- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
5.7i, 8 cyl.
- Engine Power
291kW, 556Nm
- Fuel
Petrol 12.2L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4XD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2023 Ram 1500 Laramie Sport review
Ram Trucks Australia recently added the Laramie Sport to its model line-up, bridging the gap between its most affordable and range-topping variants. Trent Nikolic spends some wheel time with a truck that looks, on paper at least, to have what it takes to appeal to Aussie buyers looking at the full-size segment.
- Engine is powerful but surprisingly efficient
- Cabin comfort and space are exceptional
- Proper workhorse but also an excellent tourer
- Don't buy it if you live in the city
- You'll whack your shin on the sidestep the first few times
- Longer warranty would be ideal
2023 Ram 1500 Laramie Sport
Full-size US pick-up trucks. Yes, they are trucks. So are the Ranger and HiLux actually, but that's an argument for another day. Where was I?
Yes, they are trucks, yes they are full-size, yes they are American in every way, and yes they are a relatively new sight (in large numbers certainly) on our urban roads. That they are a target for derision is simply the flavour of the moment. Easy target and all that.
We'll cover why you probably shouldn't buy one if you live in the inner city without parking later, but then you don't see too many in the middle of our big cities anyway. Doesn't stop various interest groups from having a whinge about them, though.
However, if you look at the sales figures, they are here to stay. And I suspect that will remain the case when they invariably switch to electric power too. This segment, and the ability that it has, resonates with Australian buyers.
At the head of the queue is Ram Trucks Australia. There's no denying the conversion of left-hand drive vehicles to right-hand drive for our market had been a small concern for years, that's a fact, and we've tested some of those products over the years.
However, Ram Trucks Australia was the first to take the concept on in a large-scale way, and not just convert but remanufacture multiple components to offer a well-engineered vehicle to Australian buyers. The stories detailing the investment, the amount of work, and the infrastructure required have been told by Drive before, but Ram Trucks Australia put its money where its mouth was and delivered a quality product.
As such, it's now a segment in Australia rather than a fly-by-nighter. There are things these trucks don't do well – fit into underground car parks or tight city laneways, for example – but their ability far outweighs any shortcomings. When it comes to work, towing or touring, there's little that can deliver like a full-size pick-uptruck can. Certainly towing stands out as something these vehicles do with ridiculous ease, and nothing else comes close to them.
When you speak to an owner in a rural area, the first thing they will tell you is that nothing else could do what they need to do as easily as the Ram they are currently driving. Time to take a look at the latest entrant to the burgeoning Ram 1500 range.
How much does the Ram 1500 cost in Australia?
The availability of the Laramie Sport specification grade we're testing here comes as Ram Trucks Australia tightens up its range and phases out the older-generation model that has been so popular on Aussie roads. Josh Dowling reported the following back in July:
As Ram Trucks Australia prepares to phase out the sub-$100,000 edition that has driven most of its sales growth in Australia over the past eight years – the 'DS Series' Ram 1500 Express – it is filling out the rest of its newer 'DT Series' line-up. While the majority of the current Ram 1500 line-up in Australia ranges from $98,950 to $156,950, the newly introduced Ram 1500 Laramie Sport is priced from $136,950 plus on-road costs. The high-performance supercharged TRX tops the range at $224,950.
The Ram 1500 Laramie Sport, then, is separated from the rest of the Ram 1500 range by its colour-coded bumpers, grille and side mirrors, black roof lining, carbon-fibre-look trim inside the cabin on the dash and doors, a 12-inch widescreen digital instrument cluster, unique 20-inch alloy wheels, and RamBox cargo storage in the rear quarter panels. LED headlights and tail lights are standard. Laramie Sport is available in Australia in three colours – white, black or grey.
As mentioned above, pricing for this model starts from $136,950 before on-road costs, and given US pick-ups are so heavily specified regardless of trim grade, you don't really need to add anything to the options list. If you're looking for a current comparison, the GMSV Silverado 1500 in ZR2 specification starts from $124,000 before on-road costs, while the new Ford F-150 Lariat starts at $139,950. It's fair to say, though, that Ford is going with two model grades from launch, and the Lariat is the range-topper.
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Laramie Sport sits one step above the most affordable DT 1500, the Big Horn, and underneath the Limited we've tested before. If you don't need all the extras you get as you step up the range, this could be the model for you.
With Toyota Tundra still to join the battle, there's no doubt that Aussie buyers have never had it better when it comes to full-size trucks in this country. The quality of the remanufacturing and conversion work is top-notch across all brands, and there's a broad spread of models and grades available.
Ram Trucks Australia deserves kudos, though, for being the first to identify the market and go after it with significant investment and resourcing. Given the popularity of Ram in Australia, it's an investment that has paid off.
Key details | 2023 Ram 1500 Laramie Sport |
Price | $136,950 plus on-road costs |
Colour of test car | Bright White |
Options | None |
Price as tested | $136,950 plus on-road costs |
Rivals | Ford F-150 | Chevrolet Silverado | Toyota LC79 |
How much space does the Ram 1500 have inside?
Ram claims the Laramie Sport has the largest cab in its class, and it certainly feels like a chairman's lounge when you're up front. Visibility is excellent, aided not just by the seating position and adjustability it has, but also the height you're sitting at, which is also one of the reasons the Ram 1500 is such an accomplished tow vehicle. Visibility makes for much safer driving, regardless of the segment you're in.
Front and rear doors are large, open wide, and make getting into or out of the Ram way easier than you might think. The electric, retractable side steps are a masterstroke in terms of simple functionality. They are wide enough for a large boot to be safely accommodated, but they are sturdy too, and don't feel like they are going to break when you jump up onto them. Further, when the Ram quotes five seats, it means you can accommodate five adults in comfort.
As we've noted with Ram before, the cabin is where they best illustrate their chops as America's chosen family transport in so many states. That is, they are comfortable, practical, insulated, and feature loads of storage, making the most of the cavernous space on offer.
Part leather-trimmed seats are comfortable – heated and cooled up front with fold-down armrests. They are eight-way adjustable, with lumbar adjustment as well. Ram has added active noise cancellation and acoustic glass to reduce ambient noise as much as possible, which according to the manufacturer makes this 1500 the quietest ever.
The two outer rear seats aren't just heated, they also get manually reclining backrests and the space is limousine-like in terms of leg, shoulder and head room. Ram calls the rear bench a '60:40 stadium folding' design, and there's also a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders in the back row.
Door pockets, a huge centre console area, clever solutions for storing your large smartphone, and a surfeit of cupholders throughout the cabin make the Ram 1500 Laramie Sport a compelling family touring alternative. If you're on the road for long periods of time, you'll be able to do it in comfort, there's no doubt about that.
2023 Ram 1500 Laramie Sport | |
Seats | Five |
Payload | 779kg |
Length | 5916mm |
Width | 2084mm |
Height | 1971mm |
Wheelbase | 3672mm |
Does the Ram 1500 have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Thanks to its portrait orientation, the infotainment screen is the first thing you'll notice when you step up into the front of the cabin, as it dominates the centre of the dash. Measuring in at 12 inches, it's big enough that everything you need or want to see is clearly displayed, but it's designed such that it sits into the dash, rather than looking like an afterthought that's simply been tossed at the dash with little thought given to aesthetics.
Cleverly, the portrait orientation, as we've noted with other systems, allows you to display your smartphone-mirrored screen across the top section, as it might look on a more common landscape arrangement. Then, below that, you can still see the HVAC controls, for example. That doubles the effective functionality, and keeps major controls easy to work out. Vehicle settings are also accessed through the touchscreen menus.
There are two USB-A and two USB-C ports up front, which take care of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. CarPlay was faultless for us during testing, and there's clever storage specifically for your phone in the lower section of the front of the centre console. It stops your phone from sliding all over the place, too, which is handy.
While the touchscreen doubles as a control centre, I like the way Ram has retained traditional button controls for functions like fan speed, temperature settings and recirculation.
Below the screen, you'll find the controls specific to towing applications, which is something we didn't do on this test. Second-row occupants haven't been forgotten either, and they get two USB-A and two USB-C charge ports to keep devices topped up. We like the way Ram has integrated the shift dial into the RHD conversion, and it makes the switch a lot easier when the factory uses a dial rather than a traditional lever. As such, it's pretty intuitive, even when you need to shift quickly for a three-point turn.
Ram's 12-inch digital driver's display is a good one, and across the Drive team we noted the positioning and functionality of the steering-wheel-mounted controls, which are easy to work out, and don't get in the way when you're minding your own business just trying to drive the Laramie Sport. It's configurable to suit what you want to look at as well, ensuring you get the display you want.
Is the Ram 1500 a safe car?
The 2023 Ram 1500 hasn't been tested locally by ANCAP, so it remains unrated at this stage.
It's worth noting that this category is one that doesn't get tested in Australia, because full-size pick-up trucks don't fall under ANCAP guidelines for now. We don't have any independent crash data in Australia as a result.
2023 Ram 1500 Laramie Sport | |
ANCAP rating | Untested |
What safety technology does the Ram 1500 have?
Standard safety technology includes traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, trailer sway control, hill-start assist, front and rear park sensors, autonomous emergency braking, blind-zone warning, rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree camera view, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and tyre pressure monitoring.
How much does the Ram 1500 cost to maintain?
Ram's three-year/100,000km warranty is on the skinny side compared to the more typical warranties on the market, and we'd love to see the brand extend that out to five years. There's also 24/7 roadside assistance for the duration of the warranty period.
Service intervals are every 12 months or 12,000km, whichever comes first. The servicing costs over three years of ownership are priced at $2040.
The annual comprehensive insurance premium we obtained indicated a hefty $5195 to insure the Ram 1500 Laramie Sport, based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver, living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
At a glance | 2023 Ram 1500 Laramie Sport |
Warranty | Three years, 100,000km |
Service intervals | 12 months or 12,000km |
Servicing costs | $2040 (3 years) |
Is the Ram 1500 fuel-efficient?
It seems indulgent to discuss fuel economy with something like a Ram 1500, and yet they are nowhere near as thirsty as most people would expect.
First up, Ram claims 12.2 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle, and you'll easily better that on a long highway run. Live figures in the single digits aren't uncommon when you're rolling down the freeway. The 1500's 5.7-litre Hemi V8 includes fuel-saving tech like cylinder deactivation for low-load driving, and a mild-hybrid stop-start system.
Our tester, which would have included plenty of highway miles during the run-in phase, was indicating a historical average of 12.6L/100km over more than 2000km.
Our standard test loop, with a mix of around town and highway running, returned an indicated usage of 13.4L/100km. Not bad for something as big, comfortable, and capable as the Ram 1500.
Fuel Consumption - brought to you by bp
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Fuel Useage | Fuel Stats |
Fuel cons. (claimed) | 12.2L/100km |
Fuel cons. (on test) | 13.4L/100km |
Fuel type | 91-octane unleaded |
Fuel tank size | 98L |
What is the Ram 1500 like to drive?
To drive any Ram 1500 is to be served a potent reminder of all the inherent qualities of a naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine. Less complex when it's devoid of forced induction, a petrol V8 rightly serves as one of of history's most enduring engine platforms. The 5.7-litre Hemi V8 lurking beneath the Ram's high-riding bonnet is a good one too.
With 291kW and 556Nm, it does just about anything with ease, and that ease is reflected in the lower than expected fuel consumption. The eight-speed auto is excellent, too, working well around town or on the move, and it plays its part in working with the engine's strengths.
If you want a relaxed cruise, that's exactly what you can have. If you want to rocket up to speed quickly, you can do that too. At no stage will the big Hemi feel like it's being asked to do something it doesn't want to do. The Ram isn't svelte – 2671kg – but it doesn't feel heavy to get hauling in a straight line.
The ride quality on Laramie Sport's 20-inch wheels and tyres is excellent, with all but the worst road surfaces barely registering inside the cabin. The Ram really is a quintessential long-legged tourer that can tackle any family road trip with ease. It's comfortable in terms of cabin space, but it's comfortable on the road, too, and that makes a difference.
Once you're on the move, and comfortable with the fact the Ram is an undeniably big bugger, it's a cinch to drive. Light steering and good brake response mean it's no different to driving a regular dual-cab anywhere other than really tight laneways. It's easy to position in the lane, responds the way you would like it to, and behaves in a reassuring manner.
Don't go firing it into corners aiming to brake as late as possible – it's not designed for such theatrics after all. Our roads aren't laid out with the same abandon as those in America, and paying attention to the long wheelbase when you're turning onto a main road from a side street, for example, is encouraged. We found it to be easy to park, too, with the 360-degree camera helping here, and sitting up so high ensuring you can see the corners of the Ram.
You obviously need to remember that the Ram 1500 is a size bigger than the dual-cabs we're used to regardless of whether it's a Laramie Sport as tested here or any other grade. As such, it's absolutely not the pick for those of you who live close to the centre of the city, don't have off-street parking, or need to get into underground car parks regularly. It's not that it can't do some of those things, more that it's not practical for that usage application.
However, if you live in the outer urban areas, need to lug long or large gear around regularly, tow heavy trailers, or head into the rural areas to explore, it's a completely different story. In terms of conventional contenders, it's really only the Land Rover Defender, Nissan Patrol or Toyota LandCruiser 300 that can do what the Ram 1500 does as easily as it does it. Unsurprisingly, Ram dealers tell us that plenty of new buyers are current 'Cruiser or Patrol owners.
Key details | 2023 Ram 1500 Laramie Sport |
Engine | 5.7-litre V8 petrol |
Power | 291kW @ 5600rpm |
Torque | 556Nm @ 3950rpm |
Drive type | Four-wheel drive |
Transmission | Eight-speed torque converter automatic |
Power-to-weight ratio | 108.9kW/t |
Weight (kerb) | 2671kg |
Spare tyre type | Full-size |
Tow rating | 4500kg braked (70mm ball) 750kg unbraked |
Turning circle | 14.0m |
Should I buy a Ram 1500?
With the understanding that those of you in the inner city need not apply, there's a lot to like about the Ram 1500 Laramie Sport. Its strong points are undeniably strong, and it does things that no other vehicle can do with such ease.
If you need to tow, for example, there's almost nothing that can go toe-to-toe with it. Moving your family with space and luxury on a long road trip is hard to do as easily in any other vehicle – four-wheel drive or otherwise.
This segment is hotting up, with the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Ford F-150 on sale, and Toyota Tundra on its way. Ram Trucks Australia got the jump, though, and the brand has genuine popularity here, not to mention a loyal fan base. Full-size US trucks aren't for everybody, but the Ram 1500 Laramie Sport will be ideal for a cohort of buyers. Put it on the shopping list if you're ready to step up.
How do I buy a Ram 1500 – next steps?
If you're flexible with colour and trim, you can be driving a new Ram 1500 within a month or so. In other words, wait times and availability are significantly improved from where they were during the depths of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Initial interest in the Laramie Sport model grade has been strong, but if you get into a Ram dealer, you will be able to secure one.
Given the pricing and standard specifications, and as much as we love the Limited, the Laramie Sport does steal the limelight as our pick of the range. While more money obviously buys you more Ram 1500, the Laramie Sport is a neat blend of price and inclusions.
The next steps on the purchase journey are to check the Ram Trucks Australia website for stock of your preferred Ram 1500 variant. You can also find Rams for sale at Drive.com.au/cars-for-sale.
As always, we strongly recommend taking a test drive at a dealership before committing because personal needs and tastes can differ. That's especially the case if this is your first taste of the full-size US pick-up segment. It's a big transition for buyers unfamiliar with large trucks. Find your nearest Ram dealer via this link. We’d also recommend test-driving the Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-150 to compare the different makes now available.
If you want to stay updated with everything that's happened to this car since our review, you'll find all the latest news here.