Despite all the competition, the Dodge Ram remains an excellent choice and perhaps the best all-around half-ton truck.

Dodge Ram is relatively unchanged since the company revamped and restyled it in 2002. Ram trucks come as either two-door regular cab or four-door quad cab, with a choice of three trim levels: base ST, midlevel SLT and top-of-the-line Laramie. A sport package including fog lights and17-inch aluminum wheels can be added to the SLT and Laramie for an additional cost. Approximately 80 percent of Dodge Rams are quad cabs. Dodge also offers the Viper-powered SRT-10 Ram in both quad cab and regular cab, however this report excludes the SRT-10.

The quad-cab model rides on a wheelbase that is 20 inches longer than the regular cab model. With the redesign in 2002, Dodge shortened the bed three inches and added it to the truck’s interior room. The standard bed length is now six feet, three inches with an eight-foot bed available. The eight-foot-bed Rams get a 35-gallon fuel tank in place of the standard 26-gallon tank, and adds about $300 to $350 to the price.

Our test Ram was the nicely equipped midlevel four-wheel-drive SLT regular cab with the short bed. Base price before options is $26,800. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, heated power mirrors, power windows, AM/FM/CD audio player and chrome wheels. Optional equipment on our Ram included the upgrade to the 5.7-liter V-8 345-horsepower Hemi engine, which adds $995 to the price. It’s the most popular engine choice for the Ram 1500. A five-speed automatic is the only transmission available with the Hemi engine.

The Hemi engine proved exceptionally smooth, responsive and powerful, just like the glut of Hemi television commercials tout. But the big Hemi and its 345 horses are mighty thirsty, with my fuel economy averaging just 12.2 miles per gallon on an even mix of highway and city driving. Unless you need the extra horsepower for hauling a horse trailer or boat, the excellent performing and more efficient 4.7-liter V-8 should more than adequately serve your needs. A new for ’05 six-speed manual transmission is standard with the 4.7-liter V-8, with the automatic optional.

Also new for 2005 is a power sunroof and Sirius® Satellite Radio, both optional for quad cab models.

Starting up front with its bold cross-hair grille, the Ram presents a distinct muscular appearance. The exterior design, which is basically unchanged since 2002, still looks fresh and modern. Front fenders are prominent, sloping forward to multi-element headlamps enclosed behind clear plastic covers. For 2005 Dodge added a chrome Ram’s head to the center of the tailgate. I loved the overall look.

Inside, our Ram came with the optional and upgraded cloth front bench seat, split 40/20/40 with the center section converting to a huge fold-down armrest. Most importantly the seats were comfortable and I suffered no fatigue during long drives. White-faced gauges are nicely illuminated in a soft green at night and are both easy to read and easy on the eyes.

The cabin is spacious, even for extra-large adults. And because of Ram’s higher cabin height and huge mirrors, visibility is excellent. Standard power adjustable pedals improve driver comfort. Interior build quality is excellent although, as with most trucks, hard plastic is overused on the dash and door trim. While the audio system could be easier to use, it’s easy to become addicted to the optional Sirius® satellite radio with nearly 200 commercial-free stations. Steering wheel controls for the audio system are optional.

Ram is a big truck with a commanding presence on the road. It’s tall and seems wide yet handles reasonably well. The ride can get bouncy, especially with four-wheel drive and a stiffer suspension. Highway noise was minimal and the overall cabin was impressively quiet. Our test Ram was solid and rattle free. All Rams come standard with large four-wheel disc brakes that are responsive and feel secure.

Towing capacity is rated at 9,300 pounds for our Hemi powered four-wheel drive Ram. However, the ST Ram with the 3.7-liter V-6, two-wheel drive and manual transmission is rated at just over 3,000 pounds.

Depowered front airbags are standard with side window head curtain airbags optional at $390. Side impact airbags are neither standard nor available. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave Ram its highest rating of “good” for front crash testing. The vehicle was not crash tested for side impact results.

Overall I like the Dodge Ram 1500 and its big capabilities. As a daily driver its comfortable, quiet, handles reasonably well, enjoys very good build quality and impressive crash test results. When necessary and if called upon the big Ram can handle some heavy duty hauling and towing work. Even with all the new entries on the market, its styling remains attractive. Ram is an excellent choice, but consider the dismal mileage before you pick the Hemi. Finally, if you’re not used to driving a truck, you could quickly tire of the bouncy ride.

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