Ram 1500: Tough as Nails

The Ram 1500 remains an exotic sight on German roads – bold, rare, and commanding attention. While it now gets six-cylinder engines to meet modern demands, this adjustment slightly chips away at its undeniable cool factor.

An American Icon on European Streets

Few vehicles embody the American Way of Life quite like a pickup truck. When Americans talk trucks, they’re referring to the heavyweights: the Ford F150, GMC Sierra, and the Ram 1500. This trio makes something like a VW Amarok seem like a toy. For someone from the American Midwest, the Volkswagen is just for fetching donuts. The Ram 1500, however? „That’s the real deal,“ say the Jims and Johns, chewing gum and proudly asserting that this vehicle is the epitome of rugged authenticity.

Now, the fifth generation of the Ram 1500 has arrived in Germany. At nearly six meters long, almost two meters high, and weighing around 2,500 kilograms, this American beast is an imposing presence. Drive a Dodge Ram through a German city, and even the most stubborn cargo bike riders give way. This truck makes a statement, though for some, it’s one that feels out of sync with the times. With fewer buyers in Europe, about 8,000 full-size pickups are sold annually on the continent, and 6,000 of those are Ram 1500s. Two-thirds of them find homes in Germany.

Under the Hood: Six Cylinders to Meet the Times

Even the indestructible rolling cowboy has to evolve. The much-loved V8 Hemi engine is nowhere to be found on the current spec sheet. Instead, buyers will find three six-cylinder options: two 3.0-liter engines delivering either 313 kW / 420 PS with 636 Nm of torque or 397 kW / 540 PS with 706 Nm of torque, and a 3.6-liter Pentastar with mild-hybrid tech offering 227 kW / 305 PS and 364 Nm. We took the Ram 1500 with the 420 PS engine for a spin—close to the entry-level model, which starts at €62,105.

With this version, we missed out on the adjustable air suspension and the 10.25-inch passenger display. Even the 10-inch head-up display was absent. You could say we were driving a „no-frills“ Ram 1500, yet this truck still stands tall with its imposing road presence.

Spartan Yet Capable Interior

The interior reflects the American Way of Life and the Ram 1500’s workhorse roots. Hard plastic dominates wherever your eyes and hands land—unlike the plush, foamy materials European automakers obsess over. But this makes sense. In America, pickups spend as much time in the woods as they do in the garage.

They’re built for work. Despite the basic cabin feel, the Ram 1500 has its charms. The driver looks at traditional analog gauges and a 7-inch display, while a 12-inch touchscreen serves as the infotainment hub. Sure, the graphics aren’t as polished as those found in BMWs or Mercedes, but you don’t drive a Ram for PlayStation-level graphics—you drive it because it stands out from the sea of SUVs.

Rugged, Practical, and a Bit Soft on the Ears

The Ram 1500 comes with rear-wheel drive and an option to switch to all-wheel drive with lower gears. A cool feature is the adjustable pedal positioning, making it easier to find the perfect driving stance. However, not everything about the engine is as impressive as its numbers suggest. At idle, the six-cylinder delivers a promising rumble, but at higher speeds, it sounds more like a mild breeze than a roaring storm. Even flooring it won’t coax much excitement from the Hurricane-series engine. Compared to the deep, resonating growl of the Hemi V8, this six-cylinder feels more like a school orchestra in concert—a bit underwhelming.

But where the Ram 1500 shines is in its ability to cruise comfortably. The suspension is set up to glide over bumps and large speed humps with ease. However, smaller potholes and uneven road surfaces cause the body to sway and jostle, and the steering feels pretty indirect, encouraging a laid-back driving style. That suits the Ram just fine—it’s not meant to be a sports car. With the Hurricane engine, you’ve got enough power under the hood to keep things moving, but don’t expect the same effortless punch you’d get from a V8.

Switch to sport mode, and the traction control turns off, offering the possibility of some tail-happy antics—if not for the intervention of the electronic systems. The tires might spin briefly when accelerating out of a corner, but at 2.5 tons, this truck wasn’t built for drift contests. During our test drive, we averaged 14.9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, whereas Ram claims 11.2 l/100 km.

Electric Future Coming Soon

For those leaning toward electric power, fear not. By the end of next year, Ram will offer the fully electric Ram 1500 Rev, boasting a 168 kWh battery (using LG cells) for a range of 563 kilometers. „We aim to bring the best electric pickup to the market,“ says Matt Huber in his broad Detroit accent.

When asked how the Rev compares to the Ford F150 Lightning, the Ram product planner confidently states, „It does everything better“ and points to the massive front trunk (frunk), which offers 424 liters of storage. The electric Ram may not win over everyone in America, so Ram also has a version with the Pentastar engine working as a range extender—a 3.6-liter V6 as a backup generator? That says it all.