2014 Ram 1500

Pros: Addition of available turbodiesel V6 engine; excellent 8-speed transmission is unmatched by rivals; impressive ride, handling, and quietness for a large pickup truck

Cons: Maximum payload and towing capacities don’t match some rivals; fuel economy with 5.7-liter Hemi V8; high step-in complicates entry and exit

CG Says: Despite receiving a major freshening in 2013, the Ram 1500 gets a raft of notable enhancements this year. Model-year 2014 marks first-time availability of front-obstacle detection. Under the hood, the Ram 1500 will be the only light-duty pickup for sale in the U.S. to offer a diesel engine. When Chrysler redesigned the Ram 1500 back in 2009, the company transformed its big rig from an also-ran to class leading. A steady stream of improvements in subsequent years has kept this pickup feeling fresh. The available Hemi V8 engine is potent, but the entry 3.6-liter V6 is no slouch either. The latter motor also delivers some of the best fuel economy we’ve seen from any large pickup, a feat that might be surpassed only by the optional turbodiesel V6 slated to come online later in the model year. Whether you want a workhorse in the Tradesman, a street cruiser in the R/T, an off-roader in the Outdoorsman, or a luxury liner in the Laramie Longhorn, the Ram 1500 has something to satisfy most any recreational and/or commercial need. Even if you’re a die-hard loyalist to another brand, you still owe it to yourself to check out these outstanding trucks. They might well win you over.

2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel
2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel
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