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pickup vehicles | ram | opinions | July 31, 2022
Phrases and pictures by Paul Strauss
We’ve hung out with the current-gen RAM 1500 pickup, however by no means one as luxurious because the RAM 1500 Restricted. We drove the tricked-out tenth Anniversary Version, fully-loaded with the V8 HEMI eTorque engine, Tech and Towing packages, and extra – all gleaming within the solar beneath a blanket of Patriot Blue pearl coat paint.
The RAM 1500 is our favourite 1/2-ton pickup available on the market, due to its clean and cozy journey, excellent inside design, and mixture of carrying cargo and towing options. In Restricted trim, the RAM turns into a luxurious automobile too. It rides on lovely polished aluminum 22″ wheels and has a shiny chrome grille, bumpers, physique trim, badging, and even chrome tow hooks. The Crew Cab 4×4 mannequin we drove has a 5-foot, 7-inch quick mattress, which got here outfitted with a good-looking retractable tonneau cowl for protecting cargo dry and out of the weather.
One distinguishing function obtainable on RAM 1500 pickups is the good Multi-Operate tailgate, which will be opened in a standard flat technique or like a pair of swing-out doorways. This makes loading and unloading objects within the mattress simpler with out reaching over the tailgate since you may get nearer to its contents. There’s additionally a deployable step beneath the again bumper for accessing the mattress with out having to step on the bumper. This mix of options makes the cargo mattress extraordinarily versatile – although hauling 4×8 sheet items in any quick mattress means letting them dangle previous the top of the truck and tying them down.
Our truck got here with the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine with the eTorque choice. This 48-volt belt-starter generator and battery pack system hold the RAM’s battery charged, improves responsiveness when resuming from fuel-saving Begin/Cease mode, and features as a gentle hybrid system, boosting torque and smoothing transmission downshifts. The result’s sooner acceleration, elevated payload capability, and a modest enchancment in gasoline economic system.
With 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft. of torque on faucet, plus the eTorque’s added torque enhance, this massive truck accelerates easily and powerfully. And if you happen to plan on bringing alongside your out of doors toys like a ship or an ATV, it may possibly tow as much as 11,320 kilos. Journey high quality is superb, largely due to a fantastic 4-corner air suspension that’s equally comfy on clean or tough terrain. It additionally helps hold issues sorted whether or not you are driving with an empty or full cargo mattress.
Inside is the place the RAM 1500 Restricted’s luxurious actually involves mild. The supplies used are beautiful. The open-pore black argent wooden on the sprint, console, and steering wheel seems to be like a pinstripe go well with. The quilted leather-based seats are extremely comfy and have warmth and air flow – which was crucial when parking the truck exterior on a 106-degree day right here in Oklahoma. The middle console is the perfect within the enterprise, with a flexible sliding cupholder unit that grants entry to a cavernous storage cubby.
We additionally just like the double-decker glovebox setup, which offers a second storage space larger up within the dashboard and reveals off extra of that elegant wooden trim. And simply take a look at the premium supplies used on the door. That is the form of styling and panache you’d count on from a $150,000 Mercedes-Benz, not a highly-capable pickup truck.
Like different RAM 1500 Crew Cab fashions, the rear seats fold in direction of the again wall, opening up a big flat storage deck for inside cargo. There are tie-down factors on the corners of the loading deck, storage beneath the rear seat, and hidden storage bins beneath the ground mat. Legroom and headroom are excellent for again seat passengers when the seats are in use.
The RAM 1500 Restricted additionally comes customary with an unlimited 12″ heart touchscreen show, operating Stellantis’ stellar UConnect 5 system and offering centralized entry to navigation, media, local weather, and automobile controls. There are occasions when the massive, tablet-like display screen will be overwhelming and a bit distracting at occasions, particularly surrounded by so many buttons and knobs. Tech and gadget geeks will love the massive display screen, although.
The tenth Anniversary Version celebrates 10 years of RAM’s luxurious pickup manufacturing. An embossed metallic emblem on the quilted leather-based armrest commemorates the event and additional distinguishes this particular version truck. The package deal additionally provides a clean suede headliner, shiny metallic pedals, a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system (which sounds incredible), ventilated seats for second-row passengers, and a schmancy jewel-faceted shift knob, amongst different options. The aforementioned tailgate and rear step are additionally a part of the package deal.
As we mentioned earlier than, the RAM 1500 is the perfect 1/2-ton pickup available on the market right now, and we stand by that opinion. In tenth Anniversary Restricted trim, it is in a unique class on the subject of supplies, model, and creature comforts. Certain, it is slightly too fancy for an on a regular basis work truck, but it surely certain makes a pleasant reward if you happen to’ve managed to climb the ladder and turn into the boss. The 2022 RAM 1500 Restricted begins at $62,460. Our loaded tenth Anniversary truck got here in at $72,740, together with a $1695 vacation spot cost.
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