2013 Ram 1500 Test Drive

On Sale Date: October 2012

Price: Starts at $24,580

Competitors: Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, GMC Sierra, Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra

Powertrains: 3.6-liter V-6, 305 hp, 296 lb-ft; 4.7-liter V-8, 310 hp, 330 lb-ft; 5.7-liter V-8, 395 hp, 407 lb-ft; six-speed auto, eight-speed auto, RWD or 4WD.

EPA Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 14?18/19?25 (est.)

What?s New: Ram pickups left the Dodge garage in 2010 to become a separate brand, and the 2013 model represents the first major makeover of the bread-and-butter half-tonner. Beneath the skin, engineers redesigned and lightened the frame and gave the 1500 a new suspension. The redesigned skin doesn?t look vastly different, but the design team claims to have created unmathed aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of 0.36. A new, more powerful 3.6-liter V-6 replaces the previous 3.7-liter as the standard engine, and a new eight-speed automatic transmission replaces the previous four-speed. The combination adds up to improvements in both performance and fuel economy.

Tech Tidbit: A subtle engineering element in the new eight-speed automatic is a thermal management system designed to raise transmission oil temperature quickly. When the engine reaches operating temps, coolant circulates through a heat exchanger to warm the trans oil, reducing its viscosity rapidly and improving fuel economy.

Driving Character: Like its competitors, the Ram is a big vehicle, and it feels big. Responses range from deliberate to slightly ponderous, and turning circles range up to 45 feet?not very handy in parking lots. The new V-6 and automatic transmission are smooth and distinctly more potent than their predecessors?Chrysler claims 0-to-60 mph in 7.5 seconds?and the Ram willingly tows up to 6500 pounds. On-road or off, ride quality is remarkably supple for such a big vehicle thanks to the new air suspension. Remarkable also applies to interior noise levels?the cabin is quiet at all speeds, on all surfaces.

Favorite Detail: The optional storage bins built into the sides of the current truck?s cargo bed (Ram Boxes) are manually lockable. But securing those three locks can be a nuisance, especially when the weather turns nasty. This inconvenience makes them a common target for thieves. The new Ram offers a power function for those three locks, integrating their operation with the power door locks. One click on the key fob secures everything.

Driver?s Grievance: The new eight-speed automatic is controlled by a dashboard rotary knob. It?s... adequate, but we?re not sure how this feature will resonate with hardcore truckers. In step with the industry, the Ram is equipped with a new electric rack-and-pinion power steering system, a trend driven by fuel economy. Although the system delivers some feedback and on-center feel in top-of-the-line models, it felt vague in the more basic version.

The Bottom Line: Besides all-new interiors and evolutionary styling?still boldly unmistakable?the new Ram stands out for four key distinctions: its new standard V-6; its new eight-speed automatic transmission; its stop/start technology; and its air-spring suspension. The combination of much improved V-6 power and efficiency, plus an all-but-seamless stop/start function, gives the Ram best-in-class EPA fuel economy: 18 mpg city/25 highway. The new V-6 overlaps the optional 4.7-liter V-8 in terms of power, and for serious punch, the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 continues to be one of the top dogs in the half-ton pickup pack.

The Ram has been the perennial third-place player in the full-size pickup derby, but this renewal could propel it closer to the front of the field.

Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/reviews/trucks/2013-ram-1500-test-drive-11992317?src=rss

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