The 2008 Dodge Ram

First debuting in 1981, the current Dodge Ram 1500 is a powerful off-road vehicle that provides a comfortable everyday ride with plenty of big-truck attitude. The 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 is an updated version from the third generation, which began in 2003 with a major overhaul. For 2008, the 1500 gets a more powerful 4.7-liter V8 to replace its previous mid-level engine. Several powerful engine options, including a Hemi V8 are available. Starting in 2005, the Ram became available in an even larger version built on the Ram 2500 platform -- a four-door Mega Cab, which features a 76.3-inch cargo box and 21.6 extra cubic feet of cab space. The Ram 1500 comes in several trims and sizes. The model with the smallest cabin, the two-door Regular Cab, is available in ST, SLT, Sport and TRX4 Off-Road trims. The next size up, the four-door Quad Cab, is also available in the ultra-luxury Laramie trim. The largest 1500, the Mega Cab, is only available in the SLT and Laramie trims

Safety and Performance

Rear wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS) are standard on all trim levels, and four-wheel ABS is standard on the Laramie trim, optional on the others. An Electronic Stability Program that comes standard on the Laramie and is optional on all other trims. The Ram 1500's standard passive safety equipment includes driver and passenger front air bags with multi-stage deployment and an air bag on-off switch. Side-curtain air bags are optional. The Ram has excellent off-road performance, especially with the TRX4 Off-Road model. Though the huge size and truck-like ride is not for everyone, the handling is impressive, with its four-wheel disc brakes doing an effective job. The towing capacity is excellent.

Style and Fuel Economy

The Dodge Ram has a bold and rugged exterior design. It’s interior has a versatile cargo space. Large dimensions on the Ram do make maneuverability and parking difficult. The visibility in the 1500 can be problematic. Simply put, rear visibility is limited by the 6-foot-plus bed hanging out behind the long cab. One improvement to help this are the Ram’s larger than usual windows and large side rearview mirrors. The EPA estimates the 1500 in two-wheel drive to net 16 miles per gallon in the city and 19 on the highway with the base engine and manual transmission. Dodge recommends 89-octane fuel for the Hemi and regular fuel for the other engines. The Hemi V8 features the first-ever fully-functioning cylinder deactivation system on a pickup truck. The Hemi V-8 engine can transition from eight cylinders to four in 40 milliseconds (0.040 seconds). Customers may experience fuel economy gains of up to 20 percent under certain driving conditions.

Power and Handling

The 1500 has several powertrain options. The base ST comes standard with the base engine -- a 3.7-liter Magnum V6. Three other engine choices are optional: a 4.7-liter Magnum V8, a Flexible Fuel Vehicle V8 or a 5.7-liter Hemi Multi Displacement V8. The 4.7-liter is available with flexible-fuel vehicle capacity, which allows it to run on cost-saving E85 ethanol fuel. The 5.7-liter Hemi engine is the best choice for hauling or towing. The Ram 1500 handles well for its size. The suspension can still be a bit bouncy with an empty bed, but when loaded up with passengers and cargo, the Ram's ride quality is superb. The 1500's independent front suspension and live axle rear suspension offers a smooth and highly capable driving experience.

The 2008 Chevy Silverado

The Silverado 1500 delivers one of the best combinations of no-nonsense performance, responsive handling and rugged exterior styling in its class. Its wide range of trims, cab and bed lengths make it highly customizable. The truck won a number of awards including recognition as Car and Driver's "Best Pickup," Motor Trend's "Truck of the Year. The Silverado 1500 is available with two-wheel or four-wheel drive; with a short, standard or long bed; with a regular, crew or extended cab, and in Work Truck, LT and LTZ trim levels. It is available with a number of engine options: a 4.3-liter V6, a 4.8-liter V8, two different 5.3-liter V8s and a 6.0-liter V8.

Handling and Hauling

The truck carries a decent suspension and responsive steering. Drivability is suitable for commuting during the week and weekend hauling and off-roading. At the top of the rankings for performance, the 2008 Silverado 1500 is rugged but sufficiently refined for everyday cruising. The trucks do have their inherent performance limitations. The handling is what you would expect in a vehicle that carries a big box in back. The hauling capacity of the Silverado varies by cab type, drive wheels and box length. A Crew Cab Chevy Silverado 1500 can haul 2,039 pounds. An Extended Cab long box model with four-wheel drive can haul 1,574 pounds, the smallest amount of any Silverado model.

Safety and Fuel Economy

All Silverados come standard with four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes. StabiliTrak, GM's stability control system, which monitors driver inputs and vehicle response to help the driver retain control of the truck, is standard on all Crew Cab models and an option on some Extended Cab models. StabiliTrack also reacts when it detects that the truck is out of control by applying brake pressure on individual wheels or reducing the engine's torque to get the truck back under control. The 2008 Silverado offers crash protection features that are similar to other vehicles in its class. All Silverados come standard with front driver and passenger air bags, and with occupant sensing. Side curtain air bags is an option in upperlevel trims. The EPA estimates that the V6 gets 15 miles per gallon in the city and 20 on the highway with two-wheel drive, and 14 mpg in the city and 18 on the highway with four-wheel drive. With the 4.8-liter V8, those numbers dip to 14 mpg in the city and 19 on the highway with two-wheel drive and 14 mpg in the city and 18 mpg gallon on the highway with four-wheel drive. The iron-block 5.3-liter gets 15 mpg in the city and 20 on the highway, and the aluminum block -- available only with four-wheel drive -- gets 11 mpg in the city and 15 on the highway when using E85 fuel. The 6.0-liter V8 gets 13 mpg in the city and 18 on the highway.

The Ram doesn't have the safety features or maneuverability of other full-size pickups, the Silverado has a cramped backseat in Extended Cab models and some features are only available on pricey top-end models. The Ram has an MSRP starting at $22,150 and its MPG is 16 City/ 19 Hwy. The Silverado has a MSRP base of $24,755. Its MPG is 14 City/ 18 Hwy.