2005 Dodge Ram 1500: Road Test
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2005 Dodge Ram 1500 ▼
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- MSRP: $20,555 -$50,810
- Invoice: $18,257 -$44,742
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Our road test for the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 includes a full evaluation of the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 help you decide if a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| 2WD reg. cab, V6 man. | 2WD reg. cab, 4.7 V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, 4.7 V8 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab w/20-in. wheels, 5.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4.7 |
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 5-speed manual transmission did 8.8 sec 0-60 mph. Test 4WD 5.7 Quad Cab did 9.5 sec, but it is the best choice for heavy hauling or towing. No opportunity to test with 6-speed manual. SRT-10 has abundant power. Maximum towing capacity: 3750 lb with V6, 7700 with 4.7 V8, 9200 with 5.7.
FUEL ECONOMY
| 2WD reg. cab, V6 man. | 2WD reg. cab, 4.7 V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, 4.7 V8 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab w/20-in. wheels, 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 5-speed 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. Test SRT-10 regular cab averaged a dismal 9.2 mpg; SRT-10 Quad Cab managed 11.3 mpg with more highway use. Dodge recommends 91 octane for the V10, 89 octane or higher for the 5.7 V8, regular-grade fuel for the others.
RIDE QUALITY
| 2WD reg. cab, V6 man. | 2WD reg. cab, 4.7 V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, 4.7 V8 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab w/20-in. wheels, 5.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
No large 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 make ride uncomfortably busy, with abrupt vertical motions on even slightly rippled surfaces.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| 2WD reg. cab, V6 man. | 2WD reg. cab, 4.7 V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, 4.7 V8 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab w/20-in. wheels, 5.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3.4 |
Good for a large pickup. Body lean fairly well-controlled. Grip adequate. Steering provides good road feel. 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, though some testers reported an alarming pull to the side during sudden braking.
QUIETNESS
| 2WD reg. cab, V6 man. | 2WD reg. cab, 4.7 V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, 4.7 V8 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab w/20-in. wheels, 5.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4.3 |
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 is quieter under most conditions. Wind and tire noise barely audible above rumbling V10 in SRT-10.
CONTROLS
| 2WD reg. cab, V6 man. | 2WD reg. cab, 4.7 V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, 4.7 V8 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab w/20-in. wheels, 5.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6.5 |
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)
| 2WD reg. cab, V6 man. | 2WD reg. cab, 4.7 V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, 4.7 V8 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab w/20-in. wheels, 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-type seats add side bolstering to keep occupants 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-in.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| 2WD reg. cab, V6 man. | 2WD reg. cab, 4.7 V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, 4.7 V8 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab w/20-in. wheels, 5.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 4.8 |
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
| 2WD reg. cab, V6 man. | 2WD reg. cab, 4.7 V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, 4.7 V8 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab w/20-in. wheels, 5.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 4.9 |
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
| 2WD reg. cab, V6 man. | 2WD reg. cab, 4.7 V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, 4.7 V8 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab w/20-in. wheels, 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 Recommended stamp. There are body styles and equipment to meet most every need, plus the praiseworthy availability of head-protecting curtain side airbags and AWD. And the SRT-10 is the hot-rod-pickup performance leader.
Total Score
| 2WD reg. cab, V6 man. | 2WD reg. cab, 4.7 V8 man. | 4WD Quad Cab, 4.7 V8 auto. | 4WD Quad Cab w/20-in. wheels, 5.7 V8 auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 40 | 50 | 49 | 50.3 |
Total Score: 44
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