2022 RAM 1500

 We recommend going for the mid-range Laramie trim that gets most of the standard features and adds a few more features like premium leather upholstery, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, 8.4-inch touchscreen with smartphone integration, an Alpine premium audio system, and satellite radio. Don't forget to buy the Advanced Safety Group package for more driver aids. 

The optional 12-inch touchscreen is a dazzling addition to any vehicle, let alone a pickup truck- Edmunds

As usual, the 2022 RAM 1500 will be available in six trims- Tradesman, Big Horn (Lone Star in Texas), Laramie, Rebel, Longhorn, and Limited. It has a starting price of $36,675, excluding the $1,795 destination fee. Big Horn trim buyers can add the BackCountry Edition package that adds certain features of the Rebel trim for a rugged appearance. It also adds some utilities such as a spray-on bed liner, adjustable cargo tie-downs, and a bed extender. 

Likewise, the Laramie and Rebel trim also gets the new G/T package that includes a console-mounted shifter, a cold air intake, a unique exhaust system, and paddle shifters. Also new is the Limited 10th Anniversary Edition that elevates the luxury levels in the interior and gets a special badging, inside and outside. Besides these new packages, the RAM 1500 is also available with a wide range of optional packages to upgrade the interior, exterior, or hauling capabilities. 

The RAM 1500 lacks standard driver-assist features. Hence, the lower trims can be had with the Level 1 Safety package that includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and auto-dimming rearview mirror. If you wish to take your truck off-road, the Off-Road Group package dresses the truck with front and rear shock absorbers, off-road terrain tires, skid plates, off-road decals, and hill descent control. 

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• 2022 RAM 1500 Classic receives minor updates ahead of the release

The new 1500 is just so civilized and confidence-inspiring- Autotrader

Powering most models is a 3.6L V6 engine that puts out 305 hp and 269 lb-ft. of torque. It is assisted with an eTorque mild-hybrid system that adds up to 90 lb-ft. of torque. Standard on the Limited trim and optional on all other trims is a 5.2L V8 that makes 395 hp and 410 lb-ft. of torque. Even this engine is available with a mild-hybrid system that adds an extra 130 lb-ft. of torque. All engines come attached with a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission, which works wonders with the engine variants available.

The RAM 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of 12,750 pounds, which is less than the competition. Speaking of the ride quality, the suspension is on the softer side, which is its main highlight. Even with a ton of cargo at the back, the RAM 1500 delivers a plushier ride. While the steering feedback is very precise but hauling such a big truck is a nightmare in city traffic especially due to big blind spots. Due to its heavy curb weight, maneuvering the RAM 1500 at tight corners can be tough. 

Even though this pickup truck isn't meant for acceleration, it can run a 0-60 MPH sprint in 6.6 seconds, which is really good. Keep the pedal floored and it completes the quarter-mile run in 13.6 seconds and tops at 130 MPH. The immense power from the optional V8 engine helps to do it in 6.1 seconds only. That's more than you could ask for in a full-size pickup truck. The truck's brakes are strong with almost zero brake fade while the pedal travel is decent. In the brake test, the truck takes 125 feet to stop. 

The Ford F-150 fulfills the duty of a pickup truck by offering class-leading towing capacity but it offers the slowest acceleration. The GM siblings come in second place, either in acceleration or towing capacity. The RAM 1500 is the only truck here that offers a mild-hybrid system for spirited launches during acceleration. 

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• 2022 RAM truck lineup updated with Uconnect 5 infotainment system

An available mild-hybrid system improves fuel economy- The Car Connection

With the base V6 equipped, the gas mileage of the RAM 1500 is decent. EPA rates it at 20 MPG in the city, 25 MPG on the highway, and 22 MPG combined. The V8 engine isn't the most efficient in terms of fuel economy. Obviously, it will drop down the fuel economy to 17 MPG in the city, 23 MPG on a highway, and 19 MPG combined. 

 If you talk about range, the 26-gallon fuel tank and the combined MPG of 22 push the average range to more than 570 miles which is a lot if you’re planning long trips. If long trips aren't your cup of tea then the V8 engine can deliver a combined range of 494 miles, which is enough for a daily driver's duty. 

The fuel economy of the Ford F-150 is very similar to the RAM 1500 but the latter wins with a better range. The GM siblings offer the least fuel economy and its small fuel tank further leads to a lesser driving range. Overall, the RAM 1500 is a good pick among the competition for its decent fuel economy. 

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• RAM And Dodge wins the J.D. Power initial quality study

Inside, though, the Ram knocks it out of the park- Autotrader

Step inside the RAM 1500's cabin and you would be surprised to see a luxurious interior with above-average quality materials used throughout the cabin. If you go up the trim ladder, you will find the abundant use of leather throughout the cabin.  The design of the interior is also quite modern and the color schemes available flow perfectly with them. The dash is covered in a soft-touch material and there are buttons everywhere. The Crew Cab configuration seats up to six passengers. 

The front seats are comfortable to sit on and come with enough adjustment settings, to find the perfect driving position. The ergonomics are paid attention to and the layout is fairly simple. Power-adjustable front seats with heated and ventilated functionality are standard from the Laramie trim and up. The large and roomy cabin fits everyone comfortably and the plethora of features that it comes with are appreciable. The RAM 1500 offers the best-in-class rear legroom for healthy occupants. 

Coming to the infotainment, the base variant receives a 5-inch touchscreen which is responsive and crisp, but can be quite small for most people. However, if you upgrade to the higher trims you can get an optional 8.4 or 12-inch touchscreen display, which supports Android Auto and Apple Carplay. The Uconnect interface is known for its easy-to-use and straightforward interface. Navigating through the menus is very easy. The touchscreens, especially the larger ones have vivid graphics. 

The Crew Cab configuration offers only two cargo beds- short (5'7'') and standard (6'4'). The short box offers a cargo volume of 53.9 cu-ft. whereas the standard box expands the space to 61.5 cu-ft. Comparatively, it is the lowest in the segment. You can find additional storage under second-row sets. It has a maximum payload capacity of 2,022 pounds. The optional Bed Utility Group adds a spray-on bed liner, in-bed LED lighting, four cargo tie-down cargo hooks, and a bed step. Some other interior features are:

• Tilt & telescopic multi-function leather, heated steering wheel 
• 8-way power front heated & ventilated seats
• Ambient lighting
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• 115V rear power outlet
• Adjustable foot pedals
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• 5/8.4/12-inch touchscreen display with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
• 9-speaker Alpine audio system
• Wireless charging
• 7-inch customizable instrument cluster

The Ram 1500 has its own look. You’ll never mistake it for any other truck- Kelly Blue Book

There isn't a lot to notice in the RAM 1500. The body style is still a spitting image of the exteriors of the predecessors and the overall boxy design doesn't feel too appealing. However, higher trims have fancier grille designs. You also get LED headlights and fog lights from the Laramie trim onwards. Speaking of build quality, this truck is solidly built and ruggedly held. The truck is made to take on the most intense tasks and stay durable for a longer time. Its high ground clearance is perfect to ride on muddy roads or high bumps. 

The big thing that sets RAM apart from the rest of the competition is the fact that it still has a body-on-frame construction with a multi-link coil suspension in the rear instead of leaf springs to give you the best ride comfort. The lower trims get 18-inch wheels but it upgrades to 20 inches on higher models. The RAM 1500 has a short wheelbase compared to its rivals. Although this does not affect its rear legroom, it helps to burn out quickly. Around the back, the design is rounded off with LED taillights and dual exhaust tips. 

The RAM 1500 weighs heavier than the GM siblings and yet, its acceleration is way better. They also have a lower ground clearance for quick access into the truck. On the other hand, the Ford F-150 sits high up but its overall body is less wide than the RAM 1500. This can be useful to drive on narrower roads. Some other exterior features are:

• 18/20-inch alloy wheels
• Halogen / LED headlights
• LED DRLs
• LED fog lamps
• Puddle lamps
• Power-folding, auto-dimming, heated exterior mirrors
• Black/chrome grille with active grille shutters
• Power-retractable running boards
• Spray-on bed liner
• Chrome window trim

The pickup also has a host of available driver-assistance technology- CarAndDriver

The 2022 RAM 1500 is yet to be crash-tested by NHTSA and IIHS. Since there is no generation change, there is no harm in assuming the previous year's ratings. NHTSA gave it a 5-star rating whereas IIHS gave its second-highest designation of Top Safety Pick as it received 'Good' ratings in all crash tests. This indicates how safe the truck is. 

Speaking of active safety features, only a rearview camera is standard safety equipment in the RAM 1500. However, there are a plethora of driver aids available as options. Some of them are available under the $1,695 Advanced Safety Group while some are available as individual options. Here is a list of safety features offered in the RAM 1500:

• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go
• Blind-Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path and Trailer Detection
• Lane Departure Warning Plus
• Forward Collision Warning
• 360-Degree Camera
• Parallel & Perpendicular Park Assist
• Pedestrian Emergency Braking
• Lane Keep Assist
• Head-Up Display
• Front & Rear Parking Sensors

2022 RAM 1500 Crew Cab vs 2022 Ford F-150 SuperCrew

The Ford F-150 offers class-leading towing and payload capacity and hence, it is the best-selling half-ton truck. The F-150 also offers a bit more standard driver-assist features. It also offers standard smartphone integration whereas it is available on higher trims. The RAM 1500 takes the lead with better on-road performance, more refined and comfortable cabin 

2022 RAM 1500 Crew Cab vs the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 can tow more than the RAM 1500 and its cargo-carrying capacity is also better. However, it can't match the RAM 1500 in terms of interior and performance. It feels much agile on the road while its ride quality is butter-smooth. The RAM 1500's cabin feels much more premium and spacious. Overall, it comes down to personal preference. 

2022 Ram 1500 Crew Cab vs the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab

The RAM 1500 is a much better performer than the GMC Sierra 1500. Despite the greater power figures, it returns better fuel economy than the Sierra, which makes the former a very lucrative option. Also, it comes with a better interior design and functionality. The only areas where the Sierra is a step ahead are in terms of cargo space and towing capacity. Overall, the RAM 1500 is a better option. 

If you’re thinking of picking up a workhorse that comes with a plethora of features and a comfortable interior, the 2022 RAM 1500 Crew Cab is the way to go. The upmarket interiors and the great performance figures make this truck a perfect package for people looking to buy a full-size pickup that doesn’t miss out on the comfort and luxury quotient.