2022 Ram 1500 Diesel

　　

2022 Ram 1500 Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.

　　Last year, Ram dropped the 702-horsepower TRX performance truck into the market, making it the truck to beat for high-speed desert running and all-around attitude. The TRX brought the aging Ram 1500 even more deserved recognition, and it remains one of our favorites in the light-duty full-size segment for its accessible technology, comfortable and high-quality interior, smooth ride, and stout payload and towing capacity.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Ram 1500 HFE 4dr Crew Cab SB (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.94 per gallon for diesel in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$221/mo  for 1500 HFE

　　1500 HFE

　　HFE 4dr Crew Cab SB (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 8A) (Most Popular) - $46,006 MSRP

　　vs

　　$233/mo

　　Avg. Large Truck

　　However, the Ram's rivals are not parked in a back lot idling with their lights turned off. Ford debuted an all-new F-150 in 2021 and is expanding the model lineup with the fully electric F-150 Lightning in 2022. The 2022 Toyota Tundra is completely redesigned too. Even Chevrolet and GMC are getting it together with refreshed 2022 Silverado and Sierra 1500 models that have significantly improved interiors and technology features.

　　To stay in the hunt, the 2022 Ram 1500 gets the brand's latest Uconnect 5 infotainment technology as standard or optional equipment in all but the base Tradesman trim. Available with an 8.4-inch or 12-inch touchscreen display, Uconnect 5 promises quicker responsiveness and over-the-air software updates that allow Ram to upgrade the system in the future. New trim packages also debut for 2022, including the Longhorn SouthFork and Limited 10th Anniversary models.

　　If this sounds like your kind of truck, be sure to read our full Expert Rating below to see what our testing team thinks of the Ram 1500.

　　

What's it like to live with?

One reason we're such big fans of the Ram 1500 is that we bought one and lived with it for two years and more than 35,000 miles. The crew-cab short-bed Laramie's 5.7-liter V8 utterly guzzled gas, but aside from an unusual number of minor recalls, the 2019 Ram 1500 proved comfortable, capable and trouble-free. Get all of the details in our Ram 1500 long-term test.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the 1500 drive? Our test truck had the V8 engine and the eight-speed transmission. They work so well together that we could recommend this truck on that basis alone. It's strong, and it's easy to drive in just about every situation. The same can largely be said for the newly reintroduced EcoDiesel powertrain — especially if you appreciate the pulling power of diesel torque.

　　But there's much more to the Ram than solid powertrain choices. We've tested many Ram configurations, and they all impress us with their steady steering, confident braking and secure handling. Ram's decade-old decision to walk away from leaf springs and switch to a coil-spring rear suspension continues to pay dividends.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the 1500? Wind and road noise is minimal, particularly in higher trim levels. Even the rumbling V8 provides only a soothing soundtrack unless you decide to open it up. The Ram 1500 expertly soaks up varying road imperfections and does it without the rough ride you'd normally expect from a light-duty pickup.

　　The front seats are nicely shaped to provide comfort and support over long distances, and that's even true of the entry-level Tradesman. Even the rear bench has an agreeable backrest angle, and it reclines a surprising amount in higher trims. We also like the Ram 1500's effective climate control system, which offers rear center A/C vents even if you get three-across front seating.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below