2014 Ram 1500 review
Ram 1500 highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Smooth-riding suspension mixes with sharp handling
- Refined and quiet, the Ram 1500 feels more sophisticated than key rivals
Cons
- Rotary shift for the eight-speed automatic is odd
- Bluetooth® connectivity optional on entry-level models
Mileage (EPA estimate)
13 city, 19 highway, 15 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
2014 Ram 1500 gains an optional diesel V6 and drops a V8
Customers in the full-size light-duty pickup class want choice, and that's exactly what the 2014 Ram 1500 offers. It's available in regular, extended, and crew cabs with seating for three to six people, with a choice of cargo beds (5-foot-7, 6-foot-4, and 8-foot lengths), in either rear- or four-wheel drive. New for 2014 is the addition of a V6 turbodiesel, making the Ram 1500 the only of its kind to offer a diesel option. With its arrival, as well as the increased performance of the new-for-2013 3.6-liter gasoline V6, Ram has dropped its 4.7-liter V8 trim. The 5.7-liter V8 remains at the top of the range, offering the most towing power of the three engine choices.
Trim levels start with the Tradesman, followed by the HFE, SLT, Sport, Laramie, and top-of-the-line Longhorn. Trim availability varies across the engine and cab-and-cargo bed configurations, and the HFE only comes in a regular cab with rear-wheel drive. For a good mix of standard equipment and desirable styling additions such as body-colored bumpers and grille and dual exhaust, you should seek out the Sport trim. All Ram 1500s drive well due to the coil-spring rear suspension, but an optional air suspension lets you lift or lower the Ram 1500 as needed. Refined and agile, given its size, the Ram 1500 is easy to recommend, and it's even stronger with its 2014 upgrades.
All Ram 1500 years
What is new for the 2014 Ram 1500?
- 1500 trims have been upgraded with Leatherette & Cloth as standard equipment this year.
- Adjustable Suspension and Turbo Diesel Engine features are now available as options on select trims.
- The Tradesman trim now comes with Cloth Seats as standard equipment.
- The Sport trim now comes with Heated Steering Wheel, Front Seat Heaters, Rear View Camera, Flex Fuel Vehicle, and Tow Hitch as standard equipment.
- The Laramie trim now comes with Tow Hitch as standard equipment.
- The SLT trim now comes with Bluetooth Technology and Tow Hitch as standard equipment.
- The Express trim now comes with Tow Hitch and Satellite Radio Ready as standard equipment.
- The Laramie Longhorn trim now comes with Rear Defroster, Tow Hitch, Navigation System, and Bluetooth Technology as standard equipment.
- The HFE trim now comes with CD Audio as standard equipment.
- The R/T trim now comes with Rear View Camera, Heated Steering Wheel, Front Seat Heaters, 20 Inch Plus Wheels, Bluetooth Technology, and Alpine Sound System as standard equipment.
5 reasons to buy the 2014 Ram 1500
1. Three powerful engine options
Any full-size pickup truck needs a powerful motor under the hood, and the 2014 RAM 1500 has three potent powerplants available. First is the standard 3.6L V6 engine, producing 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Standard on Sport and Longhorn trims is a fearsome 5.7L HEMI® V8 engine, good for 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. Finally, new for 2014 models is a 3.0L turbocharged diesel V6, producing 240 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. Whichever motor you choose, one thing is for certain: you won't be lacking power out on the highway.
2. Impressive pulling power
Need a towing machine that can handle those tough payloads day in, day out? The 2014 RAM 1500 is a perfect candidate. All three available engines give the 2014 RAM 1500 formidable pulling power, with the king of the hill being the 5.7L HEMI® V8 engine. This unit provides the 2014 RAM 1500 with a maximum estimated towing capacity of up to 10,450 lbs when properly equipped.
3. Frugal options
If you still want strong pulling power but would like to minimize trips to the pumps as well, the 2014 RAM 1500 has got you covered. The HFE trim includes automatic engine stop-start and the standard 3.6L V6 engine is good for an EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined.
4. Comfortable and spacious inside
Just like with the engines, there are three cab styles with the 2014 RAM 1500. The normal Regular Cab seats three across the front seat, with your two passengers having 41 inches of front seat legroom to stretch out into—this stays consistent across the cab configurations. The Quad Cab doubles the seating capacity to six, with 34.7 inches of rear-seat legroom, and the Crew Cab offers the most interior space with 40.3 inches of rear seat legroom. The 2014 RAM 1500 is a work vehicle that can handle family car duties and allows you to bring your buddies along for that road trip you've always dreamed of.
5. Six trim levels and a packed feature list
With a total of six main trim levels, plus four additional packages, the 2014 RAM 1500 has a lengthy list of features and configurations. Whatever your specific requirements, there's a RAM 1500 model perfectly suited for your needs. Even the base Tradesman trim includes the Express option package, which features the 5.7L V8 engine normally reserved for higher trims. At the other end of the list are the top-of-the-range Laramie and Longhorn trims, which include heated mirrors and dual-zone automatic climate control. They also unlock the Limited package, which features full leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats.
Shop with your budget in mind
Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Ram 1500 an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Ram 1500 3rd out of 19 among Fullsize Trucks.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Ram 1500Ram 1500 features and specs
Tradesman 2WD 2D Regular Cab
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- AM/FM Stereo
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Cruise Control
- Overhead Airbags
- Side Airbags
- Tow Hitch
- Traction Control
- Vinyl Seats
- Alloy Wheels
- Bed Cover
- Bed Liner
- Bluetooth Technology
- CD Audio
- Cloth Seats
- Flex Fuel Vehicle
- Long Bed
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- RamBox
- Rear View Camera
- Running Boards
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Tow Hitch
- Turbo Diesel Engine
- Vinyl Seats
Drive Wheels
Rear Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
3.0L
Horsepower
240
Torque (ft-lbs)
420
Engine type
Turbo Diesel
Fuel capacity
32
Wheelbase
140"
Overall length
231"
Width
79.4"
Height
74.4"
Leg room
F 41"
Head room
F 40.3"
Front tires
P265/70SR17
Rear tires
P265/70SR17
Seating capacity
3
Max towing capacity
460/4600 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2014 Ram 1500 FAQ
The 2014 Ram 1500 is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- Tradesman : 20 MPG City and 28 MPG Highway
- Tradesman : 17 MPG City and 25 MPG Highway
- Express : 17 MPG City and 25 MPG Highway
- Laramie Longhorn : 15 MPG City and 22 MPG Highway
- Bighorn : 17 MPG City and 25 MPG Highway
- Bighorn : 20 MPG City and 28 MPG Highway
- Lonestar : 17 MPG City and 25 MPG Highway
- Lonestar : 20 MPG City and 28 MPG Highway
- SLT : 17 MPG City and 25 MPG Highway
- SLT : 20 MPG City and 28 MPG Highway
- Laramie Limited : 15 MPG City and 22 MPG Highway
- Laramie : 17 MPG City and 25 MPG Highway
- Laramie : 20 MPG City and 28 MPG Highway
- Outdoorsman : 17 MPG City and 25 MPG Highway
- Outdoorsman : 20 MPG City and 28 MPG Highway
- Sport : 15 MPG City and 22 MPG Highway
- R/T : 15 MPG City and 22 MPG Highway
- HFE : 18 MPG City and 25 MPG Highway
The Ram 1500 received a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks the Ram 1500 as 2 out of 19 among Fullsize Truck
The 2014 Ram 1500 has received an average 4.1 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2014 Ram 1500, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2014 Ram 1500 Reviews.
The 2014 Ram 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of between 4000 and 12500 pounds, when properly equipped. Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
Here is what's new for the 2014 Ram 1500:
- Leatherette & Cloth
- Turbo Diesel Engine
- Cloth Seats
- Tow Hitch
- Satellite Radio Ready
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Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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