2009 Dodge Ram

Reinvented Ram

With truck sales spiraling downward, Dodge hopes the family-friendly features in its Ram pickup will give this hauler a new lease on life.

One of the most important new vehicles for Chrysler is the 2009 Dodge Ram. With much of the company’s revenue dependent on truck sales, the Ram has to succeed in order for the automaker to move forward in other segments. But skyrocketing gas prices have caused truck sales to sink, and that spells trouble for the Ram, despite its slew of improvements.

To go along with a logo that is now 250 percent bigger, the '09 Ram crams 35 new or redesigned features and 380 horsepower into a truck that is sleeker than its forbear.

The new Ram features a coil-spring rear suspension as well as a “grille-forward” design (the top juts out further than the bottom), with a contoured aluminum hood that contributes to the best aerodynamics in its class. The truck will be available in a regular cab, four-door Quad Cab and an even more spacious crew cab.

With more doors and additional passenger space, Chrysler hopes to position the Ram as both a legit alternative to an SUV and a rugged truck useful for serious towing and hauling.

To this end, the Ram also includes electronic features most often found in family vehicles, like Sirius Backseat TV and a back-up camera.

Despite its slimmer body, the Ram has twice as many storage places as the previous model. Of special note is the RamBox cargo management system, which includes weatherproof, lockable storage spaces on both sides of the pickup bed.

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