Ram 1500 Des Moines

For 2012, the Ram gets a slight increase in fuel economy and a new steering wheel.  The Ram 1500 offers a choice of three engines: A 3.7-liter V6 rated at 215 horsepower, a 310-hp 4.7-liter V8, and the 390-hp 5.7-liter Hemi. The V6 is fitted with a four-speed automatic transmission and the two V8s have a five-speed automatic. The V6 is available with rear-wheel drive only, but the two V8s are available with either two- or four-wheel drive.  Underneath, where for decades pickup trucks have had live axles with leaf springs, the Ram's live axle is suspended by coil springs and it is located by four trailing links and a lateral Panhard bar. And the Hemi is the stoutest V8 available across the range.

Driving Impressions of the '12 Ram 1500

The Ram rides very well and in comparing it to the competitors it comes across as the best blend of ride and control, whether you're on 17-inch wheels or the big 20s. It goes where you point it without drama, the rear end feels less inclined to step sideways over a mid-turn bump or invoke the stability control, and the Ram has a feeling of good directional stability with a trailer in tow. Steering is direct, but the effort is low during maneuvers and cruising, and it increases nicely as you push the truck harder. Body roll is kept in check by stabilizer bars at both ends, yet a small amount is apparent as you turn the wheel just to keep you aware; too much roll stiffness increases ride harshness. In sum, the whole truck exhibits less of the shuddering typical of body-on-frame designs used on all full-size pickups and some big SUVs. 

Interior Features of the '12 Ram 1500

The seats are finished in a durable fabric that you won't stick to you in summer heat or be crusty and chilly in a blizzard. They offer good support and plenty of room. Instrumentation includes a tachometer. The gear indicators are orange with the gear chosen shown in green. The gauges are illuminated amber at night while the controls are bathed in green. The electronic stability control switch (standard) and 4WD switch are on the dash.  The dashboard is nicely framed, with symmetry on both sides of the wheel and both sides of the truck. Upper models may be ordered with bucket seats and a fixed center console that houses storage areas and a stubby T-bar shifter on the driver's side; the shifter has chrome bulges on either side that look suspiciously like buttons but aren't.  The key goes in the dash on base trucks but others have pushbutton start, and mid-grade trucks add a voltmeter and an oil pressure indicator. Chrome rings the gauges, leather wraps the wheel on upper models, and the vehicle information center between the larger gauges offers myriad functions from trip computer and transmission fluid temperature to radio data.  The MyGig infotainment system with 30GB hard drive is available, along with navigation, dual-zone climate control, rear park sensors with audible beeps and LED warnings above the rear window, and a 150-watt, 110-volt AC outlet. A moonroof is offered on both four door cabs as is a rear-seatDVD entertainment system (though you can't get both on the Quad Cab). Alpine supplies the premium Surround Sound system, with speakers in the Crew Cab headliner above the back seat and a subwoofer under it. Safety features include dual front multi-stage airbags, three-point belts in all seating positions with constant-force retractors, LATCH child-seat anchors, child-protection rear door locks, electronic stability/traction control and four-wheel anti-lock brakes. Full side-curtain airbags for four-doors, back-up camera, and rear park sensors are optional. 

One distinction of the Ram is that a lot of the usual gaps and spaces are noticeably narrow and tight, such as spaces between tires and fender openings, and between the cargo box and the cab. This not only looks nice and clean, but it also helps reduce wind noise and improve efficiency. From the outside the Ram looks neat and tidy. The side mirrors stand off from the door glass, the sides are fairly flat, and the tailgate spoiler and windshield are both rounded for improved aerodynamics. Seen from behind where the tires appear almost flush with the body panels, the truck looks quite trim.  An aluminum hood is used on all models to save weight, and there is plenty of space below it for the aftermarket to fit superchargers and other go-fast goodies. Laramie models come with two-tone paint but you can specify a single shade, and rather than chrome-plating the aluminum wheels plastic chrome covers are used for dress-up.

Model Lineup

The 2011 Ram comes in ST, SLT, Outdoorsman, Sport, and Laramie trim levels. Special edition models, such as Big Horn and Lone Star, are regional offerings with primarily cosmetic and packaging changes. Cab choices include a Regular Cab with short (6.3 feet) or long (8 feet) bed, four-door Quad Cab with short bed, and the Crew Cab with a short bed; Laramie is limited to Quad and Crew Cab models.

A V6 and four-speed automatic are standard on 2WD Regular and Quad Cabs, the 4.7-liter V8 and five-speed automatic on most Ram 1500, and the 5.7-liter V8 Hemi is standard on Sport and Laramie and optional on everything else. No manual transmissions are offered.

Ram ST models are workhorses, with standard vinyl floor, manual windows and gray vinyl 40/20/40 bench seat, although they do include chrome grille outline, air conditioning, stability control, CD player, tilt wheel, variable intermittent wipers, locking lift-assist tailgate, trailer plug, and underfloor storage (Crew Cab). Options include chrome wheels, cruise control, sliding or heated rear window, trailer mirrors, carpeting, cloth seats, limited-slip differential, sliding rear window, and Sirius radio.

Ram SLT models upgrade with carpet floor covering, 40/20/40 split-bench seat, overhead console, cruise control, remote keyless entry, power windows and door locks, power heated mirrors, aluminum wheels, chrome bumpers and door handles, sliding power rear window (long cabs), Sirius radio and trip computer. Options include V8 engines, RamBox Cargo Management System, on-demand transfer case, power sunroof (long cabs), rear camera and park assist, remote start, seat and upholstery upgrades, power-adjustable pedals, 10-speaker Alpine surround sound, UConnect/navigation system and hands-free communication system with Bluetooth technology, Sirius Backseat TV, ten-way power driver seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview mirror, rear defroster, and 20-inch aluminum wheels.

The Ram Outdoorsman includes two-tone paint and painted flares. Power heated mirrors with turn signals, Class IV hitch, skidplates, tow hooks, leather-wrapped wheel, HomeLink, 115-volt outlet, center and overhead consoles, mud/slush floormats, auto-dimming inside mirror, 10-way power driver seat, underseat storage, illuminated vanity mirrors, limited-slip on 4x4, 32-gallon fuel tank on long-box, LT275/70R17 (only LT from factory) and aluminum wheels, security system and remote start. Options include rear park assist and surround-sound audio system, 20-inch wheels/tires, sunroof, UConnect, navigation, Sirius backseat TV The Ram Sport is available in Quad and Crew Cabs and labeled Sport R/T on the Regular Cab. It adds a 5.7-liter Hemi, slate-gray contrast-stitched bucket seats, body-color bumpers, fog lamps, on-demand 4WD and 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels. R/T models based on Sport use a 4.10:1 rear axle and 285/45R22 tires on polished aluminum wheels but will still tow 5000 pounds. Options are similar to those on the SLT. The Ram Laramie is the top of the line, with leather heated seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, driver memory system, woodgrain trim, power-adjustable pedals, surround sound, UConnect and 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels (17s are available). Extra-cost features include remote start, sunroof, navigation, back-up camera, heated/ventilated front seats, floor mats, heated rear seats and rear-seat entertainment.

Options available on all Ram 1500 are an under-rail or spray-in bedliner and engine block heater.

Conclusions

The Ram 1500 has the bold and brash style for which it is well known, and it's a refined package with loads of amenities for the occupants.  If you need a truck, the 2012 Ram 1500 is a truck that has it all.  Click here to learn more about the 2012 Ram 1500.

Some of the information for this review was obtained through newcartestdrive.com