2016 Ram 1500 | Consumer Guide Auto

2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Limited

Pros: Available turbodiesel V6 engine; excellent 8-speed transmission; 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: For 2016, all Ram 1500s have minor frame and body fortifications for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) small front overlap crash test. The Ram 1500 lineup added two new trim levels midway through the 2015 model year: the luxurious, line-topping Laramie Limited, and the aggressively styled, off-road-oriented Rebel. Four limited-edition “buzz” models based on the Sport model (and finished in bright colors with special trim) are added for 2016. 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 excellent fuel economy for a large pickup, and the optional turbodiesel V6 promises even better efficiency. 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.

The Facts

Class	Large Pickup Truck
Body Style(s)	pickup truck
Passenger Count	3 or 6
Drive Wheels	rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive
Manufacturer	Ram
Nation of Manufacture	USA, Mexico
Base Prices	(only select models listed) Tradesman/Express Reg. Cab, 120 in. WB: $26,145 SLT Reg. Cab, 140 in. WB: $31,795 Sport Quad Cab, 140 in. WB: $39,370 Laramie 4×4 Crew Cab, 149 in. WB: $47,040 Longhorn 4×4 Crew Cab, 149 in. WB: $52,665