When it comes to full-size pickups, Ford’s F-150 and Chevy’s Silverado seem to have a corner on the market, not only around here, but across the county.
But maybe that’s a function of blind loyalty and unwillingness to step out of the box and purchase, for example, the 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab.
There are many examples of a less popular brand or model actually providing more function, utility and value. Old habits, after all, are hard to break.
After a week behind the wheel of the Big Horn, I urge you to give it a fair shot. You’ll be glad you did. The Dodge Ram 1500 is every bit a workhorse, but much, much more.
“The all-new 2019 Ram 1500 delivers a no-compromise approach to the full-size truck segment with strength, durability, technology and efficiency,” said Mike Manley, head of Ram Brand. “The Ram 1500 offers truck buyers leading-edge innovation with 225 pounds of weight reduction, 12,750 pounds of towing capability, a stunning Uconnect 12-inch touchscreen display and active systems that improve fuel efficiency and assist drivers. The Ram 1500 stands out as the benchmark in a very competitive segment.”
Let’s start with its legendary HEMI power. The Ram is powered a brawny 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 that combines the muscle of 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque in a smooth, broad power band that avoids the hesitation and peakiness of turbocharged engines. It features performance-enhancing and fuel-saving technologies that include variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation.
Every 2019 Ram 1500 is equipped with a fully electronic, TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission with a wide spread of gear ratios that keeps engine rpm in the right range for the task – whether putting in a full day of off-road work or highway cruising. The Big Horn got within sniffing distance of 20 miles per gallon fuel economy in a combination of city/highway driving that took me from Sea-Tac to Camano Island.
Its maximum payload has increased to 2,300 pounds, and maximum trailer tow to 12,750 pounds. The Crew Cab version seats up to six adults in, frankly, luxurious comfort. The only knock was the lack of a running board, which forced my vertically-challenged sister-in-law and her mom to use a step stool to climb aboard.
But that can be fixed.
The interior makes it hard to believe you’re inside a pickup truck. There is storage everywhere, including compartments below the second-row floorboards. How ’bout a Harman Kardon audio system with 19 premium speakers, 900-watt surround sound amplifier, 10-inch subwoofer and active noise cancelation? Or a 360-degree surround view camera with bird’s-eye perspective of vehicle?
Oh, and there’s a fourth-generation Uconnect system with SiriusXM Guardian connected services that deliver advanced in-vehicle connected services, including 4G Wi-Fi hotspot capability.
Other untrack-like features include pushbutton start, a knob that is turned to put the Ram in gear, buttons to select 2WD, 4WD-Hi, 4WD-Lo, and 4WD-auto, heated seats, heated steering wheel, XM radio, CD player and more.
I haven’t even touched on the safety and security features, and I’m already out of room. But adaptive cruise control, ParkSense, blind-spot monitoring and electronic parking brake are too good to not mention.
Base Price: $38,589
Price As Driven: $41,340
Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.
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