Ram 1000 Reviews

The Ram 1500 family is set to grow even bigger, with the all-new 1500 DT to be sold alongside the existing DS range from late 2020.

Yes, Australia's new-car market has mostly been a tale of doom and gloom in 2019, but there are some brands that defied the shrinking market to post record sales results in March.

American Special Vehicles has updated the Ram 1500 for the 2019 model year with a bold new nose and rear badging, revised pricing and newly available features.

Yes, at a glance it seems Australia's new-car market is a sea of red ink and plummeting sales, with numbers seemingly down across the board.

Ram Trucks has revealed its new Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 full-size pick-ups at the Detroit motor show, with the pair confirmed for an Australian debut next year.

If bigger really is better, then the hulking Ram 1500 Laramie promises to be absolutely brilliant. But can it handle family duties? We put it to the Weekend Test to find out.

I know it seems like the army of SUVs currently marching across Australia will never be defeated, but there is a pocket of resistance forming, and it's one that is genuinely fighting back against the rising tide of high-riders.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued its latest round of safety recalls, led by American Special Vehicle’s converted Ram 2500 and 3500 pick-ups.

The Ram 1500 has a big V8 petrol engine, class-leading towing capacity and a cavernous cabin, but a lower payload than some vehicles a class below it. So does it really 'eat utes for breakfast'?

Topping the Ram 1500 line-up is the Laramie model, which lists from $99,950 plus on-road costs.The Ram 1500 Laramie can also be optioned with RamBoxes - a pair of insulated, lockable boxes over the wheel arches that offer secure storage - and the list price for this model is $104,450 plus on-road costs.The US-made, Australian-converted Ram 1500 ute is powered by a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 291kW of power (at 5600rpm) and 556Nm of torque on offer (at 3950rpm). That’s some serious horsepower.The engine is teamed to an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all Ram 1500 models are four-wheel drive. Towing capability tops out at 4.5 tonnes (braked) for Laramie models when fitted with a 70mm towball and chosen with the 3.92 rear axle ratio, while the Laramie model with a 3.21 rear axle ratio  is capable of a 3.5-tonne towing capacity (with a 50mm towball). The Laramie has the Crew Cab body, allowing more rear-seat space but with a shortened tub spanning 5’7” (1712mm) in length.Fuel consumption for the Laramie model (3.92 rear axle ratio) is claimed at 12.2L/100km, while the 3.21 rear axle version claims fuel use of just 9.9L/100km. The fuel tank size is 98L for Laramie models.The 1500 Laramie has more stylish exterior finishes, with chrome details on the grille, mirrors, door handles and wheels, and it also features full-length side steps. The Ram 1500 Laramie adds luxury items inside, too, such as leather seat trim, deep-pile carpeting, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, climate control, a heated steering wheel, an 8.4-inch media screen with sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (none of which are available on the Express model), and it has a 10-speaker sound system (six speakers in the Express).Other extras the Laramie adds over the Express include an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, auto wipers, power-adjustable pedal placement, rear seat air-vents, and remote engine start.There is a reversing camera, but no auto emergency braking (AEB), and no advanced safety equipment. There is no ANCAP safety rating, either.