KEEPING IT SIMPLE
The Express regular cab model is what you would expect for an introductory truck -- no-frills. This is basically what you get if you need a truck to get the job done in terms of towing and hauling, but don’t want anything fancy in an effort to keep the cost down. There’s no technology presence inside, it doesn’t have a back seat, the door locks and windows are not even power and it has a true “work truck” feel to it.
In addition to the lack of amenities, the biggest area where this basic truck suffers is in miles per gallon. You’ll only get 14 mpg in the city, 20 highway and 16 overall; and my average was closer to 15 mpg. Compared to the higher-end RAM trucks with the EcoDiesel engines (which get 19 city, 27 highway and 22 overall), you’ll be at the gas pump more regularly.
This difference is due to the engine of choice in the Express -- a 5.7-liter V8 HEMI, which makes for a powerful truck and strong performance but not great gas mileage.
But mpg aside, the introductory model of the RAM is one that will fit a certain target group (those seeking the most economically viable truck option that can still get the job done), but turn off the others who may want their work truck to double as a family vehicle or just have a more comfortable environment when they are working.
BIG, BOLD and COMFY
In contrast to the Express, the Laramie Limited Edition was all-inclusive and much more comfortable to drive. You get the crew cab with a very comfy backseat, a boatload of high-tech features and the more mpg-friendly EcoDiesel engine that’s among the best you’ll find in the truck market in terms of how far you’ll get on a tank of fuel.
Higher-end RAM vehicles can double as your family ride and everyone will be quite cozy both spacewise and in terms of tech features. Between the 8.4-inch touchscreen, full array of ports, UConnect tech interface, heated seats option, Park Assist System, Navigation and much more, this definitely does not feel like a work truck.
On the work side, you get the large Ram Boxes to store tools as you go about your workday, and the 3.0-liter V6 EcoDiesel engine does not disappoint in terms of performance.
But there are always tradeoffs to consider. As I mentioned at the start, if you want all the bells and whistles it will cost you a lot (the decked-out Laramie I tested came in at over $58K), so you’ll need to do the math when it comes to choosing the engine you want. Will the extra cost for the EcoDiesel engine be worth it compared to what you will have to pay extra at the pump with the V8? Also, the primary question to answer is where you will use this vehicle -- strictly at work or also at home -- that will help you determine where in the lineup you should be looking (low-end, high-end or somewhere in between).
BOTTOM LINE
If you need a work truck, the basic RAM 1500 is a strong option to consider; and if you go to the higher end you’ll get a comfortable experience in the cab that is fit for a family with full array of comfort and tech features. The EcoDiesel engine is an attractive option to consider, too, if you are looking for a truck with optimum fuel mileage.
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