2017 RAM 1500 Road Test and Review

2017 Ram 1500 snow hero ・ Photo by Ram Trucks

With Americans buying record numbers of big, full-size pickup trucks, automakers continue to improve the products. Today, trucks like the 2017 Ram 1500 are undoubtedly the most powerful, most technically advanced and most capable pickup trucks ever.

It’s already been seven years since the Dodge’s line of pickups split off and became Fiat Chrysler Automobile’s (FCA) Ram trucks brand. Dodge first used the Ram hood ornament on its vehicles back in 1933, and the Ram name first appeared on a Dodge truck in 1981.

Now in its fourth-generation, the 2017 Ram 1500 brings the power, comfort, and capability full-size truck buyers expect. Built in Warren, Michigan, the Ram 1500 competes head to head with its domestic cross-town rivals, the Ford F-150, GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, as well as the Nissan Titan and the Toyota Tundra.

Let's take a closer look at the 2017 Ram 1500.

Models and Pricing

Ram offers the 1500 half-ton pickup in a wide range of configurations. Three body styles are offered, the two-door Regular Cab, which does not have a backseat, the four-door Quad Cab like our test vehicle and the larger Crew Cab, which offers four full-size doors and the most rear-seat space.

They’re available with two- or four-wheel drive and in nine distinct trim levels, Tradesman, Express, Big Horn, the off-road-ready Rebel, Sport, Night, Laramie, and the luxuriously appointed Laramie Longhorn and Limited, which are only available on the Crew Cab. Two bed lengths are offered: A six-foot-four-inch long bed; and a five-foot-seven-inch short bed. There are also five special editions with cool names like Copper and Black.

Prices start at $27,815, including $1,320 for destination, for a two-wheel drive Regular Cab Tradesman with a long bed and a 3.6-liter gas burning V6 rated at 305 hp. Adding four-wheel drive adds $4,600 to the sticker price. Prices max out at $57,695 for a Limited Crew Cab with four-wheel drive and a 5.7-liter V8 that puts out 395 hp. Every model gets a smooth shifting 8-speed automatic transmission.

Our very well-equipped, Hemi-powered, two-wheel drive 1500 Night Edition Quad Cab cost $46,205.

Photo by Ram Trucks

Powertrains

Of the three engines available in the RAM 1500, the $3,120 3.0-liter Ecodiesel is the smallest and the most expensive. But it’s also the only diesel engine available in a half-ton pickup. Ford and Chevy offer diesel power only in the larger heavy duty 2500 series trucks, and Nissan offers a Cummins diesel in its heavy duty Titan XD.

Offered in select trim levels only, the Ecodiesel also packs the most torque of all the Ram’s engines. The powerhouse 5.7-liter Hemi cranks out 410 lb-ft of torque at 3,950 rpm. The 240-hp diesel makes 65 hp less than the gas-burning V6, but its 420 lb-ft of torque peak way down at 2,000 rpm. That’s perfect for a work-truck engine. Its max tow rating is 7,920 lbs.

It’s also the fuel-economy leader of the Ram line up. Heck, it’s the fuel-economy leader of the entire full-size truck segment. The Ecodiesel HFE model is rated 20 mpg city, and 29 mpg highway with two-wheel drive and Ram says it offers 750 miles of highway range.

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Playing In (and Moving) Dirt

If you dig playing in the dirt, the Rebel trim significantly boosts the off-road capability of the RAM 1500. The Ram Rebel uses a taller version of its optional air suspension that raises the truck an inch for trail duty, just like the system on the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The extra lift makes room for larger 33-inch tall 285/70R17 tires.

Two-wheel drive is available. The 4WD Rebel is offered with the 3.6-liter V6, but most Rebels pack the 5.7-liter Hemi V8. Up front, the Rebel uses an open differential with an independent suspension. In the rear is a solid axle. Rebels also have a smaller diameter rear sway bar, uniquely tuned steering and special Bilstein shocks at each corner, however, wheel travel does remain the same as other air-spring Rams. There’s also an aluminum front skid plate built into the front bumper and two beefy tow hooks come standard.

Ram says the Rebel can handle a payload of just 947 lbs. That’s not a particularly impressive payload for a full-size truck, but the Rebel is certainly biased more toward the weekend than work site. Still, Ram rates the base towing capacity of a 4WD V8 Rebel at 10,100 pounds.

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V8 Power and Fuel Economy

The Ram’s standard gasoline-burning 3.6-liter V6 is not exactly delicate little flower. The engine, which is also used in the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs, has variable valve timing and it’s strong, with 269 lb-ft of torque. It also runs on 87-octane regular-grade fuel to keep operating costs down. In the RAM 1500 two-wheel drive, its fuel economy ratings are 17 mpg city and 25 mpg on the highway.

If you can, step up to the 5.7-liter V8. Not only does the Hemi pack a larger punch than the V6, it sounds spectacular, with a traditional V8 rumble right out of that Hemi ‘Cuda you’ve always wanted. The added torque of the V8 also adds capability. With this engine, the Ram has a max payload of 1,720 lbs, and it can tow 10,660 lbs.

To save fuel, the V8 is equipped with Chrysler’s Multi-Displacement System (MDS) cylinder deactivation system which cuts half the cylinders under the right conditions. The Hemi also drinks 87-octane, and the EPA rates it at 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. Our test vehicle had an optional 32-gallon fuel tank, which increases capacity by 6-gallons, so range was not a problem. It’s high-value option at just $355.

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Class Leading Ride Comfort

Around town, the Ram rides incredibly well. Its five-link coil-sprung rear suspension is unique for the segment, and it remains a magic carpet over anything but the worst potholes. This is one of the smoothest light-duty trucks we’ve ever driven, despite our test truck’s oversized 275/60R20 Goodyear tires. On the standard 17-inch rubber it would ride even better. 

Although the Ford F-150 doesn’t ride quite as well as the Ram, it’s more agile and handles better. The Ram is easy to maneuver in the city, but it’s not as athletic as the Ford. The Ram also has a soft, long travel brake pedal, which takes some getting used to.

All trucks should have an automatic transmission that feels this good. The Ram’s 8-speed never seems to hunt for the right gear and the shifts are always silky and precise. That’s no surprise considering this is the same gearbox BMW and Range Rover both use in their big buck models.

Photo by Ram Trucks

Comfortable Interior

This is a very comfortable truck. The seats are large and well-shaped and our test truck’s heated front seats and heated steering wheel were properly pampering. Thanks to a height-adjustable driver’s seat, power-adjustable pedals and tilt steering wheel finding the perfect seating position easy.

I also appreciated our truck's 8.4-inch touch screen, navigation system, and front -and rear-parking sensors, which proved invaluable in the tight confines of Manhattan Beach. The Ram’s interior is well assembled, ergonomic and extremely attractive with an abundance of chrome trim and clean and clear instrumentation that packs a ton of information. Its unique rotary shifter is nothing to fear.

Our Quad Cab’s rear seat is a bit tight on legroom, but it handled three teenage volleyball players easily. The Crew Cab’s rear seat is significantly more spacious and comfortable.

Photo by Ram Trucks

Cargo and Cupholders

Our test vehicle’s optional spray-in bedliner cost an additional $495. In combination with the Ram’s LED bed lighting the truck was ready for some late night runs to Home Depot. Unfortunately, our truck was not equipped with the optional RamBox cargo management system. It provides covered and lockable storage areas on either side of the pickup bed and it’s a must have.

Inside, the Ram has more interior storage than my house. There are two sizable gloveboxes, the door bins are huge and the center console is two-tiered and extremely deep. It can easily swallow a laptop or my wife’s enormous purse. There’s also a deep cubby with no lid that’s perfect for a bag of fast food. It also has a phone holder.

There are six front-seat cupholders and two in the backseat.

Photo by Ram Trucks

Head Turning Exterior Design

If a Dodge Charger Hellcat sedan and a Kenworth big rig produced offspring you’d have the RAM 1500. This a great looking truck, with a strong, powerful front end and oversized grille combined with carlike character lines and muscle car details such as its massive dual exhaust tips tucked up under its rear bumper. 

This truck has attitude. And our Night Edition test vehicle wore a sinister set of clothes with blacked out wheels, grille and badging. If bling is your thing, the Laramie, Big Horn, Longhorn and Limited trims pack enough chrome to seen from space. Our truck’s optional scooped Sport Performance Hood looked cool, and its power retractable side mirrors were gifts from above in tight parking situations.

Unlike the boxy Ford F-150, the Ram’s shapely body and bed are made from steel.

Photo by Ram Trucks

Final Thoughts

If you’re shopping for a luxurious and capable full-size pickup, the 2017 RAM 1500 is an attractive and compelling package.

Because of its unique rear suspension, which uses coil springs instead of leaf springs like the other trucks in the full-size class, the Ram rides better than its competitors. This is the pickup truck for those that don’t want to be rattled and shaken over rough roads. It’s also powerful, especially with the 5.7-liter V8, and it leads the pack in fuel efficiency with its available diesel V6.

Off-road enthusiasts should add the Ram Rebel to their list of trucks to test drive.

Photo by Ram Trucks