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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  2016 RAM ECODIESEL - 2016 RAM 1500
  By Chris Conklin - March 30 - 6:28 pm

  I have owned my ECODIESEL RAM 1500 for 4 years. I have never met another owner who has been satisfied with this truck. I should have taken it as an omen. Instead, I thought it was just that they wanted to see the big C on the side of their fenders. But before I hit 34,000 on my own ecodiesel truck, the engine seized. I had it towed back to the dealer thinking this was probably not the case being that it has been an excellent running truck. The bad news hit for me and I received a 16,000 dollar estimate on a new engine, or 15,000 for a rebuild engine. My truck isn't worth over 25,000. My powertrain warranty grace period had expired three weeks earlier for 5 years and the dealer or FCA would not cover this replacement. Please take my experience as a sign and do not buy a RAM ECODIESEL. Do your research on how often these fail. Do not make the 16,000 dollar mistake with not getting a Cummins or a Hemi, or completely different manufacturer altogether.

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  75k and going - 2011 RAM 1500
  By mrish - November 25 - 3:57 pm

  Im just now hitting 75k miles on my 11 Outdoorsman. It has been completely reliable to date. No issues to report at all. the only thing Ive done is change the oil, air filter, and plugs. Which by the way, has to be changed every 30k miles and there are 16 of them. I have a 30 travel trailer that weighs in at 6400# and it tows it great. I use it as my daily driver and it is absolutely comfortable. MPG is about 17, mostly interstate.

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  This is a luxury truck, not a job site truck - 2013 RAM 1500
  By eichler34 - November 21 - 5:15 am

  Ive got 8000 miles on my truck now, its white with gold two tone, with the cattle tan interior. I intentionally avoided the laser etched filigree seats as to me, it would have been too much country. Options I have are the 8 speed rotary dial transmission, the multi-level air suspension, Rambox storage, and each of those options to me are an absolute necessity when getting this top of the line model.

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  First Dodge - 2011 RAM 1500
  By Anonymous - November 19 - 2:00 am

  My Ram is quieter and smoother driving then my previous(01,03,06)Sierras. It has quite a few handy features that make it easier to use. I prefer the 4 doors w/Dodge then the suicide type w/GM. I am underwhelmed by the fuel economy because I am averaging 16mpg for the same exact roads/driving style I got 18mpg w/Sierras(all non-mds V8s w/4sp autos and 4wd, Ram is V8w/mds w/5sp auto and 4wd). I was surprised to find out the 5.7L needs spark plug replacement (there are 16 of them!) every 2 years because they are standard plugs, not platinum tipped. In the service manual it recommends 89 octane w/5.7, that too was a surprise since all info I received before purchase mentions 87 octane.

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  Awesome experience!! - 2013 RAM 1500
  By tyler_lopes - November 6 - 1:29 am

  If you want a truck this is the truck to get! First off whats better than a hemi?! This is most fun Ive ever had driving a vehicle in my life and Ive also owned a charger. Its definitely a truck that I would buy more than once and I could drive it for years.

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  The Ram has come a long way. - 2014 RAM 1500
  By velvet69 - October 20 - 10:28 pm

  I just upgraded from a Toyota Tacoma, and I love this truck. Its like riding in a luxury car with all the amenities, but its still a truck. I cant wait to start hauling and towing stuff. I love this truck!

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  Awesume Truck - 2017 RAM 1500
  By Robert Peters - September 16 - 1:02 am

  I have only 1200 miles on the truck so far. To date, it has met all of my wants. The night visibility is great even in rain storms. The ride is comfortable, but road noise is greater than I had expected, louder than my 2012 Ram Bighorn.

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  After 3 years, still a good truck, but a few flaws - 2011 RAM 1500
  By gianofan - August 24 - 6:48 am

  After 3 years of owning this truck and putting 44k miles on it, I thought I share a few thoughts. First of all, this remains a very good truck overall and Im still happy with it. That said, Im eyeing a new 2014 or 15 Longhorn and considering a trade. This is primarily due to the new 8 gear transmission. The 2011 had only the 5 gear, and there is a huge performance difference between them (which I realized after a test drive of a 2014 model recently). There are also a number of other nice new features in the newer models....

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  2012 Big Horn 1500 - 2012 RAM 1500
  By tbarkley - August 19 - 10:45 pm

  Ive had my 1500 for 2 months now and love it. Its a 2012 1500 "Big Horn" Crew Cab with a 5.7 HEMI. It has all the power in the world, smooth, comfortable ride, all the features I need plus more. I have not had a moments trouble with it. My only complaint is that Im too short to reach over the bed sides from the ground very well (Im 59").

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  2011 Ram 2500 6.7 diesel - 2011 RAM 2500
  By jpuente - August 15 - 4:39 am

  Purchased new dodge 2500 less than a month ago now the truck is in the shop with a busted transmission colant line worst part is the part will take 5 to 7 days to get here. And of corse customer care gives you the run around