Major Options / Build: Alloy Wheels, Bluetooth, Backup Camera, Premium Package, Tow Package

Additional Description: The Ram 1500 pickup serves the half-ton pickup truck market among the most contested in all motor vehicles. Permutations are numerous with three engines two fuels three cabs two types of suspension three bed sizes and almost all of them available in 2WD or 4WD. The 2015 Ram 1500 is changed little over 2014 when Ram got a diesel engine and some styling details.15-ram-2Rams 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel is shared with the Jeep Grand Cherokee and in the Ram 1500 garners EPA ratings of 20/28 mpg City/Highway higher than any other half-ton or mid-size pickup.Gasoline engines include a 305-hp 3.6-liter V6 and a 395-hp 5.7-liter V8 Hemi. Ram V6 (gas and diesel) use an 8-speed automatic transmission the V8 uses a 6-speed or an 8-speed automatic. Unlike the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Ram offers its biggest engine in Regular Cab models.The Ram 1500 considered a half-ton can carry loads of stuff and can tow trailers similar to what the competition will though GM and Ford have notably higher maximum trailer-weight models. Maximum load and tow ratings among the major manufacturers change faster than mobile-device operating systems. However if you plan to tow near those maximums our recommendation is to turn your attention to the Ram Heavy Duty and its competitors.The Ram 1500 offers a full air suspension with automatic leveling entry/exit mode for easier cab access and variable ride heights for on- and off-highway travel.On the outside Ram continues with its imposing stature. Like many Dodge cars the Rams front end has a forward tilt but it remains aerodynamic. Detailing for the 2013 model year lowered the coefficient of drag (one aspect of total aerodynamic resistance) from 0.386 to 0.360 and both the diesel and HFE use grille shutters.Ram competes primarily with Ford F-150 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra and to a lesser extent Nissan Titan and Toyota Tundra.The Ram 1500 is a conventional full-size pickup truck but it differs in rear suspension and powertrains from its competitors. Underneath where for decades pickup trucks have had a live axle in back with leaf springs Rams rear axle is suspended by coil springs and located by four trailing links and a lateral Panhard bar. Basic front suspension design steering and brake systems parallel other half-ton pickups.Inside the Ram offers seating for three to six people in-floor storage on Crew Cabs and environments that span working-grade vinyl and rubber to creamy leather with ventilated and heated seats.Brand loyalty in pickup trucks makes sports rivalries look like civilized debate and many will recommend only one. The fact is there are no bad full-size pickups. Shopping is made more difficult by so-called competitive comparisons weve seen online that imply drum brakes are better than disc brakes (we disagree) or 300 horsepower is superior to 400 pound-feet of torque (ditto). To choose the best truck for you we recommend avoiding any buying decision made purely on brand or maximum cargo or tow rating. On the other hand if you are loyal to a brand then focus on choosing the configuration knowing youll end up with a great truck.With so many versions there is no shortage of Rams to choose from. Compared to the competition the Rams suspensions are unique and the styling is less conservative. GM has three gas engines and Ford half-tons offer four but none has a diesel and only the GM 6.2 V8 has an 8-speed automatic. The Nissan Titan is the only half-ton that offers a full eight-foot long-bed with a Crew Cab and Titan is being redesigned for 2016. (Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 pickups are covered in a separate review.)Model LineupThe 2015 Ram comes in Tradesman Express SLT Big Horn Lone Star Sport Outdoorsman Laramie Laramie Longhorn and Laramie Limited trim levels. Some of these such as Big Horn and Lone Star are primarily cosmetic and packaging and available only in certain regions. Cab choices include a Regular Cab with short (6.3 feet) or long (8 feet) bed four-door Quad Cab with short bed (6.3 feet) and the Crew Cab with a short bed (5.6 feet) or long bed (6.3 feet). Note Ram terminology can be confusing: Some long and short beds are the same length depending on cab so shop by tape measure not Rams labels.Ram Tradesman SLT Sport Outdoorsman Big Horn and Lone Star are available in all body styles; all others are restricted to certain cabs. Prices are MSRP for the least-expensive of that trim level not including options. For rough calculation add $3200-$3800 for 4WD $300 for a longer bed $3500-$4000 from Regular to Quad Cab and $2000-$3000 from Quad to Crew Cab.Ram Tradesman ($25060) models come with the gas V6 and 8-speed automatic; a 6-speed automatic is available as credit-delete option. Gas V8 and diesel engines are offered the long-bed regular cab the least-expensive diesel choice. Tradesman models are workhorses with standard vinyl floor manual windows and gray vinyl 40/20/40 bench seat. However they do include air conditioning stability/trailer sway control tilt wheel cruise control trailer hitch variable intermittent wipers locking lift-assist tailgate spray-in bedliner trailer plugs 6-speaker AM/FM stereo and USB port power windows and door locks on four-doors and under-floor storage (Crew Cab). Options include chrome wheels and trim fog lamps bed cover Uconnect 5.0 with Bluetooth CD player backup camera sliding rear window power and trailer mirrors carpeting cloth seats block heater 32-gallon fuel tank and air suspension.Ram Express ($26195) models available in all cab styles come with the V8 and 6-speed automatic and add visual cues such as 20×8-inch wheels body-color trim dual rear exhaust and fog lamps; interiors get carpeting and floor mats.Ram SLT trim ($29685) is mainstream with cloth upholstery power windows/locks/mirrors dual gloveboxes and so on. SLT offers the widest array of options if not the ultra-lux features of a Laramie Limited.Ram Big Horn and Ram Lone Star ($30590) add more powertrain and mirror choices and on-demand 4WD chrome grille 20×8-inch wheels 115-VAC outlet upgraded cloth upholstery with power driver 40/20/40 seat leather-wrapped steering wheel rear floor storage bins (Crew Cab) power sliding rear window (on four-doors) Uconnect 5.0 with Bluetooth and many more option packages.Ram Sport ($35105) includes the 5.7-liter Hemi and 8-speed automatic high-back bucket seats body-color bumpers and mirrors fog lamps LED interior lighting power adjustable pedals audio system upgrade rearview camera projector headlamps in black housings 20×9-inch wheels and most convenience features of Outdoorsman and Big Horn/Lone Star. The Sport R/T Regular Cab 2WD short bed gets a 3.92:1 rear axle with limited-slip differential sport hood and 285/45R22 tires on forged aluminum wheels but will still tow 4900 pounds.Ram Outdoorsman ($38180) adds a 32-gallon gas tank smaller front air dam gray painted bumpers and fender flares auto-dimming inside and power heated outside mirrors with signals two-tone paint limited-slip differential with 3.92:1 axle ratio skid plates on 4WD LT265/70R17E all-terrain tires on painted aluminum wheels tow hooks 7-inch TFT configurable screen rubber floor mats illuminated visor mirrors 8.4-inch Uconnect Access via Mobile and remote start.Ram Laramie ($39025) is four-door only and comes with leather heated and ventilated 40/20/40 power front seats vinyl trimmed 60/40 folding rear seat dual-zone automatic climate control driver memory system (driver seat mirrors pedals radio presets) chrome grille and mirrors LED rear and door lighting two-tone paint woodgrain trim heated steering wheel and 10-speaker sound system.Laramie Longhorn ($46935) builds on Laramie with French-stitched leather high-back bVisit Southern Roads Auto online at southernroadsauto.com to see more pictures of this vehicle or call us at 770-267-0770 today to schedule yourABS Brakes,Air Conditioning,Alarm System,Alloy Wheels,AM/FM Radio,Anti-Lock Brakes,Automatic Climate Control,Automatic Headlights,Aux Audio Jack,Back Up Sonar,Backup Camera,Bluetooth,Child Safety Door Locks,Cruise Control,Daytime Running Lights,Deep Tinted Glass,Driver Airbag,Driver Multi-Adjustable Power Seat,Electrochromic Exterior Rearview Mirror,Electronic Brake Assistance,Electronic Parking Aid,Fog Lights,Front Side Airbag,Front Side Airbag with Head Protection,Front Split Bench Seat,Full Size Spare Tire,Handsfree Wireless,Heated Exterior Mirror,High Intensity Discharge Headlights,Interval Wipers,Keyless Entry,Locking Differential,Locking Pickup Truck Tailgate,Owners Manual,Passenger Airbag,Pickup Truck Cargo Box Light,Power Adjustable Exterior Mirror,Power Brakes,Power Door Locks,Power Mirrors,Power Steering,Satellite Radio,Second Row Folding Seat,Side Head Curtain Airbag,Tachometer,Telematics System,Tilt Wheel,Tire Pressure Monitor,Tow Package,Traction Control,Trip Computer,Vehicle Anti-Theft,Vehicle Stability Control System,Front Side Airbag,Pickup Truck Cargo Box Light,Side Head Curtain Airbag