RAM BIGHORN 1500

AAt the curb, the Ram 1500 offers one of the most dramatic blends of sport and luxury style we’ve seen. Only the Nissan Titan rivals the curb appeal of this 2018 Ram for the sport-minded who want a pampered look.

Inside, the truck pampers as well. Our tester had bucket seats ($495 option) rather than the 40/20/40 seats. In practice, the latter are just as comfortable, and the center seat back folds down to make a comfortable armrest, but buy the bucket-seat upgrade for its more spacious console with multitudes of divided compartments, charging port, and a single compartment large enough for a laptop.

Interior sound was muted and comfortable, enhancing the clarity of the upgraded audio system. Control it through the 8-inch diagonal Uconnect touchscreen system. That is one of the largest panels we’ve seen, and its startlingly spacious visuals make for easy adjustments. The screen’s placement offered the additional advantage of minimal glare in our experience and when compared to Ford and Toyota screens.

Back-seat legroom in the crew cab is spacious enough to stop passengers from battling for shotgun. Air-conditioning vents and a decent view forward add to the experience, making the truck an ideal family driver.

Under tow, the Ram 1500 exhibited authoritative control over its 7,500-pound towed load. On exit and entry ramps at highway speed, traction and anti-sway kept the load aligned. Some tend to avoid cruise control when towing, but when coupled with the eight-speed transmission, the cruise did well at maintaining speed through central Florida without over-shifting or over-revving. It clocked 8 mpg towing in a 150-mile trip that varied from about 50 percent city to 50 percent highway driving up to 70 mph. In daily driving without tow, it hit 18 mpg on the computer and with a pretty heavy foot on the throttle. The ride is so smooth, we would need a radar detector to own this truck.