2016 Ram 1500 Review
Posted on March 11, 2020
The logo is unmistakable. The shape is instantly recognizable. You've seen Ram trucks on Canadian roadways for years, and now it's time for you to have one. After all, it's Canada's longest-lasting line of pickups. If you want power with high-quality materials and towing capacity, you'll find the trim level that's right for you.
Three Different Engines for Your Driving Pleasure
The entry-level Ram 1500 ST comes with a 305-horsepower Pentastar V-6 matched up with a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, and it gets 8.4L/100 km on the highway and 11.6L/100 km in the city. But you also have other choices, including a 3.0-litre turbodiesel that cranks out 420 lb.-ft. of torque and can slog through mud, gravel or just about anything else you can throw at it.
If you're looking for power on the road as well as off it, the 5.7-litre pushrod-operated HEMI V-8 is available now at Ram dealerships. With 395 horses and 410 lb.-ft. of torque at your command, you're good to go anywhere in the provinces and even take stuff with you-up to 816 kg. It's partnered with a tough six-speed automatic, and you can choose between part-time or full-time four-wheel drive on every single trim.
The Outside Design: No Doubt It's a Ram
The outside starts off with a moulded black fascia on the entry-level ST. The grille, door handles, front and rear bumpers, and even the mirrors are all moulded in black. You have choices on whether to carry more people or cargo, but Ram makes that easy for you. Pick between a regular cab size with either a 6-foot-4 inch bed or an 8-foot bed, a crew cab version with a 5-foot-7 inch or 6-foot-4 inch bed length, or the quad cab setup with the 6-foot-4 inch bed.
Quad-lens headlights, 17-inch steel wheels, a four and seven-pin wiring harness, and a rear suspension with multilink coil spring and heavy-duty shock absorbers come standard. As an option, you can get an active-level four-corner air suspension.
A Trim Level for Your Every Need
Ram offers eleven different trim levels to choose from, depending on your taste for the off-road or for luxury. The ST is the workhorse of the lineup, and it gets an audio system with six speakers, AC, a heavy vinyl-covered bench seat with a 40/20/40 split, cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, and behind-the-seat storage bins. The SXT gets you cloth seats, remote keyless entry, SiriusXM satellite radio, chrome bumpers and grille, and carpet floor covering.
The SLT gets a boost with the Uconnect infotainment system connected to a five-inch touchscreen, a power sliding rear window, power door locks and windows, chrome door handles and temperature/compass display. Ram's HFE (High Fuel Efficiency) edition adds Stop/Start technology that shuts off cylinders when not needed, 17-inch aluminum wheels, Active Air grille shutters, and an 800-amp maintenance-free battery.
Move to the Outdoorsman and you're set for some serious hauling. You get tow hooks, fog lamps, black door handles, and a body-coloured grille. Select the 4x4 version and you get a transfer case skid plate, front suspension skid plate, Class IV hitch receiver, and rear extra heavy-duty shock absorbers. The Sport gives you the 5.7-liter HEMI engine, premium speakers, 22-inch forged, polished aluminum wheels, a body-colour grille, behind-the-seat storage, and a power 10-way driver's seat with 2-way lumbar adjust. You also get a premium 7-inch full-colour customizable in-cluster display centre, Uconnect with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls.
The Big Horn stands out with its chrome tubular side steps, chrome power-folding mirrors with turn signals and courtesy lamps, chrome grille with chrome billets, and dual rear exhaust with bright tips. You also get a choice between the HEMI and the 3.0-liter Ecodiesel. Ram's Laramie trim takes you into luxury territory with heated, ventilated front seats, dual-zone air conditioning with humidity sensor, woodgrain accents, and a leather-faced bench seat.
That bench seat includes a t-way power driver's seat with memory and six-way front passenger seat with two-way lumbar adjust. A 10-speaker audio system with subwoofer and 506-watt amp is standard, and you also get a rear back-up camera, security alarm, and premium LED taillamps and halogen headlights with chrome surround.
New and Luxury Models for 2016
The added model for 2016 is the Ram Rebel, which comes with Active Level four-corner air suspension, a choice between the 3.6-litre Pentastar and 5.7-litrel HEMI, and loads of premium features. The steering wheel, grab handles, and front seats are all leather. The cabin has real wood accents, the rear seats are heated, and so is the steering wheel. Both front seats are power-adjustable with lumbar support, and it has rear in-floor storage, rear under-seat storage bins, and front and rear-door accent lighting. Chrome wheel-to-wheel side steps are included.
Topping the Ram lineup are the Laramie Longhorn and the Laramie Limited. The Longhorn has multiple standard features including a spray-in bedliner, running board in white gold metallic colour, tow hooks, a double-stacked centre console with full leather lid, and leather and wood accents. The Limited comes with just about every option available, and adds keyless entry, push button start, chrome body moulding, side steps, tailgate accents and premium floor mats.
You've seen the specs. Whether you know what you want or are still unsure, we can help. Stop by and test drive one of the 2016 Ram 1500 truck models today and see why Edmunds wrote,
"Looking for a half-ton pickup with clever outside-the-box thinking? You'll want to look closely at the 2016 Ram 1500."