RAM 1500 Laramie Sport 2023 Review

RAM’s ascendency in Australia has reached a key moment.

Having had the full-size ute market mostly to itself for the past five years, with only GMSV’s Chevrolet Silverado to really contend with, the American RAM pick-ups – imported by factory-backed independent distributor RAM Trucks Australia and converted to right-hand drive by Walkinshaw Group – faces new-found competition locally with the introduction of the Ford F-Series, not to mention the forthcoming Toyota Tundra.

To shore up its local offering, RAM has ditched ageing DS-generation models from its line-up and introduced a new mid-spec variant with a heavy luxury bent. In retrospect, the new RAM 1500 Laramie Sport presents as a sweet spot in the range.

The 2023 RAM 1500 Laramie Sport virtually occupies the middle rung of RAM Trucks Australia’s DT-series line-up, priced at $136,950 plus on-road costs.

That makes it $3995 dearer than the existing Laramie crew cab when fitted with the optional RamBox tray storage system, which is standard on the new Laramie Sport.

With the previous-generation RAM 1500 DS now discontinued locally, the more sophisticated DT-generation line-up now starts at a hefty $119,950 plus ORCs.

The model walk then moves through Laramie ($127,950 plus ORCs) and Laramie Sport grades, topping out at $156,950 plus ORCs for the Limited, before finally settling at $224,950 plus ORCs for the bonkers TRX flagship.

The 2023 RAM 1500 Laramie Sport gets a pretty decent spread of standard equipment, especially when you consider the bare-bones nature of the new $120K Big Horn anchoring the range.

Firstly, the newcomer is distinguished from its Laramie donor via alloy wheel design and a colour-coded grille, bumpers and mirrors, while a black headliner and black carbon-fibre-effect trim inserts add to the cabin’s sporty bent.

Then there’s the usual truck flair headlined by front tow hooks, twin tailpipes, tailgate damping and locking and a spray-on bedliner.

Otherwise, the Laramie Sport’s equipment list reads identically to the standard Laramie’s, including 20-inch wheels, LED headlights, leather-accented upholstery, dual-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, keyless entry/start, adjustable pedals, powered side steps and eight-way power-adjustable front seats.

On the practicality front, the 1500 gets a tow bar and 12-pin wiring harness fitment included in the purchase price. However, the mount kit (50mm or 70mm) and tonneau cover are both extras.

Another noteworthy and occasionally overlooked feature is the standard fitment of integrated trailer brakes, doing away with the need to install aftermarket electric brakes like the commonly used REDARC system on many dual-cabs the next size down.

Less impressive are the RAM’s warranty and servicing intervals, with a three-year/100,000km fixture for the former, and 12-month/12,000km provisions for the latter which will set owners back more than $600 annually.

Fortunately, three years of free roadside assistance is included in the purchase price.

Although it isn’t officially tested by local authorities (ANCAP), the 2023 RAM 1500 Laramie Sport gets a laundry list of safety items – at least making it much better equipped than lesser RAM models.

For starters, there are six airbags and the latest electronic acronyms (DSC, ABS, etc), plus autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring with rear cross path detection, forward collision with active braking, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.

Additionally, there’s a 360-degree parking camera system, parallel and perpendicular park assist, front and rear parking sensors and tyre pressure monitoring included standard.

Infotainment in the 2023 RAM 1500 Laramie Sport is controlled via a 12-inch centre touch-screen display, with a separate 12.0-inch screen conveying key driver and trip information.

From a presentation point of view, it’s a huge step up from older RAM offerings, as well as cheaper options currently on the table.

And, from a useability perspective, the embedded UConnect software is legible and intuitive in its presentation, with everything presented clearly.

The tech is easy to use and functional on the go, too, braced by a bank of physical dials and switchgear along the dashboard centre fascia and steering wheel.

The universal orientation of the centre screen means it isn’t affected by the switch to right-hand drive; one small exception being the heated steering wheel icon still presents on the left-hand side of the screen instead of the right.

Otherwise, the infotainment suite includes a 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, wireless phone charging and a plethora of USB-A and USB-C ports in both rows of seating.

Doing duty under the bonnet of the 2023 RAM 1500 Laramie Sport is the 291kW/556Nm 5.7-litre naturally-aspirated HEMI V8 engine that powers all RAM 1500 models in Australia – save for the berserk TRX.

Although there is nothing ground-breaking about its design – think old-school pushrod V8 and an eight-speed auto – the HEMI has been gentrified ever-so-slightly with the installation of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, dubbed eTorque.

Essentially, the eTorque system extends the functionality of the RAM’s integrated idle-stop system, teaming with cylinder deactivation in coasting scenarios, plus active aero grille shutters, to maximum efficiency.

On the utilitarian front, the RAM 1500 Laramie Sport features a part-time four-wheel-drive system with 2WD High, 4WD Auto and 4WD High/Low range.

RAM doesn’t provide an official 0-100km/h time for the Laramie Sport, but you could safely expect to reach triple figures in around seven seconds.

For a 2.7-tonne, six-metre-long V8-powered truck, the 2023 RAM 1500 Laramie Sport’s fuel efficiency is surprisingly reasonable.

We returned 13.0L/100km in a mix of conditions with no effort, and 11.6L/100km in regional and highway driving.

Hitching a 2.5-tonne trailer on the back pushed economy closer to 20L/100km; again, not that bad when you consider vehicles like the Nissan Patrol or even the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.

One criticism of the DT-generation 1500 is the volume of the fuel tank, which has shrunk to 98 litres from 121 litres, theoretically limiting the real-world range to about 650km.

The best and worst features of the 2023 RAM 1500 Laramie Sport all boil down to one thing: its size.

Driving is a case in point. On the open highway or casual regional passage, few vehicles match the outright comfort, sereneness and effortlessness of the big RAM as it shakes off small-amplitude bumps, cocoons you in its lush cabin and pampers with the laundry list of standard equipment.

The steering is light, the engine oozes charisma and punch in equal measure and there’s a real charm with the ease with which the 1500 Laramie Sport can move and control its sizeable heft without breaking a sweat.

The brakes work well and the chassis offers reasonable athleticism and confidence through changes in direction – all within the confines of the RAM’s hefty size, naturally.

Equally, on built-up roads, through traffic and tight spaces, size is a double-edged sword. The 1500’s mammoth circa 15.0-metre turning circle, huge 6.0-metre length and circa 2.0-metre width and height are constant considerations, especially when trying to park.

Furthermore, the truck-like origins of the RAM 1500 Laramie Sport (ladder-frame chassis and solid rear axle) means it occasionally feels disconnected from the surface beneath when things are rougher, with typical tremoring over bumps and occasionally skipping through mid-corner obstacles.

All told, the RAM 1500 is only justifiable in our minds if you’re regularly towing 3.0 tonnes or more, or you live somewhere open and rural.

For other applications, smaller utes such as the Ford Ranger tick the same boxes and are much easier to live with.

It certainly can. All that aforementioned off-road hardware means the 2023 RAM 1500 Laramie Sport isn’t averse to rutted-out tracks or even occasional water crossings.

Ultimately, its size and weight dictate just how far off-road you’re likely to get, with a smaller 20.4-degree approach and departure angles than the regular dual-cab ute set, and a breakover angle of only 18.6 degrees. Road-going rubber on our test car is another pointer.

In any case, the extent of our off-roading (and indeed, the broader owner base) is confined to unsealed dirt roads and driving through paddocks, which the 1500 handles with aplomb.

The 2023 RAM 1500 Laramie Sport is right at home when towing, with a 3.5-tonne towing capacity with a regular 50mm tow ball installed.

Fitting the larger 70mm tow ball increases towing capacity to a noteworthy 4.5 tonnes.

We didn’t go that heavy on this particular test, choosing only to tow a 2.5-tonne weight – a chore the 1500 did without a sweat: surefooted, ample power and great poise in a mix of conditions.

Flying in the face of that (slightly) are surprisingly small wing mirrors that offer limited rearward view, a feature easily offset by clip-on mirror extenders.

On the other side of the coin, the 1500 Laramie Sport offers a payload of only 779kg – less than many dual-cab utes the next size down.

Tray dimensions are another talking point, measuring 1.7 metres long, 1.2 metres wide and 1.2 metres between the wheel arches. It means you won’t fit a full-size dirt bike in the rear with the tailgate up, and the space itself isn’t much bigger than a mid-size dual-cab ute.

The Laramie Sport’s grippy tray liner, moveable tie-down points and tray space lighting are all nice touches that go some way in justifying its lofty price tag.

The RAM boxes are a novel addition, too, though on merit we’d probably prefer to have the wider tray dimensions instead.

The entry RAM Big Horn does offer a longer bed length which will happily facilitate more stuff including dirt bikes with the tray up.

Not surprisingly, it’s roomy inside the 2023 RAM 1500 Laramie Sport.

Both rows of the interior treat occupants to acres of space and supreme comfort in the case of the Laramie Sport, with its soft touch points, comfy seats and a plethora of open and closed storage.

Among them, a huge centre bin for odds and ends up front has enough space for drink bottles, a broad brim hat; you name it.

The sheer space on offer here is a luxury in itself. Even on a long weekend trip, you’ll never feel like you’re short on storage or comfort.

There’s more good news where technology and indeed functionality are concerned. The centre touchscreen display is a relative cinch to operate, accessed via myriad hardwired buttons and switchgear laid out to avoid distraction.

The conversion to right-hand drive is polished and comprehensive as well, complete with a bonnet latch on the underside of the steering column. About the only thing we could pick up with build quality on our particular test example is a squeaky centre console – more like a legacy of its US build, not the local conversion.

It’s more good news in the rear where passengers have access to a similarly sized area accessed via large door openings with grab rails, an electronic side step and the same uncannily large open glasshouse.

There are flip-up seat bases in the rear, more hidden storage below the floor (under the floor mats), separate air vents and the same bank of USB-A and USB-C ports to keep adults and little ones alike happy.

Speaking of which, the rear bench has ISOFIX points for securing three child restraints, however each relies on a flimsy central top tether anchorage comprising a metal ring attached to a fabric strap. It makes securing a child’s seat a little more difficult than hard-welded top tether points behind each pew.

Perhaps the more appropriate question here is do you really need the 2023 RAM 1500 Laramie Sport?

For better or worse, this is a truck of significant excess – especially in terms of its luxuries and its sheer size.

It means the Laramie Sport is justifiable if you’re regularly towing or live far enough out of the hustle and bustle to not be navigating your way through tight car parks every week.

The big-truck argument doesn’t quite hold water for the rest of us. But if you’re insistent on your next set of wheels being a RAM, this is arguably the pick of the bunch.

2023 RAM 1500 Laramie Sport at a glance:
Price: $136,950 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 5.7-litre V8 petrol
Output: 291kW/556Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 12.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 283g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested