Ram 1500 Buying Guide: Dealmakers & Dealbreakers

If you’ve never owned a full-size truck, there is a bit of a learning curve. The size, the controls, the monthly fuel costs will all be new to you. The Ram 1500 is arguably the best choice for first-time truck owners, and offers plenty for those who have owned many trucks throughout the years. It has manageable proportions, tons of cargo options, and its instruments are set up in such a way that the average car-buyer can hop behind the wheel and be right at home. The Ram 1500 is capable of many things for the die-hard truck user, but for the weekend warrior, it is just as good.

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2017 Ram 1500 Fast Facts

Pricing: $26,395-$53,375
Seating: 2-3 passenger (Standard Cab), 5-6 passenger (Quad Cab), 5-6 passenger (Crew Cab)

Dealmakers

• The ultimate weekend warrior pickup
• Incredibly smooth ride
• Available air suspension makes ride even smoother
• Strong base V6 engine
• Powerful/Efficient diesel V6 engine
• Clever 8-speed automatic transmission
• Sharp, welcoming cabin
• Smart storage options
• Best infotainment in the truck market
• Innovative RamBox option
• Excellent fuel economy

Dealbreakers

• Safety scores lacking
• Low tow capacity
• Air suspension suffers at highway speeds
• Boasted data services don’t live up
• Rotary shifter takes getting used to
• Diesel engine expensive

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Dealmakers: Ram 1500’s Top Lifestyle Features

If you were going to get the Ram to be a work truck, it is a more-than-capable platform and you can get a model that is properly basic for your needs. IF you are buying or leasing to be your commuter truck or your weekend toy for the mountains, Ram offers plenty of clever features. These range from making the most of the cargo space to an easy-to-use touch screen system.

Dealmaker: The Ultimate Weekend Warrior Pickup

So what does that even mean? Trucks have various barriers to entry. For some, it’s justifying dropping $40,000-$50,000 on a pickup. For others, its the fuel economy, and for many more, it is the problem of helming such a large truck. Automakers have done a great deal to make this an easy transition for first-time truck owners, and no brand has done more in this regard than Ram.

Ram was the first brand to really take on the “commuter truck” concept, by ditching the leaf springs out back, in favor of a multi-like rear suspension. We’ll get into this concept more, but it results in improved ride quality, but specifically for those using this truck like an SUV or car. Meanwhile, the Ram has tons of little cargo spaces, and the controls and instruments are laid out in a way that SUV owners would expect. Additionally, the Uconnect is incredibly easy to use and is just like the Uconnect you’d find in any Dodge or Chrysler product. The result is a truck that is capable of work-site duty, but really has its edges softened for the daily driver.

Dealmaker: Sharp, Welcoming Cabin

Getting behind the wheel of the Ram 1500 feels more like an SUV, with its easy-to-use controls. As The Car Connection puts it, “Its interior looks fantastic and features a big screen and controls that make it among the most intuitive to operate.” But no matter which seat you’re in, the 1500 is very comfortable, and has very high quality materials. The seats are comfortable, and are even easy to climb up into with (or without) the available side steps. As trucks go the Ram 1500 is as close as you’ll get to an upscale sedan or crossover in terms of cabin comfort.

Dealmaker: Smart Storage Options

Among the ways the Ram 1500 puts daily usability first is the plethora of storage cubbies spread around the cabin. The center console is deep, the doors have cargo space and built-in cup/bottle holders, and even the second row seats fold up, giving way to additional under-seat cargo space.

The Ram 1500 is also available with something called Rambox. This available storage system is comprised of two lockable, drainable lockers built into the outside walls of the truck bed. They are tied into the truck’s power locks, and can lock and unlock remotely with your key fob. The size of the RamBox partially cuts down on the overall bed space of the 1500, but makes up for it with an all-weather storage solution for gear that you might not want up in the cabin.

Dealmaker: Best Infotainment in the Truck Market

Rivals like the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have strong infotainment options, but neither can hold a candle to Uconnect, Chrysler’s infotainment system that is used across all of its brands. What makes Uconnect so great is its layout. It has the look and feel of a tablet device (noted in the tutorial video above), like an iPad. All the major functions phases/functions found in the touch screen are found at the base of the screen, like an iPad “dock.” There are large, easy-to-read icons for the phone, radio, media (using your phone for music), climate, navigation, and then a final icon for various settings. The toggle buttons are very large and super easy-to-read, and just as important– many of the toggles for the audio and climate controls have redundant controls outside of the screen that are real buttons and dials.

Dealmaker: Standard Spray-In Bed Liner

The Ram 1500 comes standard with a spray-in bed liner. This is one of the most crucial elements that you can have in a pickup truck, and there are multiple reasons why. For one, it keeps the bed looking sharp– there are no nicks and scratches in the bed. It also helps with the long term value of the truck, if you are trying to resell the 1500 after a few years.

The bed liner also minimizes how much water gets into the frame, thus reducing the progression of rust as the years wear on. There are many bed liners that are separate components that are bolted in, but water can get stuck in between the liner and the bed, which also causes rust. The spray-in liner sticks right

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Dealbreakers: Ram 1500’s Worst Lifestyle Features

In the pursuit to be the ultimate consumer light duty pickup, Ram may have overlooked some things. Some of its controls and tech features have some caveats. And more importantly, one key element for getting into the truck bed offered by rivals Ford and Chevrolet is not offered on the Ram 1500.

Dealbreaker: Rotary Shifter Takes Getting Used To

Many FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) brands employ a “rotary shifter” for selecting gears. Found in the Chrysler 200, Chrysler Pacifica, and other vehicles, it is a dial, that you turn for Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive and any other sport mode gear. This falls in line with the trend of many automakers right now that use unique, proprietary shifters. From the automaker’s perspective, it helps set their product apart, but from your perspective, it is just a distraction.

Unique shifter designs have resulted in cases of putting the car in the wrong gear by accident, and there have even been injuries and deaths as a result of the trend in general. Compared to other proprietary shifters, the Ram rotary shifter is not THAT bad, and if you really wan’t a Ram 1500 without it, you can opt for the base trim, which has a traditional column shifter.

Dealbreaker: Data Services Have Some Gaps

For all the praise we just hoisted upon Uconnect, the infotainment system is not without its faults. For one, there are occasional hiccups in the system and in rare cases, it freezes. That said, Chrysler has fitted Uconnect with some of the most comprehensive hardware in the segment, and is still more powerful than Chevrolet MyLink and Ford SYNC 3.

But if you want to use the enhanced data services, there are some setbacks. The truck is available with Sprint 3G that brings in expanded apps and even wifi hotspot capability. But some have found Sprint’s 3G coverage for these features to be lacking. If you plan on opting for some kind of data services to run apps in your truck, Chevrolet MyLink is available with 4G LTE, as is Ford’s SYNC 3 system.

Dealbreaker: No Step-Up

There’s no getting around the sheer size to which full-size pickups have grown. Heck, that’s half of why many buyers like them. But that size has a price for shorter drivers– hopping up into the truck is a bit of a stretch. Like all truck-makers, Ram offers side-steps to make climbing into the cabin more easily. But when it comes to climbing up into the bed, you’re on your own. While the Ford F-150 offers a step that folds out of the tailgate and the Chevrolet Silverado offers steps cut into the corners of the rear bumper, no such step system is offered by Ram. Taller owners can step on the rear wheel and throw the other leg over the bedwall to climb in, but that can be slippery when the tire is covered in snow or mud, and shorter owners can’t pull this off. If you are not on the taller side and plan on climbing into the bed a lot, be prepared for a challenge.

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Dealmaker: A Model for All Lifestyles

Aside from its notable big-rig styling, one of the Ram 1500’s hallmarks is the selection in features, options and unique editions that are available to the consumer. Many of these special edition models have their on distinct look, with some even having a completely different grille and fenders. From the practical to the luxurious, the selection is vast.

Cab/Bed Configurations Offered

The Ram 1500 is available in three cab sizes and three bed sizes, but five overall configurations. The single cab, or Regular cab is available in “regular bed” (6’4″ bed) and “long bed” (8′ bed). The extended cab or “Quad Cab” is only available with the regular bed. Finally, the four-door Crew Cab model is available with the “short bed” (5’7″ bed) or regular size bed. Chevrolet follows the same format with the Silverado, while Ford offers seven different configurations with the F-150. Ford’s route gives you choice, but Ram and Chevy keep things simple.

Regular Cab, 6’4″ Box: (MSRP: $26,395)

The single cab/regular box layout is your standard truck format. The bed isn’t the largest available, but it still has plenty of space. As for the regular cab layout- it has seating for two with the center console, or seating for three with the front bench and no center console. The other plus of this layout is you can get the column shifter in the base trim.

Regular Cab, 8′ Box: (MSRP: $26,395)

This layout has all the benefits of the single cab, with the longest bed available in the 1500 lineup. It is a great truck if you need the most cargo space available, but only needs single cab. This is the only layout available with the 8′ bed.

Quad Cab, 6’4″ Box: (MSRP: $30,495)

The Quad Cab is Ram’s take on the extended cab and slotting below the full two-row model. Despite its “in-betweener” positioning, it features conventional doors that open like normal doors. Compare that to the Ford F-150http://heavy.com/cars/2016/12/ford-f150-truck/, which features “clamshell” style rear doors that require the front doors opening to open them. If you need a second row, but don’t need it all the time, the Quad cab is a fantastic option.

Crew Cab, 5’7″ Box: (MSRP: $32,895)

The Crew Cab is the largest available cab in the Ram 1500 lineup. It has four full doors, and two full rows. You can even get it with a front bench seat, bringing seating capacity up to 6. If you need the most cabin space, and bed size is less of a priority, this variant is the way to go.

Crew Cab, 6’4″ Box: (MSRP: $33,595)

What if you need the most in the way of both cargo and passenger space? The Crew Cab/Regular Bed combination is the most you’ll get of both. It might not have the space of the 8′ long bed, but the 6’4″ bed has plenty of space for all your gear, and the Crew Cab offers tons of head and legroom for both rows.

Trims Offered

Tradesman: (MSRP: $26,395)
• 17-inch steel wheels
• Black, plastic bumpers
• Standard Class IV trailer hitch
• USB/auxiliary audio input jacks
Express: (MSRP $27,795, includes everything from Tradesman, plus)
• 17-inch painted aluminum wheels
• Body color front/rear bumper
• Body color grille
• Fog lights
Big Horn: (MSRP $33,395, includes everything from Lone Star, plus)
• 20-inch chrome wheels
• Electronic on-demand 4×4
• LED bed lighting system
• Power heated auto-folding mirrors
• Uconnect 8.4-inch touch screen
Sport: (MSRP $36,495, includes everything from Big Horn, plus)
• 20-inch aluminum wheels
• Standard V8 engine
• Dual rear exhaust
• Power-adjustable pedals
• R/T package
Laramie: (MSRP $39,895, includes everything from Sport, plus)
• 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels
• Halogen/LED headlights
• Heated power mirrors with integrated turn signals
• Leather heated/cooled seating
• 10-speaker premium stereo
Laramie Longhorn: (MSRP $49,495, includes everything from Laramie, plus)
• 20-inch polished aluminum wheels w/ Gold-clad inserts
• 32-gallon fuel tank, running boards
• Upgraded digital instrument panel
• Heated/leather wrapped steering wheel with wood accents
Limited: (MSRP $52,695, includes everything from Laramie Longhorn, plus)
• 20-inch Satin Carbon painted aluminum wheels
• Unique front grille design
• Four-corner air suspension
• Automatic high beams
• Rain-sensing wipers

Special Editions

Tradesman HFE: (MSRP $37,795) “High Fuel Efficiency” model features efforts towards improved aerodynamics, including the EcoDiesel V6, tonneau cover, and active-shutting grille louvers, 3.55 axle ratio.
Rebel: (MSRP $44,995) The Ram Rebel has a unique grille design, heavy use of blacked out grille, bumpers, and fenders, aggressive all-terrain tires, blacked out badging and massive black “R-A-M” across the tailgate.

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Dealmaker: Less Is More (or Just as Good)

New trucks are proving you can do a lot with a V6 engine. The Ram 1500 is available with three engines– two of which are V6s. If you are coming into a truck for the first time, don’t feel you need the V8, as the V6 options do a lot. And while rough rides are a thing of the past with big trucks. If you are coming out of a sedan or crossover, the smooth ride of the Ram is welcomed.

Handling: Smoothest Among All Trucks

The ride of the ram is nothing short of butter and silk. With or without the optional air suspension, it has the smoothest ride and handling among all full size pickup trucks. But as The Car Connection notes, “Ride quality may be the smoothest in the class. The electric power steering does not offer much feedback.” So steering is a bit light, which may not be a big deal for many drivers. The Ram is available with four-corner air suspension which lowers at highway speeds for less body roll and improved aerodynamics, but as The Car Connection also notes, the ride becomes rather stiff when the suspension reaches highway height.

Drivetrain: Power of Choice

The Ram 1500 is available with one of three engines- a 3.6-liter V6, 5.7-liter V8, and an efficient 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6. The base V6 makes 305 horsepower, and delivers a decent amount of acceleration. It’s surprising that a V6 with no turbos can pull a vehicle its size. The EcoDiesel on the HFE trim has a few little touches to aid in aerodynamics, helping improve fuel economy. In fact, the EcoDiesel HFE has the best fuel economy in the full-size truck class– at 20/28/22 MPG (city/highway/combined). The only downside is that this engine option costs $4,270, which some buyers might balk at.

The Hemi V8 is a strong puller, but does have its downsides when compared to other V8 pickups. According to Edmunds.com testing, “A Ram 1500 Sport crew cab 4WD made the sprint from zero to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, which is slower than average for a full-size pickup with a V8.” But V6 engines are becoming less and less a “must-have” option, as V6s have shown their combination of strength and efficiency.

Performance Specs

• Engine #1: 3.6-liter V6
• Output: 305 horsepower / 295 lb.-ft. of torque
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic
• Drivetrain: RWD/4WD
• 0-60 MPH: 7.9 sec
• Towing: 4,210-7,600 lbs.
• Fuel economy: 17/25/20 (city/highway/combined)

Performance Specs

• Engine #1: 5.7-liter Hemi V8
• Output: 395 horsepower / 410 lb.-ft. of torque
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic
• Drivetrain: RWD/4WD
• 0-60 MPH: 7.1 sec
• Towing: 5,030-10,640 lbs.
• Fuel economy: 15/22/17 (city/highway/combined)

Performance Specs

• Engine #1: 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6
• Output: 240 horsepower / 420 lb.-ft. of torque
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic
• Drivetrain: RWD/4WD
• 0-60 MPH: 8.7 sec
• Towing: 7,540-9,210 lbs.
• Fuel economy: 21/29/24 (city/highway/combined)

Towing/Hauling: Falls Behind Chevy, Ford

You have some options when towing with the Ram 1500. With all three engines, bigger isn’t necessarily better, and each engine offers unique aspects. According to Consumer Reports, “The 3.6-liter V6 works surprisingly well for those using the truck for commuting and light towing. Opting for the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 gets you the highest tow ratings and the fastest acceleration, but fuel economy suffers.” Consumer Reports goes on to note that if it were not for the $4,270 price tag, the clear choice for most shoppers, but also noting that it, “Pulls well when towing and has strong tow ratings, it has less payload capacity than the Hemi V8, complicating things for handling heavy trailer tongue weights.”

Off-Road Performance: More Than Capable

Once again, this is an area where Ram makes it easy for newcomers and experts, alike. The available air suspension has four ride height settings, and can automatically raise and lower the whole truck with the push of a button. When you’re ready to hit the trail, simply press the button to achieve maximum height, providing the necessary ground clearance for crawling over rocks and roots. When you get back on the highway, the system automatically lowers for improved stability and aerodynamics.

The available Ram 1500 Rebel is more than just a unique grille and stickers. It offers a revised front bumper with a better approach angle. The approach angle is how steep an incline a vehicle can approach, and with the bumper covering less of the front tires, it can grip some steep hills to get over many types of obstacles.

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Dealbreaker: Subpar Safety Status

There are two major safety organizations that test road cars and publish scores. They are the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). NHTSA scores vehicles out of five stars, while the IIHS scores on a scale of Poor, Marginal, Acceptable, and Good. Additionally, the IIHS offers “Top Safety Pick” recommendations, as well as “Top Safety Pick +” for vehicles with advanced crash avoidance and mitigation features.

NHTSA Crash Test Data

Truck	NHTSA Overall Crash Results
Chevrolet Silverado 1500	5/5
GMC Sierra 1500	5/5
Ford F-150	5/5
Ram 1500	4/5
Toyota Tundra	4/5
Nissan Titan	N/A

The Ram only scored four out of five stars in NHTSA crash testing. In a time when so many cars and trucks earn a five-star overall rating, four is marginal performance. Breaking the scores out further, the Ram 1500 only scored three out of five stars on the crucial-for-trucks rollover test.

IIHS Testing Results

Truck	Accolade
Ford F-150	Top Safety Pick

The Ram 1500 does not offer a backup camera as standard equipment on the base Tradesman. It’s optional on the Tradesman and the next trim up, the Express, but of course you’ll have to pay extra. Neither trim offers a reverse sensing system, either.

Safety Tech: Basic at Best

As stated, you CAN get a backup camera and front and rear parking sensors, but only as optional equipment or standard above the Express. Above those bottom two trims, you can also get the parking sensors, but that’s really where the Ram’s safety equipment ends. You can get an available blind-spot monitoring system, but safety systems like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and more are not available. Many buyers have come to expect these features, even in trucks, and pickups like the Silverado and F-150 do offer many of these forms of safety tech.

Reliability: Middle of the Road

In J.D. Power ratings, the Ram did not fare so well, earning only a 2 out of 5 for Overall Quality, 3 out of 5 for Overall Design, and again, a 3 out of 5 for Predicted Reliability. The scuttlebutt in some automotive circles is that the Ram is not the most reliable truck in the field, and the numbers appear to back it up.

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Tiebreakers: Comparing the Ram 1500 to the Competition

The truck market is one of the most hotly contested markets in the automotive work. The one-upsmanship that goes on is seldom found anywhere else in the industry, with automakers routinely updating pickups for marginal power and towing gains so they can claim “Best-in-class,” even for a year. No matter which truck you select, it will be large, spacious, and supremely capable. What sets them apart are the styling, packaging and features unique to each entry in the market.

Chevrolet Silverado (MSRP $27,585-$54,925)

The two trucks to give the Ram a run for its money are the Ford F-150 and Silverado 1500. These two trucks are far and away the two top-selling pickups in the market. The Silverado has iconic styling, as defined by the split-chrome grille. The extended cab version of the Silverado has conventional second-row doors, unlike the F-150’s clamshell doors, which need the front doors to be opened first. The Silverado has similar available tech, but Chevy’s Safety Alert and MyLink give it the edge in the tech department. But the F-150’s EcoBoost fuel economy can;t be beat.

Ram 1500 vs Silverado:
• Best-in-Class Towing 12,500 lbs. (Ram 1500 has 10,690 lbs.)
• Forward Collision Avoidance and Lane Departure Warning offered (Not available on Ram)
• Innovative septs cut into rear bumper (No easy step-up on Ram)

Learn more about the Chevrolet Silverado here.

GMC Sierra (MSRP $27,815-$54,640)

The Sierra is the GMC equivalent of the Silverado. They are built on the same platform, offer much of the same mechanicals, and even have similar styling. You’d think it would be simply a matter of choice, but despite the Sierra being positioned as the luxury truck option, pricing is relatively the same.

Ram 1500 vs Sierra:
• Strong towing of 12,000 lbs. (Ram 1500 has 10,690 lbs.)
• Forward Collision Avoidance and Lane Departure Warning offered (Not available on Ram)
• Innovative septs cut into rear bumper (No easy step-up on Ram)

Learn more about the Sierra here.

Ford F-150 (MSRP $26,540-$63,025)

Aluminum. This is what separates the F-150 from the rest. It’s extensive use of military grade aluminum keeps weight down, which allows it to use turbocharged V6s to much of the work previously demanded of a V8. Other automakers have criticized this choice, claiming it will dent more easily and repairs will be expensive. There have been mixed reviews of the Sync 3 infotainment system.

Ram 1500 vs F-150:
• Aluminum keeps weight down, but body repair bills could run up
• Advanced safety systems (not offered on Ram 1500)
• Sync 3 improvement over previous Ford infotainment (But not as good as Uconnect)

Learn more about the F-150 here.

Nissan Titan (MSRP $36,290-$61,960)

Up until last year, the Nissan Titan had become long in the tooth, and mostly and afterthought in the truck market, but Nissan reinvented its full-size pickup, positioning it as something between a 1500 level and 2500/3500-level vehicle. It’s starting out in upper level trims, and upper level engines, thus keeping the price high until lower-level trims are offered.

Ram 1500 vs Titan:
• Only truck to offer a diesel V8 (Ram EcoDiesel still better fuel economy)
• Offers surround-view camera system (Ram 1500 only basic backup camera offered)
• Traditional column-style shifter (Easier to use than Ram’s dial shifter)

Learn more about the Titan here.

Toyota Tundra (MSRP $29,140-$49,580)

The Tundra features big, bold styling and really spacious seats on the Double Cab and CrewMaX models, and it even has a solid infotainment system. But the Tundra is held back by poor fuel economy, a rough ride, and styling that not everyone has fallen in love with.

Ram 1500 vs Tundra:
• Good infotainment system, but lacks Apple CarPlay (Neither does Ram’s Uconnect)
• Extremely roomy CrewMax model
• Poor fuel economy (Ram 1500, especially EcoDiesel blows it away on MPG)

Learn more about the Tundra here.

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Should I Buy a Ram 1500?

There are a lot of great reasons to buy a Ram 1500, and some reasons not to. Truck buyers are loyal, and if you owned a Ford F-150 before, it might be hard to talk you out of that Ford. But the Ram 1500 offers some unique features and has the smoothest ride of any truck out there. But is it the right truck for you?

So Which to Buy?

• If you love comfortable interiors: Silverado/Sierra, Ram, Titan

• If you require a truck with good fuel economy: Ford F-150, Ram (EcoDiesel)

• If you want the latest safety and infotainment tech: Silverado/Sierra

• If you must have the most towing capacity: Silverado/Sierra

• If you’re on a tight budget: Ford F-150

Dealmakers vs. Dealbreakers Final Tally

Dealmaker: The ultimate weekend warrior pickup
Dealmaker: Incredibly smooth ride
Dealmaker: Available air suspension makes ride even smoother
Dealmaker: Strong base V6 engine
Dealmaker: Powerful/Efficient diesel V6 engine
Dealmaker: Clever 8-speed automatic transmission
Dealmaker: Sharp, welcoming cabin
Dealmaker: Smart storage options
Dealmaker: Best infotainment in the truck market
Dealmaker: Innovative RamBox option
Dealmaker: Excellent fuel economy
Dealmaker: Standard Spray-In Bed-Liner

Dealbreaker: Safety scores lacking
Dealbreaker: Lower tow capacity than rivals
Dealbreaker: Air suspension rides rough at highway speeds
Dealbreaker: Boasted data services have some gaps
Dealbreaker: Rotary shifter takes getting used to
Dealbreaker: Diesel engine expensive
Dealbreaker: No Step-Up

Final Tally: +5
Market Average: +4.6

If you have owned trucks for decades and are set in your ways, the consumer-minded innovations of the Ram 1500 might seem like frills. From the smooth ride, to the outstanding infotainment, to the clever storage solutions, the Ram 1500 almost shares more with an SUV or minivan in terms of how it may be used by its owners in a given week. It doesn’t shoot for the moon with the top towing capacity, but instead simply delivers the best driver-focused features for the everyday commuter with their eyes on a pickup.

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