Ram Rebel: Judging for 2016 Wards 10 Best Interiors

TRANSCRIPT

​Pickup trucks today come with prices in the forty to fifty thousand dollar range so there’s a built-in expectation of luxury, and the Ram 1500 Rebel does not disappoint. If you like the standard Ram interior, with its wide expanses, giant storage bins and commanding driving position, you’ll love the Rebel.

Upscale materials and finishes abound in this beefy pickup’s cabin, from the red-and-white stitching on the leather covering the seats, center console and dashboard to the red metallic inserts in the door panels. This truck’s interior is pleasing to the eye.

It’s also a comfortable place to spend time, with wide but well-bolstered and heated seats that are fully adjustable for maximum support. It’s easy to settle in here, whether for a short trip or a long haul, and rear-seat occupants should find ample room if not every amenity.

Like all of its Ram siblings, the Rebel is packed with cool features, like the fold-flat rear-load floor, backseat-under-floor storage compartments, and the humongous center console storage.

But the best part, for the most part, is the Rebel’s Uconnect 5.0 do-everything infotainment system. Connect to phone via Bluetooth. Check.

Call up music from radio, digital player or Pandora. Check.

Make a call using voice recognition. Check.

Navigate by voice command. Check.

So where does the Rebel lose points? In the simple features that seem like they ought to be there in a $53,000 truck, like automatic temperature control. We also found it hard to spot the tiny buttons for seat and steering-wheel heat.

But those are minor, niggling problems that don’t detract from the interior’s special feel. Overall, the Rebel is a nice stab at upgrading the Ram into a Ford Raptor fighter. With a little more attention to detail, it’s a sure hit.

-- Bob Gritzinger