2009 Dodge Ram

The all-new 2009 Ram is finally online in grand fashion.  No more is it this, is it that.  Here’s the real deal on the 09 Dodge Ram, for your enjoyment ( or disgust, your call ).

Looking at the new Ram, the styling is evolutionary – it looks very much like a Ram.  The front end is changed, of course, but the huge crosshair grille is still front and center.  There’s no mistaking this for anything but a Dodge Ram.  Out back, Dodge added a nice tough and went with dual exhaust outlets, slightly integrated with the rear bumper.  But you don’t really care about things like that, do you?  You want to know if this truck has balls.  Short answer?  You bet your ass it does.  Here’s the rundown on engine options:

• 5.7 liter HEMI V8 – 380 HP & 404 lb-ft of torque ( 1 less HP and 3 more lb-ft of torque compared to Toyota )
• 4.7 liter V8 – 310 HP & 330 lb-ft of torque
• 3.7 liter V6 – 215 HP & 235 lb-ft of torque

There are 3 transmission – 6 speed manual, 5 speed auto, and 4 speed auto, though I’ve no idea which goes with which engine.  Surely the HEMI will get the 5 speed auto though.  Not quite class leading, but not embarassing either.  Six speeds really should’ve been the number here though, considering this is an all-new model.

2009 Dodge Ram Interior

The interior shots of the new Ram really surprised me – they look nice.  As in really nice.  Better than any Chrysler interior I can recall seeing.  There are way too many Ram symbols all over the place ( seriously – it’s a Ram, not a Viper ), but everything else looks very nice. 

The woodgrain is done tastefully, and the silver trim looks good too.  There is also some sort of cooler-type storage bin, built into the floor.   Big enough for 10 cans of soda, plus the ice to keep it cool.  That’s friggin awesome.

There are a 3 cab configurations – Regular Cab, Quad Cab and the new four-door Crew Cab.  The Mega Cab is no more ( though not really needed with a full-size crew cab option ).  Payload is up to 1,840 lbs, and towing maxes out at 9100 lbs.  On paper, the Ram loses to the 10k Tundra – in a big way.  In the real world, no one has any business towing nine thousand pounds with a half-ton truck, and very very few people would even consider it, let alone do it on a regular basis.  So I’ll call that a wash, and not a failure on Dodge’s part.

The Ram Box – one of the best features on the new Ram.  On each side of the bed, there’s a long, lockable storage box.  Great for tools, fishing stuff, groceries, jumper cables, whatever.  Anytime a pickup can add dry storage, it’s a  great thing.  Overall, I think Dodge has done a great job with the new Ram.  It’s ugly ( and horrible beyond words on gas ), but it made the power upgrades that it needed, and added a very nice interior with some really innovative features.  No word yet on how large of a rebate will be available at the time of launch ( kidding, of course.  Well sort of. ).  It will be interesting to see how the full-size pickup market fares with the new Ram.

Published on January 12, 2008 in Dodge