[RamRebelAdmin]

A small number of automotive journalists were selected to test drive the all-new 2015 Rebel in Flagstaff, Arizona, reason why you don't already see a wealth of Ram Rebel first drives. Mud, snow, volcanic terrain and other elements were thrown in, allowing journalists to test the Rebel in environments and situations it was created for. Here we’ve compiled all, if not, most (at the time of this post)[/] driving impressions. Don’t forget to click through the hyperlinked text to see driving impressions in their entirety.

"Feels Nimble On Most Terrain"

Ram retuned the steering to be slightly heavier than the standard Ram; it’s a worthy change. Unlike the lumbering Ram Power Wagon or desert-running Ford Raptor, the 2015 Ram Rebel feels fairly nimble on most terrain. We were lucky enough to drive it on volcanic pebbles, dirt, mud, highway and snowy-gooey ruts. It never missed a beat and its steering feel is some of the best I’ve experienced in an off-road truck.

- TFLTruck.com

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"On-Road Control Is Very Well Done and Balanced"

On-road control is very well done and balanced; very comfortable, don't feel any head toss, suspension and the shocks seem to do a very good job of keeping everything under control which is good, if this is an off-road capable vehicle you expect to feel some kind of penalty or tradeoff that you have to endure but not so here. I like the handling, the steering seems very comfortable, everything feels like a very normal and comfortable half-ton pickup truck. The wheel and tire combination feels especially well done; not too noisy when you're on the road and still gives you great traction when you`re off-road and looks pretty good too.

- PickUpTrucks.com

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"Competent Enough"

Later, we managed to ditch our official and gracious group leader and found some beautiful trails that branched veinlike from the main arteries, and which guided us higher and higher through stands of ponderosa pines. Steep and rock-strewn, it was here the Rebel felt most at home. Competent enough to traverse the toughest terrain that 90 percent of owners will ever likely encounter, the Rebel doesn’t have to be a baby monster truck. Whether the fact that it tries to look like one is a good or bad thing, we’ll leave it to you to decide.

- CarAndDriver.com

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"Doesn’t Benefit From Hill-Descent Control"

The Ram 1500 Rebel, while available exclusively as a crew cab model with a 5-foot, 7-inch bed, can be had with either a 3.6-liter V-6 or a 5.7-liter V-8. Both engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that doesn’t benefit from hill-descent control, which means we have to use the two buttons on the steering wheel to keep the truck in first gear as we ease down the black hills toward a gravel-covered grade.

- AutomobileMag.com

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"You Don’t Have Full Authority Over The Throttle"

It could, however, hurt its own cause. Our mutual major objection to the Rebel (aside from the grille) was the electronic stability control. On the Rebel, you’re supposed to be able to turn stability control completely off. This is not the case. Putting aside the fact that you can only achieve full deactivation with the truck in 4WD, if you find yourself several inches deep in gravel or mud, you’ll find you don’t have full authority over the throttle. Every time we found ourselves in this situation, the computer ignored our throttle inputs and limited wheelspin, even when it would’ve been far more advantageous to keep engine and wheel speeds up to avoid getting stuck. On more than one occasion, we found ourselves slowing to a crawl and unable to modulate the throttle, relying instead on the computer’s wisdom and the tires’ bite. Yes, the computer saved us from potentially overdoing it and digging ourselves in, but it also restricted our options at a critical moment. There are few more helpless feelings than being in control of a vehicle on the verge of getting stuck, and it’s only worse when you’re prevented from doing everything possible to avoid it. The lack of a hill descent control feature is also a small disappointment.

- MotorTrend.com

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"The Problem Of Power"

Then there was the problem of power. Not a lack of it, just not being able to get to it. The Rebel has many tiers of traction control. You can turn off one of them in 2WD, but the vehicle still cuts power at the first sign of shenanigans. Great for keeping you from killing yourself on a slick road, bad for doing donuts.

- Jalopnik.com

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Ram Rebel Pricing

Prices haven’t been confirmed but the rumors say $45,000 to $51,000. You could buy a used Raptor for that, but it’s going to drink a lot more fuel and be a little rougher on road. You could buy a sweet Wrangler Rubicon for that, but you won’t be able to tow much or carry motorcycles in a bed. Or spend hours on the highway, which the Rebel will do happily.

- Jalopnik.com

The Rebel goes on sale in July and comes only as a Crew Cab with the five-foot seven-inch bed. The base price will be approximately $45,000.

- CarAndDriver.com

BASE PRICE - $45,000 (est)

- MotorTrend.com

I agree. It’s a kickass ride with few compromises. Sure, a diesel or SRT power-plant would be awesome, but that would kill its price-point. Prices will be announced closer to its July 2015 sales date; however, we expect the base price to be in the low-to-middle $40,000 mark.

- TFLTruck.com

Although pricing will not be announced until the end of June, it is likely to hover between $45,000 and $50,000 depending on how you option the truck. Since the Rebel is new, we're guessing the marketing experts might have a bit of pricing flexibility because it is somewhat of an experimental vehicle.

- PickUpTrucks.com

 

[RAMageddon]

Not surprised that on-road the Rebel feels fine, after all it is based off of a regular 1500, not a complete re-engineering process here

 

[Maverick]

Sounds like it will be a good vehicle, but not the most amazing thing ever. It will likely be good enough for the terrain that most owners will encounter. Knowing there is better out there will always be a little bit of a thorn in the Rebel's side though.

 

[KnightReb31°]

Sounds like it will be a good vehicle, but not the most amazing thing ever. It will likely be good enough for the terrain that most owners will encounter. Knowing there is better out there will always be a little bit of a thorn in the Rebel's side though.

Not all that amazing considering price since some guys that are open to other options (RAPTOR) will just go that direction instead.

Still, it'll be interesting to see what Rebel sales are like as they kick off.

 

[KnightReb31°]

Road and Track posted their First Drive review yesterday which can be seen here: http://www.ramrebelforum.com/forum/...s/1354-road-track-reviews-2015-ram-rebel.html

That's not to say it's a proper hellion. It takes constant vigilance and a series of button mashes to keep the onboard nannies at bay. Give us easy defeats for stability and traction control, and we'd be happier.

Yet the Rebel is a truck that's always glad to surprise you with its capability. It will grin and knock that angel off your shoulder, encouraging you to lay tracks in virgin snow or scramble up that impossible hill climb. For those of us who spent our youths bashing across fields and picking through forests in a beater with a bed, the Rebel is a familiar accomplice.

 

[Delta]

The air suspension contributes to its smooth and behaved on road manners. I don't like the sound of TC, does anyone know if all RAM 1500's are this invasive?

 

[seeareeff]

The air suspension contributes to its smooth and behaved on road manners. I don't like the sound of TC, does anyone know if all RAM 1500's are this invasive?

im not sure about other models being i own a 2001 when tc wasn't even heard of. but i do remember one of the reviews saying tc was only on issue in 2wd and in 4wd it was completely disabled