With its Hemi V8, this version of the Ram is among the quickest trucks we've tested. But it's also one of the thirstiest, averaging a paltry 11 mpg. A jittery ride and cumbersome handling hurt the Ram's overall score, as did the barely adequate brakes. The cabin is a bit noisy, and access is very difficult. On the plus side, our Ram had a large cargo bed and tows more than 8,000 pounds.
In an attempt to improve fuel economy, 2006 introduced a variable-displacement system to shut off four cylinders during light-load conditions, such as highway cruising. Dodge also revised the suspension for a smoother ride for 2006.