2019 Ram 1500 is ‘Blowing Away’ the Competition: Consumer Reports

Luxury car ride, sports car handling, and muscle car power? What more could you want from the all-new 2019 Ram 1500?

The paint is barely dry on the all-new 2019 Ram 1500, yet reviews are pouring in. And suffice to say, they’ve been largely glowing. But oftentimes you have to take these things with a grain of salt. Opinions, after all, vary greatly. And what one person considers a positive, others may not. But when the famously critical Consumer Reports likes something, that’s really saying something. And judging by their recent review of the 2019 Ram 1500, they like it. A lot.

First of all, CR gives the new Ram lots of kudos for its impressive ride quality. Credit the coil spring rear suspension for that. Even with 20-inch wheels on their Laramie tester, CR calls the Ram’s ride quality its “standout feature.” Together with a coffin-quiet interior, it’s enough to make “drivers think their truck is a luxury car.”

CR calls the 5.7-liter V8 and eight-speed automatic powertrain “satisfying” and “strong and seamless.” And like us, they enjoyed the “muscle car soundtrack” that emanates from the truck’s exhaust when you nail the gas. There’s plenty of old school truck sound and feel here, which CR notes isn’t present in Ford’s Ecoboost V6 lineup.

Surprisingly, that performance isn’t just of the straight line variety, either. CR calls the 2019 Ram 1500 “surprisingly responsive for a truck this size.” With little body lean and even precise steering, this isn’t what you expect from a full-size pickup. And like other reviews we’ve seen, CR praises the Ram’s attention to detail on the inside, loads of room and storage, and ease of use.

Overall, Consumer Reports showers the new Ram with praise, even saying that it “blows away the competition when it comes to driving ability.” There’s just one caveat of course, and it’s something we’ll have to wait and see how it pans out – reliability. In all fairness, CR notes that the 2017 Ram has exhibited “good” reliability so far, so hopefully the new one will continue that trend. Because from the looks of things, it’s certainly nailed everything else!

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Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.