See Full 2013 Ram Ram Series Photo Gallery

The Ram 1500 may be a familiar workhorse when it comes to trucks, but every area of the 2013 Ram 1500 has been changed, according to Ram. That doesn't seem like too much of an exaggeration since the new model has a revised engine and new transmission, new chassis, revised front fascia, new interior and a long list of new features.

See Full 2013 Ram Ram Series Photo Gallery

The 2013 Ram 1500 sports a very similar appearance to the 2012 Ram 1500, though the new model is six percent more aerodynamic partially due to unique grille shutters, air suspension and a new front fascia which features a slightly taller grille with subtle design elements to give it a more integrated appearance and redesigned headlamps that have improved light spread and distance as well as an all-new premium headlamp lighting system with a halogen projector and LED design. Other exterior changes include new polished stainless steel running boards that go from wheel-to-wheel as well as a new 6-foot-4-inch bed that is optional on Crew Cab models.

See Full 2013 Ram Ram Series Photo Gallery

Inside, Ram has upped the ante with new features and technologies. Fit and finish has been improved throughout, materials have been upgraded to premium quality in both the front and rear. The center stack has been upgraded with revised heating and air conditioning controls as well as a new, larger 8.4-inch screen for the next generation Uconnect system, which now features built-in cellular connectivity, WiFi hotspot connectivity, emergency services and automatic vehicle health reports. Other new features include a multimedia input for USB, SD card and auxiliary connections, a new 7-inch color customizable vehicle information display in the instrument cluster, power folding mirrors, a combination power and rear-sliding window with defrost, Keyless Enter 'n Go and a central power locking system for the RamBox, tailgate and interior cabin.

New to the Ram is a 305 hp, 3.6-liter V6 which boasts 42 percent more horsepower and at least a 20 percent improvement in fuel economy over the V6 in the 2012 model, and a 395 horsepower, 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with cylinder deactivation, which has at least a 10 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to 2012. To further boost fuel economy, the 2013 Ram 1500 now features stop-start engine technology and a class-exclusive 8-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment on the V6 (optional on the V8). Operation of the transmission is now done via a rotary e-shift dial, while the transfer case is operated via push buttons directly below the dial.

See Full 2013 Ram Ram Series Photo Gallery

The drivetrain of the 2013 Ram 1500 features many changes including a new, stiffer frame, new front suspension designed for improved responsiveness and handling and electric power steering, which further improves fuel economy.

Here's what others are saying:

Autoblog: "…The majority of the changes are indeed more than skin-deep. That's because the 2013 Ram will hit the showroom floor with a host of powertrain upgrades, including features that have never been offered on American pickup trucks until now."

PickupTrucks.com: " This was supposed to be a simple mid-model refresh, but when the Ram Truck team sat down to discuss what specific changes they wanted to make, it quickly turned into a different kind of thought experiment."

The New York Times: "The grille has the quality of chain-link fencing, an aesthetic consideration as well as a functional one, to increase airflow. The steel running boards and commanding down-the-road visibility from the driver’s seat communicate one thing: Watch out for the fella with the big rig."

Washington Post: "At first glance, you might zero in on the fact that there's no column shifter or floor shifter; in models with the new eight-speed, Ram is replacing them with a fashionable new rotary selector—one that looks surprisingly similar, at first glance, to what Jaguar has used in its cars for a few years. Rest assured, it's designed to be used with work gloves, and reassuring detents between gears."