2003 Dodge Ram 2500/3500: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Dodge's 3/4-ton 2500 and 1-ton 3500 heavy-duty pickups are redesigned for 2003, adopting the styling introduced on the 1/2-ton 1500 pickups last year. Also for '03, a new 345-bhp 5.7-liter Hemi V8 replaces a 245-bhp 5.9-liter V8 as the base engine, and a revised 5.9-liter 6-cyl turbodiesel offers up to 305 bhp vs. 245 last year. Returning as optional is an 8.0-liter V10 with 305 bhp. Manual and automatic transmissions are available. Rams come in regular cab or Quad Cab 4-dr crew cab models. Quad Cabs get a 3-place rear seat and either a 6.3- or 8-ft cargo bed; regular cabs come with the 8-ft bed. All versions offer rear-wheel drive or 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing. Dual rear wheels are standard on 3500s except the Quad Cab short bed, which comes standard with single rear wheels and a 5.9-liter turbodiesel. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard on all models. Newly optional for '03 are side curtain airbags and power-adjustable pedals.

COMPETITION

With the advent of crossover vehicles, this segment has become less defined. Once the domain of work-related heavy-duty pickups, buyers are now demanding that their full-size trucks do double duty. Our Best Buys remain Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150, and GMC Sierra. These trucks offer a wide range of powertrain combinations, plenty of luxury accommodations, and ample towing power--though the GM twins are the only ones to offer full-time 4WD and convenient 4-wheel steering.

Big-rig-styled Dodge Ram matches the new Ford and GM models in most aspects but can't match their ride comfort or civility. We also like the expensive Toyota Tundra. What it lacks in brute strength, it more than makes up for with refined road manners.