I’ve been hinting at RAM for a couple of blogs now.  I mentioned the Hurricane engine in my Jeep Blog and again in my Engine Blog.  I started selling cars in 2010 at a GMC store, the Sierra lineup was my jam.  Years later I went to a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM store and saw the light.  I got there when RAM debuted its all new lineup in 2019.  I took all the training courses, spent a lot of time in the truck to understand it, and fell in love.

 

I don’t want to make general statements without facts.  I am biased, but for good reason, so let me tell you.

 

ENGINES

Let’s start on the powertrain and I’ll say it again, the Hurricane engine rocks.  RAM did bring back the 5.7L Hemi, but as an optional engine.  I was always a believer the stoutness of a V8 was best for towing.  Motor Trend just did a test of towing capabilities of the Hemi and Hurricane and the Hurricane stole MTs hearts.  The Hurricane is offered in 2 levels, SO and HO.  The SO Twin Turbo gives you 420 horsepower with 469 pound feet of torque, 25 more horsepower and 59 more torque than the Hemi.  The SO Hurricane is optional in the Big Horn and standard in the Laramie.

 

Step up to the Limited and Tungsten for that HO Hurricane, pumping out 540 horsepower and 521 pound feet of torque.  YEAH BUDDY!  Both Hurricane engines are an inline 6.  Inline engines reduce friction compared to its V counterparts and are known for longevity, low end torque and smoothness.  Pistons function in an up and down path in a straight line (hence inline or straight).  A V8 functions in exactly that, a V direction where the pistons move away and back in that V shape.  The Hurricane is sooo quiet and smooth and wants to accelerate all the time.  RAM doesn’t downshift hard for passing or towing and the 8 speed automatic transmission has been tweaked since 2019 for this Hurricane lineup.

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GM still has its 5.3L V8, an engine since early 2000s, and 6.2L V8 which has been in the Escalades to Corvettes to the Pontiac G8.  GM is proud of its new TurboMax engine, which appears to be a turbo inline 4 with some added technology for maximum efficiency.  The TurboMax delivers 310 horsepower with 430 pound feet of torque, diesel like numbers.  Do you want an inline 4 or inline 6?  Exactly, give me the 6.  The TurboMax would be awesome in a saloon, but not a full size truck.  Both V8s have been around for decades, which is nice because they’re proven engines, BUT they’re outdated now.  GM is the typical American engine, big and without power, and the output for both haven’t changed in over 10 years.

 

Ford’s 5.0L V8 is a legend itself, it's been in Jaguar, Mustangs, and Land Rovers.  The more common engines are V6s called EcoBoost or PowerBoost.  The PowerBoost gives you 420 horsepower and 570 pounds of torque.  These engines are a similar idea to GMs TurboMax with good torque.

 

REAR SUSPENSION

Ford and GM run a leaf spring rear suspension for good towing numbers.  The Sierra Denali has Adaptive Ride Control, an active suspension adjusting to bumps in the road every 2 milliseconds.  Ford Platinum…just leaf springs.  Ford Raptor has a 5 coil rear suspension.

 

RAM has a rear coil suspension as standard.  Coil suspension adapts better for a smoother ride.  Leaf springs are on the Heavy Duty trucks to withstand maximum towing.  An unloaded HD truck bounces like the old Jeep Wranglers.  These half ton trucks react the same, but on a smaller scale of course because the leaf springs aren’t set for that hard core towing.  Coils compress easier to eliminate those harsh pot holes here in Colorado, and do it quietly.

 

Get the higher RAM trim levels for the 4 corner air suspension.  The suspension can lower when in park to make getting in and out easier, and raise for better ground clearance if you’re off roading.  When you're driving at highway speeds, the suspension goes in aero mode for better aerodynamics for better MPGs.  I cannot say it enough, the RAM is the quietest and smoothest truck on the market.

 

FIT AND FINISH

All three brands offer a very nice cabin, and all three have a ton of room inside so everyone is comfortable.  I do like aspects of Ford for some things like nice stitching on the seats.  GM has nice wood accents on their trim levels.  Ford and GM do have a nice layout for HVAC controls with actual buttons below the radio.  I still think RAM takes the cake.  The HVAC controls are ok, being on the side of the 14.5” radio.  The rotary gear shifter opens up the center console for tons of storage space, deep storage, and wireless charging docks.  RAM uses interior materials that feel great to the touch.  Ford and GM do as well, but I’m biased.

 

I absolutely love RAMs center display.  Stellantis has the most customizable display out of any other brand.  I can choose from multiple pages to display AND customize what information I want to show in the corners.  After driving Jeeps for so long, I’ve gotten used to this display.  Other manufacturers give you pages to scroll through, but not the ability to display other information like trips A/B, average MPGs, outside temperatures, current MPGs, fuel range, air suspension info, transmission temp, engine temp and so on.

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VERDICT

RAM is a multiple Motor Trend truck of the year (2019, 2020, 2021, and 2025) because it keeps evolving.  When I started selling GMCs, RAMs were cheap on the inside and had a shitty Hemi for its time.  RAM has passed GM and Ford in all the important measurements.  The engines, suspension, transmission, and quality cabin deliver THE best riding truck on the market.  No other truck drives smoother, quieter and more effortless than the RAM 1500.  It's true that V8 rumble is gone, but it's been replaced with a Hurricane that beats it in almost every way.  It’s certainly better than those loud V6 turbos in Ford and Toyota.  Personally, I think the RAM looks dynamic and has kept to its old look of the 2000s while staying modern.  RAM is leaving the pack and letting the others battle for 2nd place.