If you want something done right, you do it yourself. However, getting assistance along the way never hurt anybody. Harsh weather and hard work are two familiar parts of life for many drivers, especially in Canada, and if you don’t buy a vehicle that can meet these conditions, your life won’t be as easy. If you’ve been looking for a CDJR dealer near me, don’t fret because this is a common question––especially for drivers looking for a vehicle with both excellent levels of capability and longevity. The 2022 Ram 1500 follows its predecessor’s footsteps, meaning it’s one of the most popular pickup trucks on the market. Between four available powertrains and two spacious bed sizes, the 2022 Ram 1500 is our recommendation for any trucker––both seasoned or not.
The 2022 Ram 1500 is available in seven trims in Canada, and each one brings something unique to the table. Additionally, the two available bed sizes for the Ram 1500 are 1.7 m and 1.9 m long. First, the base model has a starting price of $47,445 CAD, which will get you the Tradesman. A V6 engine coupled with a generous array of tech is what you can expect from the base level Ram 1500, but the pricier trims have a far more robust set of features. The costlier Ram 1500 models add a substantial amount of extra tech, and performance sees a sizable improvement too. Between the eight model levels, you’ll find Ram 1500s capable of many different tasks––from off-roading to towing, the Ram 1500 does it all.
Four Available Powertrains
With the 2022 Ram 1500, you’ll have four powertrains to select from, and all four of them have their uses. Each of the four powertrains comes paired with a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission, and within the lineup, you’ll find a V6, two variations of a V8, and a diesel-powered V6. The base Ram 1500, the Tradesman, comes with a 3.6L V6 engine capable of producing 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. As the base engine in a popular pickup truck, this V6 engine has a lot to prove to its drivers to guarantee it’s capable enough. Fortunately, base Ram 1500 models can tow up to 3,496 kg, which will serve many drivers well, both professionally and recreationally.
Moving up from the V6 will get you the 5.7L V8 engine. This V8 engine is available in two configurations––with and without eTorque. Utilizing eTorque means that a small electric motor is built into the powertrain, resulting in added low-end torque and slightly improved fuel efficiency. Regardless of which V8 engine you purchase, the peak output is 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque, although you will feel a difference when accelerating. We recommend opting for the V8 engine with eTorque because it will give you the most towing capability out of the bunch, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,783 kg.
If you want to tow with your truck but you’re nervous about constantly spending money at the gas pump, then we recommend the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 as an alternative to the V8 with eTorque. With the diesel-powered engine installed, the Ram 1500 outputs 480 lb-ft of torque and has a towing capacity of 5,696 kg. The chances are that you’d want a diesel-powered engine to save money on fuel, and luckily opting for one in your 2022 Ram 1500 gives you fuel economy ratings of up to 10.4 L/100 km city and 7.1 L/100 km highway.
Modern and Advanced Interior
With the Ram 1500, its excellent performance is matched by an equally impressive interior. The seats within the Ram 1500, for example, are comfortable to sit on, especially for prolonged travel. Although the base configuration has a set of simple 4-way manually-adjustable seats in the front row with 4-way adjustable headrests, upgrading to a higher-tier trim will swap the driver’s seat out for something more favourable. For example, if you purchase the Sport trim, the driver’s seat is replaced with a 12-way power-adjustable seat with built-in power lumbar support. Additionally, your seats can be both heated and ventilated in certain configurations.
The Ram 1500 is also feature-rich with a plethora of tech features. On the base Ram 1500, a Uconnect 3 infotainment center is present with a 13 cm screen. By today’s standards, some drivers may be off-put by the Uconnect 3 infotainment center––especially since Uconnect 5 is available on a higher-tier trim. However, Uconnect 3 is still capable of a fair amount of tasks. For example, Bluetooth connectivity, an aux port, and two USB ports allow you to connect your phone to access your music library either wired or wirelessly. Ultimately, the Uconnect 3 infotainment center may not have more modern amenities as seen in Uconnect 5, but it’s a fantastic way to organize your music and access it with ease. Plus, with the Uconnect 3 infotainment center, a 6-speaker audio system comes included.
A host of Ram 1500 trim levels swap out the Uconnect 3 system for a Uconnect 5 system, some with built-in navigation software and some without. Uconnect 5 not only includes everything that its predecessors had but includes a wide range of features that are shared with the newer versions. Ram 1500 models with the Uconnect 5 infotainment center will come with either a 21 cm or a 31 cm screen, and features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come included. The result is a far more connected infotainment center that works with your pre-existing devices to give you quite an intelligent machine. And the sound system gets a sizable upgrade to a premium audio system combining a bass-thumping subwoofer with ten speakers fitted throughout the cabin.
UConnect 5 is also capable of features that simply weren’t possible beforehand. The most notable improvement is over-the-air updates, which ensure your infotainment center remains up to date at all times––even when the vehicle isn’t running. This means that if there’s a software update released when you’re sleeping at home, your Ram 1500 will continue to update its software, and it’ll be ready for you the moment you start your vehicle in the morning.
An International Juggernaut
No matter where you live, the Ram 1500 is a successful pickup truck that’s worth recommending to many different drivers. Ram trucks are extremely popular in America, recently overtaking Chevy as the second most popular pickup in the American market. That was no easy task either, as the Ram 1500 has plenty of competition thrown its way. Pickup trucks are one of the most competitive market segments, yet manufacturers such as Ram continue to prevail––and this is true both in America and in Canada.
Between all of the pickup trucks, many drivers here in Canada have grown an appreciation for the Ram 1500––and it’s because the results speak for themselves. The Ram 1500 is designed to handle many of the elements faced by Canadian drivers, such as plentiful amounts of snow, and off-roading is certainly an option. For the hard-workers, its towing performance will make your life easier, and for the hobbyists or occasional vacation-takers, the Ram 1500 offers the luxuries you are looking for. It is no exaggeration to say that it is the best pickup truck in its price range.
