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Paul Batista
Instant Wheels Editor, InstantRiverside.com

The 2009 Dodge Ram is sexy. Yes, I’m editorializing a bit, but I like trucks, and when this review vehicle entered the media fleet I couldn’t wait to get inside.

Dodge has made a clear effort to smooth out the typical rough edges of its flagship truck. The steering wheel has a heating option– love it; first time ever in a Chrysler product. Front seats are heated & ventilated as well. The center console is nicely designed, as you’ll see in my video report. Overall the interior amounts to a great use of space– it has a floor shifter, which I consider more upscale.

Again, pardon me if I’m gushing, but the ride quality in my test vehicle was superb. And the exterior styling is imposing, tough and sophisticated.

If I had to find some faults, there were 2. The seat comfort seemed to fade over long drives. And while the Dodge Ram had a USB cable input, it would not recognize my iPod. (Who knows the cause with technology these days.)

On the smart side, there’s an AC-power plug up front. Just my opinion, but I think car-lighter power plugs will begin to fade as standard power sources. The huge mirrors are the right shape, and great for towing.

This truck is offered wtih 3-motor options; - 5.7L , 390 HP; 4.7L , 310 HP; and the 3.7L, 215 HP.

My test truck had the 5.7L with a 5-speed automatic transmission.

The multi-displacement system (mds) delivered better fuel economy, and the crew cab gives plenty of interior space but the bed pays the price, at only 5′7″ long. A bed extender is available; adding length.

Ram Box storage compartments make the bed even smaller, but allow you to lock smaller items into the sides of the bed. It has a light inside the box, and a drain on the bottom so water evacuates easily.

Just as we saw in the Dodge Journey, engineers made the best use of the floor of the cab, and integrated 2 storage bins.

Again, the stand-out feature to me is the ride quality for such a large vehicle. Dodge has redesigned the frame and added a multi-link coil spring rear suspension.

As with any new model, the emblems are bigger and bolder than the previous year. The 20″ wheels are sharp– they stand out, and the dual exhaust tips coming straight out the rear have the bumper shaped around them for a modified appearance.

Extra Features

Towing capacity is rated up to 9,100 lbs.

The Ram has the same navigation/entertainment system we’ve seen in other top-of-the-line Chrysler products — a 30 GB hard drive for music, Sirius Traffic, uconnect phone, and an optional sirius backseat tv and dvd player.

ParkView helps get this truck into or out of any tight spot.

Filed under Video Library, Wheels

Friday, November 13, 2009

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