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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Regular Cab

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Regular Cab

Overview

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2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Regular Cab Review

By KBB.com Editors

How big is too big? At Dodge, the question seems not to have crossed anyone's mind. How else can one explain the massive 2008 Dodge Ram Mega Cab pickup? As if the Ram Quad Cab isn't more truck than most folks need, the Mega Cab stretches its interior by replacing the standard eight-foot box with a six-foot bed and filling the remaining gap with an additional 20 inches of cab. The Mega Cab now boasts the largest interior of any full-size pickup and features so much rear-seat legroom it's only a matter of time before someone starts using it as an off-road limo! The true beauty of the Mega Cab's design is that its stem-to-stern dimensions remain identical to the eight-foot bed Ram Quad Cab pickup, meaning it will still fit in your garage -- but just barely.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you want capacious rear-cabin room for people and cargo, this is your truck. With a limo-like 44.2 inches of rear-seat legroom and 71 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded, the 2008 Dodge Ram Mega Cab is the King of the Hill.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If your towing, hauling and rear-cabin roominess needs are more modest than this Mega Cab provides, or your fuel budget is limited, the Quad Cab is probably all the truck you need. The smaller six-foot bed may also pose a problem for some.

What's New for 2008

A new SXT trim joins the line, while 2500 and 3500 models receive a standard 7x10-inch trailer-tow mirror. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 3500 4x4 models with the 6.7-liter diesel engine and six-speed automatic transmission climbs from 23,000 to 24,000 pounds.

Driving the Ram 1500 Regular Cab

Driving Impressions Despite their bulk, these Mega Cabs steer, ride, handle and brake at least as well as competitive long-wheelbase heavy-duty pickups. The HEMI V8 delivers its 375 pound-feet of peak torque...

at 4200 rpm and its 345 maximum horsepower at 5400 rpm, and the five-speed automatic provides smooth power at any reasonable speed. The Cummins Turbo Diesel, by contrast, unleashes its monster 610 pound-feet of max torque at just 1600 rpm and its 325 peak horsepower at 2900 rpm. This is great for launching with heavy loads and for off-road creeping, but on-road, if you start in first gear, you'll need to shift to second almost immediately and to third before reaching 20 miles per hour. The available automatic upshifts smoothly and quickly enough to mask this musclebound diesel's narrow torque band.

Favorite Features

Cabin Capacity
The primary disadvantage of a pickup truck versus a truck-based SUV is the latter's enclosed, theft-resistant and weather-protected cargo capacity. This truck's aptly-named Mega Cab goes a long way toward eliminating that disadvantage, yet retains a substantial conventional bed out back for your dirty, heavy stuff. Unlike any other pickup, it will seat an NBA basketball team and its sixth man off the bench in commodious comfort, plus a fair amount of gear behind the back seat.

HEMI V8 Engine
Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota and Nissan all offer strong, reliable V8 power in full-size pickups, but none beats this Dodge powerhouse for its balance of smoothness, muscle and efficiency. Partnered with the robust five-speed automatic, it's simply the most powerfully pleasing big-pickup powerplant available.

2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Regular Cab Details

Interior

The spacious six-passenger cabin has a wide front-center console, with generous storage bins and cup holders and an optional "business console" under the middle front cushion for a laptop and other mobile office needs. The gauges and controls have a precise look and feel, and the fittings and materials are good even in mid-level SLT models. Besides prodigious room and reclining seats, rear-seat riders get their own HVAC outlets, reading lamps, stowable center armrest with cupholders and (available) DVD with integrated game ports and wireless headsets. Behind the 60/40 fold-flat rear seats is a unique and useful 7.6 cubic feet of cargo space, plus another 1.8 cubic feet in covered bins.

Exterior

Dodge has distinguished its pickups from competitors with aggressive "big-rig" styling featuring lowered front fenders and big, bold cross-bar grilles. The 2008 Dodge Ram Mega Cab SLT builds on that theme with chrome grille bars inside a thick chrome collar, contemporary new headlamps and a massive front bumper. Uplevel Laramie models also wear chrome on their front bumpers and side sills. The front-hinged rear doors swing out nearly perpendicular (85 degrees) to the body, opening a cavernous 34.5 by 35.5-inch portal to the rear compartment for easy entry and exit, and for loading and unloading large, bulky items.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Base SXTs come well-equipped with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine (6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel on 3500), air conditioning, AM/FM/CD four-speaker stereo, speed control, power windows and locks, keyless entry, overhead console with "mini" trip computer and compass, black grille billets, 17-inch chrome-clad wheels and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS).

Optional Equipment

SLT trims add chrome grille billets and a sliding rear window, while the uplevel Laramie models add leather upholstery, six-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, power sliding rear window, chromed aluminum wheels, security alarm, Sentry Key engine immobilizer and upscale audio with a six-disc CD changer, Infinity speakers, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and steering wheel-mounted controls. Additional options include full-screen navigation (integrated into the radio), rear-seat DVD, power sunroof and power-adjustable pedals.

Under the Hood

Two very different engine choices are available to Mega Cab customers, who will decide based on individual needs -- both work and play -- and desires. The standard HEMI gas V8 delivers outstanding power and torque, but despite the efficiency-enhancing Multiple-Displacement System, which disables four cylinders under light loads, don't expect much in the way of fuel economy in a truck this massive. The optional Cummins Turbo Diesel offers torque enough to pull a house off its foundation and better on-road economy, at the cost of diesel noise and roughness. Those with diesel needs or tastes will love it, others won't.

5.7-liter V8 HEMI
345 horsepower @ 5400 rpm
375 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/18 (2WD), 13/17 (4WD)

6.7-liter in-line 6 Cummins Turbo Diesel
350 horsepower @ 3013 rpm
650 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1500 rpm (automatic), 610 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1400 rpm (manual)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

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2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.6

Out of 10

Based on 1859 Ratings for the 2002 - 2009 models.

Review this car

Value

8.8/10

Quality

8.7/10
Reliability

9.0/10

Performance

9.0/10
Comfort

8.8/10

Styling

8.9/10

My Favorite Vehicle Ever!!

By mmartin28 (CA) on Friday, June 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 78,000

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Performance, hauling, handling, comfort and reliab"

Cons: "Gas mileage"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This is my third Dodge truck. I was a glutton for punishment as my '98 truck's transmission scattered for no reason right after it was out of warranty, got it repaired and bought a new '02, which needed a new computer board after 2 months. When I saw the Hemi Sport, I had to have it! I'm no stranger to performance vehicles, and this peach of a truck won my heart over the Corvette I had and my Shelby 350 Mustang. It hauls like a truck, performs like a sports car and rides like a luxury vehicle. I have had him for 9 years, and will keep him forever. I don't have any desire for a new one, they aren't nearly as awesome looking anyway!"

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best truck to own !!

By karloz702 (NV) on Tuesday, June 11, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 260,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "very fuel efficent"

Cons: "NONE"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"love my dodge ram super reliable never had any major problems bought in 2005 brand new and never regreted it fuel efficiant still runs like a beast after 260000 miles i have NOTHING bad to say about this truck"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Great and dependable all round vehicle!

By Home inspector (NY) on Saturday, June 08, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 146,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Standard shift,pulls great,durable car"

Cons: "Plastic intake manifold killed bysimple backfire."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"I love my dodge. The standard is tough and durable, this vehicle rides very well and for a truck is quite comfortable. The mileage is some-what low even for a standard at 16 and 21. My only real complaint is that once the truck backed-fired and that blew a hole in the PLASTIC Plenum (Intake manifold) and it took 9 months to get a replacement part through the dealer and I lost the use of the truck for that time. Please go back to an aluminum or metal one. After this happened to me I found out in searching the web that this was an issue and also over-heating (Mostly in southern states) caused the plenum to fail through distortion. Fix this and you have an excellent truck!"

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Love the Hemi engine

By Malenurse (PA) on Sunday, June 02, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 43,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Does everything you want it to do. Hauling-Towing"

Cons: "None"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This truck has the power to get things done. Hauling wood and coal. It has held up very well. Still looks good. Best running truck I have even owned."

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I love my Dodge 1 Ton! Works and plays all day!

By Charlie (NE) on Wednesday, May 22, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 115,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Fun to drive, efficient mileage!"

Cons: "Drivers seat wore out after 6 years lol"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Bought my pickup brand new in 2007. We live on a small farm, my pickup has hauled horses, cows, pigs, dogs, hay, tractors and a Jeep Cherokee. It has worked phenomenal through mud, snow, rain, dirt! Recently took a trip to Black Hills and she climbed through the hills at 17 MPG! We pulled the Jeep Cherokee on a flatbed 2000 miles and she ran 15 mpg! And that was when she barely had 25,000 miles. I bet know the mileage would be much better as diesels only improve with age! I would reccommend to anyone who needs a hardworking reliable pickup!!"

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most capable factory offroad package like raptor

By mrsparky (NY) on Thursday, May 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 53,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "off road capable"

Cons: "lousy mileage and high price"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"My only complaint is replacing the water pump at 45000 because the previous owners mechanic used the wrong coolant i later found out caused problem This truck is very capable for a large truck with the front and rear lockers and swaybar disconnect offroad and rides very good on road for a big vehicle with 35 inch tires and has good power from the hemi engine as well. Its a texas caddilac for sure when traveling . The best mileage i have gotten so far was 15mpg doing highway driving."

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