2019 Ram 1500
What is the best pickup truck around?
If you have been around pickup trucks lately, you will find how many new 2019 Ram 1500s are driving around. Towards the end of 2018, the new full-sized pickup truck by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles was outselling the equally new Chevrolet Silverado by a wide margin,
Why is the new Ram 1500 a hot pickup truck? We had a chance to sample a few of these new pickups in the course of a few months to find out.
The new Ram half-ton pickup truck was engineered for excellence. The first thing they did was to mix component materials on the cab and box, while maintaining a strong rolled-steel frame underneath. This resulted in a claimed weight loss of 225 pounds compared to the previous Ram 1500.
Starting with the exterior, which has been changed towards creating a new brand look. While the “big rig” front is still there, the grille and headlamp areas were slimmed down for a sleeker look up front. The Ram Box storage units built on the outside box wall appear to be bigger and more useful than before. n all, it is both handsome and distinctive, especially when put next to the Ford F-150 and the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado.
Ram has also stepped up in quality and design of their award-winning cabin. The first item you will notice is the center stack and the available 12-inch UConnect Touch screen. The new touchscreen eliminates key controls that usually are placed underneath it, which may confuse plenty of consumers used to tangible climate and audio controls. We also found it to be a bit slower in operation and a bit sparse on some displays. On most models, you can still get the smaller 8.4-inch UConnect screen.
All of our samples were Crew Cabs. It offers a large space with extraordinary rear seat room. All of the seats are very comfortable. They are truly made for work, play, and long drives for either/or. All trims have high levels of quality materials and build inside, along with a superior design for the driver.
Of the Ram 1500s we drove, we found the Big Horn’s cabin to have the best value with its durable cloth interior and comfortable seats. The Rebel version offers more support up front with its sporty cloth combination. We found the leather seating in the Laramie trim to be as comfortable as the others, while offering a tasteful atmosphere. At the top of the heap is the Limited trim, which we felt was the finest of the Ram 1500s we drove. It is not just the leather, but the details that will attract those looking to drive the ultimate luxury pickup truck around.
There are three engine choice available for the new Ram 1500. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 now has the new eTorque mild hybrid system as standard. It increases the amount of torque from the standard engine for more towing capacity and low-end grunt, It also comes with an expanded 48-volt electrical system. The same eTorque system is available on the 5.7-liter HEMI V8.
However, all of the Ram 1500s we drove came with the available 5.7-liter HEMI V8 without the eTorque system. With 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, this V8 can haul. The payload rating for all four testers was 1,770 pounds, with a maximum towing rating of 11,700 pounds. This engine comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission controlled by a rotary eShift knob on the dashboard by the lower center stack with a four-wheel-drive system that features an automatic mode.
In terms of fuel economy, we averaged overall around 15.4 MPG for the HEMI V8 Ram 1500 with four-wheel-drive.
Ride quality has always been good on the Ram 1500. It is the only pickup truck equipped with independent suspension at all four corners. Our Limited and Laramie testers came with the available air suspension, which enables the Ram 1500 to lower the truck automatically at highway speeds for more efficiency. With the normal set-up, it still rides well without a lot of feedback from the road.
Our Rebel tester added an E-Locker electronic locking rear differential, 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires, skid plates, Hill Descent Control, and heavier duty shocks. It is set up just right for the off-road enthusiast.
Overall, the Ram 1500 handles and corners quite well – near-flat through the corners at proper speeds. It helps to have a good steering system and brakes on board, too.
Starting price for the 2019 Ram 1500 lineup is $31,695. Our testers ranged from the $51,710 Big Horn to the $68,785 Limited.
There is a reason why the new 2019 Ram 1500 has been picking up new customers. It is not because that it does something better than the Ford F-150, the new Chevrolet Silverado, the Toyota Tundra, and the Nissan Titan. Overall, it is a really good pickup truck. No matter which trim you choose, you can’t go wrong with a new Ram 1500.
Story Credits: Carsoup Editors
