The Car Guide’s 2019 Best Buys: Ram 1500

Every year, in summertime, The Car Guide’s journalists establish their annual Best Buys in all vehicle categories, except for the Best New Car of the Year and Best New SUV of the Year titles, which are announced in the fall.

However, the Best Buy in the full-size pickup truck segment couldn’t be determined when the rest of the awards were announced. We had barely driven the 2019 Ram 1500, and didn’t get to drive the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 until later in the summer—all three having been redesigned. A comparison test against the perennial best-selling vehicle on the market, the Ford F-150, was in order. Which we did, and the 2019 Ram 1500 not only won the match, but grabbed The Car Guide’s 2019 Best Buy in the full-size pickup category at the same time.

• Also: 2019 Ram 1500 eTorque: Unnoticeable, and That’s the Whole Point
• Also: Full-size Pickup Comparison Test: Battle Royale

The Ram distinguished itself by its high level of refinement, its muscular and throaty V8 engine as well as its impeccable tenure during the towing test. In addition, its cockpit in Limited trim, when compared to the plushest versions of its rivals, truly amazed us. And that’s not all: the 2019 Ram 1500 also benefits from an eTorque mild hybrid system that provides reduced fuel consumption for both the 3.6-litre V6 and the 5.7-litre HEMI V8 (optional in the latter). The new generation of the Ram 1500 retails from $43,295 before freight and delivery charges.

The Silverado 1500 (MSRP from $35,000) and the Sierra 1500 (MSRP from $36,200) finish in a second-place tie by their solid drive, their comfortable cockpit and for the power and refinement of their optional 6.2-litre V8. Least but not least, the Ford F-150 (MSRP from $31,049) takes third place for its countless number of configurations and powertrains, its powerful twin-turbo V6 engines that provide great towing capabilities and its excellent road manners.