1500 Ram 2021 Review: DT Limited
Content
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
- How practical is the interior space? 8/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10
- What is it like to drive? 8/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10
- Verdict
A new generation of Ram 1500 has arrived, designated the DT series.
It's a modern truck in the truest sense of the word: it's capable of towing 4.5 tons, it's got a heavy 5.7-litre Hemi V8 engine, it's got very versatile cargo space, and it's loaded with plenty of safety technology - all in a premium package.
I spent seven days with the Limited, the new top notch Ram 1500 in the lineup, and it's a prestigious car if I've ever driven one.
So, is this luxury full-size pickup worth your attention? Read more.
| Ram 1500 2021: Limited Rambox (Hybrid) | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | |
| engine's type | 5.7L |
| fuel type | Hybrid with premium unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel efficiency | 12.2l / 100km |
| Landing | 5 Places |
| Price from | $119,000 |
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
The 2021 Ram DT 1500 model year is currently available in two trims - Laramie and Limited, but there are other options as well.
The suggested retail price for the 1500 Laramie Crew Cab is $114,950; The 1500 Laramie Crew Cab with RamBox has an MSRP of $119,900 to $1500; Both the 1500 Limited Crew Cab RamBox (Launch Edition) and the 21 Limited Crew Cab with RamBox (MY139,950) have an MSRP of $XNUMX.
The RamBox load management system is standard on the Ram 1500 Limited, but it costs about $5000 for the Laramie.
The MSRP for the 1500 Crew Cab is $139,95.
The list of standard features is extensive - what you might expect at this price point - and includes an active-level quad air suspension, a 12.0-inch Uconnect touchscreen with split-screen features and navigation, a premium Harman with 19 900W speakers. Kardon audio system, premium leather seats, fully reconfigurable Ram center floor console, heated and ventilated front and rear seats (four positions), 60/40 reclining rear seats with heated outer seats, exclusive RamBox RamBox cargo management system , electric automatic side steps, an electronic parking brake, 22.0-inch black wheels, a fully damped power tailgate and more.
Driver Assistance Technology includes Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Crossing and Trailer Detection, 360° Surround Camera and Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist, LaneSense Plus Lane Departure Warning and Adaptive Cruise Control, SmartBeam Smart Headlights, Tire Pressure monitoring system and more.
Standard features include 22.0-inch black wheels.
Options include metallic/pearl paint (including Flame Red) ($950), Level 2 Driver Assistance Package (Laramie only, $4950), and power side steps (Laramie only, $1950).
The exterior paint is Billet Silver, but the other two options are Diamond Black and Granite Crystal.
All international Ram vehicles imported by Ram Trucks Australia are coded for the Australian market and are locally converted from LHD to RHD by the Walkinshaw Automotive Group in Melbourne, using over 400 new locally produced parts in the process.
Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
The Ram 1500 is 5916mm long (with a 3672mm wheelbase), 2474mm wide and 1972mm high. Its claimed curb weight is 2749 kg.
It's a big, imposing car, but it goes well with its size. It looks much sportier and more popular than the previous generations now called classics, and it feels very premium inside.
From front to back, this ute has a reasonably massive presence, but its design with so many practical elements on board is quite an impressive feat.
The Ram 1500 is 5916mm long (with a 3672mm wheelbase), 2474mm wide and 1972mm high.
Don't take my word for it - look at the attached photos and draw your own conclusion.
What is particularly impressive, however, is the bodywork and how it has been optimized for greater cargo space versatility.
In the Limited, the space inside the panel above each rear wheel arch is now RamBox side storage offering 210 liters of vented cargo space with a 230-volt outlet.
A soft canopy, folded in three, protects the tank 1712 mm long (at floor level with the rear door closed) and 543 mm deep. The volume of cargo is indicated as 1.5 cubic meters.
The tank has been optimized for greater cargo space versatility.
The trunk features LED luggage compartment lighting, a grippy liner and a movable RamBox cargo management system luggage barrier/divider that can be removed and placed either farther or forward in the trunk, depending on your cargo. Carrying requirements.
The tub has four fixed attachment points on the tub wall and four adjustable attachment points along the bed rails (simply blow on the top edge of the tub) and these can be moved back and forth, again to suit your load capacity requirements. .
The tub also has a handy retractable back step, but use your foot/boot to open and close it, resist the temptation to use your hand to close it because that's a serious pinch point between the step as it's the closure and the bottom edge of the car .
The RamBox load handling system has a movable load divider/separator.
The tailgate is centrally lockable and can be lowered with a key fob and fully damped/reinforced.
How practical is the interior space? 8/10
The Ram 1500 has a lot of features that have real practical uses inside and out, and we're going to look at a few of them right here.
First, it's a massive cabin, so there's plenty of room for plenty of thoughtful storage, including an imposing full-height center console (with a Bombay-door stowage drawer and leather-covered lid) and a large fold-out shelf. . - the bottom of the center console in the rear seat, as well as the usual door pockets and cup holders (two in front, two in the back on the center console) and a glove box.
Ram 1500 has a massive interior.
Secondly, it is a comfortable lounge. All seats are partly upholstered in premium leather, all heated and ventilated except for the rear center seat - poor he/she/they.
The soft-touch surface feels everywhere you look and touch.
The front seats are comfortable, well-supported bucket seats, and both are 10-way adjustable with memory settings. The back is a 60/40 stadium-style folding bench with manual tilt. The rear row of seats can be folded back - one or all - to make room for luggage in this section.
All seats are partially upholstered in premium leather, all heated and ventilated except for the center rear seat.
Thirdly, it is a comfortable interior. A 12.0-inch portrait-style touchscreen dominates the front, and it's very easy to use, with split-screen features and navigation.
The 7.0-inch six-gauge driver information display is also clear and easy to operate on the fly.
There are five USB charging points, four USB-C points and a wireless charging pad in the cabin.
The huge power sunroof at the top can be opened for light or fresh air only, and the cab's rear window has a center panel that opens and closes electrically.
Plenty of well thought out storage space.
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10
Variants of the DT series are powered by Ram's 5.7-litre Hemi V8 petrol engine - 291kW at 5600rpm and 556Nm at 3950rpm - but this time around, in addition to cylinder deactivation technology that deactivates the cylinders when they're not needed, these The all-new RAM 1500 Laramie and Limited variants feature an eTorque mild hybrid system aimed at improving fuel efficiency and all-round driveability. This system combines a belt-driven motor-generator and a 48-volt battery designed to provide the vehicle's start/stop function and provide momentary torque boost, and it is regenerated by the vehicle's braking.
The Ram 1500 has an eight-speed automatic transmission and a permanent on-demand all-wheel drive system.
Variants of the DT series are powered by Ram's 5.7-litre Hemi V8 petrol engine.
What is it like to drive? 8/10
Life with this big machine is fun, and it starts before you even start the engine.
When you open the doors, the power side steps* extend automatically for easier entry, but be careful not to hit your shins on them! – and then they return to their resting place once all the doors are closed. (*Auto-deploying electric side steps are standard on the Limited but available as an option on the Laramie.)
The steering wheel is adjustable for reach and tilt, and the driver's seat is 10-way adjustable with memory settings.
Ground clearance is listed as 217mm (front axle) and 221mm (rear axle). It's worth noting that the Ram's air suspension can be lowered 51mm below its normal ride height to help passengers get in and out of it, or, if you're riding 4xXNUMX-only cross-country, it can be raised XNUMXmm higher. this normal ride height helps the Ram clear tough obstacles. I didn't ride off-road this time, so I was happy to leave the ute set automatically to the programmed height to optimize aerodynamics. With that aerodynamic purpose, the steps automatically retract as soon as the doors close, as mentioned, and the Ram grille shutters close while that big old American Aute is in motion.
Before you hit the road, you can fine-tune your driving position with precision as the steering wheel is adjustable for reach and tilt, and the driver's seat is 10-way adjustable with memory settings. Good.
At just under six meters long, just under two meters high and weighing in at 2749kg, the Ram 1500 is an amazingly agile beast.
The 5.7-litre Hemi V8 petrol engine has a welcoming roar when you fire it up, but it's kept low by the fact that the cabin is so well isolated from any noise, vibration and harshness that you feel right at home. re cocooned for the duration of your trip.
The steering is well-weighted, and at just under six meters long, just under two meters high and weighing 2749kg, the Ram 1500 is a surprisingly nimble beast, always feeling very nimble even when the suburban streets get a little crowded with parked cars. cars and through traffic.
Ram's huge volume and 3672mm wheelbase enhance the feeling of complete and stable stability.
Visibility is plentiful and the driving position is commanding as the Ram sits high.
The cabin is so well insulated from any noise, vibration and harshness that you feel like you are in a cocoon throughout the journey.
Hemi and the six-speed automatic transmission are a laid-back combination that never strains and delivers consistent power and torque (291kW and 556Nm) over a wide rev range.
The V8 has a lot of jerky start-stop and overtaking traffic, but even better, this ute just rides on the open road, no doubt with that aforementioned cylinder deactivation technology, deactivating the cylinders when they are not required to reduce fuel consumption , making a contribution when needed.
Ride and handling are perfectly matched with all-round coil springs and a finely calibrated air suspension setting for rider and passenger comfort.
The DT series has a payload of 701 kg, 750 kg (without brakes), 4500 kg (with brakes, with 70mm ball), 3450 kg (GVW) and a GVW of 7713 kg.
I'm looking forward to load testing and towing the Ram 1500.
The DT series has a payload of 701kg, 750kg (without brakes), 4500kg (with brakes, with 70mm ball).
How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
The official fuel consumption of the Ram 1500 Limited is 12.2 l/100 km combined.
In testing, we recorded fuel consumption of 13.9 l / 100 km.
The Ram 1500 Limited has a 98 liter fuel tank.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
3 years / 100,000 km
guarantee
ANCAP Safety Rating
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10
The new Ram 1500 DT series does not have an ANCAP safety rating.
The Limited gets a suite of safety technologies as standard, such as parallel/perpendicular parking assist, surround view monitor, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure alert, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control. control. , side mirrors with automatic dimming and much more.
Many Limited driver assistance technologies are missing from the Laramie, but they can be included on the Laramie with the $4950 Driver Assistance Level 2 package.
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10
The 2021 Ram 1500 DT is in dealerships now and comes with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty.
Roadside assistance is for three years/100,000 km, with service intervals scheduled every 12 months or 12,000 km.
Verdict
The Ram 1500 Limited is refined, comfortable and practical, with a truly luxurious look and feel inside and out.
He's got loads of trucks, lots of tech, and drives like no ute has ever driven before - well, I didn't drive anything anyway. it really set the gold standard for full-size pickups in Australia, but given the hefty price tag, you certainly hope so.
This big purpose built car is very impressive on the road and it will be interesting to see how it handles off road as well as with towing features - and rest assured we're getting those reviews ready.
