2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Driving Impressions Review at Automotive.com

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2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Review: Road Test

Below is a full, detailed 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 review and road test from New Car Test Drive. A full evaluation of price, equipment, the driving experience, and specs are all here in a structured, easy-to-navigate format from journalists with limitless experience.

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Value Rating

Poor

LEARN WHY

IntelliChoice Value Rating

The chart above shows the purchase price versus ownership cost for each car from a specific vehicle class. The cars with better than average ownership cost/purchase price correlations are the best values, and these best value cars are represented by the dots below the curve. (i.e. the cars that have a lower ownership cost compared to its purchase price.) Those cars, which are worse than average or poor values, appear above the curve.

One way to view the graph is to draw a vertical line through any purchase price. You may see several dots that fall on this line - each of which is a car with a similar purchase price. However, notice the difference in ownership costs of each car represented by the vertical position of the dot. Two cars with the same purchase price can have thousands of dollars difference in ownership costs. This is what separates "good value" cars from "poor value" cars.

What is a good car value?

A "good car value" is one whose cost to own and operate is less than expected. The lower the cost to own and operate a car compared to what is expected, the better the value of that car.

But how do we know a car's "expected cost"?

For each car in the class, IntelliChoice plots the car's purchase price against the total five-year cost to own and operate it as determined by IntelliChoice research. Each dot on the above chart represents a specific car. Generally, we find that as the purchase price of the car increases, the cost to own and operate that car increases. This is why the dots on the graph tend to rise upward and to the right. This phenomenon also makes intuitive sense - as the purchase price rises, financing costs tend to rise, as do insurance, depreciation, taxes, and most other car ownership costs.

This is an important concept. It's normal for car ownership costs to rise as purchase price rises. Therefore, we can't just establish one "average" ownership cost number for each class, since cars in the class have different purchase prices. (This is why the "Relative" shown on each chart is different for cars in the same car class.)

Using statistical techniques, IntelliChoice "connects the dots" to form a curve that defines, for this car class, the relationship between the car's purchase price and car's ownership costs. This curve is our "expected cost" curve. The curve defines, for any car in the class, the five-year ownership cost that we would expect to see at each possible purchase price. If every car in the class were an average value, then all the dots would fall exactly on the curve. However, it's rare that any dot is exactly on the curve. Some dots are a little higher or lower, and some are a lot higher or lower. The dots that are a little lower are better than average car values, while the dots that are a lot lower are excellent car values (A dot that is a lot lower than the curve has ownership costs much lower than expected for a car of its purchase price). Conversely, a dot a little higher than the curve is a poorer than average car value, while a dot that is much higher than the curve is a poor car value.

Value is a relative term, not an absolute term. It is performing better than the logical expectation.

So is a Mercedes-Benz E320 expensive to own and operate? Certainly in an absolute sense. Most other cars cost less. But, when its cost to own and operate is plotted against cars with comparable invoice prices, the E320 costs less. So the E320 is not expensive to own and operate - it is a good car value. The Mercedes does not have low ownership costs, but it has low ownership costs for its invoice price.

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2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Review

More efficient but just as tough.

Driving Impressions

The Dodge Ram rides nicely even when empty, but it rides better with a some weight in the bed. The Ram's rigid chassis minimizes road vibration. Rack-and-pinion steering contributes to sharp handling. The result overall is that the Ram offers responsive handling, a comfortable ride, and a general feeling of tightness.

The Ram is a big truck and on narrow roads it feels big and tall, with broad fenders that seem to fill small country roads. The ride height of the Ram adds to this sensation. It's sometimes difficult to be sure exactly where your fenders are because you can't see them.

Quad Cab models add 20 inches to the wheelbase and a long bed adds another 20 inches, so a Quad Cab long bed is a long truck, riding on a 160.5-inch wheelbase. It's long on roominess and utility, but not the easiest to turn around.

That said, the Ram handles reasonably well and powers through or over just about anything, even when the tires aren't always precisely where you intended to place them.

All Rams come standard with big four-wheel disc brakes that are smooth and easy to modulate.

As mentioned, a choice of engines is available for the Ram. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is the most popular engine choice. Fire up the Hemi, let it idle, and it burbles like a good old American V8, though there's nothing old or outdated about this engine. Although technically a traditional pushrod design with its camshaft in the block, the Hemi's head geometry is more like that of a multiple-overhead-cam engine and features twin spark plugs, direct ignition, and electronic throttle control. It's a thoroughly modern engine. The Hemi features Chrysler's Multi-Displacement System (MDS), which can deactivate four of the eight cylinders when cruising for as much as a 20 percent gain in fuel economy. The switch from eight cylinders to four is usually undetectable to the driver.

Review Sections

• Introduction

• Lineup

• Walkaround

• Interior

• Driving Impressions

• Summary & Specs

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The Hemi's peak power and torque ratings are 345 horsepower at 5400 rpm and 375 pound-feet of at 4200. It comes with a modern five-speed automatic transmission that adds to its responsiveness and flexibility. Punch it and you know you've got a Hemi under the hood. A properly equipped Hemi increases the Ram's towing capacity to 9,100 pounds yet it's rated 14/18 mpg (with 2WD).

The smaller, 4.7-liter V8 delivers responsive performance, though it doesn't offer the trailer-towing torque of the Hemi. Equipped with the 4.7-liter, the Ram feels eager around town and on winding roads. It accelerates quickly onto freeways and has no trouble powering up grades. This is a smooth, sophisticated engine that always feels ready to go. Its overhead-cam design makes it smaller and more efficient than overhead-valve engines. Fuel efficiency ratings are 14/19 mpg (with 2WD). For 2007, the 4.7-liter V8 is available in most states with Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV) capability, meaning it can run on gasoline or up to E85 Ethanol.

The 4.7-liter V8 revs higher than an overhead-valve engine and generates 235 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. It feels smooth and refined, emitting a pleasant American burble while underway. We really liked it. The optional five-speed automatic is responsive.

The 3.7-liter overhead-cam V6 is smooth and works well with the manual six-speed gearbox. If you don't live in the mountains where long grades and high altitudes conspire against you, then it may offer enough power in a light-duty truck. It's not a good choice for pulling trailers or hauling heavy loads. The V6 develops 215 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque, and is rated 16/21 mpg with manual transmission, 15/21 with automatic.

Trailer towing capacities range from 2,900 pounds for the V6 to 9,100 pounds for a Hemi 2WD Regular Cab. A 4WD Quad Cab with the 4.7-liter and automatic transmission is rated to pull a 7,050-pound trailer with the 3.92 rear axle ratio. The available 20-inch wheels reduce towing capacity by about 1,000 pounds. Payloads range from 1,200 pounds to 1,750 pounds. In short, if you tow or haul, compare these capacities before selecting a model. On automatic Rams, a Tow/Haul mode for the transmission provides crisper shifts and reduces gear searching for reduced heat buildup when towing.

Four-wheel-drive models use a part-time transfer case that can be shifted electrically from two-wheel drive without stopping. Shifting into 4WD High locks the center differential. Shifting down to low range provides superior traction in extreme conditions. The front axle driveshaft is automatically disengaged when operating in two-wheel drive. This minimizes the front-drive system's energy consumption and improves fuel economy.

A full-time four-wheel-drive system is also available. Under normal driving conditions, the full-time system delivers 48 percent of the torque to the front wheels and 52 percent to the rear wheels. It's an excellent choice for icy conditions, gravel roads, or any situation that presents inconsistent grip. This system includes a locking transfer case that features 4WD High and Low modes.

A limited-slip rear differential is available and we recommend it for drivers who intend to go off road. A Protection Group includes tow hooks plus skid plates for the front suspension and transfer case. Automatics are available with a 3.55 axle ratio, or a 3.92 ratio, the latter better for towing and off-road driving. Some manual transmission models come with a 3.21 ratio for maximum economy. next page