The Ram 1500 is unquestionably the best-looking half-ton pickup.
Steven Ewing/Roadshow
Earlier this summer time, I made a decision that with a view to dwell my finest quarantine life I wanted to purchase a automotive. And as a result of I’ve needed a small convertible ever since I moved to Los Angeles in 2017, I went with the apparent alternative: a Mazda Miata, although mine is a 1999 10th Anniversary Edition. It has lower than 27,000 miles, it is in nice situation and not one of the earlier house owners made any silly modifications. I find it irresistible.What does that should do with the 2020 Ram 1500? Well, I discovered the Miata on Craigslist in Phoenix, and because it wasn’t registered or plated, I figured the simplest technique to get it again to LA was on a trailer. Pretty a lot any full-size pickup truck would’ve executed this long-distance tow journey with out breaking a sweat, however none would have been as good because the Ram.
LikeBest full-size truck inside within the businessStrong V8 energy with mild-hybrid assistTop-notch infotainment tech
Don’t LikeMan, can these vans get expensiveAll the great driver-assistance tech prices additional
The towing wasn’t the laborious half. Even the weakest 2020 Ram 1500 can pull 6,390 kilos and the truck’s most towing capability is 12,750 kilos. The combo of my Miata and a light-weight automotive trailer was simply over 3,000 kilos — one thing our long-term Honda Passport might’ve dealt with, had it carried a tow hitch — so for the Ram, it was a chunk of cake. The 2020 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4×4 pictured right here with the 5.7-liter eTorque V8 and elective 3.92 rear axle is rated to tow 11,190 kilos. In different phrases, if I needed to choose up three extra Miatas on the best way again to LA, it would not have been an issue (theoretically).This comparatively mild load did not even faze the Ram. The mild-hybrid Hemi V8 makes 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, with a 48-volt starter-generator that provides an extra 16 hp and 130 lb-ft of preliminary acceleration help. Even on uphill begins, the Ram easily and confidently pulled away from stoplights, and on a fast detour as much as Prescott Valley, Arizona — about 5,000 toes above sea stage — the mild-hybrid’s supplemental energy helped compensate for the naturally aspirated V8’s lack of high-altitude oomph.
I used to be initially type of bummed my take a look at truck did not have Ram’s 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6, solely as a result of I like towing with torquey turbodiesels. But the eTorque Hemi actually grew on me. On the freeway, there was by no means a scarcity of energy for making my approach round slow-moving semi vans, not that I ever did any type of aggressive acceleration with the valuable cargo in tow. I’m additionally comfortable to report that regardless of the elevation adjustments and my notoriously heavy proper foot, my noticed gasoline financial system wasn’t completely horrific. The EPA charges the eTorque V8-equipped Ram at 17 miles per gallon metropolis and 23 mpg freeway, and I noticed 17 mpg. That may not appear spectacular, however take into account that I had a 3,000-pound penalty hooked up to the tow hitch always, and the route included a bunch of uphill climbs.I used the truck’s tow/haul mode a couple of instances within the mountains, principally to maintain the eight-speed automated transmission from upshifting too early, however I largely left this off on flat roads, because the Miata and trailer solely accounted for a couple of quarter of the Ram’s whole towing capability. The most helpful towing support was really the blind-spot monitoring, which mechanically measured the size of the trailer and tailored the sensors accordingly, so I by no means ran the chance of chopping somebody off after I wanted to alter lanes.
I might’ve stacked three extra Miatas on prime of this one and the Ram would’ve been in a position to tow them simply positive.
Steven Ewing/Roadshow
None of the truck’s towing feats are unique to the Ram 1500. And actually, some rivals provide extra tech that makes hauling even simpler. The Ford F-150 has the Pro Trailer Back-Up Assist the place you may steer the truck with a dial, turning it precisely the best way you need the trailer to go along with the electronics finding out the remainder. GMC presents as many as 15 cameras that may even provide you with x-ray imaginative and prescient by means of a trailer, which is freaking superb.
But that is to not say the Ram would not have a couple of methods up its sleeve. I like the RamField mattress cubbies, which had been good for storing the trailer tie-down straps after I unloaded the Miata for a short stint in Prescott Valley, they usually’re lockable, so I might depart issues in them exterior in a single day with out worrying.The different massive ace within the Ram 1500’s hand is an elective load-leveling air suspension that smooths out the experience whenever you’ve received a heavy trailer bogging the truck down. But that is about all I can say about this feature, as my truck wasn’t geared up with it.Best half-ton truck inside, no query.
Steven Ewing/Roadshow
Why I’m glad I took the Ram really had nothing to do with its towing capabilities. Instead, it is how nice this truck was as a long-distance cruiser — a quiet, comfy, spacious, tech-rich barge that ate up a whole lot upon a whole lot of miles with ease. Even with out the aforementioned air suspension, the Ram was completely clean alongside the 10 freeway between Los Angeles and Phoenix, although it might’ve been higher on smaller wheels with thicker-sidewall tires, not the 22-inch monsters that got here as a part of this truck’s Night Edition look package deal.Half-ton pickup vans rival full-size luxurious sedans within the variety of consolation, comfort and multimedia options they provide, and that is completely the place the Ram 1500 units itself aside within the class. My truck’s heated, cooled, leather-trimmed seats had been as plush and supportive as La-Z-Boy chairs. And whereas I by no means rode within the again myself, a passenger hopped again there to utilize the Ram’s onboard Wi-Fi hotspot and took a convention name with loads of room to sprawl out. There’s an absolute ton of legroom, and the panoramic sunroof saved mild flowing within the cabin. With myriad storage compartments, wi-fi cellphone charging and greater than sufficient USB shops, I might simply carry all my electronics and preserve all of them charged.I’d be remiss to not point out the Ram’s stellar onboard infotainment tech: Fiat-Chrysler’s Uconnect 4C software program, displayed on the 1500’s 12-inch portrait-oriented display. I liked the best way I might preserve the map on the highest half and audio controls on the underside, or run Apple CarPlay seamlessly with out having it take over all the show. Truth be informed, I discovered the display in my take a look at truck to be uncharacteristically laggy when responding to inputs, typically requiring three or 4 presses earlier than a command would really take. But I’m going to chalk this up as an anomaly particular to this truck, since I’ve by no means, ever skilled that form of unhealthy conduct from different FCA merchandise.The 22-inch Night Edition wheels look cool, however I’d in all probability persist with one thing smaller.
Steven Ewing/Roadshow
On prime of the infotainment excellence, a variety of driver help options made the journey simpler. I discussed the trailer-length blind-spot monitoring, however it was nice to have adaptive cruise management, entrance and rear parking sensors, lane-keeping help and a 360-degree digicam, which made parking this factor a cinch.A variety of trendy vans have these options, too, however taken as an entire, the Ram is my favourite half-ton. It has a greater on-road experience than any of its rivals, the inside is extra comfy, the supplies are nicer and the tech is top-notch. The 2021 Ford F-150 goes to provide the Ram an actual run for its cash when it launches, however for now, no less than, the Ram 1500 is king.That crown will price you, although. The 2020 Ram 1500 begins within the low $30,000 vary, however the Laramie Crew Cab 4×4 is available in at $48,435 together with $1,695 for vacation spot. With all the motive force help add-ons, the Night Edition look package deal, the 12-inch Uconnect show, the eTorque engine and extra, the out-the-door worth of this truck is a staggering $68,815. But it isn’t like all of the Ram’s home rivals are any inexpensive once they’re all loaded up. And contemplating how way more luxurious, tech-rich and enticing the Ram 1500 is, it undoubtedly feels value each penny.