2020 RAM 1500 Laramie V6 EcoDiesel Review
2020 RAM 1500 Laramie V6 EcoDiesel - Tough Luxury Ute
RAM continues to lead the perpetual battle for torque and towing supremacy in Australia with the arrival of the 1500 Laramie V6 EcoDiesel. Promising greater power and improved fuel efficiency, the ute features a new compression-ignition engine, turbocharger, exhaust gas recirculation system and cylinder heads.
The addition of the diesel-powered Laramie variant is expected to bolster the already impressive sales of RAM 1500 this year. RAM Trucks Australia, which exclusively imports and remanufactures the American-made right-hand drive vehicle to a left-hand drive configuration to meet the local market demands, has reportedly sold a whopping 1,512 units of RAM 1500 Express and Laramie models as of August 2019.
Compared to the 1500 Laramie V8 Hemi, the identical EcoDiesel has one-tonne lower towing power but more torque and is also priced higher by $10,000. These minor drawbacks may put off city-based buyers, which are responsible for the majority of RAM 1500 sales. On the other hand, the diesel variant is expected to draw in many buyers who do a lot of tough jobs and off-road touring but want to save more on fuel consumption.
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2020 RAM 1500 Aggregated Reviews
CarAdvice.com.au - 8.1/10
CarsGuide.com.au - 3.8/5 Daily Driver Score; 4.2/5 Adventure Score
We Love
- Best-in-class torque
- Higher towing and hauling capacities than most rivals
- Low emissions
- Reduced engine noise and vibrations
- Comfortable, roomy and luxurious interior with many extra storage spaces
- Smooth ride quality and control
- Plenty of high-tech options and features
- User-friendly infotainment
- Massive presence
Pain Points
- Slow engine response to inputs
- Higher fuel consumption
- Steep pricing
- Air suspension is too firm
- The base model is sparsely equipped
- Too big for some drivers
The exterior of RAM 1500 Laramie V6 EcoDiesel
The ute’s massive presence is due to its vehicle length of 5,817 mm, width of 2,017 mm and wheelbase of 1,917, which is uniform in all 1500 variants. Fans of the classic Ram models with their iconic big rig, low headlights and a tall, macho grille may be slightly disappointed by the modern redesign—The big rig bravado has been replaced by a smoother, more aerodynamic front-end with plenty of chrome and fancy LED headlights.
The cargo tub measure 5'7" and comes with a standard spray-in bed liner, load tray illumination and a locking tailgate. The new RAM Multifunction Tailgate offers four configurations: standard open flat configuration, left door-open, right door-open, and both doors open at the same time. A new kick-down retractable step complements the new tailgate design. The heavy-duty tow bar is available as an optional accessory along with the soft tri-fold tonneau cover and the wheel-to-wheel sidestep.
Other notable exterior features include the premium chrome grille with integrated RAM lettering, chrome bumpers, rear bumper with chrome-tipped dual exhaust tailpipes, badge accents, rear power sliding window, folding side mirrors, and 20" chrome-clad aluminium wheels. The glass windows and the windshield glass are tinted. The standard Active Air Grille shutters automatically open and close depending on various inputs from the vehicle. The lighting system includes automatic headlamps, automatic high-beam headlamp, control fog lights and front bi-function projector headlamps.
There are three colour options to choose from: billet silver, bright white and granite crystal.
Inside the V6 EcoDiesel
While the exterior of the EcoDiesel has remained largely similar to its previous generation variants except for a tiny bit of refinement, the interior has undergone luxury touches and upgrades.
The luxury leather-trimmed interior features a spacious 5-seater crew cab. Using the exact same cabin of the heavy-duty RAM 2500, it offers plenty of front head and shoulder room, plus more rear headroom, legroom and shoulder room than its competition.
The steering wheel switches with telephone and has mounted audio controls. The front seat centre full-length floor console features a 7-inch multi-view display cluster and Uconnect® 4C NAV with 8.4-inch touchscreen. The entertainment system is complete with an Alpine 9 amplified speakers with built-in subwoofer.
The steering wheel is also heated, as well as the bucket front seats and foldable 60/40 split rear seats. The front seats are also ventilated and have a storage space under them. All seats have integrated lumbar support adjustments via power 10-way with memory driver seat and power 6-way with memory passenger seats.
There are also a lot of storage compartments to hide or keep stuff. These include a front seat centre storage, front seat centre full-length floor console, overhead console, second row in-floor storage bins, rear under seat compartment storage, and folding flat load floor storage.
Other convenience and comfort features include rear air vents, tilt steering column, tip start, rear window defroster, power Sunroof, mini trip computer, temperature and compass gauge, and sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors. The car is also equipped with keyless entry and push-button start, dual-zone climate control and Parksense® Park Assist System.
Connectivity
Dubbed as the luxury car of pickup trucks, EcoDiesel features a lot of advanced technology for connectivity and communication not found in other light-duty vehicles.
Built with a standard Uconnect 4C NAV Multimedia System with a touchscreen display, the car allows total driving control at the tip of a finger. Its compatibility with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Google Android Auto enables music from a smartphone to play on the vehicle’s speakers and duplicates the user's smartphone on the vehicle’s touchscreen. There’s also a USB port and auxiliary input jack that provide more options to play music from the device.
The steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, meanwhile, helps the driver interact with the car to access music, answer calls and perform other functions without taking their eyes off the road and their hands off the steering wheel.
What's it like to drive a RAM 1500 EcoDiesel?
Despite its massive size, the third generation of the EcoDiesel is easy to drive and maneuver. The handling, as some drivers would have it, is akin to that of a family crossover—smooth but with a little slop in the wheel at highway speeds. When slung through corners, the truck shows minimal body roll considering the form factor.
The upgrades in the engine, including a new-generation water-cooled turbocharger, redesigned intake ports, new exhaust gas recirculation system, increased compression ratio, and redesigned direct-injection fuel injector nozzles and pistons lead to a more efficient driving performance and reduced engine noise in the cabin.
The Active Air Grille shutters open and close automatically depending on the driving speed. If caught in heavy traffic or pulling a trailer, they remain open to allow air to flow into the engine compartment for optimal engine cooling. If driving at highway speeds, on the other hand, they close to block front-end airflow openings and direct the airflow around the vehicle to reduce drag while maintaining optimal engine temperatures.
The eight-speed automatic transmission allows for smooth shifting and acceleration and maximises the engine's torque, making the ride comfortable and relaxed. The modern infotainment system, which offers plenty of convenience and entertainment while on the ride, all contribute to a pleasant driving experience.
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Who’s the RAM 1500 EcoDiesel for?
Extremely capable of doing tough jobs but posh and modern in its exterior and interior features, the EcoDiesel is ideal for business owners, tradies and farmers who are constantly on the road, transporting cargo or doing a lot of towing and hauling but also desire comfort, tech, and fuel efficiency. It also works well with urban dwellers who frequently drive long distances or go on out-of-town camping trips.
The diesel-powered truck is also cost-effective in the long run because it doesn't use additional fuel while under load. Additionally, it has better resale value. Those who want to save money or plan to sell the car after a few years can benefit from these attributes.
Feature Summary
Price: $109,950
Body Style: Truck
Tub Length: 5'7"
Layout: Longitudinal, front-engine, transfer case
Construction: Ladder-type frame, steel cab, double-wall steel
Dimension: Length 5,817 mm, Width 2,017 mm, Height 1,917, Wheelbase 3,569 mm, Front Track 1,742 mm, Rear Track 1,727
Engine: 60-degree V-type, liquid-cooled
Max Engine Speed: 4,800 rpm
Power (SAE Net): 240 hp (179 kW) @ 3,600 rpm
Torque (SAE Net): 420 lb.-ft. (569 Nm)
@ 2,000 rpm
Fuel Capacity: 10 L
Coolant Capacity (L): 11.4 L
Emission Controls: Cooled EGR, oxidation catalyst, diesel particulate filter, SCR w/urea injection
Emission: Standard Euro 5
Transmission: Automatic - TORQUEFLITE® 8-Speed
Operating Modes: 2WD High; 4WD Auto; 4WD High, Locked; Neutral; 4WD Low, Locked
AV and Tech: Uconnect 4C NAV Multimedia System, Parksense® Park Assist System, Parkview Rear Back-Up Camera, Remote Keyless Entry with ALLSECURE®, Remote Keyless ENTER ‘N GO, Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control
Safety: Top Safety Pick Plus (IIHS)
Seating: 5
Doors: 4
Colors: Billet Silver, Bright White, Granite Crystal
Accessories: Side Steps – Wheel to Wheel, Heavy Duty Tow bar, Tonneau Cover, Soft/Tri-fold (non-Rambox)
Rivals: Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra
Can't wait to get your hands on the wheel of RAM 1500 EcoDiesel? Apply for a car loan today!
Call 1300 722 210 or request a Quick Quote.
Tom Caesar is the Managing Director of The Positive Group, a group of Australian financial services companies offering a broad range of finance to clients Australia wide. The Positive Group assist clients in the areas of car finance, mortgages, insurance & wealth management. Tom has been in car & asset finance for over 10 years. Tom regularly contributes articles on car finance, insurance, technology and business growth, drawing on his experience of starting his own brokerage in 2009.