Some quick facts:
- Revamped Rebel EcoDiesel scores 24 mpg on highway fuel-economy test
- Refined and more efficient turbocharger
- Turbocharged DOHC 24-valve diesel V6
- 480 lb-ft torque and 260 horsepower
- Rated to tow up to 12,560 lbs
- Hits 60mpg in 8.1 seconds
Ram’s all-new EcoDiesel V6 engine is definitely a step in 1500. On the back of the previous diesel scandal and an EPA investigation, they have really revamped their engine standards with the aim of impressing even the most stubborn of critics. This model is top class in towing, torque and efficiency. After undergoing a range of powertrain upgrades, the 2020 Ram 1500 is by far the most capable half-ton diesel pickup truck in its field.
Exterior Features
The 2020 Ram 1500 model boasts impressive 18-inch steel wheels with all-season tires that measure 275/65R18 BSW. in front it has a touch of elegance thanks to its refined black grille. This elegance is a welcome contrast to its otherwise muscular and quite beefy body design. The model features chrome badging throughout. This pickup truck has a cargo lamp and high-visibility CHMSL with rear incandescent tail lights.
At the front, the new 2020 Ram 1500 shows off its quad-halogen fully-automatic headlamps, they offer top of the range illumination in low-light conditions. The multifunction tailgate and RamBox cargo management system make room for quick and easy bed access thanks to its power sideboards. The new tailgate assist makes use of a nitrogen-oil hybrid in order to provide hassle-free access, no matter what the climate is.
Interior Features
The 2020 Ram 1500 has a revamped luxury interior that transforms the cabin to look a lot like a cockpit. The designers integrated state-of-the-art technology and a fourth-generation Ram Uconnect media system. It is easy to recognize that the new 1500 jams in all the toys, giving you a quality and unforgettable driving experience. It comes with a 12-inch central touchscreen display which is actually the largest in its class. This pickup also comes with a bezel-less, edge-to-edge navigation screen and SiriusXM radio. The driver’s panel has a sleek and newly redesigned 7-inch digital cluster. The digital cluster has a 3D graphical display to providing accurate traction and in-ride speed information. In the cabin’s anterior body there are frame-mounted mass modules that actively cancel noise while reducing engine sound giving you a quiet, 57-decibel driving experience.
Optional Features
In some select models, the 2020 Ram 1500 includes genuine stainless steel grilles in order to complement its 900-watt Harman Kardon audio system. The whole range of optional features includes additional under-seat storage, extended legroom, a panoramic sunroof and a fold-down center console as well as quite a long list of truck accessories.
Fans of the EcoDiesel engine can choose a modest upgrade in the Pentastar V6 eTorque engine on the Tradesman and Big Horn model trims. having said that, the most powerful optional engine feature by far is the V8 5.7L HEMI engine on the Longhorn, Laramie, Rebel, Sport, Limited and class models.
Under the Hood
The new Ram 1500 sports the same refined V6 powertrain as the one in the 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler (Just Jeeps). A 3.0L EcoDiesel engine is matched with an 8-speed automatic e-shifter. This provides a smooth, powerful that will take you anywhere. To achieve a far more powerful drive experience, the 5.7L HEMI VVT V8 engine is made available, it provides top of range stellar hauling.
In any case, whether you choose a V6 or V8 powertrain, both of the engines are fully equipped with a 48V hybrid electrical support. Even though the 3.0L EcoDiesel does not measure up to the optional V8 HEMI, the new Ram 1500 is not at all an underpowered truck. With its 240 horsepower output, the V6 is definitely stronger than ever and it features a redesigned iron block, designed to be 15 lbs lighter than it was before.
The EcoDiesel engine outperforms most other half-ton pickups from rivals. It outperforms the Ford and Chevrolet models by sporting an impressive 480 lb-ft of torque. Even though the maximum towing capacity is less than the Ford F-150 (13,200 lb-ft), the new Ram 1500 still does yield a stellar output at 12,750 lbs with a heavy 2,000 lbs payload. The add-in air springs and the rear suspension lead to a smoother and much more comfortable ride even when you are driving in off-road conditions.
Fuel Economy
The 2020 Ram 1500 returns 17 mpg on both highway and city and driving tests. The EPA rates the V6 EcoDiesel engine with a 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. This definitely makes the 2020 Ram 1500 one of the most fuel-efficient half-ton pickup trucks on the market. However, the all-wheel-drive version returns a less impressive 29/21 mpg on the highway and city respectively.
Safety
The new Ram 1500 truck has garnered high ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as well as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2020 Ram 1500’s good safety rating is a result of the new driver-assistance technology upgrades which include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist and automated high-beam headlights.
The IIHS gave the Crew Cab model a Top Safety Pick Plus ranking, this is the highest safety designation that the IIHS offers. All the crash tests produced positive results for the 2020 Ram 1500. It received the highest rating available from the organization in terms of crash tests.
The Honda Ridgeline is the only car that has safety features comparable to the new Ram 1500. The key safety feature of the Ram 1500 and Ridgeline is the headlights test. The headlights test is known to be quite difficult to pass with a solid rating. Both the cars received a “Good” rating on the headlights test because of their adaptive LED headlamps that have superior high-beam assist systems.
Technology
The Blind Spot Monitoring has received a revamp for Ram’s 2020 product lineup. This important feature allows drivers to make safer lane changes. It provides a visual and an auditory alert when there are any vehicles in the driver’s blind spot. Ram’s blind spot detection system makes use of a series of sensors that are fixed to the truck’s side panels. the sensors electromagnetic waves to detect if a vehicle is driving outside the driver’s peripheral zones.
The 2020 Ram 1500 has an all-new LaneSense lane departure system. LaneSense gives the driver a visual alert when the vehicle’s on-board warning system picks up an unintentional shift in lane positioning. The LaneSense then guides the truck back into a safe lane position, it does this without creating any disturbance to nearby drivers.