Ram is used to coming in second place. They’ve been tailing the Ford F-150 for longer than anyone within the company would like to admit, and yet the Ram 1500 is one of the rare bright spots at FCA. Without the Ram, it’s a safe bet the company wouldn’t exist anymore.
It’s therefore quite surprising to see how much change went into the new-generation RAM 1500 for 2019. Who could have blamed FCA and Ram for not tinkering too much with a vehicle that represents nearly 40 % of sales in Canada for the brand? Well, Ram tinkered, and the end result may not push the 1500 past the F-150 but it will solidify the trucks 2nd place for years to come.
Has anything changed with the 2019 Ram 1500?
A lot has changed actually, although there are some 2018 models that are back as 2019s. The entry-level ST and SLT models are carried-over in order to give Ram two affordable models to offer consumers. It’s all marketing really as not many people will opt for one of these base trims, but it gives Ram the opportunity to advertise the new Ram at blockbuster prices.
The redesigned Ram 1500 features seven models with the first five offered in either quad or crew cabs. The high-end Laramie Longhorn and Limited will only get the most spacious Crew cab body.
Three engines are offered on the 2019 Ram 1500, with two being available now and another coming later. The V6 and V8 engines are ready to go while the popular 3.0-liter EcoDiesel is coming.
Moreover, both the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder engines can now be equipped with eTorque technology. Basically a generator connected to a 48-volt battery, eTorque can be used to power accessories and assist when accelerating in order to save fuel.
What the 2019 Ram 1500 does well
1. It’s probably the most comfortable pick-up you can buy today, and its interior is not only stunning, it’s also useful and ergonomic. Spending time in the 2019 Ram 1500 is a joy.
2. HEMI engine delivers 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, more than the F-150’s 5.0-liter V8.
3. Although it may seem like a gimmick, eTorque is actually useful, well-designed, and has an impact on both performance and fuel economy. Moreover, you never feel it working.
4. The blind-spot monitoring system takes into account the length of your trailer. A simple feature, but boy is it useful.
What the 2019 Ram 1500 doesn’t do so well
1. Doesn’t quite reach the towing capacity numbers of the Ford F-150 (13,200 pounds vs 12,750).
2. It doesn’t really have an engine that can compete with Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost and its massive 470 pound-feet of torque and it has less engine options as a whole than the F-150.
What we tell our friends
If you’re going to be using your pickup for towing on a regular basis, or for work as whole, the F-150 is still the better option because of its engine lineup and superior capability. On the other hand, if you’re like most owners and use your pick-up as a family vehicle, and the only towing you do is a camper, then the 2019 Ram 1500 is the way we would go. As a daily-driver pick-up, its refinement is impressive and unmatched.
“It doesn’t really have an engine that can compete with Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost and its massive 470 pound-feet of torque and it has less engine options as a whole than the F-150.”
Actually the eTorque equipped engine makes 540lb.ft. of torque combined. (410lb.ft engine/130lb.ft electric).
Also you make no mention of the Ram being the only pick-up in the segment to offer air ride suspension. A suspension that is still capable of towing over 12,500lbs. Ford and GM are still stuck in the stone age with rear-leaf springs sacrificing ride quality for a marginally higher towing cap.