10 Things You Need to Know About the 2016 Ram Rebel 4x4

2016 Ram Rebel front off-road ・ Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

There are a whopping eleven different trim levels of the 2016 Ram 1500 pickup truck, but none more eye-catching—or more likely to inspire debate—than the Ram Rebel. In taking the naturally aggressive design of the Ram 1500 and amping it up to approximately one hundred, the Rebel oozes attitude and seems to sweat dirt from its pores. Yet under the skin, the engine and transmission are the same as those available to the rest of the Ram lineup, and the suspension differs only slightly. To find out whether this is truly an off-road all star, and exactly what it does best, I hopped in a 2016 Ram Rebel and took to the local trails.

Ram Design to the Max

With a blacked-out front grille, dual ducts in the hood, and flared fenders at the corners, the 2016 Ram Rebel certainly attracts its share of looks. Whether those looks are ones of appreciation depends entirely upon who’s doing the looking, but it seems clear that the design is intended to project increased performance, capability, testosterone. From smoked 17-inch wheels and 33-inch Toyo all-terrain tires to exaggerated RAM logos fore and aft, the Rebel simply doesn’t do subtle. The total package comes off a touch cartoonish, yet fitting for an American performance pickup that clearly knows its target market. Besides, expecting restraint from a truck called the Rebel is pretty laughable in the era of the 20-foot-long pickup.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Aftermarket Dream Come True

One of the main motivations for the Ram Rebel was to create a truck from the factory with the upgraded parts that many owners add through the aftermarket anyway. The upgraded wheels and tires are no-brainers, and Ram also added air suspension that lifts ground clearance by an inch to 9.4 inches total. Bilstein monotone performance shocks are fitted to the front and rear, while the front axle itself is a ZF 215mm with upper and lower A-arms, and the rear is a 5-link Chrysler 235mm—both are fitted with a stabilizer bar. Ram will also fit an anti-slip differential (for $350) to the 2016 Rebel, and a 3.21 rear axle ratio is standard with 3.92 available.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Built With Off-Road in Mind

The extra upgrades certainly bolster the Ram Rebel’s extreme credentials, and it feels perfectly at home when you leave the pavement. Rack-and-pinion steering is easy and direct; the air suspension breezes over ruts and rocks alike. Hill descent control allows you to easily climb down a steep grade, adjusting speed with the throttle. Still, this is not a Jeep Wrangler, or a purpose-built conquerer like the Ford Raptor. The Rebel wants to get off road so it can stretch its legs, not crawl over rocks—in fact, many owners ordered rear-wheel drive, with specific visions of shooting rooster tails sky-high across sand dunes. Frankly, that does seem a much more appropriate environment for the Rebel.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

The Hemi Experience

The venerable 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine is available in 4x4 models of the Ram Rebel, but it’s difficult to say “No thank you” to the 5.7-liter Hemi V8—with 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft of torque—that I had at my disposal. Paired with an excellent 8-speed automatic transmission, the 2016 Rebel is just begging you to mash the throttle. I could only oblige once in a while, on a rather tight trail with few open spaces, though a little room for some dirt-kicking donuts satisfied the Rebel’s desires. Several levels of traction control intervene at a moment’s notice, and I would love to really open up the Hemi on dunes or grass trails.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Fuel Efficient and Comfortable, Actually

Don’t let the powder-coated steel front bumper fool you, the 2016 Ram Rebel is still quite civilized. In fact, the Rebel is capable of 23 MPG highway with the Pentastar V6 engine, and even the Hemi V8 is rated at 15 MPG city, 21 MPG highway and 17 MPG overall. Electric power steering, air suspension and the 8-speed transmission combine to create a very comfortable ride on-road, as well. The Rebel would be a perfect companion for a couple of hours on the highway, hauling some dirt bikes in the bed, or hitching a boat for a week at the lake. And once you unload, what the hey, hit the trails and have a ball.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

No Interior Compromises

Comfortable seating for five is highlighted by the cloth bucket seats, which are embossed with the exact tire tread from the Toyos underfoot. At the risk of being gimmicky, the design is actually well integrated, and adds a nice, off road-themed touch to the Rebel interior, both reminding you of the truck’s capability and delivering a different kind of conversation piece to the cabin. The rest of the 2016 Ram Rebel interior is similarly interesting, yet welcoming and functional. Red piping lines black surfaces like the center console, instrument cluster, infotainment system and more. Heated leather steering wheel and Uconnect 5.0 technology are both standard, topping off an interior that is more refined than the Rebel’s competition.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Lux LED Lighting

Other standard equipment on the 2016 Ram Rebel that separate the truck from its more rugged nemeses are black projector headlamps—providing both excellent visibility, as well as a sophisticated touch to that rather garish front grille. I found the projectors especially appealing because they help position the Rebel as more modern marvel than throwback bruiser. Likewise, the LED fog lamps mounted below provide the Rebel with some extra attitude, and the side-view mirror courtesy lamps, as well as LED bed lining, make things extra easy at night. Sport tail lamps out back light up the rear, the view you’re most likely to have if you ever try to keep up with the Rebel on some dunes.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Utility All-Star

Lost in all this talk about blasting through dirt is the fact that the 2016 Ram Rebel is still one of the most capable trucks available today. At its best, the Rebel boasts a payload of 1,378 lbs. and towing capacity of 10,150 lbs. Cargo storage is also a piece of cake—the first thing I noticed inside the Rebel is the astounding number of cupholders. The innovative Ram Box bed is optional for $1,295, and the Rebel shares the same innovative back seat folding arrangement as its other Ram siblings. When asked, the seats will fold up to reveal a flat floor with its own storage compartments, and even—you guessed it—built-in cupholders.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Priced Accordingly

Taking everything into consideration, the 2016 Ram Rebel offers quite an impressive bargain on the bottom line. The Rebel 4x4 that I tested came with a $45,100 starting price, before destination. Additional extras like the Luxury Group, Protection Group with a transfer case skid plate and front suspension skid plate, Rear Camera and Park Assist, the 5.7-liter Hemi V8, and Uconnect 8.4 navigation brought the total price to a still healthy $51,835 plus destination. Considering the inherent performance, refinement, and capability here, all covered under a 5-year or 60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, and it would be easy to make a case for the Ram Rebel over any Ford, Chevy or Toyota pickup.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Future Cult Classic?

It may fit a very specific, limited demographic, but the 2016 Ram Rebel executes its mission very effectively. It will be interesting to see how history views the Rebel another ten or twenty years from now. It won’t sell in overwhelming numbers, and despite that basking shark front grille and the enormous RAM branding, the Rebel could actually fly under the radar among industry followers and even pickup enthusiasts. Could we be looking at a future classic? Don’t be surprised to see owners use the 2016 Ram Rebel as an effective starting point for their personal dream off-road project. Whatever lies ahead for the Rebel, it’s likely to have you smiling like an idiot in the process.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen