Ready to rock
The ride may be smooth, but the Ram 1500 still knows how to get the work done.
In Ontario, “North of seven” is a derogatory term to some, used by urbanites to describe the uncultured wasteland above King’s Highway 7, that 716- kilometre strip of tarmac that divides the province’s civilized from its hicks. Those who call it home wear that badge with the perverse pride and stubbornness of their pioneering ancestors.
This far north of the metropolis, it’s nothing out of the ordinary to see trucks used as daily drivers. While young urbanites roll in neon-hued imports, up here where the dialect is Wayne’s World- meets-Fargo, the ride of choice is the jacked-up pickup.
My Ram 1500 seems quite modest by comparison, the country equivalent of a family sedan. In navy blue with discreet chrome trim, it blends in when parked on my street as well as it does in front of the barn.
We’ve recently driven the entire Heavy Duty l i neup and the impressive Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. This truck, a Ram 1500 Crew Cab SLT, is powered by the base Pentastar V6. In the world of trucks, where bigger usually equals better, is there a place for a V6-powered pickup? Ain’t no better place to find out than here, north of seven, where even if all you haul is air, you’re at home.
Compact and moderately powered trucks were losing ground for a while to the evermore- useful crossovers, but their increasing levels of comfort and technology have lured buyers back. There’s a reviving market for people who don’t really need the power of a V8, but still have occasional need for a truck’s capability.
My tester is a mid-range SLT trim, but it’s loaded with more than $5,000 of optional mechanical and convenience extras. Outwardly, it features more lashings of chrome, 20- inch aluminum wheels, wheel- to-wheel side steps and a neat, tidy tri-fold tonneau cover.
The cabin isn’t as opulent as the branded leather Laramie models, but its chocolate and cream trim is rather attractive. Seats are upholstered in premium cloth rather than leather, but they’re an interesting blend of textures and contrasting colours.
There are also watertight storage compartments cleverly hidden beneath the rear floor and bins beneath the rear seats. The optional RamBox cargo management system ($ 1,195) features two remote-lockable storage compartments integrated in the bedsides, over the rear fenders. They are a handy feature, but unlike the new Nissan Titan’s, they’re not removable and therefore compromise the bed’s payload size.
The front buckets are comfortable, but as in most trucks, they’re built to embrace backsides of more generous proportions than mine, buy they can be manually adjusted 10 ways to find comfort, including lumbar support.
Chrysler’s easy-to-use Uconnect infotainment system comes with a standard screen, but the optional 8.4 ($ 1,250) adds navigation, Harman Kardon sound system, media hub with SD, USB and auxiliary ports and SiriusXM radio.
This particular Ram is equipped with the optional four- corner air suspension ($ 1,595), which gives it unparalleled ride comfort in the truck segment. While there are other V6 trucks with higher tow ratings ( F-150 EcoBoost) or better payload (Silverado), the Ram should be the first choice for those who value ride quality over workload capacity. The adaptable, load- levelling suspension enables the Ram to glide smoothly over almost any surface.
This system lets the Ram rise in two stages — Offroad 1 or Offroad 2 for even more clearance — or lower (Aero) for highway efficiency. The system also makes getting in or out no more difficult than in the average crossover vehicle.
The 3.6- litre V6 puts out a rather underwhelming 305 horsepower and 269 poundfeet of torque. It’s mated to an eight- speed automatic that does an admirable job of wringing out any available power by always keeping it in the right gear. Still, any highway passing manoeuvres need to be planned accordingly.
It’s definitely not the first choice, however, for those who place top priority on towing power. While Hemi-equipped Ram 1500s have a max rating of just over 10,000 lbs., the V6 Ram tops out at 7,500.
But that 7,500 lbs. is more than sufficient for most folks and probably enough to sway the buyer who’s choosi ng be t ween a pickup truck or an SUV. A week spent bouncing between town and horse stable was a test of the Ram’s flexibility. Its on- road manners adapted well to city traffic, comfortably accommodating my friends and family.
Fuel economy ratings are 14.6 L/ 100 km city and 10.1, highway. Overall, I averaged 13 L/100 km.
Trucks these days offer buyers so many options. For some, the Ram 1500 V6 strikes the right balance between comfort and utility. And if you live and work north of seven, it’s a great daily driver. For the full rating breakdown, visit Driving.ca