Thursday, March 28, 2024

JeffCars.com’s Review: 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Quad Cab 4×2

The All-New 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Quad Cab 4X2 (Photo Credit: JeffCars.com)
The All-New 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Quad Cab 4X2 (Photo Credit: JeffCars.com)

Highlight: This is the first truck to feature both a power pull down tailgate and a haptic feature. By simply applying a hand gesture underneath the tailgate rear logo or using the keyfob, the tailgate is easily released.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $54,480 (Base Model: $33,340)

Seating Capacity: 5 (tight squeeze in the rear seating area)

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; Daytime running headlights; electronic stability control; electronic roll mitigation; an electric parking brake; a hillstart assist system; a rear back up camera; a tire pressure monitoring system a tire fill alert system; a traction control system; heated exterior mirrors; a cargo lamp; a locking tailgate; and a trailer sway damping system

Tradesman Standard Equipment: 18-inch wheels; an 8-speed automatic transmission; a headlamp off time delay system; a rear fixed window; tinted glass windows; power heated mirrors with manual fold-away; active grille fuel saving shutters; manual adjustable front seats; split bench front seat; rear folding seat; a 5-inch infotainment touchscreen; a 7-pin wiring harness; a 730 amp maintenance free battery;  a class 3 hitch receiver; a 23 gallon fuel tank; a manual operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel; and a steering wheel mounted shift column

Laramie: a 5.7-liter Hemi; 395-horsepower; leather bucket (front) seats; a class four receiver hitch; a keyless remote system; a remote start system; a U-Connect 8-inch infotainment screen; AppleCar Play; Google Android Auto System; 9 speakers with a subwoofer; an automatic dual temperature control system; 115-auxilaru power outlet; 12-volt auxiliary power outlet; and a leather wrapped heated steering wheel

Option: a full length upgraded front floor console; a radar activated stop-go cruise control system; an advance braking assist system; a full speed collision warning assist system; a lane departure warning assist system; a parallel/perpendicular parking assist system; a 360-camera; chrome tow hooks; wheel-to-wheel side steps; four adjustable cargo tie down hooks; LED bed lighting; a spay-in bedliner; 1-year SiriusXM service; a 5-year SiriusXM traffic  service; HD radio; CD player; Uconnnect navigation system; an automatic high-beam headlamp control system; an electronic blindspot system with cross path detection; heated second-row seats; front and rear park assist with stop; rain sensitive windshield wipers; a power remote tailgate release; a tailgate ajar warning light; a tri-fold tonneau cover; an anti-spin differential rear axle; an active noise control system for the Hemi engine; rear wheelhouse liners; a 33-gallon fuel tank; and a 12-inch display infotainment screen with navigation

Other Trim Level:

Ram Crew Cab

Ram Classic (the previous generation model)

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 6-speaker audio system

Bluetooth Connectivity: Yes

USB Connectivity: Yes

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty:  3 years or 36,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Standard Engine/Horsepower: 3.6-liter, 6-cylinder/305-hp

Recommended Fuel: Regular

Standard Fuel Mileage: 20-city/25-hwy

Payload 3.6-liter 4×2: 1,180 lbs

Trailer Tow 3.6-liter 4×2: 6,640 lbs

2019 Ram 1500 Interior (Photo Credit: JeffCars.com)
2019 Ram 1500 Interior (Photo Credit: JeffCars.com)

What’s New: For the 2019 model year, the all-new Ram 1500 series has been redesign inside and out. In every sense, in terms of fuel-efficiency, ride quality, high-tech features, luxury amenities, towing and safety driving aids, it’s no wonder why sedans and coupes have literally taking a back seat. The new light duty Ram is an all-purpose lifestyle-work vehicle.

Why: The redesign 2019 Ram is available in a Quad Cab or a Crew Cab configuration with a five foot, six foot or seven foot bed. Like the previous model, the Ram 1500 series is available in a two-wheel drive or a four-wheel drive configuration.

The maximum payload increase is 2,300 pounds, while the maximum trailer tow is 12,750 pounds.

This year’s generation is the best Ram to date. It exceeded our expectations in every sense. While we realize this is a truck, the engineering and design team at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has literally poured their heart and soul into this truck. The light duty fullsize truck didn’t feel massive, as in the case of some trucks. The folks from Ram have set a new standard of what a luxury work truck is capable of being.

While we spent time behind the wheel of the wheel of the smaller Quad Cab, we recommend those seeking loads of space and room for their rear passengers to step up to a Crew Cab.

Depending upon the trim, the Ram is available with driver safety aids we’ve never seen on a truck before. One of those features included a parallel/perpendicular parking system. The vehicle also is available with a lane departure warning system and a radar-activated cruise control system.

Moreover, the easy-to-use driver gauges and the optional eye-absorbing Tesla-like infotainment screen literally placed the new Ram in a category by itself. While the infotainment screen housed controls for the ventilation system, the navigation system and the audio system, Ram’s system operated more like a smartphone with an array of apps. The apps can be rearranged based upon the popularity of the user (in many cases that being the driver).  In fact, one of the apps allowed us to check for movie tickets, fuel pricing and the like.

And, besides the user friendly systems, the interior quality of the leather hand-stitched seams surrounding the instrument panel and the door panels seemed more befitting for a Mercedes-Benz than a truck. Yes, the interior design team showcased their best work to date with this generation of Rams.

Lastly, the ride quality of the new Ram must be one of the best in the segment. The vehicle no longer feels like a rough truck. Ford has always been the leader in terms of the ride quality. However, we believe that the new Ram might have taken their place.

From all indications, this year’s Ram has definitely won us over.

But: In terms of the exterior styling, this is a more tamed Ram. The front grille no longer wears that ‘big rig’ look that made the truck a segment stand out decades ago. The grille looks like it was taken from the 2015 GMC Sierra.

Also there was no power tilt/telescopic steering wheel in the top of the line Laramie trim on the Quad Cab. Yes, this would not have been a gripe of our in the past. However, with this being a luxury work truck, we’ve raised the standards of what we’ve come to expect.

Moreover, we found the interior space of the Quad Cab to be quite limiting and a little too cozy for rear occupants. If legroom is a key decision for the comfort of rear occupants, steer clear of the Quad Cab and step up to the Crew Cab. Both teens and adults alike, who are seated in the rear, will thank you for it later. The Crew Cab, which runs at a slightly higher price point, due to the additional space is suitable for the comfort of rear passengers.

Furthermore, a single cab is currently not available with this new redesign.  Perhaps there could be one coming. However, for now, for those seeking a regular cab model, they can consider purchasing the previous model, which is now known as the Ram Classic.

Verdict: Ironically, a comparable Quad Cab Laramie in 2018 was approximately $995 more than this year’s model. The 2019 model Ram is leap years over the previous Rams (Dodge trucks) in terms of ride quality, fuel efficiency, luxury amenities, towing, safety driving aids and the high-tech features.

In fact, the contemporary, but understated grille, has set a new standard in the industry for trucks. After being behind the wheel of the all-new Chevy Silverado, from all indications the Ram might have literally beat them at their game. And, as far as with the best-selling vehicle in America, the F-series, we can foresee the automaker conceding market share to the new serious player in town.

Lastly, when the average well-equipped fullsize pick up truck seems to be landing in the $60,000 to $70,000 price point, the Laramie we reviewed seemed like a steal, a best buy.

Ram has been able to combine the best elements of a truck, a SUV and a car to position this vehicle, as the new luxury flagship vehicle. This new design will be phased into Ram’s  heavy duty trucks in the near future.

Stay tuned a new heavy duty truck from Ram, with a 1,000 lbs of torque, is expected to follow the path laid out by the light duty truck.

So, before finalizing on a full size or midsize truck, we strongly recommend truck buyers place the Ram on their shopping list.

Competition: Ford F-150; Chevy Silverado; GMC Sierra; Nissan Titan; and Toyota Tundra

More Info About JeffCars.com: For a new-car pricing configurator, used car-buying tips, recall updates, a car-payment calculator and air times to tune in to SiriusXM’s Auto Trends with JeffCars.com, cruise over to JeffCars.com.

 

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