2013 Ram 1500 Review, Specs, Photos

Over the past couple of model years, a number of mainstream vehicles have become not just more fuel efficient but also more sophisticated, tech savvy, and comfortable. And don't you think that full size pickups are getting left behind, now for 2013, Chrysler has given its mainstream line of Ram 1500 trucks some serious upgrades, even though from the outside, there's not much change in evidence. (For background on the Dodge version of this model and its history, read our Dodge Ram review).

Designers have made the front grille slightly taller, and added a new upper fascia panel, while the Ram crosshair grille is now flush. New vertically oriented foglamps have been added, while 4WD models get larger openings for the tow hooks. Headlamps also get a new design, with a twin beam projector design plus LEDs now used in the running lamps, turn signals, side marker lamps, and tail lamps. Polished stainless steel running boards have been added down below, and a new 6' 4” bed option is offered in Crew Cab models. And there are five new exterior hues, including some two tone themes.

The new 2013 Ram 1500 is the Ram Truck brand's latest entry into the ultra competitive full size, light duty pickup truck segment. The new truck represents the brand's first iteration to its most recognized truck since the inception of the Ram nameplate in 2011. "What started as a mild refresh of the Ram 1500 quickly rolled into a best in class fuel economy and best in class capability gem," said Fred Diaz, President and CEO, Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico Chrysler Group LLC. "Customers are going to experience an entirely new truck with technology and features not offered anywhere else." The new 2013 Ram 1500 is the latest innovation off Ram's full size, body on frame truck architecture, designed, engineered and executed to strike at the emotional chords of the "Guts and Glory" mindset of enthusiasts and potential buyers. In form and function, the new 2013 Ram 1500 conveys boldness, valor, virtue and power oriented capability like no other in its class, but it does so, aesthetically and functionally, at a different level.

Price :
MSRP FROM : $22,590

Interior :
The Ram's interior gets many of the same improvements that Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles have seen over the past couple of years. The interior look has been only modestly redesigned, but materials and trims are completely new, with the center stack reworked and all new climate control interfaces and multimedia and infotainment systems. And, perhaps most notably, trucks with the new eight speed automatic will get a new rotary shift selector located just on the left side of the lower center stack, with buttons for the transfer case located conveniently just below. Ram designers designed the new rotary selector to be easy to use with work gloves, and it's intended to be the same across a wide range of seating options and layouts. The Laramie Longhorn remains the standout of the lineup, with unique burl walnut real wood trim and plush leather.

Exterior :
Chrysler's big 8.4 inch Uconnect Touch screen based system is available in the Ram, and it can incorporate Uconnect Access, which tethers the truck to Sprint data services, adding on a host of features including voice recognition, apps, and WiFi hotspot capability. The available navigation system offers voice activated features, new 3D terrain imagery, and lane guidance, as well as fuel price, weather, sports, and movie info through Sirius Travel Link. There's also a new seven inch reconfigurable gauge cluster (in Sport, Laramie, and Laramie Longhorn models) that effectively replaces a conventional gauge cluster and can quickly communicate information depending on how it's customized, with up to three 'analog' gauges at a time (when towing, an owner would configure the trans temp gauge to be in the foreground, for instance). The Ram comes with new powered USB, SD card, and aux in ports, as well as full iPod control via USB, as well as expanded steering-wheel controls.

he lineup now includes the work oriented Tradesman with a standard 4.7 liter V-8 and the sporty, value filled 5.7 liter Hemi powered Express. There's also the rugged Outdoorsman with LT265/70R17 on/off road tires, front suspension and transfer case skid plates, power folding mirrors, 5.7 liter Hemi and more. The ultra luxurious Laramie Longhorn adds power adjustable pedals, LED courtesy lamps, real wood center stack, door and steering wheel trim, dual zone A/C, power memory front seats, heated and ventilated front seats with driver's lumbar adjust, heated steering wheel and rear seats, leatherette seat trim, and 110-115 volt outlet. There's a new HFE high mileage model with stop/start technology. At the other end of the spectrum is the street tough R/T 4x2 regular cab short box with 285/45 all season tires on 22 inch forged aluminum wheels, the 5.7 liter Hemi V-8, 4.11:1 final drive, sport dual exhaust, billet grille, body-color grille surround, door handles and rear bumper, sport performance hood, and Sport LED turn/stop/tail/running lamps.

Performance :
There's big news under the hood with the introduction of the Pentastar 3.6 liter V-6. It's so good that buyers no longer have to automatically default to the 5.7 liter Hemi V-8 as a viable powerplant for a full size pickup weighing north of 4500 lbs. The V-6 is standard on the high volume Ram SLT and high mileage HFE models. This four valve per cylinder DOHC 3.6 liter V-6 recently made its debut in the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. Ram engineers have done a great job of tuning the engine's throttle progression and the new standard wide ratio 8 speed transmission's shift maps for quick response. With variable valve timing and continuously adjustable cam phasing, the 305 hp 3.6 liter V-6 is so responsive throughout its rpm range and gets such good fuel economy that it makes the carryover 310 hp 4.7 liter V-8 largely superfluous. At an EPA estimated 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway, that's a 20 percent gas mileage improvement over last year's standard 3.7 liter V-6. The new 3.6 liter V-6 will tow nearly as much (up to 6500 pounds) as the middle engine choice, the 4.7 liter V-8. And the 4.7 liter, despite its smaller size, does no better in the fuel efficiency department than the 5.7 liter Hemi V-8. For the Ram buyer who runs empty most of the time, is looking for max fuel economy and plans only occasional light to medium towing, the new Pentastar V-6 deserves a serious look and a test drive. It's E85 compatible as well.

Posted by: Neo Anderson

Auto Car SUV, Updated at: 8:13 PM

Title: 2013 Ram 1500 Review, Specs, Photos
Rating: 94% based on 92 ratings, 11.795 user reviews.

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