Overview & Reviews

Ram is a recently formed subdivision of Chrysler. Its lineup consists chiefly of full-size pickups that were formerly called Dodge Rams. This offshoot brand was created in 2009 as part of a reorganization by Fiat, Chrysler's new owner, to increase awareness for the company's trucks. It all became official for the 2011 model year. The slightly renamed vehicles didn't change, and as such Ram trucks and vehicles are well suited for both work and play.

The Ram name itself was first used back in 1981 on Dodge's then-redesigned pickup trucks. Previously, Dodge pickups had more typical (and mundane) naming conventions, with a letter indicating drivetrain, and numbers indicating capacity. For example, a Dodge D150 was a two-wheel-drive ("D"), half-ton ("150") pickup, whereas a Dodge W150 was a four-wheel-drive ("W") half-ton pickup.

Though the Dodge Ram offered cab styles (standard and extended), powertrain options (inline-6,, V8, turbodiesel) and features similar to its Ford and Chevy competitors, it always trailed them in the sales race. A complete redesign for 1994 gave the Ram pickup line a huge boost in image and popularity. The aggressive styling -- featuring a big-rig-style grille and flared fenders -- was a huge factor in the Ram's increased appeal. Highlights for this generation included the debut of the popular Quad Cab with its reverse-opening rear doors that eased the loading of passengers and cargo. The Quad Cab (along with more luxury features) also signified the ever increasing use of pickup trucks as daily drivers and family vehicles.

Another redesign of the Ram pickup took place for 2002 (2003 for the heavy-duty models), giving sharper edges to the truck's already macho styling, which was backed up with the debut of the burly 5.7-liter Hemi V8. The current version of the Ram 1500 was introduced for 2009, boasting a much-improved interior as well as a unique coil-spring rear suspension. The latter offers notably more refined handling and ride characteristics compared to the more traditional leaf-spring setup used on the Ram's rivals.

In addition to the popular full-size Ram pickup lineup detailed above, the Ram brand also incorporates the midsize Dakota pickup as well as the Dodge Grand Caravan-based Ram C/V (Cargo Van).

User Reviews:

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  Drove a lot of Trucks before buying this one - 2016 RAM 1500
  By Eric Wallis - June 9 - 8:16 pm

  Far and away the best interior and loaded with features. I feel like I am driving a BMW but its a truck!

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  ECO Mode is terrible but great ride. - 2011 RAM 1500
  By dvp16 - May 19 - 12:06 pm

  Great ride, smooth, quick. Nice interior, better than Fords. The bad- the ECO mode or MDS that cuts the engine to four cylinders to save fuel is terrible. Runs rough, sputters despite program flash from dealer. I had a 2011 Jeep with the same engine and the MDS switch was flawless. So this must be a "Ram" problem. Check out some Ram forums and see the complaints about the ECO and MDS before purchasing. Drivers are placing the transmission in 5th gear to keep the MDS from engaging. I guess we know why Ram sales continue to fall. Chrysler will not listen to the owners.

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  New Truck! - 2016 RAM 1500
  By Rob H - May 6 - 10:57 am

  Just purchased this truck recently. So far, its awesome!

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  2014 Dodge Ram Quad Cab - 2014 RAM 1500
  By canoe3 - May 2 - 2:36 am

  Ive had my pickup for a few months now, approx 5,000 miles on it. Never all it seems pretty good, but there are a couple of annoying things - it was right around $30k (Im in Canada). It came without mud flaps, front tow hooks or any other trim. I understand you could get those by paying for a higher trim level, but I feel all trucks should come standard with those (they are on the F150). Aftermarket was fine though. My biggest issue is with the fuel economy, which I expected to be not great as its a v8, but its actually around 14mpg easy driving in the city, 16mpg on the highway. also, stock tires are horrible - if it rains (or aaagh - snows!) youre all over the road.

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  no more chevys after driving this - 2014 RAM 1500
  By yoyo69 - April 28 - 1:21 am

  I thought these hemi engines got poor mileage but this 4x4 gets over 20 mpg just driving back and forth to work. This truck blows away ford and chevy in every category. looks better, rides better,nicer interior with more options that come standard. Drive one if your in the market for a new truck. It sells itself, and was priced better. I did have a negative bias against the dodge truck but seeing is believing.

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  Good truck/bad rear window noise - 2012 RAM 1500
  By sumagolf - March 30 - 3:40 am

  It seems quite quick and powerful on the highway.Smooth take off from a stop and very strong accelaration.Interior is good,exterior color is quite nice.Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl.I bought the truck because off the engine and the appearance.I sell automotive paint and bodyshop supplies.My vehicle appearance is very important as I am in dealerships daily.

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  Drive this truck thoroughly before purchasing - 2011 RAM 1500
  By jclaeys - March 20 - 1:08 am

  Just traded in my 2011 Big Horn after "reluctantly driving it" for a mere 1500 miles. The new "ECO" technology is the most unrefined of any truck out there....where its Hemi shuts down 4 cyl. to "supposedly" improve gas mileage. It is course sounding and causes a fair amount of "vibration" in the underpinnings of the truck, which makes the driving experience less than pleasant. GM has this technology down pat...never noticeable. This truck is beautiful...but the gas mileage is pathetic at best....12mpg, and no, I dont have a lead foot. If you need a truck stay away from this one..the two most dreaded words you will ever hear.."its normal"

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  Good truck....almost - 2012 RAM 1500
  By zerocontact - February 20 - 9:05 pm

  I have a 2012 Ram 1500 "Express" 2 wheel drive quad cab. The truck rides superbly, has plenty of power (is actually quite quick), and is very spacious on the interior with plenty of storage and random nooks and crannys to put random things. Sound quality is good on stock stereo system and interior quality is good. HOWEVER, gas mileage is terrible (8-9 city, 13-14 highway). This is the truck for you if you love to search for gears, downshift randomly, have erratic RPMs at steady speed, idle at low RPMs to the point of the truck bogging out. I will be taking my truck to the service department with 982 miles showing on the odometer

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  2011 2500 "Diesel" ST LWB - 2011 RAM 2500
  By chrisz71p - January 21 - 6:58 pm

  Numerous Injector problems. Truck runs like crap and dodge usually has no diesel mechanics or they change weekly. You get different advice from each. They tell me that its a "known problem with the Bosch injectors and Ram will allow one injector to be replaced under warranty... maybe you got bad fuel" Well if it was a one time problem maybe but its not.