Ram 1500

This is the most comfortable-riding full-sized pickup on the market, yet the Ram is also plenty capable of grunt work. Its coil-spring rear suspension helps cushion the ride, and the spacious cab is luxury-car quiet. Our Big Horn Crew Cab, with its smooth 5.7-liter V8, averaged 15 mpg. The base 3.6-liter V6 is no weakling, but it tows less. The torquey 3.0-liter diesel V6 version is expensive but delivers effortless thrust and returns a class-leading 20 mpg overall. Rear-seat room is generous, and the Uconnect 8.4-inch touch-screen infotainment system is easy to use. Reliability has been well below average.

The Ram's 2013 update brought a lighter and stiffer frame, along with Chrysler's advanced UConnect 8.4 touchscreen interface. We consider this system to be one of the clearest and most intuitive of its type. Interior fit and finish are strong and storage is more than ample too. The roomy Crew Cab has a huge backseat and towing ratings are competitive with other full-size pickups. However, overall payload capacity is a bit light when compared to chief rivals'. A very nice diesel option arrived for 2014.

Ram became a separate brand for the Dodge pickups in 2011. The 2009 redesign brought the Ram 1500 up-to-date with a coil-spring rear suspension, which improved ride and handling significantly. This made the pickup fully competitive in the marketplace. Fuel economy for the 5.7-liter V8 was improved and cabin quiet approached that of a luxury car's. If towing is important to you, be aware that models with the 20-inch wheel option sacrifice 1,000 pounds of rated capacity.