The Ram 1500 has in recent years been my favorite pickup truck. It is available with a number of different engines (including a monster 6.2L supercharged V8), it has one of the most spacious cabins, and can carry or tow more than enough for the average person’s needs. In 2022, is there any way to improve this truck?
Performance
Engine – The last Ram 1500 that I test drove had the EcoDiesel engine. It returned great fuel economy numbers and had plenty of torque but it still had the traditional diesel sound that is not as pleasing to the ears. This 2022 Ram 1500 Limited has the classic Hemi V8. But with a sprinkle of modern technology. The 5.7L V8 produces 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque (295 kW & 556 Nm) and is assisted by a 48-volt mild hybrid system that Ram calls eTorque. This is a belt driven electric motor/generator that can provide an additional 130 lb-ft of torque (176 Nm) when it’s needed. The thing is, you don’t really feel it because it is so subtle. You do feel getting pushed into the back of the seat when setting off though. Despite the truck weighing 2,484 kg (5,476 lbs), the Ram 1500 gets off the line quickly and has no issues whatsoever passing slower moving traffic.
Fuel Economy – The addition of the eTorque 48-volt mild hybrid system does allow the Ram 1500 to get better fuel economy numbers. The eTorque motor also provides a smooth auto start/stop but it’s not as advanced as the mild hybrid system that is equipped on some BMW & Mercedes-Benz vehicles where it will shut off the engine while coasting. But even so, the 2022 Ram 1500 4×4 Hemi eTorque is rated for 13.4 L/100km (17.5 MPG) in a city and 10.5 L/100km (22.4 MPG) on a highway. In the real world, it is possible to somewhat reach those numbers. During my time with the truck, I averaged 13.2 L/100km (17.8 MPG) but this was done with a 400 km trip to a resort town just north of Vancouver. It is primarily highway driving but it’s also mountainous. In a city environment, it is hard to achieve the rated city fuel economy.
Transmission – The Ram 1500 eTorque is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This is a smooth shifting box with nearly seamless gear changes. It’s plenty fast to change gears too or react to a stab of the throttle but you cannot take over shifting duties. The most you can do is limit how high of a gear to go into when towing or going down a hill.
Braking – The brakes on the Ram 1500 are strong and easy to modulate for smooth stops. Nose dive is well controlled by the suspension and the brake pedal progressively gets firmer the harder you push on it.
Handling – This Ram 1500 Limited is not a TRX by any means but the air suspension system limits enough of the body roll through corners to not make it feel as though the truck is driving on its door handles. Steering is just light enough at slow speeds for parking but firms up when on the move with a decently direct feel. This particular trim of the Ram 1500 was not meant to go off the beaten path but it is equipped with automatic 4×4 and the air suspension can raise the truck to an off-road 2 height.
Capability – In this crew cab, short bed configuration with 4×4, the 2022 Ram 1500 Limited is rated to carry 1,620 lbs of payload and tow up to 8,060 lbs. When properly configured and equipped, the Ram 1500 can carry as much as 2,320 lbs and tow up to 12,750 lbs.
The bed comes in either 5’7” or 6’4” lengths and can be optioned with the Ram Boxes on either side. These do take up some of the bed area but are great for storing tools as they are lockable. The tailgate on this demo vehicle is the barn door design to allow for easier access to the bed. There’s also a little deployable step from under the bumper to make getting into the bed easier. However, GM’s MultiPro or MultiFlex tailgates offer more configurations and make it easier to get in and out of the bed.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – Even with the 22-inch wheels, the ride of the Ram 1500 Limited is superb thanks to the air suspension and multilink rear suspension. It doesn’t necessarily glide over bumps like the Mercedes S-class but among other truck competitors, this easily has the best ride.
Interior Space – The 2022 Ram 1500 also has one of the largest cabins among its truck competitors. Even with my above average height of 6’4”, I feel small in the front seats of the Ram. The seats themselves are plenty comfortable with enough adjustments for both tall and short individuals.
The rear seats feel more like lounges. Again, legroom and headroom is more than adequate. The rear seats can also recline, a bit, and they can also be optioned with ventilation – in addition to heating. There’s plenty of light in the back as well thanks to the large panoramic sunroof.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – The Ram 1500 has one of the best insulated interiors among the big three truck manufacturers. Wind, road, and engine noise are very well insulated from the occupants. It’s a shame though that the engine wasn’t louder because who doesn’t like the sound of a big brawly V8?
Odds and Ends
Pricing – The 2022 Ram 1500 is offered in a variety of trim levels and even more options within each trim. This Limited trim starts at $80,595 CAD ($61,695 USD, 4×2) with this demo vehicle being equipped to the tune of $98,300 CAD ($79,940 USD)
Gadgets – For all that money, the Ram 1500 Limited is not sparsely equipped. It has the usual luxury features such as soft leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front & rear seats, a head-up display, a panoramic sunroof, surround view cameras, a 12-inch touchscreen, rear camera mirror, and wireless phone charging to name just a few.
The infotainment system is updated to the new Uconnect 5 system for the 2022 model year. It runs smoothly and the touchscreen is quick to react to inputs. I haven’t had any issues connecting and using wireless Android Auto with the new system. Uconnect 5 is customizable for your specific preferences with custom widgets on the home screen, a favorites drop down menu, and multiple themes to choose from that can all be linked to your profile.
Interior Design – Since the introduction of this generation of Ram truck back in 2019, it has easily been the nicest and most luxurious pickup truck on the market. This 10th Anniversary Limited trim has unique interior styling cues with a special plaque on the center armrest and unique leather/fabric trim across the seats. This is the type of interior that one would expect from a nearly 6-figure pickup truck and the Ram delivers.
Exterior Design – The exterior of the Ram 1500 limited exudes the styling of a luxury truck. From the large 22-inch wheels to the chrome grille to the power deployable side steps that welcome you into the cabin, this truck has it all.
Safety – One thing that the Ram 1500 does not have is a wide range of standard advanced safety features. Automatic emergency braking becomes a standard feature only when moving up to the Sport trim. Other features such as lane keep, front pedestrian detection with emergency braking and adaptive cruise control with stop/go function are options as part of the Limited Level 1 Equipment group.
The IIHS gave the 2022 Ram 1500 a Top Safety Pick with good ratings in crash tests and good ratings for the LED projector headlights. However the lower trims with halogen reflector headlamps received marginal ratings.
Warranty – Like most other Ram vehicles, the 2022 Ram 1500 Limited is covered by a 3 year / 60,000 km basic and 5 year / 100,000 km powertrain warranty. For more information on Canadian warranty, click here. For USA warranty information, click here.
Conclusion – Although this generation of the Ram 1500 is 3 years old now, it is still one of my favorite full size pickup trucks on the market. There’s a trim level for just about every person from the hard working Tradesman to the luxurious Limited to the crazy TRX. However the competitors have caught up and are offering features that the Ram doesn’t have such as a full hybrid powertrain. So its days on top of the hill may be numbered.
Thank you to Ram Trucks Canada for providing the vehicle. www.RamTruck.ca
2022 Ram 1500 Limited Hemi eTorque Video Review
2022 Ram 1500 Limited Hemi eTorque Gallery
Can you provide what was the differential ratio of the truck tested, 3.21 or 3.92 ?
Unfortunately I do not know which rear differential it had as it did not say in the provided spec sheet.