2013 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab Truck Video Review

When we were deciding the winners for Autobytel’s Car of the Year, there was one vehicle that most of us  unamiously agreed upon: the 2013 Ram 1500 for Autobytel’s Truck of the Year. For 2013, Ram made a number of major changes to their light-duty pickup lineup.

To start, Ram made some small changes to the 1500’s exterior which includes a reshaped front end, quad halogen headlights, and LED taillights.  Each one of the nine Ram 1500 models on sale has their own unique style. Case in point, the Ram 1500 Laramie gets a chrome front bumper, two-tone paint job, and twenty-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels. Available on Ram 1500’s is the RAMBOX cargo management system which are storage compartments in the rear fenders.

Inside, Ram made some major changes to make the Ram 1500 the top of its class. All models come with new choices in fabric and trim pieces, and there is more soft-touch materials used throughout. Also, Ram gets a large eight-inch touchscreen with Chrysler’s UConnect infotainment system and a seven-inch screen in the instrument cluster.

The major changes begin under the hood. New for the 2013 Ram 1500 is Chrysler’s venerable 3.6L Pentastar V6 with 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. The 3.6L is paired exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission, a first in the truck market. The 4.7L V8 with 310 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, and the 5.7L HEMI V8 with 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque are carried over from the 2012 model. Both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic, while the 5.7L HEMI V8 can be equipped with an eight-speed automatic.

The EPA rates the 2013 Ram 1500 at:

• 3.6L V6 2WD: 17 City/25 Highway/20 Combined
• 3.6L V6 4WD: 16 City/23 Highway/19 Combined
• 4.7L V8 2WD: 14 City/20 Highway/16 Combined
• 4.7L V8 4WD: 14 City/19 Highway/16 Combined
• 5.7L HEMI V8 2WD: 14 City/20 Highway/16 Combined
• 5.7L HEMI V8 4WD: 13 City/19 Highway/15 Combined
• 5.7L HEMI V8 4WD Eight-Speed Automatic: 15 City/21 Highway/17 Combined

That’s not all of the changes. Ram worked on improving the fuel economy of the 2013 Ram 1500 by adding and making changes such as using more high-strength steel, aluminum hood, electric power steering, active grille shutters, and an air suspension that adjusts to improve aerodynamics.

A 2013 Ram 1500 starts at $23,400 for the base Tradesman regular cab with two-wheel drive. The 2013 Ram 1500 Laramie model starts at $38,925 for the Quad-Cab model with two-wheel drive. Competitors for the 2013 Ram 1500 include the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ford F-150, and Toyota Tundra.