Review: 2009 Dodge Ram, for better or for worse it's no longer the truckiest truck

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The 2009 Dodge Ram is more civilized but less capable than other full-size pickups.

Chrysler hasn’t had many strong products lately. There’s no getting around that. Their latest compact hatchback, midsize sedans, small SUVs, and crossover have been torn apart by reviewers, as they should be. These products brought surprising deficiencies in interior quality, refinement, and driving dynamics to crowded marketplaces.

 

This did not bode well for the redesign of the Dodge Ram, Chrysler’s full-size pickup that has so far this year beaten the combined sales of its two runners-up. 

 

But if anyone will argue that Chrysler botched the new 2009 Ram, which went on sale last month, they won’t be making the same criticisms that other Chrysler products have faced. The new Ram represents a night-and-day improvement to its comfort, refinement, and all-around everyday drivability.

 

The old Ram had been among the truckier trucks, bouncier and noisier, cheaper-feeling inside, and lacking in rear seat room in any version but the ridiculously oversized (and now discontinued) “Mega Cab” variant. 

 

That character of cheapness is gone. The Ram went from perhaps the least pleasant full-size pickup truck to the most. A more sophisticated rear suspension keeps the ride and handling close to a good full-size SUV; it doesn’t feel small, but it doesn’t feel too much like a work vehicle. 

 

The powerful 5.7-liter “Hemi” V8 is a carry-over, but the Ram is quieter now. The engine remains a fuel-sucker, averaging an estimated 15 miles per gallon in mixed driving, according to the EPA. That’s midpack among comparable pickups; a bit better than the Nissan Titan and Toyota Tundra but a bit behind the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, and Ford F-150. 

 

The interior is also a big improvement, with more comfortable seats and a new crew cab body style that blends manageable exterior dimensions with a very comfortable rear seat at the expense of a long bed, a format that the Ram’s competitors had all adopted since its last redesign in 2002. 

 

Unlike most other new Chrysler designs, plastics on the dash and door panels don’t feel cheap and flimsy and buttons and knobs don’t feel chintzy. As reviewers said about the Ford F-150 in 2004, the new Ram’s interior is nicer than those in Chryslers light-duty passenger cars and SUVs.

 

That’s not to say the interior is perfect. There are a few sharp edges of plastic trim on the dash, and plastic on the rear door panels could be higher-grade. But it’s better than many trucks, and, again, better than Chrysler’s cars. 

 

Seat comfort is also a weak point in other Chryslers that is a strength in the Ram. The front seat is big, well-shaped, and well-padded, and the spacious rear seat in the crew cab offers similar comfort. The Quad Cab model looks like a traditional “crew cab” because of its front-hinged back doors, but it’s just an “extended cab” truck in space and comfort.

 

But despite all these improvements, some will argue that Chrysler did botch the new Dodge Ram. Its towing capacity falls short of key competitors, maxing out at 8,400 pounds when other full-size half-ton pickups pass 10,000. And while it’s hard to check this out on a dealer test drive, PickupTrucks.com said the Ram doesn’t behave as well when hooked to a trailer, off-road, or with a full bed as the best in the class. 

 

Another issue with the new Ram that separates it from other Chryslers is that it’s not a value leader. Configuring other current full-size pickup trucks with about the same equipment as the Ram driven for this review leaves the Dodge with a sticker price several thousand dollars more than its competitors, which are priced around $38,000 to this Ram’s $41,000. That translates to no-haggle sale prices from Fitzgerald Auto Malls for about $35,500 for a new Ram compared to between $29,000 and $34,000 for its competitors. However, future sales incentives, always huge in the truck market, can easily change this, so check around right before you buy.

 

But for someone who will be living with their full-size truck on a daily basis, the Ram is the friendliest choice, with its comfortable and well-appointed cabin and relatively smooth and quiet ride. You still have more capability than most people are likely to need, even if other trucks have a bit more.

 

Of course, it’s still a full-size truck. It still gets the gas mileage expected of a heavy truck with a powerful V8. It’s still ponderous to park. And Corollas still disappear from view as you pull up behind them. But as full-size trucks go, it’s the most pleasant one to drive to work in an office rather than a construction site. If that’s how you’re using it, the Ram’s extra cost may be worth it for you.

 

If you want the most heavy-duty experience you can get in a half-ton pickup, however, you might just think Chrysler botched the Ram, and look at the Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra.