When you step inside a Ram 2500, your ordinary sneakers transform into premium oil-waxed Lucchese boots, and those meager airplane peanuts tucked away in your bag now seem like gourmet T-bone steaks. Suddenly, you're spouting opinions about cattle management. Kudos to Ram for fully embracing this lifestyle. Regardless of whether it’s the upscale Longhorn edition adorned with barbed wire and gunmetal accents or the ruggedly capable Rebel model designed for off-roading adventures, each member of the Ram design and engineering crew appears ready to handle tasks such as towing trailers, navigating rocky terrains via winching, and even roping cows—though perhaps not everyone has mastered lariat skills, they definitely excel at everything related to transportation needs. It’s clear why the 2025 Ram HD trucks turn heavy tasks into easy exercises.
For the exterior of the 2025 Ram trucks, there’s a slight redesign at the front featuring updated grilles, a more elevated position for the Ram emblem, and standard LED headlamps complemented by optional high-end LED projectors. Lockable in-bed storage compartments along with adjustable cargo fastening points continue to be available. Additionally, new wheel styles will distinguish each trim level.
Inside, these vehicles boast ample storage solutions including movable center consoles and fold-flat rear seating arrangements alongside numerous spaces designed for smaller objects. A significant update inside comes from the introduction of a large 14.5-inch touch screen—an increment of 2.5 inches over previous models—which runs the newest version of the Uconnect 5 entertainment interface.
The lineup retains its current structure beginning with the base Tradesman model then progressively advancing towards greater opulence or enhanced off-roading capabilities via trims like Big Horn, Lone Star, Power Wagon, Rebel, Laramie, Longhorn, and culminating in the top-tier Limited variant.
In 2025, the Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty models come equipped with either a gas or diesel powerplant: the default setup features a potent 405 horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V-8, while an even more robust option includes a 430 horsepower 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel I-6 engine. These engines are paired exclusively with an advanced eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. Throughout our test drive, we primarily utilized the diesel-fueled variants including the 2500 Rebel, Laramie, and Longhorn editions; however, Rams provided us opportunities to pilot the 6.4-liter Hemi-equipped vehicles too. Additionally, they included experiences with 3500 series pickups along with various chassis-cab configurations designed specifically for showcasing impressive towing capacities across different professional-grade setups.
Our initial challenge involved demonstrating these capabilities beginning from beneath Davis Dam Grade—a grueling ascent spanning approximately twelve miles often employed within industry standards when determining official trailer pull limits. Despite engineering teams routinely testing vehicle performance under extreme conditions like those encountered during hot summers where temperatures can soar into triple digits, weather conditions varied significantly throughout our tests—ranging between wet due to rain showers and blustery winds necessitating frequent use of windscreen wipers instead. During this period, participants alternated driving tasks involving heavy payloads such as replicas representing classic muscle cars like the Dodge Ram 1500 SRT-10, large-scale machinery typically found on job sites, alongside oversized recreational watercraft far exceeding typical transport dimensions relative to pickup size.
Ram offers a variety of gear for seamless towing, featuring several camera perspectives, customizable wide-angle lower mirrors, electronic rearview mirrors, and blind-spot alerts that factor in trailer size. Additionally, the diesel model includes an exhaust brake system that complements the tow/haul setting to facilitate smooth braking during regular and urgent halts. In terms of power, the V-8 engine generates 429 lb-ft of torque, while the Cummins produces a robust 1075 lb-ft; neither truck experiences vibration regardless of the load being pulled behind them. However, using a Ram Heavy Duty can be risky due to the possibility of forgetting about your attached vehicle when driving through areas like fast-food lanes.
A full-size, heavy-duty pickup Isn’t the optimal choice for casual off-road adventures; however, both the Rebel—and particularly the Power Wagen, equipped with features like a winch and an electronically disconnected front stabilizer bar—are surprisingly gentle on rough terrains without much dragging along the sides. The Hemi-powered Power Wagen moves gracefully across uneven grounds, allowing you to keep your gas station coffee steady, whereas though less refined, the Cummins engine ensures reliable towing capabilities through almost any challenging scenario.
It’s not much of a surprise that the updated Ram 2500 and 3500 models excel at climbing hills whether they’re loaded down or empty, pulling trailers effortlessly. These heavy-duty pickups have earned their popularity due to their reliability, and for the model year 2025, the most significant updates focus on enhancing performance beneath the engine cover, particularly improving the well-regarded Cummins turbodiesel variants. Although the diesel retains its original displacement volume of 6.7 liters, this iteration represents an all-new design from the ground up. Paired with the enhanced transmission which now has eight gears instead of six, these trucks boast 430 horsepower, torque reaching 1075 lb-ft, and when appropriately configured, a maximum towing capability of 36,610 pounds. Additionally, acceleration times have been reduced; according to Ram, these new diesels hit 60 mph in less than seven seconds. Our test drives confirmed that despite their substantial build, these vehicles accelerate responsively—almost startlingly so—and offer superior quietness and smooth operation compared to earlier versions of the Cummins motor.
Ram collaborated with Cummins to revamp the engine, beginning at the top by switching from an integrated intake system to a detachable aluminum manifold. This new setup features a lengthier intake passage and superior charge cooling compared to the earlier model. Both the intake and exhaust valves have grown larger by two millimeters each, and the fuel pressure has surged up to 32,000 psi from the initial level due to an increase of 3,000 psi.
These modifications result in an additional output of 60 horsepower and 225 pound-feet torque beyond what was previously offered. Moreover, this updated 6.7-liter configuration boasts enhanced efficiency through a speedier and hotter-reacting catalytic converter along with a novel turbocharger equipped with a compact, swiftly spooling turbine blade.
The mechanism driving both the camshaft and the fuel pump now employs helical gearing rather than spur gears, leading to reduced noise levels—a feature likely welcomed by those living nearby. Commercial fleet operators may find comfort knowing that routine maintenance components like fuel and oil filters are positioned atop the engine for simpler servicing procedures. Additionally, they would benefit from simplified parts procurement since the inclusion of an eight-speed gearbox negates the necessity for extra gear configurations; every diesel variant ships paired exclusively with a 3.42 axle ratio.
This combination ensures effortless towing capabilities thanks to the lower first gear setting within the transmission unit. Furthermore, under light load conditions, drivers can initiate movement using second gear mode—resulting in decreased shift frequency alongside smooth acceleration experiences. Notably, all Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks currently ship fitted with the high-performance diesel option rated at 360 horsepower and delivering peak torque figures amounting to 800 pounds per foot, whereas solely the chassis cab editions receive access to a slightly less potent but still robustly featured standard-output edition producing 360 horses and pushing out 800-pound feet of twist.
Behind the wheel, Ram transforms the massive truck into something manageable with ease. Conveniently placed handholds and steps make getting inside simple. The sizable console can accommodate a toolbag, a handbag, or even lunches for an entire crew. The front seats offer multiple adjustment options, while the rear bench is spacious enough to fit numerous loggers or a petite bovine.
With the integration of mirrors and cameras, even shorter drivers can clearly view their surroundings—an essential feature for navigating crowded parking lots where adults might be hidden behind the hood and tailgate. Technologically speaking, Ram provides seamless smartphone connections along with an extensive array of driving assistance features. The updated model includes a new display for the front-seat passenger and numerous USB ports alongside standard 120-volt outlets. Despite these advancements, our critiques remain minor. One issue was finding the available larger touch screen somewhat cumbersome; being right-handed meant I had difficulty reaching across it without adjusting my position. Additionally, we noticed some delays within the Uconnect 5 system, particularly when switching between navigation functions and car setting options—a letdown considering how much we have appreciated previous iterations of Stellantis' entertainment technology.
Ram's large trucks begin at $47,660 with the Hemi-equipped Tradesman model and ought to be available in showrooms presently. Plan to add some additional funds for the necessary cowboy boots and a ten-gallon Stetson hat.
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