2026 Ram 1500 Restricted Crew Cab 4×4 Evaluate & Check Drive : Automotive Addicts

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For a lot of apparent causes, America loves its vehicles, and Ram has made some latest inroads in bringing again the HEMI V8 and now extending the powertrain guarantee to a 10-year, 100,000-mile degree. Such adjustments, one thing Ram didn’t must work too exhausting to do, have garnered correct newfound recognition within the Ram 1500 with the V8 engine and its new eTorque gentle hybrid setup. Collectively, the Ram 1500 within the top-level Restricted trim is a power be reckoned with as some of the luxurious vehicles on the present market.

Powered by the returning 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine and an eTorque gentle hybrid system, the brand new Ram 1500 Restricted is sweet for 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. Positive, these figures might fall in need of the brand new twin-turbo inline 6-cylinder Hurricane, however that V8 rumble and the anticipated consistency of immediate grunt is simply one thing purest will all the time get pleasure from – and that’s simply what you get with the HEMI V8. Couple that with the 4WD Auto setting, and you’ve got a properly planted V8 rumbling truck that screams America!

In some methods, all the pieces concerning the V8-powered Ram 1500 says it’s an underperformer in opposition to the brand new turbo powertrains. Nonetheless, I might beg to have that argument with lovers the place having the Mopar GT exhaust geared up on my take a look at automobile coupled with that harmonious V8 titillates senses that an inline 6-cylinder might by no means do. Fortunately, the exhaust robotically quiets down at cruising speeds while you’re not exhausting on the throttle. Aside from simply the theatrics, efficiency remains to be first rate and stays straightforward to drive, however you in the end have a slower truck that hits 60 mph in about 6 seconds in comparison with the 5-second to decrease 4-second vary with the opposite turbocharged powertrain setups. Nonetheless, this V8 and its 48-volt gentle hybrid setup with a combo generator/starter proves to nonetheless be the one for a lot of lovers, and Ram is aware of such – therefore its return.

Gasoline financial system takes successful with the V8, additionally making it a tough alternative for individuals who don’t thoughts completely different sounds and fanatic feels. The HEMI V8 returns constant figures, however at a decrease scale to match its EPA estimates of 16 mpg metropolis and 20 mpg freeway in the actual world. The mixed 18 mpg is about what you’ll anticipate to get when minding highway velocity limits in blended freeway and metropolis driving circumstances. You do get a reasonably giant gas tank at 33 gallons, supplying you with a large freeway cruising vary of about 660 miles.

Ram has lengthy prided themselves on being the extra luxurious truck that tends to trip among the many greatest within the huge discipline of the 1500 phase. The air suspension of the Ram 1500 Restricted, for one, is a bonus in lots of circumstances, supplying you with the flexibility of setting completely different automobile heights and having fun with a clean trip high quality.

For towing and payload, the HEMI V8 tops its payload ranking at 1,650 kilos and maxes towing at 11,320 kilos on a correct configuration, which is simply a distinction of about 170 kilos versus the Hurricane powertrain setup. In the event you look deep sufficient, that distinction is concerning the weight issue between the powertrains.

The inside of the Ram 1500 Restricted 4×4 is an opulent house that has many forward-thinking improvements, beginning with its configurable heart console that has twin wi-fi smartphone charging pads. From there, issues ramp up with the multitude of screens from the motive force’s digital gauge cluster to the largest-in-its-class portrait-style 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen and the ten.3-inch passenger touchscreen show. Ram retains with the posh truck theme within the Restricted trim with massaging, heating, and ventilated entrance seats that show to be reasonably cozy on lengthy journeys. The rear outboard seats even have heating and air flow. There’s correct leather-based stitching all through, and a restricted quantity of open-pore wooden trim.

Ram goes the space for its versatile storage choices, having the Ram Field setup out again that tends to take up some mattress house, however is reasonably handy for putting gadgets in a locked and weather-sealed field that may be simply accessed with simply your key fob in your pocket. On the sting of tech, the Ram 1500 now has the hands-free energetic driving help system that proved to work fairly effectively, however with the noticeable downside of permitting activation reasonably late after demanding the operate. In any other case, Stellantis appears to have system that can rival different hands-free driving techniques.

Different niceties to make truck life simpler are the trailer reverse steerage setup, digital rearview mirror with a tow mode, trailer well being monitor, digital key possibility to your Android machine or iPhone, and the numerous anticipated energetic security options, together with a good 360 digital camera system that may be introduced up at any time.

Ram manages to do all of the truck issues in fashion and splendid consolation, however you should pay a little bit for that degree of remedy to the tune of $88,480 for my nicely-equipped Ram 1500 Restricted 4×4 take a look at automobile. There’s nonetheless room so as to add a bit extra, however there’s additionally a myriad of different trim ranges, which, on the base finish, begin at $41,575 for the Tradesman trim.

Malcolm Hogan is the founder and editor of Automotive Addicts, a trusted voice within the automotive media world for over twenty years. With 20+ years of hands-on expertise masking the trade, Malcolm has constructed a popularity for delivering sincere critiques, sharp insights, and in-depth protection of all the pieces from new automotive debuts to high-performance take a look at drives. Passionate concerning the evolving automotive tradition and staying forward of the curve, Malcolm continues to steer Automotive Addicts as a go-to vacation spot for lovers and trade insiders alike.