Ram 1500: 2019 Motor Trend Truck of the Year Finalist

WE LIKE New eTorque V-8, high-quality interiors across the line

WE DON’T LIKE Base eTorque V-6 could use a bit more low-end power

It’s gotta be tough playing third fiddle in the truck sales race to the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado, but FCA’s Ram team seemed to have turned any animosity it has toward its crosstown rivals into a new pickup that ought to have them looking over their shoulders.

The fifth-generation 2019 Ram 1500, the first version of Ram’s light-duty pickup developed outside the Dodge brand envelope, does a fantastic job of staying true to the 1500’s heritage while still keeping an eye toward the future.

Ram brass freed its engineers from chasing down the (relatively) lightweight Ford F-150’s segment-best payload and towing figures so that they could focus on a holistic approach to improving performance and fuel economy. The driver behind that is largely Ram’s new lineup of eTorque mild-hybrid engines, which use small electric starter-generators paired with a tiny 0.43-kW-hr battery to help the stop/start system and provide a minor torque assist while cruising so the standard eight-speed automatic doesn’t need to downshift. The new eTorque technology is standard on the base 305-hp 3.6-liter V-6 and available on the 395-hp 5.7-liter V-8. A non-eTorque version of the V-8 is also available.

The base eTorque V-6 feels gutsy for such a small engine, though we noted it felt like it made most of its power higher in its powerband. Additional low-end torque would be welcome, especially when towing and hauling. Both V-8s felt smooth and powerful, even with a trailer attached, but especially the eTorque one. “I find the eTorque drivetrain a bit smoother through the revs and shifts and when accelerating up steep grades,” features editor Scott Evans said.

The 1500’s handsome, aerodynamic sheetmetal won praise from our judges, as did the range of new interiors. From the volume Big Horn models to the top-trim Limited, the new Rams sport high-quality interior materials and supremely functional designs.

Although Ram may not lead the pickup sales race, its refresh should make even the most brand-loyal Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Nissan, and Toyota buyers think twice.

READ ABOUT 2019 SUV OF THE YEAR CONTENDERS:

• BMW X2
• BMW X3
• BMW X4
• Cadillac XT4
• Ford EcoSport
• Ford Edge
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Infiniti QX50
• Jaguar E-Pace
• Jeep Cherokee
• Lexus RX L
• Mercedes-Benz G-Class
• Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
• Nissan Kicks
• Subaru Ascent
• Toyota RAV4

READ ABOUT 2019 SUV OF THE YEAR FINALISTS:

• Acura RDX
• Ford Expedition
• Hyundai Kona
• Jaguar I-Pace
• Jeep Wrangler
• Lincoln Navigator
• Range Rover Velar
• Subaru Forester
• Volvo XC40

READ ABOUT 2019 CAR OF THE YEAR CONTENDERS:

• Buick Regal
• Ford Mustang
• Ford Transit Connect
• Hyundai Accent
• Hyundai Elantra
• Honda Clarity
• Kia Forte
• Lexus ES
• Lexus LS
• Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
• Nissan Altima
• Toyota Avalon
• Toyota Corolla Hatchback
• Volkswagen Jetta

READ ABOUT 2019 CAR OF THE YEAR FINALISTS:

• Audi A6
• Audi A7
• Genesis G70
• Honda Insight
• Hyundai Veloster
• Volvo S60 and V60

2019 Ram 1500	Big Horn 4×2 (Quad)	Big Horn 4×4 (Crew)	Rebel (Quad)	Long Horn 4X4 (Crew)	Limited 4X4 (Crew)
BASE PRICE	$37,390	$43,590	$46,390	$55,390	$57,890
PRICE AS TESTED	$46,240	$55,485	$55,400	$68,385	$68,340
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front-engine, RWD, 5-pass, 4-door truck	Front-engine, 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door truck	Front-engine, 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door truck	Front-engine, 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door truck	Front-engine, 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door truck
ENGINE	5.7L/395-hp/410-lb-ft OHV 16-valve V-8 plus 16-hp/130-lb-ft electric motor, 395 hp/410 lb-ft comb	3.6L/305-hp/269-lb-ft DOHC 24-valve V-6 plus 12-hp/90-lb-ft electric motor, 305 hp/269 lb-ft comb	5.7L/395-hp/410-lb-ft OHV 16-valve V-8	5.7L/395-hp/410-lb-ft OHV 16-valve V-8	5.7L/395-hp/410-lb-ft OHV 16-valve V-8
TRANSMISSION	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST)	5,111 lb (58/42%)	5,456 lb (55/45%)	5,575 lb (58/42%)	5,820 lb (56/44%)	5,876 lb (57/43%)
WHEELBASE	140.5 in	144.6 in	140.5 in	144.6 in	144.6 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	228.9 x 82.1 x 77.6 in	232.9 x 82.1 x 75.8-79.6 in	228.9 x 82.1 x 77.7 in	232.9 x 82.1 x 75.8-79.6 in	232.9 x 82.1 x 75.8-79.6 in
0-60 MPH	5.9 sec	8.5 sec	6.4 sec	6.3 sec	6.5 sec
QUARTER MILE	14.4 sec @ 97.6 mph	16.5 sec @ 84.5 mph	14.9 sec @ 93.1 mph	14.8 sec @ 94.4 mph	15.0 sec @ 82.1 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	122 ft	130 ft	135 ft	126 ft	132 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.76 g (avg)	0.71 g (avg)	0.76 g (avg)	0.74 g (avg)	0.74 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	28.1 sec @ 0.62 g (avg)	29.7 sec @ 0.54 g (avg)	27.7 sec @ 0.73 g (avg)	29.0 sec @ 0.57 g (avg)	28.3 sec @ 0.60 g (avg)
REAL MPG, CITY/HWY/COMB	19.2/23.1/20.8 mpg	15.4/19.7/17.1 mpg	14.0/19.4/16.0 mpg	14.7/21.6/17.2 mpg	18.7/22.6/20.3 mpg
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON	17/23/19 mpg	19/24/21 mpg	15/21/17 mpg	15/21/17 mpg	17/22/19 mpg
ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY	198/147 kW-hrs/100 miles	177/140 kW-hrs/100 miles	225/160 kW-hrs/100 miles	225/160 kW-hrs/100 miles	198/153 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB	1.01 lb/mile	0.93 lb/mile	1.13 lb/mile	1.13 lb/mile	1.02 lb/mile

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