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-level trim, so you get the 5.7L V8 and four-wheel drive without the Laramie's leather and chrome, and you save a few thousand dollars. This SLT pairs its 5.7L V8 with a five-speed automatic and four-wheel drive, which gives you confident traction on loose gravel or snow, and it returns 14 mpg combined.