2017 Ram 1500 | Consumer Guide Auto

2017 Ram 1500 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: All 2017 Ram 1500s now have an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 6-speed auto available with the Hemi V8 has been dropped. 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, an off-roader in the Rebel, or a luxury liner in the Limited, 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 Reg. Cab, 6.4-ft bed: $26,295 Express Reg. Cab, 6.4-ft bed: $27,695 Big Horn Reg. Cab, 8-ft bed: $33,595 Sport Quad Cab, 6.4-ft bed: $38,095 Rebel Crew Cab, 5.7-ft bed: $44,995 Laramie 4×4 Crew Cab, 5.7-ft bed: $45,395 Laramie Longhorn 4×4 Crew Cab, 5.7-ft bed: $52,695 Limited 4×4 Crew Cab, 5.7-ft bed: $55,895