In the last quarter-century, the pickup truck has become ubiquitous on suburban streets. A vehicle that once was just relegated to the farmer or tradesman, has now become the symbol of American prosperity and masculinity. Like many American automotive tastes, when the desire to drive a station wagon waned and the minivan became popular, is about the time that young males were finding that driving a pickup was their self-defining vehicle.
Now it is the 2020 US fuel prices are low, people are pulling campers at record rates as they explore the wilderness that is America. And the ability of the pickup has become as important as the utility. Today’s pickups are not the two door work vehicles with a bench seat, blue collar transport they once were. Not by a long shot. And the Ram leads they way in providing that upscale experience. Add to that a brand known for solid dependable power-plants, modern technology and lots of safety, wrapped in luxury, and you can understand why pickup trucks not just low-cost transporters any longer. And Ram makes no bones about the fact that their trucks are not the low priced ones.
This $74,910 Ram 1500 Limited Crew Cab 4 X 4 offers a lot of full-size pickup. The base price is $56,965 for that you get a lot of standard equipment including air suspension, remote tail gate release and start, tire-fill alert, power adjustable pedals with memory heated front and second row seats ventilated front seats, plus much more. For the additional twenty grand is made up of the $4,995 V-6 3rd generation turbo EcoDiesel engine. Add to that the Black Appearance Package for $ 3,995. Limited Level 1 $2,295, Dual Pane Sunroof $1,495. and the sticker ends up pretty hefty for a truck with leather heated and cooled seats and so much more.
The Ram 1500 limited is a full package from look, functionality and comfort. And most interestingly with the new Italian made diesel engine, how quiet this truck is on the inside, even on the outside it makes very little noise. Actually less noise than we experienced recently on the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with the diesel engine. That made more turbo diesel engine noises that we are used to and actually look forward to hearing.
Usability
This will be a great vehicle for towing and traveling with the family. Inside there is plenty of room both front and rear. Seats are extremely comfortable, and with the amount of power outlets and cubby spaces there is a place for everything, and everything in its place.
Ram Trucks have emerged from the Dodge line of vehicles and are still often referred to as Dodge Rams. While FCA has made Ram its own line, specifically focused on pickups and vans, you can see the sharing of ideas, and even sometimes parts with other products from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
In strides the Ram 1500, a full-size pickup that comes in as many trim levels as you an imagine from an entry level (i.e. low cost) that harkens back to the pickups that farmers would drive into town. To fully outfitted rigs like the Ram 1500 Limited, complete with four heated and cooled seats, a sliding glass roof, internet connectivity, USB and 110 power outlets everywhere. And with the diesel engine bringing in fuel economy numbers in the mid 20’s, which would match the small cars of years earlier.
With that we reached out to FCA to try one of their new pickups and compare them to the pickups of our youth, and more modern Nissan and Ford pickups we have tested over the recent few years. It is true, once you have had a pickup truck, you can not live without one.
Driving a full-size pickup is always a treat, especially on the open road, you have a commanding view of things around you, and plenty of room inside for you and your passengers. And the RAM in the Crew Cab set up is large and comfortable for driver as well as passengers. So let’s start with the rear seat
Full-size doors and a retractable exterior step make getting in and out of the Ram 1500 easy, add to that the 4-corner air suspension, allowing it to lower when needed, you are not grappling to get into this pickup, especially nice for older folks, or those with disability issues.
Full Size Trucks today are hot sellers, and with the Ram 1500 as one of the contenders, you can see why people want these large pickups. While hauling cargo is a big part of it, these four-door pickups have more room inside than most sedans do. And today, the amount of options are amazing, the amount of luxury inside rivals any full size sedan, just with a little more PickemUp in their ride.
While Power trains are pretty much limited to gasoline or diesel at the moment, the true believers like to go for the power of the diesel. In the case of the RAM, it is an EcoDiesel 3.0 Liter Italian made engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission that provides an average of 24 mpg.
Pros and Cons of the 2020 Ram 1500
Even the best vehicles have some flaws, though those we experienced in the 2020 Ram 1500 were minor in comparison to the positive things this truck has to offer
Pros
- Plenty of space inside the cab.
- Plenty of space in the bed.
- Plenty of storage space throughout, especially with the optional $995 Rambox.
- Comfortable heated and cooled large front seats that fit American bodies. Plenty of space in the rear for adults, kids, pets, or whomever you are hauling around.
- Quiet inside the cabin
- Smooth ride even when empty
- Eco Diesel 3-Liter engine is fuel efficient with 24 plus mpg
Cons
- Wireless phone charger was hard to manage.
- Tounau cover latches were wonky, and cover felt chinsey
- Ram badgeing is everywhere, it might be a bit overkill
- Pricey, but for all you get, and you get a lot, not bad. Make your best deal.
Would I Buy This Truck
Yes, I am quite impressed with the full line of Ram Trucks from the more basic old style, and lower priced one to this luxed out Limited with the 3rd Generation Diesel Engine. If I was in the market for a pick up and and $75 to spend on a pickup, this would definitely be high up on my list.
I have said many times before that while FCA’s products are long in the tooth, they make their products to be better all the time. And Ram Trucks has made a pretty darn good pickup truck with the 2020 Ram 1500 Limited. While this is the top of the Ram line, with a price that reflects that, starting at $53,915, when the entry level, Tradesman starts at $32,145, or you can go with a Classic, that has the last generation styling, starting at $28, 200.
The Limited is everything you really want in any truck, especially if you are using this rig to travel any long distances, and equipped with the EcoDiesel Engine, you can do a days driving on one tank of fuel. The only stops you would have to make are potty stops.
Comfortable as the truck is big, this is a truck you want to spend time in, especially if you are taking a long trip, or towing a trailer.
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