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COVER STORY

Max payload increases to 2,300, and towing capacity increases to 12,700 pounds. That beats Chevy, Nissan, and Toyota but falls short of Ford.

Since its 2009 model-year launch, the current Ram has increased its share of the full-size truck market from 16 to 22 percent. Half-ton pickup buyers are fiercely loyal, but as the pickup truck segment has grown out of its post-recession doldrums, more first-time truck buyers are coming into the market. It makes sense that the truck with the most carlike ride might attract unbiased folks moving out of cars or crossovers, so for 2019 Ram is amping up the comfort, efficiency, and luxury of its 1500 models to keep those newcomers coming.

Headline upgrades include 48-volt mild hybridization, a claim to the longest and strongest chassis, and class-leading 0.357 Cd aerodynamics. Will this be enough to continue attracting new blood in the face of a refreshed 2018 Truck of the Year–winning Ford F-150, the forthcoming all-new Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra duo expected in 2019, and a renewed Toyota Tundra arriving shortly thereafter?

Let’s start with what’s not new: the interior window switches, the pickup box floor stampings, and some fasteners. Although the gas powertrains mostly carry over, the Pentastar V-6 and Hemi