2017 Ram 1500 Pickup – Oh So Fashionable (and It Seats 6!)

2017 Ram 1500 Lone Star Silver Edition
2017 Ram 1500 Lone Star Silver Edition. Photo: Erica Mueller

With Strong, Wide Hips This Baby is Ready for Anything.

Because I’m all about the trucks and because I’ve always been curious to actually drive one for a week, I was really, really stoked to get the 2017 Ram 1500 Lone Star Silver Crew Cab to review. This edition of the Ram 1500 is unique to Texas. You have to come here to buy this chrome-trimmed Texas-themed version.

And while I’d personally choose a truck in the off-road or heavy duty segment, the Ram 1500 is better suited for the gal who doesn’t need a lot of towing power or that extra long bed for hauling large loads. This truck is perfect for someone who really loves driving a truck but doesn’t need all the muscular abilities, though it is available in 4 wheel drive for those times when you need it. And this truck seats 6!

What the Ram 1500 costs

Ram 1500 trucks start at $43,095. This seems pretty competitive to me when you look at light duty trucks across the board. The Lone Star Silver Edition model we drove has an MSRP of $49,485. Again, not bad!

Is a truck really the right vehicle for me?

I’ve always thought Ram trucks were beautiful beasts. Especially the big duallys with the extra wheels and wide hips; they just look strong and ready for anything. My family had a Ram 15 passenger van that I learned to drive in, a Ram work truck with utility boxes, and my dad had a Dodge Dakota. Plus, I currently have a Dodge Durango. So, I’ve grown up pretty immersed in Ram and Dodge tradition.

But when it comes to the trucks I’ve never been able to put my finger on why I’m not crazy drawn to them. Beautiful to look at, yes. But desiring to own one? No. I tried a few on for size at the Texas Truck Rodeo last fall and loved driving the Rebel Off-Road, but still didn’t add the trucks to my short-list.

Think a girl can’t go off-roading? Think again!Ā 

High Fashion Comes Standard in Ram Trucks

I always drool over the leather work on the Laramie editions at the auto shows. No one does leather detailing like Ram. And while I drove the Ram 1500 Lone Star edition with the sporty cloth seat option, I still found myself getting excited over all the little details.

2017 Ram 1500 Lone Star Silver Edition Dashboard
2017 Ram 1500 Lone Star Silver Edition Dashboard. Photo: Erica Mueller

For example, the dash and steering wheel controls are absolutely perfect. Even my husband commented on how uncluttered they are. They give you all the important information and controls, and nothing that you don’t need. The screen is huge (7″) and comes with lots of options for customizing what you see on the display. Hubby says, “The cruise control is in just the right spot!”

The two-tone Canyon Brown/Light Frost Beige interior with cloth seats was both beautiful and comfortable, and easy to clean up. I both vacuumed and wiped them down after a week of hauling the family and tons of home renovation materials and the truck interior looked like new when I was done. I liked that the seats didn’t get hot…a miracle in Texas in the summer!

2017 Ram 1500 Lone Star Silver Edition Is A Truck That Seats 6.
Yes, this truck can seat 6, with 3 in the front! The console flips up for a 40/20/40 seat configuration. Photo: Erica Mueller

Love a Truck That Seats 6!

The 40/20/40 split front seat with a fold down console was the bomb-diggity. My brother is here for the summer, and my mother’s helper comes once a week, so being able to fit six in the truck was a huge treat! None of our personal vehicles seat six. I’m adding this feature to my must-have list for our next vehicle. Center consoles are great, but seats are better, and if that middle seat folds down like Ram’s does, you’re not missing out on storage, cup holders, or an arm rest when you need one!

Other cars we love that seat six or more

2017 Ram 1500 Lone Star Silver Edition Maximum Steel Metallic Clear Coat Exterior
2017 Ram 1500 Lone Star Silver Edition Maximum in Steel Metallic Clear Coat paint. Photo: Erica Mueller

Repeat after me: Maximum Steel Metallic Clear Coat Exterior Paint. I know it’s a mouthful, but this is the color you want. It’s magical. Depending on the light, this paint job can look black, charcoal, brown, blue, green, or purple. I seriously couldn’t decide which color the truck was and I liked them all!

2017 Ram 1500 Lone Star Silver Edition Bed Cover
2017 Ram 1500 Lone Star Silver Edition Bed Cover. Photo: Erica Mueller

Not every Ram truck is going to come with a bed cover, but the test model we drove did. At first I was a little worried… we’re renovating a house and having a truck to haul large items really excited me, till I saw that cover. I was worried it would make the truck bed almost unusable. Having never driven a truck with a bed cover I didn’t know how they worked, or how very easy they are to fold back or remove. I was so very pleasantly surprised and even found the cover useful multiple times. How’s that for changing a gal’s mind?

Ram 1500 Truck Has Cargo Space Inside Too

Fold. Flat. Cargo. Space. So so simple to convert and so handy for loading. A lot of manufacturers are getting on board with making the rear seating area not only useable for cargo, but practical ,too. Ram does such a good job with this. You simply lift the seat cushion and it folds up against the back of the cab wall. Then you flip up some plastic “legs” and fold the carpeted flap toward the front of truck and bam! you have a flat cargo space. And it’s HUGE.

2017 Ram 1500 Lone Star Silver Edition
2017 Ram 1500 Lone Star Silver Edition. Only available in Texas! Photo: Erica Mueller

The Lone Star Edition is Only Available in Texas

We have our own trucks. How many states do you know that have their own truck editions? That’s right. You want one of these beauties? You’ve got to come to Texas to get one!

And if you’re coming for the Lone Star Edition, you might as well upgrade it to the Lone Star Silver Edition and get the optional luxury grill with chrome surround, sporty cloth or leather seating, 20″ aluminum wheels, running boards and the 5.7L HEMIĀ® V8 Engine. This package is an additional $900, but I’d say it’s worth every penny.

What the heck is the Texas Truck Rodeo?

2017 Ram 1500 5.7L HemiĀ® V8 Engine
2017 Ram 1500 5.7L HEMIĀ® V8 engine with 410 pound-feet of torque pulling capability. Photo: Erica Mueller

What We Loved

  • Driver Information Digital Cluster with a 7-inch color display. Perfection.
  • Premium Cloth 40/20/40 Split-Bench Front Seats and 60/40 Split-Folding Rear Seats for comfort and the practicality of seating 6 passengers. Go ahead. Bring the whole crew along!
  • Spray-In bedliner for durability and worry-free hauling.
  • 32 gallon fuel tank. We refilled it once.

What You Need to Know

  • 5.7L HEMI V8 gasoline engine with 410 pound-feet of torque pulling capability.
  • Torqueflite 8 Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission standard on all 1500 trucks.
  • 4-wheel drive. This is optional, but highly recommended. ?
  • ParkSense Front and Rear Park Assist System, because big trucks can be difficult to park in small spaces.
  • Uconnect 8.4 with an 8.4-Inch Touchscreen to keep you connected on the go.
  • Five-Link Coil Spring Rear Suspension makes for a smooth ride, without sacrificing towing ability.
  • 20-Inch Chrome Wheels and chrome wrapped grill for a great first impression.
A Girls Guide To Cars | 2017 Ram 1500 Pickup - Oh So Fashionable (And It Seats 6!) - Ram 1500 Lone Star Silver Edition 1
RAM 1500 Lone Star Silver Edition Fashionable Inside and Out! Photo: Erica Mueller

So, after all that, why isn’t the Ram 1500 on my short list?

It’s rather hard to pinpoint, but here are a few reasons why I think the chemistry just isn’t there for me.

As beautiful as the truck is, the 1500 feels like a street truck. I’m more of an off-road gal who likes the bulk and rumble of a truck made for mudding and climbing over rocks. It’s why the Rebel was my favorite of the Rams at the Truck Rodeo. If you aren’t offroading or ranching, but you love trucks and you want something that looks amazing, the 1500 just might be the truck for you!

2017 Ram 1500 Lone Star Dial Shift
2017 Ram 1500 Lone Star Dial Shift. Photo: Erica Mueller

A Dial Gear Shift? No Thank You

The gear shift is a dial. I simply cannot get over this. I don’t think I will ever get over this. Especially in a truck. Yes, it saves space. But that is the end of my optimism. After a week of driving the Ram I was still hesitant to pull my foot off the brake after putting the truck in park. It just doesn’t feel right. I looked at the dash every single time I spun that dial to make sure I was in the right gear. When you use a gear shift, you feel it. You count it. Mentally, you’ve shifted gears. An electronic dial doesn’t give you that satisfaction.

It’s too quiet. There, I said it. I need my truck to sound like a truck. While I know we’ve all been complaining about road noise for years and begging manufactures to make quieter cars, a truck should sound like it can take on the road and every other driver on it.

2017 Ram 1500 Uconnect
2017 Ram 1500 Center Console/Command Center. Photo: Erica Mueller

I just don’t mesh with the Uconnect system. For a gal who uses electronics every day, all day long, to find this system difficult to navigate, is really sad. My husband strongly disliked it too. It just isn’t intuitive and when you’re driving, you need to have a system that is so easy to use that you don’t have to risk your life to find the home screen.

It’s Not You, It’s Me

I think Ram trucks and me are kind of like gladiator sandals and me. We just don’t work out. You see, for years I’ve seen women pull off those tall strappy sandals with dresses and shorts and wished I could too. But when I put them on and look in the mirror they just don’t suit me. And my 90-degree ankles don’t fit that sloped piece of leather up the front of the sandal.

Did I enjoy the Ram 1500? Absolutely! Any day in a beautiful truck is a good day, and I found lots of little details to love and admire.

2017 Ram 1500 Lone Star Silver Edition Maroney
2017 Ram 1500 Lone Star Silver Edition Monroney

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles provided the Ram 1500 Lone Star Silver for this review; all opinions are my own.Ā 

Erica Mueller
Erica Mueller

A web developer, digital marketing consultant, auto journalist, truck expert, photographer and lover of gadgets, Erica is a textbook geek. On her days off she loves to travel, garden, hike and camp, and play her guitar. You can find Erica on Instagram at @EricaDrives. Erica is a board member and a journalist member of the Texas Auto Writers Association.

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