By: Joshua Lee
February 14, 2023
SUVs aren’t the only type of vehicle that’s increasingly popular. If you need to tow a trailer or carry bulky loads, a truck is definitely something that will fit your lifestyle. We’ve reviewed the Ford Ranger in the past, and a mid-size pickup truck is a good fit for the average person. What if you wanted to go full-size with better capability and performance? Is it worth getting?
Stellantis provided us with the Ram 1500 Rebel GT in Hydro Blue ($395) for the week and it was the perfect vehicle to drive with the winter weather we’ve been experiencing. Power comes from a 5.7L HEMI V8 engine with eTorque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, making 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque at 3950 RPM. Instead of a conventional alternator, the 48-volt mild hybrid system uses a belt-driven motor generator that improves fuel economy, towing, and payload capabilities. It also provides 130 lb-ft of launch torque, which forces you into your seat when you accelerate. Our Ram Rebel GT has a towing capacity of 12,750 pounds (5783 kilograms) in 4×2 and 11,410 pounds (5175 kilograms) in 4×4.
The growl this truck makes when we start it up brings a smile to our faces every time. Thanks to the G/T Package, it has a passive cold end exhaust, a Mopar cold air intake system, a sport performance hood, a Mopar bright pedal kit, a console-mounted leather-wrapped shift knob, paddle shifters, and performance pages that include timers, dyno and engine stats, G-force, and vehicle dynamics.
Driving this truck was not intimidating once you got used to its size and how high you sat. The ride is comfortable and quiet like that of an SUV and highway cruising is just as relaxed. The V8 is very capable and rowdy when you decide to give it more throttle; we also like the smooth shifts from the transmission. Steering can be more responsive as it takes more input from the driver to get the truck turning. Being the Rebel, it features Bilstein performance shocks, which provide a slightly firmer ride. Our Rebel GT also comes with an electronic Shift-on-Demand transfer case, an ELocker electronic-locking differential, a 3.92 axle ratio, and a trailer tow package.
The Ram Rebel GT is also capable of going off-road, as it features a 1-inch suspension lift, hill descent control, skid plates, and front tow hooks. Add in the Night Edition ($795), and you get 18-inch gloss black wheels with LT275/70R18 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac all-terrain tires, a black front bumper, a black Ram grille badge, and a trim specific grille moustache with a black outline.
There is no shortage of interior space in this crew cab; there is plenty of room for front and rear passengers and a large panoramic sunroof lets in a lot of natural light. If you need to transport large items in the back, the rear bench folds down. Stepping in is a little challenging without side steps, but once you’re in, the G/T specific interior matches the sportiness of the truck. It also feels luxurious with a large 12-inch touchscreen display and the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with navigation. The system functions well and is very easy to navigate. There are physical buttons for the climate control, but we would like the heated steering wheel and heated seat functions to be buttons as well for quicker access. A nine-speaker Alpine audio system with subwoofer does a good job, but you could opt for the 19-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system. You’ll have no issue loading up the 5’7” bed and the optional RamBox cargo management system is more useful than you think. The storage bins are weatherproof, lockable, and drainable, with enough space for a grocery run, toolboxes, or even golf clubs. We found ourselves using the RamBox more frequently than opening the tailgate. A 115-volt power outlet is located in the driver’s side bin.
Fuel economy ratings are 13.4L/100KM city, 10.5L/100KM highway, for a combined 12.1L/100KM. Ours was at 15.1L/100KM for the week; we did match the city rating for a few days, but we couldn’t restrain ourselves from experiencing how fun this V8 is. Our truck also has the optional 124-liter fuel tank.
There are eight models to choose from, and the Rebel sits nicely in the middle. For 2022, the Rebel has a base price of $65,995, and our tester was fitted with $15,850 worth of options and packages, bringing the price up to $84,040 including taxes and delivery.
The Ram Rebel GT checks a lot of boxes. If you can’t decide between an off-roader, a sports performance vehicle, and a luxuriously functional SUV, this truck can do it all. The price tag is high and you might not want to spend that much on a truck; however, we think it’s worth considering because it does everything really well. The Rebel GT not only looks cool, but it has the performance to back it up. It has a lot of attitude, but also presents itself lavishly. There is a Ram for everyone and the Rebel GT has fully captured our attention.
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