By Tony C. Lesesne
If you want to survive in the world of trucks, you’ve got to really bring it. With that said, the fifth-generation Ram 2500 is amazing on a number of levels. The competition is fierce and the upgrades, technology and interior design has evolved to a place where it can be considered luxurious.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
The front is classic Ram boldness with a lot of swagger and style. A sculpted hood, sleeker headlamps and an elaborate grille design belie serious under-the-hood improvements, including an active grille shutter and full LED Headlamps. The new aluminum tailgate features an integrated spoiler, updated Ram Truck badge with bold geometric shapes, a strong border and “RAM” lettering in the new font. There’s no mistake that this is the RAM and the 2500 branding and second row of seating extends the eye nearly seventy-five percent of its side profile.
The Ram 2500 is imposing to look at. Walking up to it in the parking lot is awe inspiring. Its size, width and stance totally dominates the vista so much so that I had no problem whatsoever spotting it from afar in a crowded lot.
PERFORMANCE
The 2019 2500 is available with a smaller Quad Cab or a larger Crew Cab, with a bed length of 5-foot-7 or 6-foot-4. Our Laramie tester had a Crew Cab and short bed. Ram offers a Hemi 5.7-liter V-8 good for 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. That engine is mounted to an eight-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard; ours was an optional four-wheel drive. Fat, rugged all weather 20-inch wheels add to the strong performance. Ram’s electric power steering system is low-effort and accurate.
It moves and it performs. The Ram we tested moved from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds but we didn’t push it so we’re sure that its much faster. It handles very well, strong on the road, confident on curves and not bad in the mileage area allowing for around 15/21/17 mpg city/highway/combined EPA rating. Underneath that muscular frame is a lighter and stronger truck that has a payload and towing capacity to 2,300 and 12,750 pounds, respectively.
INSIDE
Not only is the cabin utterly quiet, but fluffy thick, soft leather and premium satin-finished plastics and metal accents set the tone inside. There’s a standard CarPlay-compatible 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment screen that features a high-resolution display, an intuitive interface, and snappy response.
The cabin itself is quite comfortable, with more than enough space to handle four adults. I really spent more time in the back seat than in the front. Its one of life’s simple pleasures, especially when you’ve got so much room back there to stretch out, relax and enjoy the sturdy, yet smooth and deliberate ride. You feel close to invincible in the back seat; sitting high, overlooking the meek and tiny cars down below. How dare they get in our way when we’re driving a truck with a big Ram logo in the front. Yes, that back seat is the ticket.
Took the Dodge Ram Laramie 1500 to the local Home Depot
Some of the dynamics that really attracted me to this truck was its completeness. Its diverse enough to take you wife or girlfriend (or partner) on a date, yet rugged enough to take to Home Depot or Lowes to load up the back with yard supplies, home supplies or work stuff. Prices for the base 2019 Ram 2500 start at $52,250 and the fully loaded with all of the bells, whistles and party trumpets – the version we tested came in priced at 78,450…and its worth every penny. The package of standard equipment is a long list of features and benefits.
THE CAB
With a bigger bed and upgraded RamBox Cargo Management System, the All-New 2019. The Ram 1500 offers plenty of space for your precious cargo. The available Class-Exclusive RamBox Cargo Management System offers two lockable, drainable storage bins with LED lighting, plus new features like a 115-volt power outlet and remote access via the key fob. The All-New 2019 Ram 2500 has a maximum cargo bed volume of 61.5 cubic feet, with dimensions perfectly sized to hold 4×8 sheets of plywood, even with the Class-Exclusive available RamBox Cargo Management System. The available nitrogen- and oil-charged dampened tailgate ensures an even, consistent assist in even the coldest or warmest climates. The available power-release tailgate with key fob control makes opening the tailgate easier than ever.
I’ve tested the Ram 2500 before and still say this is a truly powerful, handsome and capable truck facing off against some very stiff competition. But Dodge understand that there is a product that matches every need and every desire. In the case of the Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie, you’ll need to look at the details to really appreciate the time and energy Dodge put into making this truck as competitive as possible.
Comments