Family members can be hard to impress. But when a 2009 Ram 1500 Crew Cab is the last vehicle to arrive at a family reunion—uncles, aunts, and cousins were more interested in the pick-up truck than the food spread. The redesigned, next-generation Ram showcases some very handy stow spaces, and the relatives were extra giddy about the RamBox cargo system—a weatherproof, lockable, illuminated, integrated storage zone on the truck bed side rails. But really, who wouldn’t appreciate the ready-made iceboxes to keep 120 cans of soda pop (or other beverages) on ice. When the drinks disappeared, clean up was a snap—just pull the plug and the ice water drained. Family members were on storage overload—opening and closing bins, digging into deep map pockets, and admiring a glovebox large enough to actually hold more than proof of insurance and driver’s registration paperwork. Ram’s stow spot tally exceeds 40, so be prepared for admirers to ask to see every single storage locale, like the innovative store-in-the-floor bins with removable liners. The 2009 Ram is sold in regular cab, Quad Cab, and Crew Cab in three box lengths. Laramie is the top-of-the-line among the five trim-level choices. Engine options are a 3.7-liter V6, a 4.7-liter V8, and the next-generation 5.7-liter HEMI V8 that produces 390 horsepower and 407 pounds-feet of torque—up from the 2008 Ram’s 345 horsepower and 375 pounds-feet of torque. Engines mate to either four- or five-speed transmissions. Dodge Ram has part-time and on-demand four-wheel drive transfer cases and 3.21, 3.55, 3.92, and 4.10 axle ratios. The truck can handle an estimated payload of 1,850 pounds and tow up to an estimated 9,100 pounds. Ram, with best-in-class aerodynamics at .419 Cd, redesigned the shape of the aluminum hood. The lavish-looking interior is practical with oversized buttons and knobs, and it represents the first production vehicle from the automaker’s new Advance Interior Design Studio. Half-ton Ram Laramie Crew Cab with the V8 Hemi, 5-speed automatic transmission and dual exhaust has estimated per gallon fuel economy of 13 city/18 highway and carries an MSRP of $43,490.