Like all trucks these days, the Ram drives more like a luxury car than work machine, albeit one with a fairly wide turning circle and it uses rear coils rather than leaf springs. My tester was optioned with the brand’s exclusive, $1,895 four-corner air suspension. It automatically levels out the truck when it’s loaded, and drops down to help with aerodynamics at higher speeds. It can also be raised and lowered via a button on the dash: Down for easier access, or up for more off-road clearance. Be careful if you’re buying with capability in mind, though, as the system’s weight cuts into the payload.
Styling is always subjective, but the Ram is a good-looking beast, sleeker and slicker than the outgoing model it replaces. I was really hoping the company would finally do something about bed access, but alas, it let me down again. Ford gives you a fold-out rung and GM has its brilliantly simple bumper steps, but Ram gives you nothing. There’s only the bumper to stand on — with a plastic cover that’s slippery when it’s wet.
Things are much better inside the enormous cabin, with its busy but handsome design. Most functions are controlled with simple dials and buttons, including the heated seats and steering wheel, and the Uconnect infotainment system is still one of the more intuitive ones out there.
There’s also a ton of storage space: Two glove boxes, a dash-mounted cubby with a USB port, and a massive centre console with a sliding top for instant reconfiguration.
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A variety of active safety technologies are available, and my truck included lane-keep assist, self-parking and adaptive cruise control that keeps its distance from the vehicle in front — but with the option of using the regular, pay-attention type of cruise control as well, if you prefer.
It also has emergency braking front and rear, although it scared the crap out of me a couple of times when it jammed on the brakes well before I was close to a curb.
Everybody’s making decent trucks these days, and the Ram is no exception. It might not truly be “all” new, but FCA did it right and kept the parts that needed keeping.