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Forget what you may know or think about trucks … because when it comes to the new 2019 Ram 1500, it will change every preconception you may have about them.
Trucks may elicit thoughts of bulky, cumbersome, heavy duty, functional vehicles, but truth be told, they are far more than farmers’ wagons these days. The excellent balance of Ram’s design and engineering takes the Ram 1500 to a level of being the perfect everyday vehicle for every lifestyle.
The new 2019 model has been completely overhauled, making it better than ever, offering more capability, strength and performance. In fact, it’s the company’s most radical redesign ever and I was one of the select few lucky enough to take it for a spin in Dubai recently.
Available only in the four-door crew-cab body style for now, the new Ram 1500 is offered in Big Horn, Rebel, Laramie and Limited trims for the GCC region. On the drive event in Dubai, I tried out the Limited on-road and off-road, as well as the Rebel on-road.
The exterior styling is a departure from the Ram’s previous three generations’ big rig looks, with a selection of grille designs and headlight configurations based on the trim you buy. The top-dog Limited features the most chrome, and also comes with 22-inch wheels and electric-folding side-steps. The Rebel gets a black plastic-cladded look with 18-inch wheels, slightly lifted ride height and fixed side steps.
Inside, the abundantly-spacious Ram features stitched leather on the dash, doors and sides of the centre-console as well as a huge 12-inch touchscreen with Uconnect in the Limited version. This offers plenty of features including split-screen capability, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and new Type-C USB ports that charge devices up to four times faster than a standard USB outlet.
It’s almost big for the sake of it, an entire iPad hammered into the centre of the car, but it works much better than many of its competitors’ attempts.
The screen is responsive and easy to navigate through various options, and there are still physical buttons for the main A/C controls along the sides. The Rebel and other versions have an 8.4-inch touchscreen.
With plenty of leather and real wood trim, the cabin of the RAM 1500 is luxurious – a feeling that is heightened with a class-leading 45.1-inch inches of rear legroom, heated and ventilated rear seats, and plenty of storage areas around the cabin, behind the seats, and under the floor. This includes a centre storage box that can be configured in 12 different ways to suit different purposes.
Still powered by a 395bhp 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 552Nm of torque and mated to a knob-controlled eight-speed automatic (with gear-limiter buttons on the steering wheel), the Ram is adequately powerful for daily driving, and felt more than quick enough on the long drive from Downtown Dubai to Hatta, near the Oman border.
Best of all, the motor has cylinder-deactivation tech, which cuts the number of cylinders being used to power the engine to preserve fuel. Indeed, the fuel economy hovers around 17 litres/100 km, which is fantastic for a segment usually stereotyped as gas-guzzling.
Underneath, the Ram’s ladder frame is held up by coil-spring rear suspension in contrast to rivals’ rear leaf springs. Height-adjustable air suspension is optional, as is a locking rear differential, although neither make a huge difference if you don’t intend to do anything more than minor off-roading.
The car really came to life on rocks and gravel. As part of the launch drive, I tackled a short off-road loop over rocky terrain, and the Ram’s generous ground clearance and tenacious traction meant this presented no problem whatsoever, even on the 22-inch rims and road-biased tyres the truck was shod with.
For those who regularly venture off the beaten track, there is an optional 4X4 Off-Road Package, which includes a factory-fitted suspension lift, electronic locking rear axle, tuned shocks and off-road tyres.
Later, the same vehicle confidently managed the rally-like sand trail we drove through at moderately-high speeds, managing understeer and oversteer on sharper turns easily with the ESP off.
The Ram is incredibly smooth on the highway, with or without air suspension, and the Limited is eerily quiet at highway speeds. However, the silence didn’t last long due to the crystal clarity offered by the 19 speaker, 900-watt Harmon Kardon premium audio system.
Handling is respectable, and it can take long corners at good speeds with minimal body roll, whilst the brakes feel pretty secure despite the truck’s size and weight.
The lifestyle pickup segment is hugely competitive, with Ford and Chevrolet other major contenders, but they may be cowering in fear once this beast is properly unshackled.
Featuring an old-school feel, but packed with technology features, comfort and style that almost have no place in a truck but in a NASA spacecraft, the 2019 RAM 1500 is the perfect pickup.
For more information, visit the Behbehani Brothers showroom in Sitra or call 17456654. Pricing will be announced soon.
