What makes a truck a good truck? Power for sure, along with towing ability, payload, mileage, comfort – the list goes on and on. There are a lot of good trucks out there. But there’s only one 2019 MotorTrend Truck of the Year. That’s the Ram 1500 and here are a few reasons why.
Power
It all starts under the hood in the Ram 1500. Dodge uses a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with eTorque standard on most trim models. It pushes out 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque to deliver a best-in-class standard V-6 horsepower, best-in-class 4×4 fuel economy, and best-in-class 4×4 driving range. This blend of power and efficiency is achieved with advanced technologies like variable valve timing and variable valve lift systems.
Jump up to the 5.7-liter V-8 HEMI engine and you get 395 horsepower, 410 lb-ft of torque, and a towing capacity above 11,000 pounds. Opt for the eTorque version and you’ll enjoy the advantages of Dodge’s mild hybrid system. This system uses variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation to get best-in-class 4×4 V-8 fuel economy, best-in-class 4×4 highway driving range, and a best-in-class V-8 towing capacity of up to 12,750 pounds.
Engineering
The new Ram 1500 has been re-engineered with efficiency and comfort in mind, two things often overlooked in truck design. Start with the Ram’s Active Air Dam that automatically extends down 2.5 inches when approaching 30 MPH to reduce drag, which improves mileage.
Dodge redesigned the hood too, elevating it to improve air deflection from the wiper area. It also has a new sculpted roof that directs the air flow to the real spoiler for the best frontal drag coefficient in its class.
Dodge has also equipped the Ram 1500 with an all new Active Level Four Corner Air Suspension system. The Ram 1500 will automatically lower itself at highway speeds to reduce drag, improve efficiency, and smoothen out the ride.
The Ram 1500 also has an Auto-Load Leveling system that makes towing a breeze. Combine that with Ram’s easy trailer hookup system and best-in-class towing capacity and you’ll never look at towing the same again.
Comfort & Technology
The Ram 1500 drives like a dream and inside it looks like one too. Available Natura leather seats with both front and rear equipped with ventilation are only the beginning. A fold down rear center console, reclining rear seats, and 45.1 inches of leg room in the back seat are all best-in-class features. The flashy center console up front is configurable to best suit your purpose, turning the Ram 1500 into a mobile office.
The Ram 1500 comes with the 4th generation of U-Connect, featuring a 12-inch touchscreen, customizable home screen with split-screen functionality, pinch and zoom technology, and navigation system. SiriusXM with 360L keeps you connected to all your devices wherever you go.
Dodge didn’t just make a good truck when they redesigned the Ram 1500, they made the best truck. Come out and test drive one today and see for yourself why it won MotorTrend’s 2019 Truck of the Year award.
Image via Flickr by RL GNZLZ
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