rear axle; an active noise control system for the Hemi engine; rear wheelhouse liners; a 33-gallon fuel tank; and a 12-inch display infotainment screen with navigation
Other Trim Level:
Ram Crew Cab
Ram Classic (the previous generation model)
Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 6-speaker audio system
Bluetooth Connectivity: Yes
USB Connectivity: Yes
Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles
Standard Engine/Horsepower: 3.6-liter, 6-cylinder/305-hp
Recommended Fuel: Regular
Standard Fuel Mileage:
20-city/25-hwy
Payload 3.6-liter 4x2: 1,180 lbs
Trailer Tow 3.6-liter 4x2: 6,640 lbs
What’s New: For the 2019 model year, the all-new Ram 1500 series has been redesign inside and out. In every sense, in terms of fuel-efficiency, ride quality, high-tech features, luxury amenities, towing and safety driving aids, it’s no wonder why sedans and coupes have literally taking a back seat. The new light duty Ram is an all-purpose lifestyle-work vehicle.
Why:
The redesign 2019 Ram is available in a Quad Cab or a Crew Cab configuration
with a five foot, six foot or seven foot bed. Like the previous model, the Ram
1500 series is available in a two-wheel drive or a four-wheel drive
configuration.
The
maximum payload increase is 2,300 pounds, while the maximum trailer tow is
12,750 pounds.
This
year’s generation is the best Ram to date. It exceeded our expectations in
every sense. While we realize this is a truck, the engineering and design team at Fiat Chrysler
Automobiles
has literally poured their heart
and soul into this truck.
The light duty fullsize truck didn’t feel massive, as in the case of some trucks. The folks from Ram
have set a new standard of what a luxury work truck should be.
While
we spent time behind the wheel of the smaller Quad Cab, we
recommend those seeking loads of space and room for their rear passengers to
step up to a Crew Cab.
Depending
upon the trim, the Ram is available with a driver safety aid we’ve never seen on
a truck before, a parallel/perpendicular parking
system. The vehicle is also available with a lane departure warning system and
a radar-activated cruise control system, which is making its way on some of its competitors this model year.
Moreover,
the easy-to-use driver gauges and the optional eye-absorbing Tesla-like
infotainment screen literally placed the new Ram in a category by itself. While
the infotainment screen housed controls for the ventilation system, the navigation
system and the audio system, Ram’s system operated more like a smartphone with
an array of apps. The apps can be repositioned based upon the popularity of the
user (in many cases that being the driver).
In fact, one of the apps allowed us to check for movie tickets, fuel
pricing and the like.
And,
besides the user friendly systems, the interior quality of the leather hand-stitched
seams surrounding the instrument panel and the door panels seemed more
befitting for a Mercedes-Benz than a truck. Yes, the interior design team
showcased their best work to date with this generation of Rams.
Lastly,
the ride quality of the new Ram must be one of the best in the segment. The
vehicle no longer feels like a rough truck. Ford has always been the leader in
terms of the ride quality. However, we believe that the new Ram might have
taken their place.
From
all indications, this year’s Ram has definitely won us over.
But:
Moreover,
we found the interior space of the Quad Cab to be quite limiting and a little
too cozy for rear occupants. If legroom is a key decision for the comfort of
rear occupants, steer clear of the Quad Cab and step up to the Crew Cab. Both teens
and adults alike, who are seated in the rear, will thank you for it later. The
Crew Cab, which runs at a slightly higher price point, due to the additional
space is suitable for the comfort of rear passengers.
Furthermore,
a single cab is currently not available with this new redesign. Perhaps there could be one coming. However,
for now, for those seeking a regular cab model, they can consider purchasing
the previous model, which is now known as the Ram Classic.
Verdict:
Ironically, a
comparable Quad Cab Laramie in 2018 was approximately $995 more than this
year’s model. The 2019 model Ram is leap years over the previous Rams (Dodge
trucks) in terms of ride quality, fuel efficiency, luxury amenities, towing,
safety driving aids and the high-tech features.
In
fact, the contemporary, but understated grille, has set a new standard in the
industry for trucks. While we have not been behind the wheel of the all-new
Chevy and GMC, from all indications, we’re hearing that the Ram might have
literally beat them at their game. And, as far with the best-selling vehicle in
America, the F-series, we can foresee the automaker conceding market share to
the new serious player in town.
Lastly,
when the average well-equipped fullsize pick up truck seems to be landing in the $60,000 to $70,000 price point, the Laramie we reviewed
seemed like a steal, a best buy.
Ram
has been able to combine the best elements of a truck, a SUV and a car to
position this vehicle, as the new luxury flagship vehicle. One can assume this
new design will be phased into the Ram’s series of heavy duty trucks in the
near future.
Stay tuned
a new heavy duty truck from Ram, with a 1,000 lbs of torque, is expected to
follow the path laid out by the light duty truck.
Before
finalizing on a full size or midsize truck, we strongly recommend truck buyers
place the Ram on their shopping list.
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