For 2011, the Dodge Ram 2500 gains a new trim package, "Outdoorsman." Midway through the model year, the 6.7-liter turbodiesel engine gains a power boost for a total of 800 pound-feet of torque.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 heavy-duty pickup is available in three cab styles: regular, Crew Cab and Mega Cab (a jumbo crew cab). The regular cab comes in ST or SLT trims; the Crew Cab in ST, SLT or Laramie trims; and the Mega Cab in SLT or Laramie only.
Power windows and door locks are standard on Crew Cab models, while regular cabs have manual controls.
The SLT adds chrome exterior trim, chrome-clad wheels, electronic trailer brake control, power-folding/heated side mirrors, a sliding rear window, cloth upholstery, full power accessories, keyless entry, cruise control and satellite radio. SLT Crew Cab and Mega Cab Rams are eligible to upgrade to the Big Horn package (sold as the Lone Star package in Texas). On the other end of the spectrum is the luxurious Laramie, which features polished alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seating, a power driver seat with memory, power-adjustable pedals, auto-dimming mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth and an upgraded nine-speaker surround-sound audio system with digital music storage and iPod integration.
The 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 is available with rear-wheel or four-wheel drive (4WD is electronically engaged at the high trim levels and mechanically engaged at the lowest one). Standard safety equipment for the 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 includes antilock disc brakes and side curtain airbags. In Edmunds braking tests, a Dodge Ram Power Wagon came to a stop from 60 mph in 141 feet, which is about average for a heavy-duty pickup.
Both of the Ram's engines are strong and provide plenty of power for towing and hauling heavy loads, though compared to its diesel-powered heavy-duty rivals, the 2011 Dodge Ram 2500isn't quite as strong when accelerating on flat land or trying to maintain speed on long uphill grades with a heavy trailer in tow.
For 2011, the Dodge Ram 1500 sees a shuffling of trim packages but otherwise remains unchanged.
When it was fully redesigned for 2009, the Ram 1500 sported a few features never before seen on a big pickup.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 is a full-size pickup available in multiple body styles and bed lengths. The crew cab model expands rear-seat legroom even farther, but is only available with a 5-foot-7 bed.
There are four trim levels. The base ST model (available in regular and extended cabs) comes standard with 17-inch steel wheels, vinyl floor covering, air-conditioning, a 40/20/40-split front bench seat, vinyl upholstery, a folding rear bench seat (extended-cab only), a tilting steering column and a six-speaker stereo with a CD player with an auxiliary audio jack. The SLT (available in all cab styles) adds 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior trim, heated outside mirrors, carpet floor covering, cloth upholstery, cruise control, full power accessories, a power-sliding rear window, keyless entry, a trip computer and satellite radio.
The Sport (available in all cab styles) adds a larger V8, dual exhaust, a body-colored grille, 20-inch chrome wheels, foglamps, auto-dimming rear- and sideview mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, unique bucket seats and console, a touchscreen display, Bluetooth, an upgraded audio system (with CD/DVD/MP3 player, USB port, HD radio, 30GB hard drive), a 10-way power driver seat and a split-folding rear seat with under-seat storage (for crew cabs).
The standard engine on the two-wheel-drive Ram ST 1500 regular and quad cabs is a 3.7-liter V6 that produces 215 hp and 235 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed automatic is standard. Fuel economy is a meager 14 mpg city/20 highway and 16 mpg combined.
Fuel economy with 2WD is 14/20/16 mpg (4WD is 1 mpg less). Standard safety equipment on the 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 includes four-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability control, hill-start assist, trailer-sway control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags.
Interior Design and Special Features The crew cab's rear seat is very comfortable, offering loads of legroom and an agreeable seatback angle.
The Ram provides plenty of standard and optional storage spaces.
For 2011, the Dodge Nitro gets a few new standard and optional features. Underneath the buff bod, the Nitro shares its platform with the Jeep Liberty.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2011 Dodge Nitro is a five-passenger SUV available in Heat, Detonator and Shock trim levels.
There is also the available Heat 4.0 package that includes a bigger V6 engine, an upgraded nine-speaker audio system and Bluetooth connectivity.
The Nitro Shock trim adds different 20-inch wheels, a sunroof, leather upholstery and heated seats.
The Dodge Nitro Heat comes with a 3.7-liter V6 engine that produces 210 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque.
Rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are available, with the latter being a part-time system with high- and low-range gearing. EPA estimates are an underwhelming 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive and 16/20/17 with four-wheel drive. In performance testing, a rear-drive Nitro with the 4.0-liter engine went from zero to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds while a 4x4 model hit the target speed in 8.2 seconds.
Safety The stability control includes a trailer sway control feature. Rear parking sensors are standard on the Detonator and Shock.
The 2011 Dodge Nitro has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash-testing procedures. In Edmunds brake testing, a Nitro with the optional 20-inch wheels came to a stop from 60 mph in 122 feet -- good performance for this type of vehicle.
With the rear seats folded, there are 65 cubic feet of cargo space available, about average for this class.
Driving Impressions With its aggressive styling and macho name, you'd think that the 2011 Dodge Nitro offered vigorous power and acceleration.
For 2011, the Dodge Ram 2500 gains a new trim package, "Outdoorsman." Midway through the model year, the 6.7-liter turbodiesel engine gains a power boost for a total of 800 pound-feet of torque.
