Ram 1500 Performance: A Smooth Ride, and No Shortage of Power Ram 1500 Engine

Ram 1500 Performance: A Smooth Ride, and No Shortage of Power

Ram 1500 Engine

The Ram's base engine is a 305-horsepower V6. Several engines are available: a 260-horsepower V6 diesel, two 395-horsepower V8s (one of which is a mild-hybrid), and the 702-horsepower supercharged V8 powering the all-new Ram TRX. A smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic pairs with every engine.

None of these engines are bad choices. Even the base V6 moves the truck well during city and highway driving and brings with it decent towing ability. The V8s are more energetic, and along with the diesel engine, are the best options for towing. The new TRX is absurdly powerful, with sports-car-worthy acceleration. It'll go from zero to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.

Ram 1500 Gas Mileage

With its base V6 engine and rear-wheel drive, the Ram gets 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway – good ratings for the class. Opt for a V8, and ratings drop to 15/22 mpg city/highway, though those are still in line with V8-powered rivals' ratings. If you get the Ram's mild-hybrid V8, ratings are slightly better than with most other V8s at 17/23 mpg city/highway.

The diesel-powered Ram is by far the most fuel-efficient, checking in at 22/32 mpg city/highway. Fuel economy ratings are not yet available for the Ram TRX, but it's a safe assumption that they'll be the worst in the lineup.

Ram 1500 Ride and Handling

Large trucks aren't known for their handling prowess, and the Ram is no different. Still, it's stable and composed on winding roads. The real highlight is its ride; no other truck delivers the plush ride that you'll experience while driving the Ram 1500.

Ram 1500 Off-Road Performance

All Ram 1500 models are available with four-wheel drive, so any of them can carry you across sand and snow. If you want to do serious off-roading, however, you should look to the Rebel and all-new TRX trims. These models have additional features like skid plates, locking differentials, and off-road suspension components that make them more formidable than other Ram models. Of the two, the TRX is the most capable.

Ram 1500 Towing Capacity

The Ram 1500’s towing capacity ranges from 6,250 to 12,750 pounds. Its maximum tow rating is good for a half-ton truck, though there are a couple of rivals with tow ratings that top out above 13,000 pounds.

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