2004 Dodge Ram 1500: Road Test
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2004 Dodge Ram 1500 ▼
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- MSRP: $19,855 -$30,215
- Invoice: $17,655 -$26,640
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Our road test for the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 includes a full evaluation of the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 help you decide if a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Reg cab 2WD, V6 man. | Reg cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 man. | Quad Cab 4WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4.6 |
V6 labors under a heavy load, when passing, or climbing hills. The 4.7 V8 has ample power: Test 2WD 4.7 regular cab with manual transmission did 8.8 sec 0-60 mph. Test 4WD 5.7 Quad Cab did 9.5 sec, but is best choice for heavy hauling or towing. Maximum towing capacity: 3750 lb with V6, 7700 with 4.7 V8, 9200 with 5.7. SRT-10 has abundant power.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Reg cab 2WD, V6 man. | Reg cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 man. | Quad Cab 4WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2.3 |
With 4.7 V8, test 4WD automatic-transmission Quad Cabs averaged 12.6 mpg, test 2WD manual-transmission regular cab 14.1. Extended-use-test 4WD Quad Cab with 5.7 averaged 12.7 mpg during its 7540-mi. test. Expect overworked V6 to average around 15 mpg. Dodge recommends 89 octane or higher for 5.7, regular-grade fuel for the others. No opportunity yet to measure SRT-10.
RIDE QUALITY
| Reg cab 2WD, V6 man. | Reg cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 man. | Quad Cab 4WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.9 |
No full-size pickup rides smoothly, but Ram with 17-inch wheels is competitive in class despite mild bounding over dips and crests and some jiggle on bumpy pavement. Available 20-inch wheels and SRT-10's 22s turn ride uncomfortably busy, with abrupt vertical motions on even slightly rippled surfaces.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Reg cab 2WD, V6 man. | Reg cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 man. | Quad Cab 4WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3.4 |
Good for a full-size pickup. Body lean fairly well-controlled. Grip adequate. Steering provides good road feel. Newly available AWD an important advance for confidence and control on surfaces not quite slick enough to engage base 4WD system. Standard 4-wheel disc brakes perform well in routine use, though some testers complain of poor pedal modulation. Dodge should make 4-wheel ABS standard. SRT-10 better on all counts--less body lean, better grip, more-precise steering, stronger brakes.
QUIETNESS
| Reg cab 2WD, V6 man. | Reg cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 man. | Quad Cab 4WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4.5 |
Modest highway wind and tire noise make Ram impressively hushed for a truck. But V6 raucous when worked hard, which it often needs to be. The 5.7 V8 roars loudly under acceleration and is noticed even at cruise. The 4.7 V8 is quieter under most conditions. Wind and tire noise barely audible above rumbling V10 in SRT-10.
CONTROLS
| Reg cab 2WD, V6 man. | Reg cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 man. | Quad Cab 4WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6.6 |
Simple, mostly handy layout, though most drivers must stretch to reach climate, audio, and dashboard-mounted 4WD controls. High nose hides view of nearby objects, hampering sense of control in tight spaces. Dashtop vents cast distracting windshield reflections. New navigation radio's screen too small to do much good; system's audio directions far more useful. Cabin decor ranges from rubber floor covering and vinyl seats in Work Special to leather upholstery in Laramie; materials quality competitive with domestic rivals. SRT-10 has gauges and styling touches that add to performance feel. Test models rattle-free.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Reg cab 2WD, V6 man. | Reg cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 man. | Quad Cab 4WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8.3 |
Spacious even for big adults, though the lankiest may want more seat travel in regular cabs. SRT-10's bucket seats add side bolstering to keep passengers from sliding around in fast turns. Center floor hump eats into passenger foot room. Seat too flat for ideal support. Power-adjustable pedals improve comfort and help shorter drivers sit a safe distance from steering-wheel airbag. Doors are heavy, and 4x4s have extremely high step-up.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Reg cab 2WD, V6 man. | Reg cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 man. | Quad Cab 4WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 4.5 |
Quad Cab has good head room but can cramp legs with front seats more than halfway back; backrest comfortably reclined. Cabin wide enough for three, though floor hump limits center rider's foot space. Rear doors open nearly 90 degrees, but larger portals would help entry/exit.
CARGO ROOM
| Reg cab 2WD, V6 man. | Reg cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 man. | Quad Cab 4WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 4.7 |
Generous storage behind regular-cab seat, where standard plastic storage tray is handy. Quad Cab rear-seat cushion folds to expose storage bins or clever available fold-out steel load floor.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Reg cab 2WD, V6 man. | Reg cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 man. | Quad Cab 4WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7.1 |
Ram's "big-rig" styling shouts for attention, but its performance, comfort, and solidity earn it our recommendation. With body styles and equipment to meet most every need, plus the praiseworthy addition of available AWD, Ram merits serious consideration. SRT-10 is the performance leader in the hot-rod pickup market.
Total Score
| Reg cab 2WD, V6 man. | Reg cab 2WD, 4.7 V8 man. | Quad Cab 4WD, 4.7 V8 auto. | Quad Cab 4WD, 5.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 41 | 52 | 51 | 49.9 |
Total Score: 46
Scores for all Large Pickup Trucks
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