2011 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 Review

Ride quality is delightful
It may be counter-intuitive to describe the ride comfort of a 4WD pickup truck as “delightful,” but in this case, it’s not inaccurate to do so. The Ram 1500 utilizes multilink coil springs in its rear suspension arrangement. This design reduces – in fact almost eliminates – the tendency of pickups to “buck” as the rear wheels encounter bumps.

When combined with absorbent front underpinnings, the Ram 1500 manages to impart a ride quality that’s tremendously compliant while remaining remarkably composed and quiet. The cost of such compassion is invoiced against the vehicle’s handling dynamics.

The Ram reveals its weight and substance when pushed aggressively into a corner and when heavy braking is applied; these consequences of mass are typical of the luxury truck segment. On the positive side, steering this Laramie Crew Cab is easy thanks to a quick-ratio setup that feels more car-like than truck-like.

Tilting side mirrors and a back-up camera simplify the parking process, making this big rig feel half its size.

Concluding the Ram
The Dodge crew has produced a workhorse with outstanding power output and plenty of off-road “true grit.” First and foremost, the 2011 Ram 1500 Laramie is a rugged tool of the trade, but it’s also much more.

The comfort and refinement supplied by this robust facilitator of worksites and recreation is truly impressive. These characteristics infuse a sense of relaxation and repose as the miles drift quietly past. Of course, such pickup truck euphoria carries a cost, and in this case it’s substantial.

My fully-loaded tester tallied out at $53,885, including destination charge.

The Dodge crew has produced a workhorse with outstanding power output and plenty of off-road “true grit.” (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com)