Like its full-size light-duty competitors, the 2017 Ram 1500 pickup offers lots of choices including Regular, extended Quad Cab, and Crew Cab variants with V-6 and V-8 gasoline engines and a high-efficiency turbodiesel V-6, available with rear- or four-wheel drive. Plus, depending on cab choice there are different pickup bed lengths. Nearly a dozen trim packages are available with varying levels of comfort or utility. From an efficiency standpoint, the fuel conserving HFE model features aerodynamically designed side steps, grille shutters that close when the engine doesn't need cooling air, and a rear lip on the tail gate, all to reduce wind resistance. At highway speeds, the HFE suspension goes into its lowest setting to further improve aerodynamics.

The Ram 1500's 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 HFE is the line’s efficiency champ, featuring 240 horsepower and 420-lb-ft torque while delivering 21 city and 29 highway mpg, better than any full-size pickup. This engine is B20 biodiesel capable. The base engine is a 3.6-liter V-6 rated at 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft torque that’s mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. This combination earns an EPA rating of 17 city and 25 highway mpg and is E-85 ethanol capable. Ram 1500’s 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, rated at 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft torque, is standard on the Sport, Limited, Laramie, and Laramie Longhorn Limited versions and optional on other models. This engine is rated at 15 city and 22 highway mpg and connects to a 6- or 8-speed automatic. A part-time four-wheel-drive system is standard but an all-wheel-drive on-demand system is available with the V-8.

Three cab configurations are available with three bed sizes. Regular cab trucks can be fitted with long (8 foot) or short (6.3 foot) boxes. Crew Cabs can be fitted with short or even shorter 5.6 foot boxes, while Quad Cabs come only with a short box. A standard bench seat can accommodate three adults while front bucket seats with a center console are optional. RamBox integrated storage compartments are available on the two shortest beds.

An optional air suspension provides five ride heights to allow high ground clearance for driving off road, along with generous departure and break-over angles. It also enables a lower step-in height. The air suspension smooths rough terrain and levels the truck when hauling or towing.

All Ram 1500 models come with airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, hill-start assist, and trailer-sway control. Front and rear parking assist is available but no blind-spot monitors are offered. There is a cargo camera and in-cab Wi-Fi hotspot. Mobile apps let drivers remotely lock or unlock their pickup or even remotely start it via their phone. Top-of-the-line Laramie Longhorn Limited trucks feature an 8.4-inch touchscreen, leather upholstery, chrome accents, power adjustable heated seats, 20-inch wheels, 7.0-inch configurable gauge display, rearview camera, Bluetooth, and navigation as standard equipment.

The Ram 1500 is an extremely popular and versatile truck that delivers workhorse capabilities and civilized passenger-car features, making it a long-time favorite among full-size pickup buyers. Its price of entry is a nominal $26,295, but that can climb quickly depending on trim level, cab/bed configurations, and powertrain.

Diesel haters seem to be overly anxious to pile-on and shout ‘death to diesels’ these days. It’s human nature to take offense at being fooled and the diesel market certainly is paying the price of the recent emissions scandal. Serious deception took place and it’s far from forgotten, even as corrections are underway or being explored. The green car market is very competitive so it’s not surprising that some supporting alternative transportation technologies are quick to point the finger.

Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum, responded to a story entitled “The Dirty Truth About Clean Diesel” in The New York Times with the following statement, which the Times ran in its Opinion pages. “Here are the facts about diesel straight from the Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board: Clean diesel technology and fuels have reduced particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions by more than 98 percent, and sulfur content by 97 percent. The American Lung Association cites clean diesel fleets as one of the two primary reasons for improved air quality in the United States.”

Personally, I’ve owned a diesel powered Ford pickup for many years and its overall capability and economy are simply hard to replace. Consider that nearly every product we touch on a daily basis – from the food on our table to the consumer products we all rely on – are harvested and/or transported by diesel powered trucks, trains, and ships. Diesel is an important part of our infrastructure and without it the cost of all goods and services would certainly increase.

I don’t mind admitting I’m still a fan of advanced diesel. I find it discouraging that just as smaller next-generation diesel passenger vehicles were gaining momentum in the North American market, this distrust has many questioning diesel’s place in the automotive landscape. As far as the driving experience goes, it is tough to beat the satisfying torque that a modern diesel delivers. When combined with advanced transmissions they are quite fun to drive.

With EPA federal rules requiring significantly better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions by 2025, next-generation diesel should be a key player in achieving these goals. A primary advantage of diesel has always been superior fuel economy. A diesel will generally deliver 30 percent higher fuel economy than a comparable gasoline model. That huge bump in mileage also brings a significant decrease in CO2 emissions.

Plus, it’s important to note that the more advanced diesels on the road, the greater the potential use of even cleaner-burning biodiesel, a renewable diesel fuel replacement that has experienced significant growth over the past decade.

The road back to diesel acceptance will likely come first in the light truck and sport utility vehicle market with more light-duty diesel pickups and luxury SUVs moving forward. Good examples are the recent introduction of the 5.0-liter V-8 Cummins turbo diesel in the new Nissan Titan and 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder turbo diesel in the mid-size Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. Want something a little more exotic? Land Rover and Range Rover are now offering models with their Td6 next-generation diesel, with other automakers also introducing newer, more efficient, and cleaner diesel models as well.

We hope to see lower-priced, high mileage next-generation diesel models in the near future to fill the void in the small car market.