2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab

The 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab comes in nine trim levels ranging from a simple and well-equipped daily truck to an all-out luxury pick-up. The trims available are the Tradesman, Express, SLT, Lone Star/Big Horn, Sport, Rebel, Laramie, Laramie Longhorn, and Limited. Pricing for the trims starts at $32,995 and goes up to $53,575 for the top trim. This pick-up truck comes in a four-door configuration in two body lengths, a 5 ft. 7 inches or a 6 ft. 5 inches. Also, there is a choice between RWD and AWD. Some of the equipment which is standard on higher trims comes as optional for the lower trims.

There are a few special editions on offer as well, apart from the above trims. These are more of packages and add a few extra cosmetic features, namely the Night for the Sport trim and the Silver for the Lone Star trim. Both these packages take a small premium over the standard trim of around $1,000. 

We Recommend

Our recommendation is based on the offering of the RAM 1500. The 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab Tradesman trim is the one we'd recommend for the need of a bare pick-up truck. For better interiors and amenities, the Big Horn is the least we'd recommend thanks to its practical features on the inside, which are made better by the creature comforts on offer. The Sport's V8 is optional as well for this trim. If the pick-up truck is meant as an off-roader, then we would recommend the Rebel trim. All in all, we find the Big Horn trim the most balanced out one at $41,195 for the AWD. 

“There isn't a bad pick among the bunch." - TheCarConnection

2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab Engine and Transmission

The 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab is powered by a 3.6L V6 engine as standard that outputs 305 hp @ 6400 rpm and 269 lb-ft of torque @ 4175 rpm. There is also the optional 5.7L V8 that comes standard on the Sport, Laramie, and Longhorn trim, which makes 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. The 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab is available in RWD and AWD. The RWD comes as standard, and the AWD asks for a premium of around $3,000-$3,500 over the RWD. Both the engines are mated with 8-speed automatic transmission.

The 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab's gearbox is precise and very much to the point. It shifts on the dime, provides a good mid-range but is aggressive like most other heavily powered pickup trucks. The V8 is the preferred choice if the main purpose of the car is for towing, otherwise, the V6 is sufficient for daily driving and other purposes.

The Sierra and the Silverado have the biggest engines of the lot, with the 4.3LV6. They are also more expensive than the Ford and the RAM, costing around $4,000 more. The RAM 1500 makes the most power, whereas the GM twins output the most torque. The RAM is the only truck to feature an 8-speed transmission, against the 6-speed automatic seen on the other three. All cars come with RWD as standard, and AWD/4WD is optional. The Sierra and the Silverado slightly benefit from their early peak torque which kicks in around 200 rpm earlier than the other two. 

2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab Acceleration

The 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab with the 3.6L V6 sprints from 0-60 mph with a time of 7.6 seconds, and takes 15.6 seconds for the quarter-mile with the RWD setup. The 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab with the 3.6L V6 and AWD takes slightly more time thanks to the increase in weight, which slows the car by around 0.4-0.5 seconds.

 The 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab with the 5.7L V8 engine however is quick for a pick-up truck, covering the 0-60 mph run in 6.6 seconds and taking 15.2 seconds for the quarter-mile.

The Sierra and the Silverado despite being heavier than the RAM 1500 have a quicker 0-60 mph time thanks to their direct fuel injection technology that makes combustion more efficient and gives these trucks a better time. The F-150 records the same time as the RAM 1500, and with a better engine, it would have left the GM twins behind thanks to its lower weight and a comparatively more aerodynamic body structure.

2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab Handling and Steering

The 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab's ride quality is probably the best among pick-up trucks. It's smooth, composed, and relaxed. However, get the air suspension and the ride quality just gets better. The air suspension also features five different levels of height that facilitate an increase in ground clearance that provides a better approach and departure angle for off-roading or lower step-in height for easier getting and out. Highway speeds are done without sweat, and the interior is very quiet.

In terms of steering, this heavy truck is easier to maneuver and simple to steer, with the steering being pretty responsive. The Sport trim improves on this with enhanced steering responses. Out of the RWD and the AWD, we recommend the AWD for better traction and handling. Around turns, the truck faces some roll but nothing unmanageable. 

Braking

The 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab comes with two-bed sizes, and the braking performance listed below is for the shorter bed. The truck has a braking set-up of 13.2-inches in the front and 13.8-inches at the rear. With a curb weight of 4945 lbs, the truck takes 123 feet to stop from 60-0 mph, which is decent. The 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab with the long bed gets the same braking setup of 13.2-inches front and 13.8-inches rear but takes 160 feet to stop from 60-0 feet. Most RAM 1500s with long beds get the heavier 5.7L V8 engine that adds weights and thus increases stopping distance. 

Against the RAM 1500, the Ford F-150 takes the least distance to stop at 121 feet, 2 feet less than the RAM 1500. It is also lighter in weight as well. The GMC and the Chevy take 124 feet to stop, 1 foot more than the RAM 1500. The GM twins get the smallest front and rear brakes, at the 13-inches front and 13.6-inches rear. The F-150 has the biggest front brake, at 13.8 inches, and a similarly large rear brake at 13.7 inches.

2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab Payload Capacity and Towing Capacity

The 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab with the 3.6L V6 engine has a payload capacity of 1,890 lbs. This decreases by 90 lbs to 1,800 lbs with the 5.7L V8 engine. The maximum towing capacity is low at 7,610 lbs, but with the 5.7L V8 engine this can increase up to 10,640 lbs. 

Comparing with the rivals, the standard RAM 1500 falls short of the maximum capacity offered by rivals. The GMC Sierra and the Chevy have the most towing capacity at 11,700 lbs, with the Ford just 200 lbs short at 11,500 lbs. For the payload capacity, the RAM offers the most, followed by the GM twins at 1,770 lbs and the F-150 with the least towing capacity of 1,570 lbs.

The 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab (3.6L V6 RWD) offers a decent fuel economy of 17 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 20 mpg combined. The 3.6L V6 AWD variant sees a drop of 1 mpg on the highway, with a reduction of 1 mpg in the combined mileage. The RAM 1500 powered by the 5.7L V8 with RWD returns 15 mpg in the city, 22 mpg on the highway, and 17 mpg combined. With AWD, the highway mileage has a drop of 1 mpg with the other factors remaining the same. The 1500 gets a tank capacity of 26 gallons, which gives it a combined range of 520 miles

The four trucks have a similar mileage on offer. The RAM has the least city mileage, whereas the F-150 and the RAM have the most highway mileage despite the differences in their power and weight. The Sierra, as well as the Silverado, have the better city mileage due to their cylinder deactivation technology. This helps the GM twins deliver a city range of 468 miles. The RAM 1500 offers a range of 442 city miles and 650 highway miles, which are not bad at all. In fact, the RAM 1500 has the most highway range among the four.

“No one will mistake it for a luxury car, but the Ram is still a comfortable place to be in.”- TheCarConnection

2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab Seating and Comfort

The interiors on the 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab are extremely well put together regardless of the trim you choose. Also, as you climb higher on the trim table, the finesse in the interiors increases, and some premium materials flow in. Stitched leather around the power window console, wooden and aluminum trim, and leather upholstery just enhance the look. The fit and finish are top-notch. Even the controls used and the buttons feel premium and have a very logical placement focused on the driver. There are soft plastic as well as hard plastic surfaces, with the hard plastics occupying the lower portion of the interior. This hard plastic is of decent quality and serves a purpose by being in the lower portion, along with the all-weather floor mats with aluminum scrub plates. The RAM 1500 also has a lot of storage spaces on the inside, especially in the center console area, thanks to the rotary gear shifter that opens up a lot of space.

The 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab can seat a total of 6 people. The seats offer good comfort levels, with a decent amount of support. The front seats have soft padding and good lateral support that will make long journeys super comfortable, and the long legroom in the rear will allow for a good stretch on those long highway runs. As a crew cab, the doors open wide, making ingress and egress a simple task. The seats sit high, and there's no problem at all in terms of visibility but the height can limit the front view for shorter drivers. The rear seats can also be swapped for a bench seat.

The four trucks seat 6 people. The GMC and the Chevy offer the most headroom and legroom in the front row and have a little more width as well: thanks to their longer wheelbase. The Ford F-150 has the least front space on offer, but it's not bad at all. In the second row, the GM twins again take the lead with the most headroom and legroom. The RAM has the least rear legroom on offer. The RAM also offers the least headroom in the rear. Some of the interior features on the RAM 1500 are:

• Cruise Control
• Dual-zone climate control
• Dual gloveboxes
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Power-adjustable pedals
• Leather upholstery

2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab Infotainment

The 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab on the base Tradesman trim is equipped with the bare essentials: auxiliary input jack. USB port, AM/FM radio, and a 6-speaker sound system. The higher trims get the Uconnect system with two screen sizes, at 5-inch and the 8-inch screen. The 8-inch is the preferred one, due to its easier-to-use buttons, and a very simple layout. This touchscreen also has quick responses and does not lag at all. For people who would prefer buttons over virtual touch buttons, the 1500 also has those arranged very practically.

Some other infotainment features for higher trims include:

• Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity
• Uconnect access
• Smartphone integration
• USB ports
• Navigation system
• 10-speaker surround sound system

 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab Cargo Capacity

The 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab comes in two-bed lengths, and that varies the cargo space available. The standard bed length at 5 feet 7 inches has a bed length of 67.4 inches which gives it a cargo volume of 50.3 cu-ft. The long bed version, at 6 feet 4 inches has a cargo bed length of 76.3 inches that gives a cargo capacity of 57.5 cu-ft. 

 The Sierra and the Silverado get the most cargo capacities at 53.4 cu-ft. The F-150 gets a cargo capacity of 52.8 cu-ft, the second-best of the lot. The RAM 1500 has the least at 50.3 cu-ft.

"The Ram 1500 is still function first, but its form isnt bad either.”- TheCarConnection

2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab Dimensions and Weight

The 2017 Ram 1500 Crew Cab in its fourth generation offers a unique exterior styling for nearly every trim. The basic design continues, with the rectangular headlamps, the massive grille covered in a plus sign, and the massive hood in the front. The rear sports the vertical taillights and the exhaust end pipe. As you check the higher trims, the changes are noticeable. The Sport gets a body-colored grille, whereas the Rebel and Limited have their own grille finishes- blacked-out and a chrome finish, respectively. LED taillights and side markers with a dual exhaust setup differentiate the higher trim levels.

In terms of dimensions, the 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab has a curb weight of 4945 lbs, with the distribution being 2724 lbs in the front and 2221 lbs in the rear. It has a length of 229 inches for the standard bed length, which increases to 237.9 inches for the long bed version. It has a width of 79.4 inches, with a height of nearly 77 inches. The truck sports a ground clearance of 7.6 inches which can be increased up to 9 inches. The wheelbase on the standard bed length stands at 140 inches, and goes up to 149 inches with the long bed version.

The GMC and the Chevy are the heaviest of the lot, with a curb weight of 5,300 lbs. The F-150 has the most length at 232 inches. The GM twins sport the most width and the most ground clearance as well. The RAM 1500 is the widest of them all. It has a wheelbase of 140 inches, whereas the F-150 has the longest wheelbase at 145 inches. The RAM 1500 comes in two bed lengths, a 5'7" and a 6'4".

Some exterior features on the RAM 1500 are:

• Steel wheels/ alloy  wheels
• Locking tailgate
• Automatic headlights
• LED taillights
• Side-step bars
• Automatic windshield wipers

The 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab was rated with an overall 4-star rating from the NHTSA and received a 3-star rating in the rollover test. The IIHS awarded the RAM 1500 a 'Good' score in most tests but gave the 'Marginal' rating in the small-overlap front test. The RAM 1500 models with the Uconnect Access get the emergency telematics system and a stolen vehicle tracker as well.

Some standard safety features on the RAM 1500 are:

• Hill-start assist
• Stability control
• Trailer-sway control
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Rearview camera
• Fully-integrated trailer-brake controller

2017 RAM 1500 vs 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Though the RAM 1500 can be the truck you want it to be, the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado is the all-rounder that can be anything all the time. The Silverado gets the less powerful engine, but is quicker than the RAM 1500 in terms of outright performance for the standard engine configuration. It has a better fuel economy as well in the city. In terms of interior comfort and features, the Silverado is a notch ahead as well.

The Silverado is also better equipped when it comes to infotainment features and has more advanced safety tech. The Silverado offers a higher towing capacity, and has better crash safety ratings as well. The Silverado has higher reliability as well. The RAM on the other hand has got good brakes, excellent ride quality, and is cheaper by around $3,000 as well.

2017 RAM 1500 vs 2017 Ford F-150

The 2017 Ford F-150 is the better choice among the two. It has higher tow capacities, and even better payload capacities if fully equipped than the completely equipped RAM 1500. The Ford also has a less braking distance and is well-equipped with a lighter chassis that gives great performance numbers. The F-150 however gets a smaller tank and hence has a lower range than the RAM.

The F-150 received better safety ratings and is better equipped to guarantee a safer journey. The RAM and the F-150 are similar in their engine options, their interiors, and their best-in-class infotainment systems. The RAM's ride quality is still the one we'd prefer thanks to the air suspension. In terms of pricing, the RAM is just $1,000 cheaper than the F-150.

The 2017 RAM 1500 Crew Cab is a solid light-duty pick-up truck to go for with all that it offers. The superior ride quality, the spacious interiors, and the easy-to-use infotainment system all work in its favor. Also, the engines are potent and sufficient as a daily driver. However, the RAM lacks in terms of its tow and payload capacities and is less well-equipped in terms of safety as well. It is the cheapest one to choose from the competition but can get quite pricey for the higher trims. With the limitations the RAM 1500 has, we'd suggest to take a look at the competitors as well, if budget is not a constraint.