In the mid 1990s, Dodge introduced a Ram with spectacular lines that highlighted an enormous front grille. Almost two decades later, the Ram is no less superb...and even more impressive! Last year, Dodge completely remodelled the Ram and took advantage of its recent fall into the financial abyss to rechristen its truck division in Ram’s name. From this point forward, there’s no more Dodge Ram. Now, we buy a Ram or a Ram Dakota. To get a Dodge, you’ll have to get yourself a car or an SUV. Moreover, the Dodge website includes a different section for the Ram models.
Okay, enough with the marketing mumbo-jumbo. Let’s get to the test drive! For starters, our black and grey Ram Laramie 4x4 Quad Cab was a real looker. Its massive tires (P275/60R20) will probably cost the equivalent of an annual mortgage when the time comes to change them, but they sure do add some punch visually. The Sport 4x2 model even comes with P285/45R22 tires! Our Ram didn’t have running-boards, which is excellent news for people who have to take on trails or construction sites in poor condition. Indeed, this accessory improves the look and makes getting into the cab much easier, but it reduces the breakover angle, which is so handy in a 4x4.
Luxurious passenger compartmentIn the passenger compartment, the Ram, just like its sworn enemies the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra, puts a lot of importance on luxury. Our vehicle even came with a heated steering wheel as well as heated AND ventilated comfortable leather seats. Moreover, the quality of the finish in the passenger compartment is excellent. It’s not yet perfect, but it’s miles ahead of what Chrysler had us sitting in. Even the quality of the materials has been improved over time. While the front seats received high marks, the back seats did not fare so well. The Ram has three cabins: regular, Quad and Crew. The first has only two doors and, behind the front seats, there’s only a small storage space.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Crew Cab offers enough space to seat five people very comfortably. Our Ram was a Quad version, which means a three-seat bench that is tough to get to and not terribly comfortable, mostly because of a seatback that is too straight. The bottom part of the seats can be lifted, a little like the Honda Fit, to be able put cumbersome items like a bike or a television in its box. However, we’d be remiss not to mention the fact that this bench seats three people but there are only two headrests. There’s a law for everything, so I don’t understand why there isn’t one governing the number of headrests. My cat, sleeping peacefully near my computer, just lifted his head, yawned, and fell back to sleep. Two or three headrests, he couldn’t care less...
With respect to the passenger compartment, I would have but two negative and relatively minor comments. Firstly, the buckle of the seatbelt on the front passenger side, when it’s not in use, constantly banged against the B-Pillar every time I turned the steering wheel to the left. Secondly, the pedal for the hand (or should I say foot) brake is very high and it’s hard to push it wearing large work boots without getting caught on the dashboard.
Small, medium, largeA pick-up is now and always will be about its engine, and the Ram offers three. The first, a 4.7-litre V6 with 210 hp and 235 lbs-ft of torque, is for small jobs. The other two are a 4.7-litre V8 (310 hp and 330 lbs-ft) or a 5.7-litre V8 that features no less than 390 hp and 407 lbs-ft of torque. We suspect that the latter of the two will be the apple of buyers’ eyes. In addition to being able to tow up to 9,100 pounds (4,128 kg) depending on the version, it offers very respectable performance. It goes 0-100 km/hr in 7.4 seconds and the sound of this engine in full acceleration is worth every penny spent on it. While the V6 comes only with a four-speed automatic transmission, the two V8 engines have a five speed transmission with well-selected gear ratios that help the 5.7 rev at only 1,700 rpm at 100 km/hr and at 2,050 rpm at 120 km/hr. However, a six-speed transmission would seem to me even better adapted and would help save on gas while taking better advantage of the higher torque when towing. During our test drive, we maintained an average of 15.4 litres/100 km, which isn’t bad considering the vehicle type.
Like a lot of Americans, I was downright irate when the federal government announced it was bailing out General Motors (GM) and Chrysler. 
