Reader Review: 2019 RAM 1500 Limited Crew Cab 4x4

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CALGARY—Trucks long ago shed their no-frills roots. They’ve become luxury vehicles, but with all the hauling utility of their rough and ready forbearers.

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Consider the all-new 2019 Ram 1500 Limited. After spending time with the well-equipped crew cab, four-wheel drive truck our test driver Attila Szabo compared the redesigned Ram to the Mercedes-Benz S Class luxury sedan. Except, the Ram can carry more stuff.

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“I used to refer to the Ram as the Cadillac of pickups,” Szabo says, and continues, “but I think that the new model deserves to be called the S Class of pickups. First impressions are of high-end luxury.”

As of 2011, automaker FCA dropped any reference to Dodge and began referring to the trucks simply as Ram. The 2019 Ram trucks are fifth generation vehicles and they’ve been aggressively restyled. Most noticeably, there’s less of the ‘big rig’ semi-tractor appearance that had set the second-generation trucks apart in the early 1990s.

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Yet, there remains some resemblance, and the 2019 editions feature an entirely new grille, headlights and a hood with a prominent power bulge that helps carry forward Ram’s macho image.

“The headlights and grille are much sleeker and the old-school Dodge cross hair grille is gone,” Szabo says of his first impression of the just better than $85,000 Limited he drove. He adds, “It’s a great improvement and the LED strips in the headlights and tail lights are a stylish addition.”

And Szabo knows of what he speaks. The Calgarian has owned previously a Ram 1500 Laramie, a Long Horn and a Limited, crew cabs all.

Over the years, Szabo says, “I’ve owned more cars than any normal person should have, including Firebirds, Camaros and Corvettes. The three trucks were all daily drivers and I have hauled boats and trailers.”

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Szabo appreciated the new power steps found on the 2019 Ram that make accessing the cab a simple procedure. Once in the heated and cooled leather driver’s seat, he found the large cab provided plenty of visibility and the ride height was spot on. He was able to get in and go without any fuss, but it did take him a minute to understand the logic of the redesigned console and touch screen controls.

“I like redundant buttons and controls, and they were still there,” Szabo says. “Over my week, though, I did get a bit more comfortable with the screen controls.

“The leather was a lighter tan colour and there was great contrast in the cabin, but in a truck, that light colour seems kind of deadly and could likely get dirty quickly – but it’s a very pretty interior with nice materials used throughout and a luxurious fit and finish.”

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For 2019, the Ram has become a lighter truck, with a chassis that’s stiffer and stronger thanks to more higher-strength steel. According to FCA, maximum payload for the Ram 1500 has increased to 1,043 kilograms and maximum trailer towing capability to 5,761 kilograms.

Ram offers the 1500 in seven different models, from the base Tradesman to the top-of-the-line Limited. The lower range trucks are available with a 3.6-litre V6 with eTorque feature. There is also the option of placing a 5.7L Hemi V8 under the hood. Most other models are equipped as standard with the Hemi V8 with cylinder deactivation technology to improve fuel economy.

“This truck I tested had only 1,000 kilometres on it and was hardly broken in,” Szabo says. “I’m used to infinitely more power in my SRT Jeep, but in my opinion, it would be nice if power could be stepped up just a bit in the Ram. I don’t know if it was gearing or power, but when passing it just took fractionally longer than I expected to gain some speed.”

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Equipped with a new air ride suspension system, Szabo says the Ram rode well and was more than comfortable on a highway adventure to golf at the Silvertip Resort in Canmore.

“The ride was super smooth, and the air suspension worked flawlessly,” Szabo says. “It rode more like a car, and my passengers all couldn’t believe they were riding in a truck. It was also super well insulated and it was really quiet on the highway.”

Another feature Szabo liked was the optional $1,595 power panoramic moonroof, as he appreciates having extra light in the large cab. Speaking of size, Szabo checked out all seats in the Ram and discovered more room in the back than he’d expected.

“The rear seats recline, and they’re also heated and cooled,” he says. “And, when you flip up the seat bottoms, there’s a level-load floor – that’s great.”

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Outside the truck, Szabo liked the foldable tonneau cover and the tie down points in the bed that was illuminated by LED lights. He would, however, have appreciated a step-assist to allow easier access to the bed.

Overall, Szabo enjoyed the truck and figures it would suit anyone who would appreciate driving a luxury vehicle that will also haul.

He adds, “However, I don’t think someone would buy that level of trim and start hauling dirt,” and he concludes, “I’d love to have another one, and if I had to make a choice this would be at the top of my pile. Ram has always been a bit ahead of the curve with design, features and technology.”

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DRIVER’S JOURNAL

Day One: The 2019 Ram Limited model is a beautiful update to the previous body style with new visual cues and a noticeably larger cab. The U-Connect is excellent, but a bit overwhelming to try to sort the split screens and what’s displayed on the top or bottom half of the massive 12-inch screen. The Harman/Kardon system was excellent; crisp and with an appropriate amount of bass. Stopped for dinner and tried the perpendicular park feature. My wife looked aghast as I had both hands in the air as the system perfectly backed the truck into its stall. I mean perfectly, is was right in the middle of the stall.

Day Two: Spent 45 minutes driving to work admiring the finish of the interior. Plenty of wood and soft leather. Love the stitching. The aluminum touches on the centre stack and speakers work very well. Lowering the air suspension to the entry/exit height allowed me to comfortably get the truck in the underground parking under the maximum 6-foot 2-inch height restriction. Drove to Banff in the evening for a meeting tomorrow. Beautiful highway cruiser; plenty of power. The adaptive cruise control worked well

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Day Three: I am getting more familiar with the workings of the Uconnect system. You can split the screen into two conventional screens and can pick what you want displayed on the top and bottom halves of the screen. Gas mileage seems impressive for a vehicle this size. Driving back and forth to work and then to Banff and back averaged 12.4-litres per 100 km. Discovered that the headlights swivel and turn with the direction of the wheels (at slower speeds) — a very cool feature I was not expecting to find in a truck.

Day Four: Back to the usual grind of back and forth to the office. The truck continues to perform admirably. Great in traffic, even for its size. Not only are the rear seats heated, no surprise in this segment, but they are cooled as well. Wow, I noticed not one, but two 110-volt plugs.

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Day Five: Worked from home today but took the truck out for some errands. The weather was cold, and the rain was thick hampering visibility. It was great riding high above the rest of the slow traffic. The huge centre stack screen was starting to grow on me. The functions and the location and placement of cards was becoming easier and easier to use. I compared the resolution of the centre stack to my 2016 Jeep SRT (8.4-inch Uconnect) – the Ram screen was sooooo much crisper and easier to read.

Day Six: Our dinner guests were amazed by the quality and equipment on a “truck”. They were blown away by all the options and quality of fit and finish. It was noted that the heated and cooled from seats had three levels of adjustment – not just on and off. The power steps were appreciated more than the tubular bars of the past.

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Day Seven: Trip to Canmore. My passenger noted the dual glove boxes; after all, you can never have too much storage for your gloves! The soft drop tailgate and the LED lighting in the bed of the truck worked well. I am now very comfortable with the Uconnect system. It works very well once you figure out the logic. Spent some time working my way through the truck front to back and came up with the following fun facts:

Fun fact 1: There are 10 different plugs to connect your USB or auxiliary devices.

Fun fact 2: There are 10 cup holders – you are sure to remain hydrated!

Fun fact 3: The Dodge branding has been removed as the RAM is its own brand now. There are no fewer than 22 instances (that I could find) of the Ram logo or word on the vehicle.

Fun fact 4: The storage in the centre console is huge! It could likely swallow even large purses.