REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

Feeling its age

Everyone knows that the Dodge Ram could never hope to beat its GM or Ford rivals in terms of numbers. But if it canґt outsell them, over the past five years it has come up with several trendsetting ideas that have been a breath of fresh air to a sometimes stagnant market segment. Now the competition has pulled up its socks, and the Ram has had to concede defeat in several contested areas while awaiting its soon-to-be-unveiled next model.The Ram will undoubtedly go down in history as being the first standard mini-van to embrace ergonomics, a concept initially rejected by certain narrow-minded people who perceived it as a threat to their machinesґ powerful appearance. The overall impression created by the Ram is one of novelty and ingenuity, viz. the multi-use armrest in the middle-still as practical as ever. However, the materials are not great and the seats offer just as little support.

The seat belts in the Quad Cab versions are built right into the seats to make it easier for passengers to get into and out of the back seats.Whichever one of its five engines Chrysler installed under the hood, the Ram manages just fine. But the really good news concerns the V-10 option for Quad Cab models and the 2500 shorter-wheelbase series. The diesel engines have recently been given a power-boost but unfortunately theyґre as noisy as ever, and the road grip – previously one of the Ramґs strong points-is not as impressive as it used to be.

The over-active suspension makes a point of communicating every bump and hollow in the road to the driver via the steering column, while remaining heavy at low speeds. As for cornering ability, the Ram still hasnґt got it right, and this makes it difficult to perform certain parking maneuvers. The brake system isnґt much to cheer about either: the calibration is finicky, especially when the box is empty. Considering the results of this test-run, itґs hard to believe that anyone whoґs a confirmed F Series and GM fan could be lured away by the Ram.

PROS
Range of model and engine options
Easy entry to Quad Cab models
Attractive exterior lines

CONS
Final model year
Vibrating suspension
Wide turning circle