Just outside of San Antonio, we got out first chance to get behind the wheel of the 2019 Ram 1500. The pickup truck debuted at the Detroit auto show in January, but we haven’t had a chance to drive it until now. We did some driving on-road and off-road — and even got a chance to do a little towing.
Related: First Drive: Does the All-New 2019 Ram 1500 Deliver?
Our first impressions of how it drives? We are very impressed with the frequency-damping shock absorbers that use new technology on the coil suspension. Upgrades were also made to the available four-corner air suspension, and now it’s smarter than it was before; it offers a slightly softer ride when needed and stiffens appropriately during more aggressive driving.
Some things weren’t as impressive, however. The 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 hasn’t received any upgrades, which means that, while it feels a bit more responsive thanks to the lighter weight of the new Ram 1500, it doesn’t wow with its performance. Our unscientific fuel-economy calculations during the drive event resulted in a combined rating of around 20 mpg, in line with the previous generation’s performance.
Inside, the 12-inch multimedia screen impressed, with a host of information readily available. One complaint about the new interior is the lack of a power-adjustable steering wheel and column. It still tilts and telescopes manually, but powered controls would be preferred.
Watch the video to learn more about the 2019 Ram 1500, including off-road and towing impressions, and check out the full text of PickupTruck.com Editor Mark Williams’ First Drive here or via the related link above.
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