Driven: 2025 Ram 2500 Proves That Size Matters

Truck consumers, particularly these within the three-quarter-ton section, are a loyal bunch. It takes quite a bit to make somebody look exterior the Blue Oval or break their “Bowtie Until I Die” oath. The 2025 Ram 2500 makes an attempt to offer truck consumers a compelling third possibility, scorching off a heavy facelift for the 2025 model year. Can an up to date inside, overhauled inside, and a few powertrain alterations assist Ram compete towards its mighty rivals from Detroit?

The Ram 2500 (and the 3500) are up to date for the 2025 mannequin yr, however it’s not a ground-up redesign. Lots of the adjustments to the HD truck have been previewed on the Ram 1500, however they aren’t precisely the identical. As you’d count on from a truck on this section, there are quite a few trim, cab, and engine configurations to select from. DrivingOnRoad examined a Ram 2500 Laramie Crew Cab with a 6’4″ mattress and four-wheel-drive. Whereas not essentially the most rugged or luxurious within the lineup, we imagine this is likely to be the best mixture for a big swath of consumers.

Exterior Appears: Macho Or Extra Macho

Because the 2025 Ram 2500 is a facelift and never an all-new mannequin, the general construction stays the identical, simply with some new particulars. There are a number of new grille designs that change relying on the trim, all of which spell out R-A-M in daring letters. We choose the gentle chrome slats of our Laramie trim reasonably than the plastic grilles discovered on the Tradesman and two off-road fashions, or the blingy chrome grilles on the Restricted grades. Ram affords varied wheels, starting from 17-inches on the Tradesman as much as 20-inchs on the Restricted and different trims. It is potential to make a Ram 2500 appear to be a primary work truck, an off-road beast, or a luxury-toy tow rig.

Consumers who do not want a again seat can go for the Common Cab mannequin with an eight-foot mattress. The Crew Cab mannequin affords a full-size set of rear doorways with both an eight-foot or six-foot, four-inch mattress. Ram is the one truck to supply what it calls the Mega Cab, which affords more room within the second row and may solely be paired with the shorter mattress.

Inside & On-Board Know-how: Easy Or Merely Indulgent

A Ram 2500 ranges from spartan and utilitarian to plush and splendid. The bottom Tradesman is provided with a vinyl bench seat, however can improve to material with non-obligatory packages. Leather-based seats can be found on the mid-level trims, whereas the Restricted and Restricted Longhorn get upgraded leather-based. We just like the Laramie trim as a result of it may be geared up with a bench seat, offering room for as much as six passengers, or bucket seats with an enormous heart console between them. The Laramie is a pleasant center trim, packing good leather-based and wooden trim plus heated/ventilated entrance seats with out being too expensive. Higher trims are solely obtainable with the five-seat configuration and supply extra premium finishes, however lack the massing seats present in rivals.

Relying on which trim you go for, the Ram 2500 can have a slew of fascinating options within the cabin. Optionally available extras embody a wi-fi cellphone charger that may cost two gadgets directly, an on-board energy inverter that may produce as much as 2.4 kW, a 360-degree surround-view digital camera, digital rearview mirror with tow mode, an influence sunroof, auxiliary switches, and extra. There are additionally some helpful add-ons to make the mattress extra usable, together with a kick-down mattress step, and RamBox locking aspect storage.

Infotainment: How A lot Display screen Do You Need?

Ram equips the 2500 with one in every of three display screen sizes, relying on how a lot you wish to be surrounded by know-how. An 8.4-inch touchscreen comes normal on the Tradesman and Huge Horn, however each might be upgraded to a 12-inch display screen. The Laramie will get the 12-inch display screen normal, and might be upgraded to the most important 14.4-inch show, although it does not have a lot practical profit over the center setup. That largest display screen may also be mixed with a ten.25-inch passenger show, which replaces the higher glove field and does not serve an enormous goal apart from letting a passenger watch a TV present or film. Along with having three display screen choices, there are three audio ranges: a base six-speaker setup, a premium nine-speaker (seven on the common cab) Alpine with a subwoofer, and a 17-speaker Harman Kardon system. Our Laramie has the Alpine, which sounded nice for a pickup truck. We have examined different Ram vans with Harman Kardon, and so they pack sufficient punch to belong in a European luxurious automotive.

 

Efficiency: Hemi Or Cummins

Our tester featured the non-obligatory Cummins diesel engine, which 70% of Ram HD prospects go for. Although this engine was obtainable final yr, all trims now get the “Excessive Output” model as normal. This engine has additionally been totally revised with a brand new block, heavy-duty pistons, consumption manifold, turbocharger, and exhaust valves, all to enhance gasoline financial system and cut back noise, vibration, and harshness. In our expertise, that is among the many quieter diesel engines on this section, and it delivers ample passing/towing energy. All Cummins-powered Ram 2500 fashions now ship energy out to an eight-speed automated transmission, changing final yr’s six-speed field.

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Efficiency Impressions

It is probably not essentially the most highly effective engine in its class, producing lower than the V8-powered rivals, however the Cummins diesel did not earn its legendary repute for being a slouch. Regardless of being down two cylinders, this engine muscle mass its approach to 60 mph in 6.28 seconds in our testing. That acceleration run was executed in 4WD Excessive mode, which helped restrict wheelspin off the road. Having the ability to get off the road shortly is a luxurious in an enormous truck like this, and the Ram 2500 retains up with its V8 rivals with out a lot effort. We love how quiet the inline-six is throughout regular driving, and the way clean the transmission shifts throughout acceleration. The brand new eight-speed automated replaces the outgoing six-speed Aisin unit, and may skip first gear when unladen to scale back jerkiness from a standstill.

Towing capability ranges wildly relying on the cab configuration, drivetrain, and engine. The Ram 2500 maxes out at 20,000 kilos (trailer weight) however the 3500 can pull as much as 36,610 kilos with a gooseneck, due to a brand new 3.42 rear axle ratio that is additionally extra environment friendly. With the 6.4-liter Hemi, it may tow 17,750 kilos. Max payload is larger with the V8, 4,420 kilos in comparison with 2,740 with the Cummins.

Trip and Dealing with

Vans on this section not often really feel spry, however the Ram 2500 feels extra simply maneuverable than rivals from Ford or GM. It nonetheless has hydraulic steering, however the effort is lighter than rivals, making it simpler to park this behemoth, and hold it centered in its lane. The experience can also be superior to the competitors due to a five-link strong rear axle. Even with out towing something, the Ram 2500 does not shutter on tough roads or lean uncontrollably by corners. Optionally available self-leveling air suspension is obtainable to additional enhance the experience, however our tester will not be geared up with it. The experience is a bit bouncy on the freeway, a consequence of this truck’s immense capabilities.

Gas Financial system

Ram doesn’t publish gasoline financial system for the 2500, as vans on this class are exempt from testing. We noticed 11.7 mpg on common, with a mixture of metropolis and freeway driving. A 31-gallong gasoline tank comes normal, however you too can improve to a 50-gallon tank.

Verdict & Pricing: E-Z HD

The pickup truck section is extremely aggressive, and costs are inclined to mirror that. You should purchase a 2025 Ram 2500 Tradesman Common Cab 4×2 for as little as $45,465 with 4×4 including $3,000 to the worth. That trim is ok as a primary work truck, however anybody shopping for for private or blended use will wish to step as much as the Huge Horn, beginning at $49,465 for a Common Cab 4×2. There’s an enormous leap to the Laramie at $61,795, however this trim comes normal as a Crew Cab, as do all larger trims. We expect the Laramie affords the best mixture of accessible options, although lots of them are non-obligatory. Our tester rings in at $84,545 after a $1,995 vacation spot cost; $12,595 of that price is the non-obligatory Cummins diesel engine.

Consumers who plan to make use of their Ram off-road can go for the Insurgent for $68,940 or the much more rugged Energy Wagon for $72,140. Or if you’d like most luxurious and plan to drive 1000’s of miles, the Restricted Longhorn and Restricted price $73,410 and $73,460, respectively, and are primarily differentiated by their interiors. Even these trims have expensive choices obtainable, and might be specced to above $90,000.

When you solely buy autos based mostly on the stats, the Ram 2500 is probably not your truck of selection. It does not stand out just by trying on the numbers, but it surely’s a fantastic truck if you sit behind the wheel. Vans of this measurement might be intimidating to drive, however the Ram is definitely essentially the most accessible. It affords mild steering, a extra comfy experience, and a plus inside that does not scream utilitarian. If that is your first HD truck, otherwise you merely get pleasure from comfort, the 2025 Ram 2500 needs to be on the prime of your issues.