Ram 1500 2018 overview

You may have heard of the Dodge Ram 1500, one of those all-American pickup trucks, but that ute no longer exists. No, it's now known as the Ram 1500. Ram is now a brand and the truck is called the 1500 - what about Dodge? Well, it's a brand of muscle cars. 

The 1500 is the "small" one in the Ram line, while the larger Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 models - which look more like trucks that have been put in an oven and shrunk a bit - take up space above the Ram 1500. 

Ateco Automotive, the company behind the import of this generation of Ram 1500, boldly claims that this new model "eats food for breakfast." But with a price tag of a hundred thousand, the appetite for such a car can be quite limited.

Now I pointed to "this generation" because there is a newer, more attractive, more advanced and frankly more attractive Ram 1500 truck for sale in the US, but it is currently limited to the North American market. 

But Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ram's parent company, is still making the old version we got and will be doing so for at least another three years. Probably longer. And until they stop, Ram's Australian businesses will continue to bring them in, convert them right-hand drive through American Special Vehicles, and sell them for big bucks. 

Ram 1500 2018: Express (4X4)
Safety Rating	-
engine's type	5.7L
fuel type	Regular unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	12.2l / 100km
Landing	5 Places
Price from	$59,200

Is there anything interesting about its design? 6/10

It's definitely impressive. This will happen when the outside dimension of your vehicle is significantly larger than the rest of the double cab segment.

That's because this model is essentially a step ahead of the likes of the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux. It would be more natural to compete with the Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra, but Ateco is positioning it as a powerful competitor for cashed-in buyers.

The 1500 Express is designed for customers who want a sporty model that feels right at home when towing a boat. Anyway, this is what I see in these models. There's no big body kit here, no front spoiler or side skirts, but you do get handy side steps to climb into the high-flying cabin. 

The 1500 Express is for buyers who want a sports car.

The Express model has a Quad Cab body with a 6 ft 4 in (1939 mm) wide body, and all Ram 1500 models have a 1687 mm wide body (with 1295 mm wheel arch spacing, making it large enough to load Australian pallets). in). Body depth is 511mm for the Express and 509mm for the Laramie.

Body width is 1270mm if you opt for RamBoxes, a pair of insulated lockable boxes above the wheel arches that provide secure storage. And models with those extra boxes get a padded trunk lid for the rear, known as a "triple trunk" - it's almost like a hardtop, in fact, and takes more effort to remove than a regular vinyl one. 

The body of the Quad Cab is significantly smaller in terms of rear seat space, but the space lost there is made up for by a longer tray. Both he and Laramie have the same overall length (5816 mm), width (2018 mm) and height (1924 mm).

The 1500 Laramie has a more stylish exterior trim with chrome details on the grille, mirrors, door handles and wheels, as well as full-length chrome bumpers and side steps. If I had to stereotype a scene in which one of these models would be seen, it would be an equestrian event with a triaxial float attached.

The 1500 Laramie has a more stylish exterior finish, including chrome details.

The Laramie has a Crew Cab body providing more rear seat space due to the larger interior dimensions (not to mention the leather interior), but with a 5ft 7in (1712mm) shortened body. 

My biggest problem with the design of the Ram 1500 is that it is "old". The all-new Ram 1500 was released in the US and looks significantly more modern. It's actually quite attractive when it's - well, it looks like a truck that started production back in 2009...

How practical is the interior space? 9/10

As mentioned above, the Laramie's Crew Cab body makes a big difference in terms of rear seat space - it's like going from a Commodore to a Caprice. 

In fact, the Ram 1500's cab is indeed the most comfortable of any double cab model I've driven, but of course that has to do with the extra size of this truck compared to the smaller double cab. 

Back seat space in Laramie is amazing. During my trip I had a couple of tough guys with me on the triple lap and there were no complaints from either my 182cm front passenger or the big guy in the back (who was about 185cm). We also note that the width of the cabin was appreciated, and in the back row we could even fit the three of us.

Legroom is exceptional, as is head and shoulder room, but more impressive was the fact that the backrest was really comfortable and not too upright as in many small double cabs. There is a fold-down center armrest with cup holders, as well as a pair of cup holders on the floor in front of the seats. 

Storage space up front is excellent, with large door pockets including bottle holders and cup holders between the front seats, and a huge bin on the center console. There are even handy cable boxes for connecting smartphones, as well as two USB ports (if you want, you can switch between them using the multimedia screen).

The media screen is easy to use, and the digital driver information screen is very easy to use - there's menu after menu, which means you'll be able to find whatever information you need there. 

Both models are considered double cab models, although the "Express Quad Cab" looks a little more like a large extra cab (and actually looks more like a normal sized double cab). There are no other cab options, so you can forget about the possibility of selling a single cab model in Australia, at least for now. 

If 1.6m1.4 of cargo space in the Express or 3m1500 in the Laramie isn't enough, you might want to consider a roof rack. There are no built-in roof rails at the top of the Ram XNUMX, but it is possible to install roof racks anyway.

The Laramie shown here has a capacity of 1.4m3 compared to the 1.6m you'll get with the Express.

Similarly, if you want a canopy to serve as a shelter or cover for your belongings, you'll need to look at what's available outside of the US.

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10

This is a big ute, with a big price tag. So how much does the Ram 1500 cost? Is it out of your price range? Here is a list of what you will pay and what you will receive. 

The range starts at $79,950 for the entry-level Express model (it's the only toll-priced model at the moment). Next in the lineup is the Ram 1500 Express with RamBox, and this model has a list price of $84,450 plus travel expenses.

The Ram 1500 Express is available with a sporty Black Pack, consisting of black exterior trim, blacked-out headlights, black badges and a sports exhaust. This version costs $89,450 plus travel expenses, or $93,950 with the RamBox.

The Laramie model costs $99,950 or $104,450 with the RamBox.

At the top of the range is the Laramie model, which costs $99,950 or $104,450 with the RamBox.

When it comes to comparing models, it's a fair spread in terms of price - and the gap in specs is just as big.

Express models come with a 5.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, AM/FM radio, Bluetooth phone with audio streaming and USB connectivity, and a six-speaker sound system. The Ram 1500 does not have a CD player. There is cruise control, but it is not adaptive, and both versions are equipped with electric power steering. 

The digital driver information screen is very easy to use.

Fabric seat trim, leather-lined instrument panel, color-coded grille and bumpers, side steps, window tinting, halogen headlights and fog lights, sprayed body mat, 20-inch wheels and a heavy-duty hitch. with XNUMX pin wiring harness. You will have to pay extra for a trailer brake control kit. 

What about protective equipment? Every model has electronic stability control and hill-start assist, but things like a blind-spot monitor aren't on the list. Read the full breakdown in the security section below.

A limited-slip differential is standard (Ram calls it an anti-skid rear axle differential), but neither model is equipped with a front or rear differential lock.

The Ram 1500 Laramie adds luxury items such as leather seats, high pile carpeting, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, climate control, a heated steering wheel and power adjustable pedals. The air conditioner is a dual zone climate control system. Laramie models are also equipped with push-button keyless entry.

In the middle of the dash is an 8.4-inch multimedia screen with GPS navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (none of which are available on the Express model), and a 10-speaker audio system with a subwoofer. However, there is no Wi-Fi hotspot or DVD player in the infotainment package.

Other additions the Laramie adds over the Express include a power moonroof (though not a full panoramic sunroof), an auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic rain-sensing wipers, rear-seat vents, and remote engine start. Automotive projector headlights meet this specification, but neither version is equipped with HID, xenon or LED bulbs, and there are no daytime running lights on the base model. The number of cupholders for all options is 18. Eighteen!

Other additions Laramie adds over the Express include a power sunroof.

The Trifold Trunk Lid System is $1795, but if you want a hard lid/hard trunk, you might have to look in the US for one. But local buyers (and former HSV or FPV fans) may be glad to know that a sports exhaust option is available. 

Color options (or should it be a color?) are wide enough, but only Flame Red and Bright White are free options: Bright Silver (metallic), Max Steel (bluish gray metallic), Granite Crystal (dark gray metallic), Blue Streak (pearl), True Blue (pearl), Delmonico Red (pearl), both varieties cost extra. Laramie models are also available in Brilliant Black (metallic). There is no orange, yellow or green coloration. 

If you want to spend even more on your Ram 1500, you'll need to find aftermarket vendors for features like a stabilizing bar, winch, sports bar, snorkel, LED bar, driving lights, or new halogen bulbs. 

You don't have to shop in the original floor mat accessories catalog - all trim levels get them as standard - but if you're more concerned with the outward wow factor, even larger rims may be coming your way in the future. Other options on the accessory list include a kickstand (to help you get into the tray), a cargo separation system, tray rails, cargo ramps, and plenty of chrome trim to match the factory 20-inch wheels.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 9/10

If you're buying a Ram, chances are you're buying the 1500 range because you really want a V8 petrol engine. Since the discontinuation of the Holden Ute and the Ford Falcon Ute, there has been no other V8 engine option other than the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series and it is diesel rather than petrol.

So what drives the Ram 1500 lineup? How does the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine sound? And an engine with a power of 291 kW (at 5600 rpm) and a torque of 556 Nm (at 3950 rpm). This is serious power, and the torque characteristics are strong. 

The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all Ram 1500 models have all-wheel drive (4×4), as opposed to an all-wheel drive system like that used by the VW Amarok. There is no front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive (RWD/4×2) version. Prefer to take matters into your own hands with a gearbox? It is a pity that there is no manual transmission. 

A V6 turbodiesel will arrive later this year, promising better fuel economy and higher torque ratings. Most likely, it will be offered for both model lines, and will also have a small premium on the price. Exact power and torque figures for this engine have yet to be announced, but the displacement is 3.0 liters and it will be a VM Motori engine.

All Ram 1500 models are all-wheel drive (4×4).

The engine range does not cover gas or plug-in hybrid in the current DS generation model. But the new generation Ram 1500 (DT) is hybrid and will be offered in Australia in the next two years.

The capacity of the fuel tank depends on the model you choose: the Express version has a tank size of 121 liters, while the Laramie versions (with a ratio of 3.21 or 3.92) have a tank capacity of 98 liters.

Unfortunately, it wasn't possible to do a towing review this time, but if you're planning to tow a float or a larger boat, you'll be happy to know that all models come with a towbar as standard.

The maximum towing capacity is 4.5 tons (with brake) for the Express and Laramie models when equipped with a 70mm towbar. The Laramie can have a higher gear ratio (3.21 vs. 3.92), which reduces towing capacity to 3.5 tons (with a 50mm towbar), but also improves the car's fuel economy.

Body weight capacity for the Express model is rated at 845kg, while the Laramie's payload is rated at 800kg - not as much as some of the smaller competitors in the ute segment, but more often than not if you're buying a Ram truck. you are more focused on towing than carrying a lot of weight. 

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVM) or Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) for both models is 3450 kg. The Gross Train Weight (GCM) for the 3.92 rear axle version is 7237 kg and the 3.21 rear axle model is 6261 kg. Therefore, before attaching a 4.5-ton trailer, be sure to count - there is not much payload left. 

Be sure to check out our Ram 1500 issues page for automatic transmission/transmission issues, engine, clutch or suspension issues, or diesel issues (hey, they might come in the future).

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How much fuel does it consume? 7/10

The 3.21-ratio Laramie versions use 9.9 liters per 100 km, while the 3.92-ratio Express and Laramie models consume 12.2 l/100 km. 

The Hemi engine is equipped with a cylinder deactivation function, so it can run on six or four cylinders under light loads - you will know when it does because the economy mode indicator will light up on the dashboard. 

If you're wondering how this relates to range, theoretically you should be able to get around 990 kilometers at best if you can meet the claimed fuel consumption figure. If that means anything to you, we saw 12.3L/100km on the dash after driving three times with no load and no towing, but with a bit of muddy off-road driving. 

Diesel fuel economy has yet to be confirmed, but is expected to be better than petrol models.

Diesel fuel economy has yet to be confirmed, but is expected to be better than petrol models.

What is it like to drive? 8/10

Even though it has a huge 5.7-liter V8 engine with supercar power levels, the 0-100 acceleration performance is not supercar. It picks up speed pretty quickly, but you can’t argue with physics - it’s a heavy truck. The TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic did a great job of using the engine's power and torque to keep us on pace, though it could get a bit loaded when climbing hills. 

While four-wheel rims aren't effective brakes, they certainly help pull the big Ram ute quite easily - well, at least without a load in the tray or hitch. 

Our test drive was mostly focused on back road B driving, with a mix of surfaces, decent hill climbs and corners. And the Ram surprised with a super-comfortable ride, responsive electric power steering – especially in the center where it turned with more agility than you might expect. The leather steering wheel in the Laramie does 3.5 turns lock-to-lock, but it's more nimble at that pace. 

Laramie leather steering wheel is fixed in 3.5 turns until it stops.

After about 150km of driving, I stepped out of the Ram 1500 Laramie feeling absolutely fine - I think it will swallow the highway with ease, and even in the back seat I was comfortable, while most of the double cabs below are painful. for a long period.

It's a big, comfortable truck - it was more pleasant to drive than, say, a Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series, although not as docile. But the level of comfort is good. It's easy to see why so many people in America are buying such big trucks, especially where fuel prices are low. 

We had to test the Ram 1500's off-road capability to some extent, but the road tires got in the way. The Ram 1500 rolls on regular 20-inch chrome alloy wheels with Hankook Dynapro HT tires, and it only took a few minutes before they were jammed into the muddy hillside as we churned the topsoil and dug down to the clay below. This led to some difficult moments, but the tires weren't the only downside.

The fact that there's no hill descent control means you'll have to brake downhill, increasing the chances of locking up and slipping. Plus the downshift gearbox isn't impressive - it allowed the Ram to run away without holding the pace very convincingly. 

It's not the most suitable off-road vehicle given its length.

Also, it's not the most off-road vehicle given its length. But Ram thinks it shouldn't be a full-blown SUV. The approach angle for all models is 15.2 degrees, and the departure angle is 23.7 degrees. Acceleration angle 17.1 deg. 

According to local distributor Ram, the difference in all-wheel drive hardware between the Express model and the Laramie version (which adds an automatic 4WD mode that allows the car's electronics to distribute torque where it's needed) means there's a difference in turn-around size: Laramie models - 12.1m; Express models - 13.9m. For off-road, no hub lock is needed - the 4WD system works on the fly and is pretty fast.  

The ground clearance of the Ram 1500 models is 235mm at the rear and 249mm at the front. Ram offers an optional two-inch lift kit if that's not enough. The 1500 doesn't have a rear air suspension - you'll have to go with the 2500 for that. The Ram 1500 has upper and lower A-arm front suspension and a five-link coil-spring rear. 

Unfortunately, there was no way to test the characteristics of the car's vaunted traction. We'll be working to get one through the garage soon to do a towing review. 

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

3 years / 100,000 km


guarantee

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 6/10

There is no ANCAP or Euro NCAP crash test safety rating for the Ram 1500, and the list of safety equipment is sparse.

All 1500 models are equipped with six airbags (dual front, side-mounted front, full-length curtain), but no advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, or rear cross. traffic alert. Ram 1500 models come with electronic stability control, which includes trailer sway control and electronic brake force distribution. 

Ram 1500 models have three top-tether child seat anchor points, but no ISOFIX child seat anchor points. 

Only the Laramie is equipped with a rearview camera and front and rear parking sensors. Early versions of the MY18 Express only come with rear parking sensors, which is pretty bad for a car of this size. You need as much parking assistance technology as you can get when you move 5.8 meters and 2.6 tons of metal.

Ram's Australian division says it's in talks with its US headquarters to try and add more security features to that. Where is the Ram 1500 made? Detroit, Michigan. 

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 5/10

The Ram 1500 can't compete with its more affordable rivals in terms of ownership - you have to decide if you value it or not.  

The warranty offered by Ram is a short three-year, 100,000km plan, with brands like Holden, Ford, Mitsubishi, and Isuzu offering five-year warranty plans. During this period, the company provides roadside assistance, but there is no national extended warranty plan - dealers can offer it.

There is also no fixed price maintenance plan, so we can't say what maintenance costs will look like for potential owners. Service intervals are also short - 12 months/12,000 12 km (whichever comes first). Many diesel vehicles have a change interval of 20,000 months/XNUMX km.

There is no fixed price service plan.

In terms of resale value, Glass's Guide suggests that Laramie should hold 59 to 65 percent of its value after three years or 50,000 km. Express models are expected to store between 53% and 61% of their original purchase value over the same period. When it comes time to sell, make sure you have the owner's manual and logbooks in the car, and that the full-size spare has good tread. 

Visit our Ram 1500 issues page for any common issues, durability issues, rust questions, problem complaints and more - there's probably no better way to get a reliability rating than to hear about possible issues from other owners.

Verdict

There is a lot to like about the Ram 1500, especially the Laramie specification. Yes, it's expensive, and yes, it's under-equipped for the price. But it offers exceptional space and comfort, as well as best-in-class towing capability. And if these things are important to you, other parts may be less important. 

Personally, I'd wait for the next-generation version of the Ram 1500, which should go on sale in Australia before 2020 - not only because it looks better, but also because it promises to fill in some of the gaps that the current version can provide. T.

Would you buy a V8 petrol pickup instead of a turbodiesel? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.