2018 Ram 2500 Limited on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Best car infotainment systems: From UConnect to MBUX, these are our favorites

Declaring one infotainment system the best over any other is an inherently subjective matter. You can look at quantitative testing for things like input response time and various screen load times, but ask a room full of people that have tried all car infotainment systems what their favorite is, and you’re likely to get a lot of different responses. For the most part, the various infotainment systems available all share a similar purpose. They aim to help the driver get where they're going with navigation, play their favorite tunes via all sorts of media playback options and allow folks to stay connected with others via phone connectivity. Of course, most go way beyond the basics these days and offer features like streaming services, in-car performance data and much more. Unique features are aplenty when you start diving through menus, but how they go about their most important tasks vary widely. Some of our editors prefer systems that are exclusively touch-based and chock full of boundary-pushing features. Others may prefer a back-to-basics non-touch system that is navigable via a scroll wheel. You can compare it to the phone operating system wars. Just like some prefer Android phones over iPhones, we all have our own opinions for what makes up the best infotainment interface. All that said, our combined experience tells us that a number of infotainment systems are at least better than the rest. WeÂ’ve narrowed it down to five total systems in their own subcategories that stand out to us. Read on below to see our picks, and feel free to make your own arguments in the comments. Best infotainment overall: UConnect 5, various Stellantis products Ram 1500 Uconnect Infotainment System Review If thereÂ’s one infotainment system that all of us agree is excellent, itÂ’s UConnect. It has numerous qualities that make it great, but above all else, UConnect is simple and straightforward to use. Ease of operation is one of the most (if not the single most) vital parts of any infotainment system interface. If youÂ’re expected to be able to tap away on a touchscreen while driving and still pay attention to the road, a complex infotainment system is going to remove your attention from the number one task at hand: driving. UConnect uses a simple interface that puts all of your key functions in a clearly-represented row on the bottom of the screen. Tap any of them, and it instantly pulls up that menu.

Ram 1500 Classic reportedly getting budget-friendly off-road package for 2021

Ram confirmed the last-generation 1500, which wears the Classic nameplate, will return for 2021. Buyers will again have three trim levels to choose from, but the brand will reportedly add an off-road-oriented package to the range. Motorists who select the Warlock model (pictured) will soon be able to order a package named Warlock All-Terrain, according to Mopar Insiders. Assigned order code ASJ, it bundles all-terrain tires made by Yokahama, a full-size spare tire, 17-inch aluminum wheels painted flat black, plus front and rear all-weather floor mats. Ordering the All-Terrain package certainly doesn't transform the 1500 Classic into a TRX for off-roaders on a tight budget, but it will allow buyers to skip a trip to the nearest tire store after they take delivery. And, the Warlock is more capable off the beaten path than other variants of the 1500 Classic, because it receives heavy-duty rear shocks, a one-inch suspension lift, Rebel-like bumpers that increase its approach and departure angles, and tow hooks. Visually, it stands out with a black grille and cladding over the wheel arches, among other styling cues. Ram hasn't confirmed the report, and it hasn't outlined the changes it's making to the 1500 Classic for 2021. Pricing for the entry-level truck allegedly starts at $30,145 once a rather high $1,695 destination charge enters the equation, and the range-topping Warlock model costs $38,040 with the same charge factored in. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. 2020 Ram 2500 Power Wagon POV drive

Ram may build more trucks with sports team tie-ins

After a rather successful foray with a Red Wings edition of the Ram 1500 last year - some 3,000 units sold - the truck brand is both re-upping its relationship with Detroit's hockey powerhouse and considering expansion into other sport franchises.
Ram announced last month that it would carry on its partnership with the Red Wings throughout the 2012-13 NHL season. The company will not offer a special edition version of the 2013 Ram, due in part to the strike-shortened NHL season. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Ram boss Fred Diaz called the Red Wings partnership an experiment that "worked out so incredibly well, we're looking at the possibility of doing other things with other sports."
Diaz doesn't see Ram doing deals with entire leagues, but does think that other teams and cities, with a similar "rabid fan base" could make sense for co-branding. "We'll pick our spots and our moments, " said Diaz, "and if we feel like we have a good opportunity, we'll do it."