RAM 1500 review

It won’t be much of a shock to hear that the interior of the 1500 is designed for function above all else. Even in its most basic form, the Ram’s interior is well-kitted out with the essentials, and all of the functions are laid out very traditionally: HVAC? Knobs. Gauges? Analog.

Really the only super-modern features that betray that it’s a newer car are the push-button start and twist-knob gear selector.

The lack of a center console shifter is two-fold. First, the gear selector is clustered with the applicable 4WD settings along with other drivetrain functions, keeping them in one place for easy access. Two, there’s a no-cost option to swap the center armrest for additional upfront seating. That’s right, classic bench seating. Sort of, anyway.

Contingent on trim, the materials get reasonably more up-market, along with the inclusion of the superior tech doodads. The standard quad cab is roomy enough with 52.6 cu ft (1,489 liters) available in the back, but naturally, the bigger 68 cu ft (1,925-liter) crew cab is much more accommodating.

What’s the tech situation?

The default touchscreen is a mere 12 inches but it’s perfectly functional for daily use, particularly as it's Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. Higher trims throw in the larger tablet-like 14.5-inch screen that allows users to customize all that extra screen real estate with widgets for several different functions. Again, dependent on trim, trailer controls will be found here where the HVAC once was.

If your itch for more digital displays needs scratching, there’s a full-on driver display on the table, along with a 10.3-inch screen for the passenger dashboard.

How about safety?

There’s the usual supply of standard safety features like automatic high-beams, adaptive cruise control and blind spot detection, along with other thoughtful inclusions like emergency braking for pedestrians, a key feature for such a tall truck. 360-degree cameras are optional but there are sensors that support the standard backup camera.