Impressions - Truck seems bigger and less "nimble" on road than our 2017 1500 quad long bed at work. I have no idea why. The hood or center stack maybe? Seems more "bulky" to drive. The crew cab plays a part in this too, I think. The work truck is super long though. You feel like you need a CDL to drive it.
Fuel economy absolutely SUCKS. I could not, get it to pull anything more than 15 MPG instant locked at 70mph flat, cruise, on the highway. On the two lane at 55mph, it pulled a whopping 16mpg instant. Biggest dig, and utterly disappointing.
I don't really feel the E-TQ. Maybe that's the point. The auto start stop is amazingly done, and non intrusive. It's nothing like the system was in the Grand Cherokee we test drove 3 years ago. I like it, and the truck got EPA as expected or better around town. The city MPG at 13.8 stuck in a LOT of traffic on our 30 min ride was acceptable. ETQ helps tremendously here.
The HK system sounds wonderful, but could use a touch more low end. The 12" nav pad was great, I love the ability to split screen, and swipe. The extra large nav screen is very helpful. I like the size. It's safer than a small screen, IMO. I like the ability to turn it off. I also like the HVAC controls on the sides, am not fond of the the Heated seats only being integrated into the touch screen. The steering wheel gets HOT fast. The heated seats are adequately warm, more like my VW, unlike my Subaru which stays on full heat to be warm enough, and then only barely.
We tested a truck with the safety group. I am still not sure on the LKA. The LKA in the subaru is almost auto drive. It will HOLD you in the lane, but in turns, it's too invasive. It's a love hate thing that almost always stays off unless I am in a perfect straight line on the interstate. Otherwise it's too invasive. The Ram, is the polar opposite. I am not even sure it does much. It's there, and does give you a slight nudge I think, but I am not sure it's enough to keep you from crossing lanes if you drift to sleep or something. I didn't really get the chance to test that as my attention was focused on other things. I like when you turn it of, it doesn't put a large yellow warning light on the dash that nags you like something is wrong, such as my Subaru does. Call it my OCD but I hate that light. Lights on the instrument cluster are for things that are WRONG or out of the norm (like High beams). I didn't get to test the BLIS much or other safety features like I wanted to.
I don't particularly like the placement of the shift knob. I like the knob isn't in the console. That's good. I also like it's not on the stalk. But the bump around it hits my knee (5'11" 180).
I liked the tow mirrors. I think they are expensive at 450 and would consider the manual version.
We have not made a decision. I still want to see a diesel, and some more trims. The fuel economy really, really, really leaves a foul taste in my mouth. It feels....Deceptive on FCA's part to claim 21 MPG highway when we know NO one is getting that on a Rebel with 33" and 3.92.
Wife wants to wait for the press to drop on the Tundra Redesign. We don't need a new vehicle "NOW" so, I am mostly in agreement, even though I have come to dislike every Jap car I've owned or sat in.
The 1500 is nice so far, but if toyota tries to compete in the "nice SUV with a bed " segment by putting Lexus touches in the new Tundra and it gets 25 MPG on the highway, well.. The Fuel economy of the ram will unseat it from first place. I want a turck I can keep for 7-8 years. One that can't get more than 15 on the highway at the speed limit might be an albatross if politics in this country and the open hostility to oil continues. It's the one thing that's keeping me from making moves to rid myself of the Subaru and be in one by summer. City MPG in traffic was absolutely acceptable. I was happy with that. Being able to only get 1.5-2 mpg better on the highway is an absolute joke.
Fuel economy absolutely SUCKS. I could not, get it to pull anything more than 15 MPG instant locked at 70mph flat, cruise, on the highway. On the two lane at 55mph, it pulled a whopping 16mpg instant. Biggest dig, and utterly disappointing.
I don't really feel the E-TQ. Maybe that's the point. The auto start stop is amazingly done, and non intrusive. It's nothing like the system was in the Grand Cherokee we test drove 3 years ago. I like it, and the truck got EPA as expected or better around town. The city MPG at 13.8 stuck in a LOT of traffic on our 30 min ride was acceptable. ETQ helps tremendously here.
The HK system sounds wonderful, but could use a touch more low end. The 12" nav pad was great, I love the ability to split screen, and swipe. The extra large nav screen is very helpful. I like the size. It's safer than a small screen, IMO. I like the ability to turn it off. I also like the HVAC controls on the sides, am not fond of the the Heated seats only being integrated into the touch screen. The steering wheel gets HOT fast. The heated seats are adequately warm, more like my VW, unlike my Subaru which stays on full heat to be warm enough, and then only barely.
We tested a truck with the safety group. I am still not sure on the LKA. The LKA in the subaru is almost auto drive. It will HOLD you in the lane, but in turns, it's too invasive. It's a love hate thing that almost always stays off unless I am in a perfect straight line on the interstate. Otherwise it's too invasive. The Ram, is the polar opposite. I am not even sure it does much. It's there, and does give you a slight nudge I think, but I am not sure it's enough to keep you from crossing lanes if you drift to sleep or something. I didn't really get the chance to test that as my attention was focused on other things. I like when you turn it of, it doesn't put a large yellow warning light on the dash that nags you like something is wrong, such as my Subaru does. Call it my OCD but I hate that light. Lights on the instrument cluster are for things that are WRONG or out of the norm (like High beams). I didn't get to test the BLIS much or other safety features like I wanted to.
I don't particularly like the placement of the shift knob. I like the knob isn't in the console. That's good. I also like it's not on the stalk. But the bump around it hits my knee (5'11" 180).
I liked the tow mirrors. I think they are expensive at 450 and would consider the manual version.
We have not made a decision. I still want to see a diesel, and some more trims. The fuel economy really, really, really leaves a foul taste in my mouth. It feels....Deceptive on FCA's part to claim 21 MPG highway when we know NO one is getting that on a Rebel with 33" and 3.92.
Wife wants to wait for the press to drop on the Tundra Redesign. We don't need a new vehicle "NOW" so, I am mostly in agreement, even though I have come to dislike every Jap car I've owned or sat in.
The 1500 is nice so far, but if toyota tries to compete in the "nice SUV with a bed " segment by putting Lexus touches in the new Tundra and it gets 25 MPG on the highway, well.. The Fuel economy of the ram will unseat it from first place. I want a turck I can keep for 7-8 years. One that can't get more than 15 on the highway at the speed limit might be an albatross if politics in this country and the open hostility to oil continues. It's the one thing that's keeping me from making moves to rid myself of the Subaru and be in one by summer. City MPG in traffic was absolutely acceptable. I was happy with that. Being able to only get 1.5-2 mpg better on the highway is an absolute joke.