2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Review Summary & Specs
Base Short Bed Regular Cab Pickup
Re-engineered with new frame and fresh styling.
Summary & Specs
reviewed by
The Dodge Ram offers big power and big capabilities. It's responsive and comfortable as an everyday driver and it's ready to do some serious work when called upon. Ram's distinctive styling, tweaked for 2006, makes it stand out in a rapidly improving field. Ram Quad Cab models offer a brilliant combination of comfort and utility. Even Regular Cabs are generously roomy and are thoughtfully set up to accommodate gear behind the seat. The responsive 4.7-liter V8 delivers good acceleration and gets the job done; it's paired well with a five-speed automatic transmission that's smooth and responsive. The 5.7-liter Hemi delivers strong acceleration performance and is an excellent choice for towing; its real-world fuel economy should improve with the new MDS system. The V10-powered SRT-10 makes you feel like you're qualifying for a NASCAR Craftsman Truck race.
New Car Test Drive editor Mitch McCullough reported from Los Angeles, with Sam Moses in San Antonio. John Katz contributed to this report.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Pickups |
| Editor |
New Car Test Drive |
| Model Lineup |
Dodge Ram 1500 Regular Cab ST 2WD SWB ($20,800), Regular Cab ST 4WD SWB ($25,055); Quad Cab SLT 2WD LWB ($27,920); Regular Cab Sport 2WD SWB ($29,210); Regular Cab Laramie 2WD SWB ($29,220); Quad Cab Laramie 4WD LWB ($35,970); Regular Cab SRT-10 ($47,605); Quad Cab SRT-10 ($51,810) |
| Engines (standard) |
5.7-liter Hemi Magnum overhead-valve V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) |
five-speed automatic |
| Engines (optional) |
215-hp 3.7-liter sohc 12-valve V6; 235-hp 4.7-liter sohc 16-valve V8; 345-hp 5.7-liter ohv 16-valve V8; 500-hp 8.3-liter ohv 20-valve V10 |
| Transmissions (optional) |
6-speed manual; 5-speed automatic; 4-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
rear-wheel ABS, dual front multi-stage airbags |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
side-impact airbags; side-curtain airbags for front and rear seats; four-wheel ABS |
| Basic Warranty |
3 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In |
St. Louis, Missouri; Warren, Michigan; Saltillo, Mexico |
| Manufacturer Phone |
1-800-4A-DODGE |
| Manufacturer URL |
www.4adodge.com |
| Base Price MSRP |
$20,800 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab Laramie 4WD SWB ($35,640) |
| Standard Equipment |
dual-zone air conditioning, 5-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel ABS, tilt steering column, speed control, power windows w driver-side auto-down, power locks w keyless entry, tachometer, security alarm, power adjustable pedals, AM/FM/CD, steering-wheel audio controls, deluxe overhead console, leather-trimmed seats, split folding rear seat, rear underseat compartment, auxiliary power outlet, fog lamps, P265/70R17 all-season tires on 17x8-inch cast-aluminum wheels |
| Destination Charge |
900 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
5.7-liter V8 ($995); anti-spin differential ($285); 3.92 axle ratio ($50); H Package ($960) includes seven-speaker Infinity audio, 6-CD changer, MP3, and Sirius; Protection Group ($140) includes tow hooks, skid plates; trailer tow package ($335); heated front seats ($140); under-rail bed liner ($245) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
|
| Layout |
four-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested |
$39,690 |
| Horse Power |
345 @ 5400 |
| Torque |
375 @ 4200 |
| Fuel Economy |
13/17 |
| Wheelbase |
140.5 |
| Length/Width/Height |
227.7/79.5/75.9 |
| Track Front/Rear |
|
| Turning Radius |
46.0 |
| Seating Capacity |
6 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room |
40.8/64.9/41.0 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
40.0/64.6/36.7 |
| Trunk Volume |
|
| Payload |
1250 |
| Towing Capacity |
8350 |
| Front Suspension |
independent, double-wishbone, coil springs over gas-charged shock absorbers, anti-roll bar |
| Rear Suspension |
live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs, gas-charged shock absorbers |
| Ground Clearance |
9.5 |
| Curb Weight |
5486 |
| Stock Tires |
P265/70R17 |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
disc/disc with four-wheel ABS |
| Fuel Capacity |
26.0 |