2010 Dodge Ram
Full size pickup trucks aren’t built for shrinking violets or for people who don’t like to get their hands dirty. They are big, brash, all-consuming and decidedly all-American. But some full size pickups seem like they have lost a bit of their edge while chasing ever more luxurious cabin comfort and increased use of exterior chrome.
Thankfully, however, there is still a full size pickup truck out there with enough charisma and brutish machismo to fight the ever blurring edges of pickup truck and luxury car. It’s the 2010 Dodge Ram and while its interior may have recently become suitably upmarket, it is not a truck for wimps. It’s a truck that is as ruggedly individualistic as the people who buy them.
But does that make it perfect? Read on to find out.
Exterior Styling
This is where the 2010 Dodge Ram Crew Cab (now with longer rear doors) really scores big bonus points. Exterior detailing has always been a Chrysler strong suit and the 2010 Ram is the head turner among full size pickups. Its gaping grille, high hood line and average for the class ride height blend together to create a truck that is aggressive yet endearing in appearance.
Of additional interest to buyers of the 2010 Dodge Ram is the introduction of the all new and completely brilliant RamBox. This feature adds two lockable utility boxes built into the sides of the truck bed. The RamBox option adds $1,895 to the price of your truck but it is well worth it to have the additional secure storage space. Also, keep in mind that you will probably get part of that money back at resale time.
These handy little RamBoxes I was so enamored with managed to swallow an entire shopping trip’s worth of supplies from Costco with only a few bulky items needing to be stored in the truck’s cab. And you know everyone (including me) buys way more stuff at Costco or Sam’s Club than they really should. But the Ram Boxes swallowed impulse buy after impulse buy.
Of additional interest to owners who order the 5.7 liter Hemi V8 we tested is the 10,450 lb. tow capacity and the epic 1,900 lb. payload capacity. That means this truck is ready for some serious work even if you aren’t.
Interior Styling, Utility and Build Quality
The last generation Dodge Ram had an interior that felt about a thousand years behind the Ford F-150 in quality and style. While you could still argue about which one has the more stylish interior, the 2010 Dodge Ram now has high quality plastics, chrome effect trim and enough “feel good effect” to fill the interior of a luxury sedan. Really, full size pickups should feel as finely built and luxurious as the Ram does given their ever elevating sticker prices.
My test Ram came extremely well equipped with power adjustable pedals, air conditioning, power everything, a 506-watt Alpine audio system with 9-speakers and a subwoofer, iPod integration, steering wheel mounted audio controls, power driver seat, Sirius satellite radio, Uconnect (like Bluetooth) and a navigation unit with 30 GB of hard drive storage. The one missing piece was a rear backup camera which apparently is a late 2010 addition that was too late for my tester.
I tried my best with the “Park Sense” rear park assist system beeping away at me but it never made me feel absolutely sure I wasn’t going to back this very long truck into anything. Another issue I have with the Ram is the confounding number of option packages that include things you would expect to be standard (illuminated sun visor vanity mirrors?) on an uplevel model like the SLT.
Otherwise, however, the 2010 Dodge Ram could be the only vehicle a family, construction foreman, weekend landscaper, boat owner, plumber or commuter would really ever need. There is nothing this truck can’t tow, haul or carry. The interior is full of so many gigantic cubby holes, pockets and storage nooks that you will no doubt start losing things in there during the first week of ownership.
Driving Impressions and Fuel Economy
Although there is a less powerful V8 and V6 engine, to get the full Ram experience you really should tick the box for the 5.7 liter 390 horsepower/406 lb. feet of torque Hemi V8 (my tester was so equipped). As you would expect, it pulls strongly from low revs and emits a delicious V8 burble that no competing truck motor has ever pulled off as convincingly.
But while the Hemi was always the Ram’s trump card in years past, now there is something completely different that makes this pickup truck special. Thanks to a revolutionary independent rear suspension (all other full size pickups use ancient leaf springs) the 2010 Dodge Ram actually rides…like a car. Travelling over freeway expansion joints and parking lot potholes never upsets the ride. This is the truck to buy if you plan on hauling passengers around a lot.
Otherwise, steering feel is well weighted and very communicative for a vehicle of this size. My only gripe was with the five speed automatic which felt like it was holding back the Hemi with some rough downshifts that were mainly noticeable because everything else (especially the ride) was so smooth.
This full size, 4-wheel drive, 5,000 pound monster truck was never meant to be fuel efficient. It was meant to be fast, offer endless utility and be able to withstand epic amounts of abuse. In other words, my Ram tester returned 15 miles per gallon during my week with the truck. EPA estimates are 13 city/18 highway. But remember, this isn’t supposed to be a hybrid commuter.
How Dog and Kid Friendly is It?
With durable (yet expensive feeling) plastics abounding in the interior and richly textured cloth seats, I have little doubt about how well the 2010 Dodge Ram SLT Crew Cab’s back seat will handle canines and young humans with juice boxes. On the CrewCab model the rear doors open wide and the jump in height is nice and low. That matters if you have an older dog like I do.
Final Thoughts
The 2010 Dodge Ram is finally a truly well rounded full size pickup truck thanks to its signature Hemi growl, newly refined interior, class leading ride quality and endless amounts of utility. When you add the exclusive RamBox with the burly exterior styling you have the formula for a terrific workhorse. Now it will be all up to you as to whether or not you use it for work, play or just going to the mall.
Vehicle Tested: 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Crew Cab 4x4
Base Price: $34,240
Price as Tested: $42,725
Engine: 5.7 liter Hemi V8
Power: 390 horsepower/407 lb. feet of torque
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Economy: 13 city/18 highway
Mileage as Tested: 15 miles per gallon
Runs on: Regular Unleaded
Crash Ratings (NHTSA): five stars (front, both sides)
Rollover ratings: three stars
Towing Capacity: 10,450 lb.
Payload Capacity: 1,900 lb.
Turning Radius: 45.4 feet
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles Bumper to Bumper
5 years/60,000 miles Powertrain
Assembled in: Warren, Michigan
Vehicle Provided by: Chrysler Corp.
