2009 Dodge Ram 4x4 Crew Cab Laramie Review

After extensive testing and voting by Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) members in October, the 2009 Dodge Ram took first place on Canada's pickup podium. This left its sole competitor, the 'also-new-for-2009' Ford F150 to take a back-seat at second place.

The 2009 Dodge Ram took first place on Canada's pickup podium.

Faced with die-hard brand devotion and tough competition from offshore products and proven homegrown steel, Dodge decided to step up the Ram for its latest revision in a big way. They've spared no expense to do it- and their efforts are very proudly displayed in the Ram's new sheet-metal.

Slick looks
Two-tone paint, alloy wheels, fog-lamps, fender flares and bountiful chrome jazzed up the "Laramie" tester, which wore a body visually leaps out, even when parked. Factory dual-outlet exhaust looks great, as does the integrated tailgate spoiler and near life-sized Ram-head logo.

Ram's great new face clears the highway fast lane like a muscle-sedan- though given gas prices lately, this isn't a major concern for most buyers.

Yep, it's got a HEMI
The automaker's range-topping 5.7 liter HEMI V8 powered the tester. It's been re-tuned and revised this year to develop 390 horsepower while using about 4 percent less fuel than the previous engine.

The HEMI is happy to loaf around under 2000 RPM, with highway mileage averaging about 15L/100km at real-life speeds during winter driving. That's not exactly thrifty- but within limits for a machine with such intentions.

Just be sure you need the power offered by this engine, as smaller options are available that should turn in less than the 18L / 100km consumption figure I averaged over some 2000 kilometers.

The Ram is not exactly thrifty - but within limits for a machine with such intentions.