2009 Dodge Ram 1500

The new 2009 Dodge Ram is not an all-new truck. It remains on the existing 120- and 140-in. wheelbases. In addition, the base 3.7L and recently upgraded 4.7L engines and brake system fell into the if-it-ain't-broke category, as did the automatic transmissions. Manual gearboxes are gone, so expect a higher base price on V-6 and 4.7L V-8 2009 Dodge Ram trucks. The forward third of the frame has similar architecture but more high-strength steel for weight reduction, and current front suspension geometry gets aluminum uppers and knuckles that take 10 lb off each front corner.

The 2009 Dodge Ram will still be available with a 3.7-liter V-6 as well as two V-8s displacing either 4.7 or 5.7 liters. The 5.7-liter engine will continue to be called a Hemi, and has been given an overhaul to produce more power. Horsepower is up 35 for a total of 380 hp, while torque climbs to 404 lb-ft (up from 375 lb-ft). Improvements include the addition of variable valve timing and an active short/long runner intake. The 2009 Dodge Ram Hemi's cylinder deactivation system has been reworked to provide more torque in four-cylinder mode, allowing the engine to run in that manner more often. A telltale light has been added on the instrument panel to inform drivers when the system is active. Despite the increased output, Dodge projects a fuel economy increase of 10 to 20 percent over current models.

The available 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 also sees significant improvements for 2009. Thanks to variable valve timing, more compression, a variable-runner-length intake manifold, better cylinder-head porting, and a less restrictive exhaust, the 2009 Dodge Ram's cylinder-deactivation fuel-economy system now operates at speeds up to 70 mph. As a bonus, output rises to 390 hp and 407 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy improves by a modest four percent, which means that the Hemi-powered trucks ought to return about 13/18 mpg in the EPA cycle. Dodge estimates that a two-wheel-drive 2009 Ram with the 3.7-liter V-6 will achieve a fairly impressive 14/20 mpg.

Our all-new 2009 Dodge Ram is a game-changer in terms of capability, convenience, craftsmanship and safety.

If you run out of room out back, you can store ten more twelve-ounce beverages in the in-floor compartments/coolers for rear-seat passengers. And if you need space for some snacks, the Dodge Ram's thirty-eight "storage locations" should do the trick nicely. All that cargo is heavy, so the Ram's V-8s have more power for '09. The 5.7-liter Hemi again tops the choices, but this time it produces 380 hp and 404 lb-ft of torque (versus 335 hp and 375 lb-ft last year), thanks to a higher compression ratio, variable valve timing, and an active intake manifold. The hot-rod of the 2009 Dodge Ram fleet is the new regular-cab, short-bed R/T model, which is said to thunder from 0 to 60 mph in less than seven seconds, a best-in-class figure, according to Dodge. A 3.7-liter V-6 and a 4.7-liter V-8 will also be available at the Ram's launch.

Even bigger news than the engine updates is actually found underneath the new 2009 Dodge Ram. The 2009 Ram will be the first full-size dedicated pickup-truck platform to use coil springs for its rear suspension (although you could argue the Avalanche or Ridge-line are full-size). The live-axle design and more tuneable coil springs are designed to offer a better empty/aroundtown feel for truck owners. As a consequence, Dodge isn't trying to compete with Toyota, Ford, and Chevy for the max-payload or max-towing crown. Instead, it's content to offer its buyers-- some of which will be first-time truck guys--a smoother daily-driving experience. There are certain 2009 Dodge Ram models that'll be capable of carrying up to 1800 pounds and towing a 9000-pound trailer.

Last year, the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab received five-star ratings for driver- and front-passenger protection in a frontal crash. This year, the Regular Cab and Quad Cab models of the new 2009 Ram completed the U.S. government's safety crash tests by receiving the same top five-star ratings as their Crew Cab brothers. As the Dodge Ram was completely redesigned for 2009, it features more than 35 new safety and security features, including passive features and accident-avoidance features.

Recently released results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on the side-impact crash tests of certain half-ton pickups revealed poor performances described as "worse than many cars we have evaluated." While all half-ton trucks maintain a weight, size, and seating advantage over smaller vehicles, the 2009 Dodge Ram, 2009 Nissan Titan, and 2009 Chevy Silverado, were unable to muster a "Good" rating on their side-impact tests.

The 2009 Dodge Ram, equipped with standard side curtain airbags, received a "Marginal" rating, and does not come with torso airbags.

The 2009 Dodge Ram is by far the hot rod of the group. In last year's test, on the same exact dyno, our '08 Hemi Ram put down only 245 hp. This year, with the same engine displacement, the '09 Ram put down a solid 300 hp. In an impromptu acceleration test between the Ram and the Tundra, the Ram easily accelerated away. The five-speed automatic transmission delivers good, firm shifts although we did find a few situations at certain speeds and certain throttle inputs where the computer needs a few seconds to make its mind up on where to put the transmission. The dual exhaust gives the engine a deep throaty sound to affirm that it's the baddest on the block.

All three engines (3.7-liter V-6, 4.7-liter V-8, and 5.7-liter V-8) remain the same and oddly offer similar fuel-economy numbers. The V-6 is rated at 215 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque, is standard on two-wheel-drive 2009 Dodge Ram Regular and Quad Cab models, and is rated at 15/20 mpg for the manual and 14/20 mpg for the automatic, with a flex-fuel version available for fleet sales. The 4.7-liter V-8 has 310 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, is standard on all 4WD models and the Crew Cabs, and is rated at 13/19 mpg for 2WD and 13/18 for 4WD. All 4.7-liter V-8s are flex-fuel capable. The new-generation 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 has smarter variable valve timing, a two-stage intake, and a more aggressive MDS (multiple displacement system) calibration, all of which offers 13-percent-more power with four-percent-more fuel efficiency. The big V-8 is rated at 390 horsepower and 407 pound-feet of torque, is standard on all 2009 Ram Sport and Laramie models (an option on all others), and is EPA-rated at 13/19 for 2WD, and 13/18 for 4WD models.

The 2009 Dodge Ram is a new truck that incorporates Dodge's forward-thinking style and refinements to cosmetics and engineering. The Dodge Ram is a light-duty full-size pickup, a so-called half-ton truck, but this latest version lacks the 1500 badge of previous versions because the heavy-duty versions (2500, 3500) share little in appearance and running gear.

The new 2009 Dodge Ram has the bold and brash style that typifies Dodge, but now it's in a more refined package with more amenities for the occupants.