The 2017 Ram 1500 Big Horn interior represents a significant evolution in the full-size truck segment, blending rugged capability with a surprisingly refined cabin experience. This specific trim level was positioned as a sweet spot for buyers, offering a substantial upgrade in comfort and technology over the base models while remaining accessible compared to the higher-end luxury trims. For those considering a used model or simply appreciating its design, understanding the nuances of the 2017 Ram 1500 Big Horn interior is essential to appreciating the truck's overall value proposition.
Design and Material Quality
Walking into a 2017 Ram 1500 Big Horn, the first impression is one of upgraded sophistication compared to previous generations. The dashboard moves away from the purely utilitarian designs of the past, featuring a cleaner, more horizontal orientation that visually widens the cabin. Soft-touch materials cover a significant portion of the interior surfaces, a considerable step up from the hard plastics found in the Tradesman and Express trims, reducing the cabin's overall harshness and enhancing the perceived build quality.
The color palette is more restrained and sophisticated, utilizing darker grays and blacks with tasteful contrast stitching that ties the design elements together. The steering wheel is a key differentiator, wrapped in premium leather and featuring integrated paddle shifters for the available eight-speed automatic transmission, placing driver controls intuitively right at your fingertips. This attention to detail in the steering wheel's construction and layout underscores the Big Horn's focus on driver engagement and comfort.
Seating and Comfort Features
Seating comfort is a major highlight of the 2017 Ram 1500 Big Horn, largely due to the available front bucket seats with enhanced padding and bolstering. These seats provide superior lateral support during spirited driving while remaining comfortable for long highway stretches, a balance that is crucial for a work truck that doubles as a daily driver. The seat fabric is durable and stain-resistant, a practical choice for a truck designed for real-world use without sacrificing a polished look.
Complementing the seats is the available leather-wrapped steering wheel, which not only looks premium but also offers a better grip in various weather conditions. The horn buttons and multifunction controls are laid out logically, ensuring that drivers can manage audio, cruise control, and phone functions without taking their eyes off the road. This combination of supportive seating and intuitive controls contributes significantly to the truck's overall driver-centric philosophy.
Technology and Infotainment
The 2017 model year marked a major technological leap for the Ram 1500, and the Big Horn trim fully participates in this advancement. The centerpiece is the Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a highly responsive interface that replaces the older rotary controller design. This new system provides faster access to navigation, audio, vehicle settings, and smartphone integration, making the truck's technology feel modern and aligned with consumer expectations.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are standout features, allowing seamless connection to smartphones and transforming the truck's display into a familiar extension of the driver's digital life. The inclusion of a rearview camera with dynamic guidelines is standard, significantly improving visibility during maneuvers. This blend of cutting-edge connectivity and practical safety technology is a defining characteristic of the Big Horn's interior appeal.
Practicality and Storage Solutions
Despite its focus on luxury, the 2017 Ram 1500 Big Horn interior does not sacrifice the practicality that truck owners demand. The cabin offers ample headroom and legroom for tall passengers, a testament to the thoughtful cab design that has been a Ram hallmark. The front bench seat option provides versatile passenger capacity, while the captain's chair configuration offers a more personal, supportive seating experience for the driver.
