2017 Ram 1500

The 2017 Ram 1500 is a worthy rival to all other light duty trucks out there. Like its competitors, the Ram 1500 lineup consists of a variety of truck configurations ranging from trims, engine options, cab size, and truck bed length. However, the Ram 1500 lineup has the guts and glory that competitors lack. The Ram 1500 is big, it’s bold, and it has style, all with comfortable drivability. Plus, Ram offers the only diesel engine in the half-ton truck segment.

Engines, Power and Towing

The number of trims available on the Ram 1500 lineup vary based on engine, cab size, length of the truck bed, and drivetrain. The Ram 1500 lineup consists of 4×2 or 4×4 drivetrains, three cab sizes (regular cab, crew cab or quad cab), three truck bed sizes (5’7”, 6’4” or 8’), and three engine choices (3.0L V6 EcoDiesel, 5.7L V8 HEMI or 3.6L Pentastar V6).

The base engine on the Ram 1500 lineup is the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 24-valve VVT engine, and is the standard on many of the trims. “VVT” stands for “Variable Valve Timing,” a process implemented into engines today that controls the air intake valve of the engine, increasing performance and fuel economy. The 3.6L VVT engine produces 305 horsepower, 269 lb-ft of torque, and gives the truck an average fuel economy of 17/25 mpg city highway. Depending on the Ram 1500’s equipment and specs, the 3.6L engine provides the Ram 1500 with a towing capacity range from 4,850 pounds to 7,300 pounds. A step up from the base engine is the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine, which generates 395-horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque.

The 5.7L engine is an oversquare engine, which means the truck’s bore (3.92) is larger than its stroke (3.58). Therefore, the truck produces more torque than a square or undersquare engine. With the engine’s capability to increase torque, the truck’s towing capacity increases as well. The towing capacity of the 5.7L engine on the Ram 1500 ranges from 8,550 pounds to 10,700 pounds. The third engine option on the Ram 1500 lineup is the 3.0-liter V6 EcoDiesel engine.

This engine has been named in the “Wards 10 Best Engines Award” list for three years in a row and is the only diesel engine available on a light-duty pick. Diesel engines produce more torque than gas engines, and the 3.0L produces 420 lb-ft of torque and 240 horsepower. This engine not only gives the Ram 1500 a towing capacity range of 8,050 pounds to 9,050 pounds, but also a best-in-class highway fuel economy of 29 mpg.

Style

The exterior for the 2017 Ram 1500 has some nice features. Automatic headlamps is a full lineup standard, and LED bed lighting comes standard or as an available option. Another great option that is available on the Ram 1500 lineup is the RamBox Cargo Management system. The RamBox Cargo Management system is an exterior compartment on the truck bed and is a great place to store equipment – it even doubles as a drainable cooler. The optional wheel-to-wheel side steps are always a nice luxury, too. The standard wheels are 17-inch steel wheels, but 22-inch forged aluminum polished wheels are also available.

The truck’s interior is just as nice. Options and features change depending on the trim, but 40/20/40 bench seats are a common feature. A behind-the-seat storage bin can be found on the Tradesman and Express trims, and heated front seats become available starting with the Lone Star trim. For driver convenience, an electronic vehicle information center is standard across the 2017 Ram 1500 lineup, and a rear sliding window is a full lineup option. Many other features, such as rear under seat storage compartments, a rear folding seat, and a 7-Inch Rebel Reconfigurable Instrument Cluster among many others are made available depending on the drivetrain and other truck specs.

Technology

A 6-speaker audio system is the standard system, but buyers can upgrade to a premium speaker system as well. A 5-inch touchscreen display is an available option on the base trim, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen is standard on the rest. A 7-inch multi-view instrument cluster is also standard on all trims after the Express. Convenient features such as GPS navigation and integrated voice command with Bluetooth are standard on the Lone Star, Big Horn, and Sport; voice command with Bluetooth is an option on the Tradesman and Express.

All trims have a media hub with USB and auxiliary connectivity and a remote USB port. Radio 3.0 is only available on the Tradesman and Express, but Uconnect 8.4 and Uconnect Access come standard on the rest of the trims.

Safety, Price, and Warranty

The 2017 Ram 1500 has many of the safety features one would expect, plus options for more convenient systems. Advanced multistage front airbags, supplemental front and side-curtain airbags, and a Sentry Key theft deterrent system is standard on all trims. A ParkView Rear Back-Up Camera comes standard on all trims but the Tradesman and Express (optional). Remote Keyless Entry with All-Secure is also standard on the Lone Star, Big Horn, and Sport trims.

All 2017 Ram 1500 are covered by a basic 3-year/36,000-mile warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty on gas engines, roadside assistance for 5 years or 60,000 miles, and rust-through coverage for 5 years, unlimited miles. The starting MSRP for a 2017 Ram 1500 Tradesman, with a 4×4 powertrain, regular cab, and 6’4” truck bed is $27,695.