2006 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT

This is the full-size half-ton pickup that Dodge sold alongside the heavier 2500 and 3500, and it was the brand's main rival to the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado 1500. The Ram rides on a coil-spring rear suspension, which gives it a smoother, more settled feel over bumps than most leaf-sprung trucks of its era. Inside, the cabin is roomy and straightforward, with a tall seating position and controls that are easy to reach, though the plastics feel dated by today's standards. It's available as a regular cab, Quad Cab, or Mega Cab, so you can match the cab size to how many people you regularly carry. The SLT is the mid-range trim, giving you cloth upholstery and power accessories for less than the leather-lined Laramie, while the base ST skips those conveniences. Under the hood is the 4.7L V8 paired with an automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, which pulls strongly enough for daily chores but won't match the Hemi's punch when you're towing heavy. The coil-spring rear suspension makes this truck ride noticeably smoother on rough pavement than a comparable Ford or Chevy from the same years.