Back a few months ago, we told you about how we are always getting e-mail asking us if Ram has intentions about bringing the Canada-Only 2019 Ram 1500 Sport to the United States. Well as a Metro Detroiter, who passes the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) on a regular basis I see lots of Canadian 2019 Ram 1500 Sport models in holding lots getting ready to embark on their journey to their new home. Unfortunately, I have never really had the chance of seeing one up close.
Our own Jared Balfour, lives in Vancouver, British Columbia and has taken one for a review back several months ago and was really impressed with the package. So when Jared and I traveled to Toronto, Ontario for the Canadian debut of the new 2019 Ram Heavy Duty lineup, it was my first chance to see this Canada-Only 1500 Sport up close.
The first thing you notice about the Canadian 2019 Ram 1500 Sport models from a distance, is how much more aggressive the truck looks than its Sport Appearance Package (Tradesman Sport, Big Horn Sport and Laramie Sport) siblings. Even though many of the same cues are found on the Ram 1500 Laramie Sport, the Canadian Sport model features black headlight bezels and tail lamps (found on the Rebel, Big Horn Black and Laramie Black trucks) dark grille inserts, as well as black badging give the truck a whole different look than the Sport Appearance Package trucks. The optional Sport hood found on the Laramie Sport and Rebel trims add to the trucks aggressiveness.
As a fan of blacked-out look, I am not a fan of having an all black truck (hardly to keep clean). So a Black Edition Ram 1500, just doesn’t cut it for me personally. Overall I was very impressed with the overall package on the outside. As a customer, it would have been my number one trim of choice to look at if it was available here in the States.
Inside, the Canadian Ram 1500 Sport has its own unique interior. Like the Sport Appearance Package trucks, it has an all-black interior. However, the cabin features real metal trim with a diamond plate-look on the center stack from its Ram 1500 Rebel sibling. The cabin also features satin light black chrome highlights as well as the instrument panel and cluster brow are soft-wrapped with Diesel Grey French accent stitching. The upper glove box also wears a Sport badge, similar to the one found on Big Horn and Laramie models.
The Canadian Ram 1500 Sport also gets unique power heated sport cloth/premium vinyl seats that feature a unique “Hex” mesh fabric inserts. For those who don’t like cloth seats, optional heated and ventilated seats feature a technical embossed texture only available on the Canadian Ram 1500 Sport. I found these seats to be very comfortable.
The standard features on the truck also impressed me greatly. 2019 Ram 1500 Sport models comes standard with power adjustable pedals, CD player, heated steering wheel and Ram 1500’s new configurable center console. The particular model we were able to get a close look featured the optional 2019 Ram 1500 Leather and Sound Group. The 2019 Ram 1500 Leather and Sound Group comes with the 12.1-inch Uconnect touchscreen and navigation, as well as the Harman Kardon with 19 premium speakers, 900-watt surround-sound amplifier and 10-inch subwoofer.
Under the hood you only get one option, the non-eTorque 5.7-liter HEMI V8. The HEMI produces 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque.
The Canadian Ram 1500 Sport, is priced above Big Horn models and below Laramie models. Pricing is similar to where the Ram 1500 Rebel would be in the American Ram 1500 lineup would be.
I can honestly say, that after seeing the truck in person I am jumping on the bandwagon of asking Ram why this truck isn’t stateside!
