I'll be back.
Arnold said it — but Ram meant it.
The No. 2 bestselling truck brand had to pull its "Eco" diesel V-6 off the market last year because of emission-certification troubles. But the diesel is back and stronger than ever.
It's so strong, in fact, that a Ram so equipped pulls 12,750 pounds — as much as the gas V-8-equipped Ram can while also doing something the V-8 Ram can't — travel 1,000 miles before it needs to be refilled.
That's something not even a Prius hybrid can do.
What It Is
The Ram 1500 is a half-ton truck and has become America's second bestselling truck, after the Ford F-150. This alone is a remarkable achievement because Chevy's Silverado 1500 had been the second bestselling truck for decades.
But Ram snatched away second — and is now gunning for first. Which it just might pull off on the strength of its diesel and its body, which is still made of steel rather than aluminum — a difference from the F-150.
There are other reasons, too — including a fold-down or fold-out tailgate, which no one else offers, an air suspension that drops the body closer to the road for better aerodynamics at speed — and raises it up for greater clearance off-road — more interior storage capacity than other 1500s and unusual additional storage capacity in the sides of the bed.
There are some things you can't get, though — including a regular cab or an 8-foot bed.
Prices start at $32,145 for the Tradesman trim with quad cab (two standard doors and two smaller rear doors), two-wheel drive, standard trailer sway control and a 3.6-liter V-6/mild hybrid setup that Ram calls "eTorque." The truck doesn't move on electricity, but electricity does power most accessories when the truck isn't actually moving — and when the engine isn't running.
This system is also available with the 5.7-liter V-8 engine — or not, if you prefer just the V-8.
Ram also offers a total of six primary trims — the base Tradesman, Lone Star, Laramie, Bighorn, Rebel and Limited trims, all in quad or crew (four full-size doors) configurations with either a 5.7- or 6.4-foot bed.
What's New
In addition to the return of the king — the hunky diesel V-6 engine — the 2020 Ram is available in Night and Black editions.
What's Good
It has tremendous pulling power and range.
It has tremendous cargo capacity, inside and out.
It has tremendous versatility — including a two-piece, two-way tailgate.
What's Not So Good
It has fewer cab options.
There's no 8-foot bed option.
There are some overly sensitive "assistance" systems.
Under the Hood
The Ram's standard engine is a 3.6-liter V-6 engine that produces 305 horsepower and 269 foot-pounds of torque. It is paired with the mild-hybrid system mentioned above, which takes some of the load off the engine and thus improves fuel economy and focuses all of the engine's power on moving the truck.
The optional 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine makes 395 horsepower and produces 410 foot-pounds of torque. It can be paired with the mild-hybrid eTorque system, too.
Or not.
Either way, the Ram so equipped can pull 12,750 pounds.
And so can the optional 3.0-liter diesel V-6 engine, which uses less fuel and goes much farther. It rates 22 mpg in city driving and 33 mpg on the highway. With its 33-gallon tank topped off, the Ram diesel can keep on trucking for more than 1,000 miles.
You will probably need to pee before the Ram needs to stop.
All three engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic and can be paired with four-wheel drive.
On the Road
This diesel isn't just clean; it's also quiet.
There is almost no diesel burble audible from inside, and no diesel smoke is visible from the outside. If you want to roll coal, this isn't the truck for you. But if you want a truck that can pull the equivalent of four Priuses and can go farther than a Prius on a tank of gas, you will really like this truck.
The diesel not only pulls as hard as the V-8, but it also pulls with much less apparent effort. It is almost never necessary to push the accelerator pedal more than halfway down. That's because all 480 foot-pounds of torque are made down low (1,600 revolutions per minute — a fast idle), while it's necessary to rev the gas-fed Hemi to 4,000 rpm to achieve its only marginally higher torque peak (480 foot-pounds).
At the Curb
All the trucks in this segment are big, but the Ram is biggest on the inside, with vast storage space (151.1 liters) in underfloor cubbies, in between the seats and elsewhere. The rear seats don't just slide, either. They also recline.
The two-piece tailgate, which folds down and out, gives you the extra room to load when you can't drop the tailgate. And it gives you the option to partially close the tailgate.
The Rest
The Ram can also be ordered with a pair of very handy Ram Boxes — weathertight, lockable storage cubbies built into the bed walls on both sides.
The Bottom Line
If you buy the second bestselling truck on the road, you might soon be driving the bestselling truck on the road!
Eric's new book, "Don't Get Taken for a Ride!" is available now. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
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