NEW RAM ‘AHEAD OF THE CURVE WITH DESIGN’
Trucks long ago shed their no-frills roots. They’ve become luxury vehicles, but with all the hauling utility of their roughand-ready forebears.
Consider the all-new 2019 Ram 1500 Limited. After spending time with the well equipped crew cab, four-wheel drive truck our test driver Attila Szabo compared the redesigned Ram to the Mercedes-Benz S -Class luxury sedan. Except, the Ram can carry more stuff.
“I used to refer to the Ram as the Cadillac of pickups,” Szabo says, “but I think that the new model deserves to be called the S -Class of pickups. First impressions are of high-end luxury.”
As of 2011, automaker FCA dropped any reference to Dodge and began referring to the trucks simply as Ram. The 2019 Ram trucks are fifth-generation vehicles and they’ve been aggressively restyled. Most noticeably, there’s less of the “big rig” semitractor appearance that had set the second-generation trucks apart in the early 1990s. Some resemblance remains, however, and the 2019 editions feature entirely new grille and headlights and a hood with a prominent power bulge that helps carry forward Ram’s macho image.
“The headlights and grille are much sleeker and the old-school Dodge cross-hair grille is gone,” Szabo says of his first impression of the just better than $85,000 Limited he drove.
“It’s a great improvement and the LED strips in the headlights and tail lights are a stylish addition,” he says.
And Szabo knows of what he speaks. The Calgarian has previously owned a Ram 1500 Laramie, a Long Horn and a Limited, crew cabs all.
“I’ve owned more cars than any normal person should have, including Firebirds, Camaros and Corvettes,” he says. “The three trucks were all daily drivers and I have hauled boats and trailers.”
Szabo appreciated the new power steps found on the 2019 Ram that make accessing the cab a simple procedure.
Once in the heated and cooled leather driver’s seat, he found the large cab provided plenty of visibility and the ride height was spot on.
He was able to get in and go without any fuss, but it did take him a minute to understand the logic of the redesigned console and touch-screen controls.
“I like redundant buttons and controls, and they were still there,” Szabo says. “Over my week, though, I did get a bit more comfortable with the screen controls.
“The leather was a lighter tan colour and there was great contrast in the cabin, but in a truck that light colour seems kind of deadly and could likely get dirty quickly. But it’s a very pretty interior with nice materials used throughout and a luxurious fit and finish.”
For 2019, the Ram has become a lighter truck, with a chassis that’s stiffer and stronger, thanks to more higher-strength steel. According to FCA, maximum payload for the Ram 1500 has increased to 1,043 kilograms, and maximum trailer-towing capability to 5,761 kg.
Ram offers the 1500 in seven different models, from the base Tradesman to the top-of-the-line Limited. The lower-range trucks are available with a 3.6-litre V6 with eTorque feature. There is also the option of placing a 5.7-L Hemi V8 under the hood. Most other models are equipped as standard with the Hemi V8 with cylinder deactivation technology to improve fuel economy.
“This truck I tested had only 1,000 kilometres on it and was hardly broken in,” Szabo says. “I’m used to infinitely more power in my SRT Jeep, but in my opinion, it would be nice if power could be stepped up just a bit in the Ram. I don’t know if it was gearing or power, but when passing, it just took fractionally longer than I expected to gain some speed.”
Equipped with a new air-ride suspension system, the Ram rode well and was more than comfortable on a highway adventure to golf at the Silvertip Resort in Canmore, Szabo says.
“The ride was super smooth, and the air suspension worked flawlessly,” he says. “It rode more like a car, and my passengers all couldn’t believe they were riding in a truck. It was also super well insulated and it was really quiet on the highway.”
Another feature Szabo liked was the optional $1,595 power panoramic moonroof, as he appreciates having extra light in the large cab. Speaking of size, Szabo checked out all seats in the Ram and discovered more room in the back than he’d expected.
“The rear seats recline, and they’re also heated and cooled,” he says. “And, when you flip up the seat bottoms, there’s a levelload floor — that’s great.”
Outside the truck, Szabo liked the foldable tonneau cover and the tie-down points in the bed, which was illuminated by LED lights. He would, however, have appreciated a step-assist to allow easier access to the bed.
Overall, Szabo enjoyed the truck and figures it would suit anyone who would appreciate driving a luxury vehicle that will also haul.
“However, I don’t think someone would buy that level of trim and start hauling dirt,” he says. “I’d love to have another one, and if I had to make a choice, this would be at the top of my pile. Ram has always been a bit ahead of the curve with design, features and technology.”