Dodge presents the 2009 Ram 1500 with a significant redesign and some added features. A bold, new grille and headlight design, restyled controls and instrumentation, premium seating, and two-tone upholstery all bring the Ram 1500 into the millennium’s second decade with its reputation as a brute in brute’s clothing intact. The newly integrated multi-link coil spring rear suspension will improve handling significantly without detracting from the Ram 1500’s capabilities in payload delivery (up to an estimated 1,840 lbs) and towing capacity (estimated to be 9,199 lbs). An independent front suspension and a front stabilizer bar help keep the Ram 1500 on the straight and narrow.

The Ram 1500 is delivered in five trim levels: ST, SLT, TRX, Sport, and Laramie; three cabs: the regular cab with either 6-foot-4-inch or 8-foot bed, Quad Cab with the 6-foot-4 bed, and Crew Cab with its new-for-’09 5-foot-7-inch bed; two wheelbases: 120.5-inches and 140.5-inches; and the choice of rear-wheel- or four-wheel-drive configurations. All this gives prospective buyers of the Ram 1500 a wide range of choices for ‘09.

The Ram 1500 further offers a choice of three engines and two transmissions. The RWD base ST features a 3.7-liter V6 with a four-speed automatic transmission that puts out 210 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque and gets an EPA estimated 14/20 mpg. The 4WD ST, SLT, and TRX all feature a standard 310-hp, 4.7-liter V8 powerplant hitched to a five-speed overdrive transmission that will pound 330 lb-ft of torque into the pavement and gets 14/19 with RWD trims and 13/18 with 4WD. The Ram 1500 Laramie and Sport trims both pack a 380-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with five-speed automatic that grinds out 404 lb-ft of torque with mileage estimates for the RWD at 14/20 and the 4WD at 13/18.

The 2009 Ram base ST features 17-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, an integrated tow hitch, automatic headlights, a single-disc CD player with MP3 capability, tilt-wheel steering, trailer sway control, and tinted windows. SLTs add power windows and locks, power heated mirrors, 17-inch aluminum wheels, an overhead console, Sirius satellite radio, cruise control, and a sliding rear window. Ram TRXs feature skid plates, a 3.92 axle ratio with a limited-slip differential, TRX fender flares, foglamps, and a power-sliding rear window, while Ram 1500 Sports add 20-inch by 9-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels, a floor-mounted shifter, premium Alpine speakers, and locking lug-nuts. The Ram 1500 Laramie flaunts its top-of-the-line status with its bright Laramie grille, leather upholstery, heated front seats and steering wheel, uConnect hands-free communications system, universal garage door opener, ParkSense rear backup system, power adjustable pedals with driver memory, six-disc CD changer with premium speakers, dual-zone temperature control, and fold-flat load floor storage, all standard.

Options for the 2009 Ram 1500 trims include, as well as engine and transmission upgrades for the ST, SLT, and TRX trims, a Class IV trailer tow package, the ParkSense and ParkView backup camera system, heated and ventilated seats, an upgraded Alpine premium sound system, remote starting, the MyGig infotainment system, and a rear seat DVD entertainment package.

Standard safety features for the ’09 Ram 1500 line include four-wheel disc ABS, front multi-stage airbags, front side impact airbags, supplemental side curtain airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), hill start assist and trailer sway control. ParkSense rear parking assist and ParkView rear backup camera systems are available for all Ram 1500 trims except STs.

Owners of 2008 Ram 1500s cite build quality, mileage, and braking issues as problematic, though much of this has been addressed for ’09. Owners rave about the Ram 1500’s styling, improved handling, power, and acceleration, especially in the higher-end trims. The storage area, roominess, and comfort offered by the Ram 1500 are also much appreciated by drivers.