2 - 2013 Ram 1500 (79.7%)
When we found out that our Ram 1500 tester for the comparison test was equipped with a V6, we immediately contacted Chrysler and reminded them this was a pickup showdown with a towing exercise. Chrysler's response was simply: Bring it on. And boy, did they ever bring it.
Inside and Out
The 2013 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman draped in Mineral grey failed to get us excited about the Ram, much like the knowledge of the V6. The crosshair grill has lost its bite. What was once the Freightliner look to emulate has fallen rather flat. The cure to this ailment is to simply opt for any higher trim, the Sport being a clear hit aesthetically.
Our tester featured the available RamBox cargo management system. Its use can be relevant for the right buyer, however, in our hay-bale load test, the Ram had to have the same number of bails piled up higher. With the 5'7" box and RamBoxes, the Ram 1500 had the smallest bed -- by far. Despite this setback, we still managed to pile in everything we needed.
The 2013 Ram 1500's cabin received mixed reviews. Some considered the layout overly busy, while others appreciated the effort put forth by Chrysler to make the experience slightly more car-like. HVAC controls do require some extra attention to master, and a pair of work gloves may prove cumbersome.
Storage areas are numerous, well adapted for work and play. The cloth seats turned out to be very comfortable providing the driver with a good driving position, tied with that of the Ford F-150.
Driving
The real trick to this Ram 1500 is its $1,500 optional 4-corner auto-leveling air suspension. Well worth every last penny asked for it, its automatic load-leveling abilities adjust vehicle height at all four corners constantly maintaining a uniform vehicle height.
Unladen, the Ram had the best ride quality of the lot. Laden, it also was best at the job. With a trailer, it performed best. Essentially, this suspension is an absolute must regardless of the application of job the Ram will be destined to accomplish. Its four settings (from serious offroad height to a loading level) manage everything thrown at it with competition-devastating ease.
Getting things moving for the Ram was the new-for-2013 3.6L V6 mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The V6 managed every exercise far better than we expected; however, the 8-speed box, smooth and easygoing when the driving was the same, when asked to play was slow to cooperate, resisting downshifts. We understand that this is done in the name of fuel economy, but a more understanding transmission like the Tundra's would have been very welcome.
Braking and steering both garnered positive comments from every tester. The Ram's stopping power was even referred to as being "powerful" by one driver.
A final word
The scary part about the Ram is that had it been shod with the 395-horsepower HEMI V8, and been a "better" trim, it could have won the entire thing. That's a scary thought if you work at Ford.
When we found out that our Ram 1500 tester for the comparison test was equipped with a V6, we immediately contacted Chrysler and reminded them this was a pickup showdown with a towing exercise. Chrysler's response was simply: Bring it on. And boy, did they ever bring it.
Inside and Out
The 2013 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman draped in Mineral grey failed to get us excited about the Ram, much like the knowledge of the V6. The crosshair grill has lost its bite. What was once the Freightliner look to emulate has fallen rather flat. The cure to this ailment is to simply opt for any higher trim, the Sport being a clear hit aesthetically.
Our tester featured the available RamBox cargo management system. Its use can be relevant for the right buyer, however, in our hay-bale load test, the Ram had to have the same number of bails piled up higher. With the 5'7" box and RamBoxes, the Ram 1500 had the smallest bed -- by far. Despite this setback, we still managed to pile in everything we needed.
The 2013 Ram 1500's cabin received mixed reviews. Some considered the layout overly busy, while others appreciated the effort put forth by Chrysler to make the experience slightly more car-like. HVAC controls do require some extra attention to master, and a pair of work gloves may prove cumbersome.
Storage areas are numerous, well adapted for work and play. The cloth seats turned out to be very comfortable providing the driver with a good driving position, tied with that of the Ford F-150.
 |
| The 2013 Ram 1500's cabin received mixed reviews. Some considered the layout overly busy, while others appreciated the effort put forth by Chrysler to make the experience slightly more car-like. (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
Driving
The real trick to this Ram 1500 is its $1,500 optional 4-corner auto-leveling air suspension. Well worth every last penny asked for it, its automatic load-leveling abilities adjust vehicle height at all four corners constantly maintaining a uniform vehicle height.
Unladen, the Ram had the best ride quality of the lot. Laden, it also was best at the job. With a trailer, it performed best. Essentially, this suspension is an absolute must regardless of the application of job the Ram will be destined to accomplish. Its four settings (from serious offroad height to a loading level) manage everything thrown at it with competition-devastating ease.
Getting things moving for the Ram was the new-for-2013 3.6L V6 mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The V6 managed every exercise far better than we expected; however, the 8-speed box, smooth and easygoing when the driving was the same, when asked to play was slow to cooperate, resisting downshifts. We understand that this is done in the name of fuel economy, but a more understanding transmission like the Tundra's would have been very welcome.
Braking and steering both garnered positive comments from every tester. The Ram's stopping power was even referred to as being "powerful" by one driver.
 |
| The V6 managed every exercise far better than we expected; however, the 8-speed box, smooth and easygoing when the driving was the same, when asked to play was slow to cooperate, resisting downshifts. (Photo: Philippe Champoux) |
A final word
The scary part about the Ram is that had it been shod with the 395-horsepower HEMI V8, and been a "better" trim, it could have won the entire thing. That's a scary thought if you work at Ford.