On test: Ram V8 pickup official UK import

Just like its landscapes, fast food and waistlines, the USA’s pickup trucks are of an epic scale.

To us Brits, with our narrow ribbons of hedge-lined tarmac and quaint on-street parking, a Ford Ranger or VW Amarok might seem a lump of a vehicle.

But these are mere toys compared with what’s tearing around on the other side of the pond.

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Take the 1500 from Ram – this all-American juggernaut is more than half a metre longer than an Isuzu D-Max, 200mm wider and 400kg heavier. And it’s one of the small ones.

This bulk is the primary reason why trucks of this size have rarely been proffered in the UK, save for a handful of grey imports that have bypassed official channels.

European importer KW Automotive has bucked that trend though, making it possible to buy a left-hand-drive Ram through an approved dealer, complete with a full warranty.

To find out if that’s a sensible proposition, we got behind the wheel of a mid-spec 1500 Laramie; one of the best sellers in the UK.

V8 power

Like all regular 1500s, the Laramie is hauled along by a 5.7-litre naturally aspirated Hemi V8 that’s good for 395hp.

This sort of firepower is unheard of in regular European diesel pickups, where the gutsiest models top out at less than 250hp.

Consequently, it can propel its 2.4t bulk from 0-60mph in a sprightly 6sec and keep on hustling until it hits a limited top speed of just over 107mph.

Tempting as it is to gun it off the mark and let the engine sing, the modest exhaust and healthy dose of sound-deadening means the V8 roar comes through more like a pleasing burble.

This is fine, because the V8 in the 1500 exists for effortless cruising and towing ability, rather than lairy noise making – there’s a 702hp supercharged TRX version if that’s more your bag.

Considering the Ram’s mammoth proportions and huge engine, its thirst for petrol isn’t as voracious as one might expect, returning up to 24mpg on a motorway cruise and about 18mpg with mixed driving.

This is thanks to its multi-displacement system (MDS) that shuts the engine down to four cylinders when full V8 power isn’t required.

These running costs are still hard to stomach for UK buyers, so many trucks are specced with a Prins LPG conversion, complete with 100-, 200- or 320-litre tank bolted under the pickup bed.

At current prices, KW Automotive says this makes running costs for the Ram comparable to a vehicle that does 40mpg on petrol alone.

Transmission and running gear

Americans don’t do manual, so the only gearbox available in the 1500 is an eight-speed automatic.

This is a smooth shifter, giving the driver almost seamless acceleration, unless the throttle is booted hard to initiate kickdown.

Drive modes are selected using a dial on the dash, meaning there’s no need for a manual lever cluttering up the centre console.

The part-time four-wheel drive system is also electrically operated, with the option of high and low range, plus an automatic setting that sends drive to the front wheels whenever the rears start to slip.

As well as giving added reassurance on greasy roads, this comes in handy for increasing stability when pulling a trailer.

Speaking of which, the Ram can tow the maximum UK limit of 3.5t with a braked trailer, or 3.7t if using a fifth-wheel plate mounted in the back.

Both these figures belie its true abilities, as it’s rated to pull 5.78t in the USA.

Interior and trim

Inside, the cavernous cabin can accommodate five passengers in comfort, or six if the buyer opts for a third front seat instead of a centre console.

Rear occupants are particularly well catered for, thanks to limousine levels of legroom, reclining seats and cup holders big enough for a supersized Slurpee.

Up front, it’s clear the 1500 is geared up for mile-munching road trips, with a pair of doughy armchairs and some well-positioned armrests that encourage you to slump in and enjoy the ride.

There’s no shortage of tech either, with a huge 12in vertical display featuring all the usual entertainments, standard or adaptive cruise control, and a smattering of driving aids such as lane departure warning and park assist.

A cavernous centre console separates the driver and passenger, offering plenty of storage for guns and doughnuts, a couple of cup holders and several charging sockets, including an inverter for running mains powered equipment.

© James Andrews

Fit and finish is decent, particularly for a pickup truck, but it doesn’t have the style or refinement of a swanky German SUV.

There is an elephant in the room though, which is the left-hand driving position.

You soon get used to whizzing along hugging the verge, but there’s no getting away from the fact that it’s hard to see when pulling out around parked vehicles and overtaking on single carriageways.

It will be a deal-breaker for many.

An Australian firm offers right-hand drive conversions, which might eventually make it here. However, these will add about £25,000 to the price, making the trucks very expensive indeed.

© James Andrews

Carrying capacity

One of the Ram’s hallmarks is its ability to lug massive amounts of stuff. The primary area for this is a capacious pickup bed that’s big enough to lie 8×4 sheets of ply flat in the back.

It can also be specced with a host of novel storage devices, such as toolboxes that swing out from the sides and lockable compartments integrated into the rear wings that can be accessed from outside.

On top of this, buyers have the option of several bed liners, covers and canopies so that it can be tailored to suit different jobs.

Which model?

Most Ram 1500s have the same combination of engine, transmission and running gear, with variations mainly limited to exterior and interior trim.

At the bottom of the pecking order is the Bighorn, complete with cloth seats, a smaller screen in the dash, and coil suspension.

The Rebel and Laramie come next, adding air springs and leather, with top-spec models such as the Limited and Longhorn getting a higher level of finish.

The latter offers the full rancher vibe with filigree embossed leather, saddle bags on the back of the seats and Willy Nelson’s greatest hits hard wired into the entertainment system.

Prices start at about £54,000 for the Bighorn, £56,000 for the Laramie and a nudge over £60,000 for the top-spec editions.

Sitting in a league of its own is the spicy TRX. This is Ram’s answer to Ford’s F-150 Raptor, with a 6.2-litre supercharged Hemi V8 that pumps out 702hp and a price tag north of £100,000.

© James Andrews

FW verdict

The Ram 1500 looks huge from the outside and feels equally huge from the driver’s seat.

Throw in the fact that the steering wheel is mounted on the wrong side, and it’s a cumbersome beast to pilot down narrow roads.

But the surging power of the V8 engine, silky smooth ride and massive amounts of storage soon start to win you over.

The fact it can be run surprisingly frugally on LPG is another bonus, helping to win over the head as well as the heart.

Most buyers will be those who want rather than need a big US truck, but it could be a sensible option if you regularly tow heavy loads over long distances.

The only downside is that UK rules prevent it from reaching its full potential.