2025 Ram Heavy Duty First Drive Review: High-Output Hauler

There’s a product from Ram for every type of heavy-duty truck buyer for 2025.

Potential purchasers will choose a Ram 2500 or 3500 with one of two engines, three cabin sizes, two bed lengths, rear- or four-wheel drive, and seven trim levels. But wait, there’s more. Two of the models, the Power Wagon and Rebel, prioritize off-road capability while the top-shelf Limited and Limited Longhorn offer two different luxurious takes on high-class finishings.

With its dizzying array of choices, it’s easy to be overwhelmed when walking into a Ram dealership.

What’s New for 2025:

The Ram 2500 and 3500 receive refreshed looks front and rear for 2025. The most notable updates are at the front end; as before, a massive grille leads the way in multiple bright and dark finishes, but it’s now flanked by twin split headlights. The rear taillights get a new look as well.

Inside, the refreshed interior boasts a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster on most models, and an optional screen can be ordered for the passenger’s eyes only. Ram’s latest Uconnect infotainment technology runs on one of three centrally located screens, with base trucks stuck with an 8.4-inch screen that’s replaced by a high-resolution 12-incher in mid-grade trucks or a massive 14.5-inch unit on the top tiers.

Perhaps the biggest change for 2025 can be found under the hood of diesel-powered Ram trucks. Last year’s Cummins diesel was offered in two power levels, but for 2025 only the High Output option remains. It pushes out 430 horsepower and 1,075 pound-feet of torque in both the 2500 and 3500 trucks and is now paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission in place of the old six-speed unit.

Handling, Drivability and Comfort:

Big trucks are designed to haul weight, not set lap records. But Ram’s continued use of a five-link rear-suspension design, which is an exclusive for the 2500-class, means it rides pretty well unladen and even better with a thousand pounds in the truck bed. The steering is pretty good, too, and is appropriately weighted and tuned for heavy hauling. We hauled a load pushing 10,000 pounds in a Hemi-powered 2500 and found it had plenty of power but shifted gears quite often to keep the engine in the meat of its power output.

Ram’s Power Wagon sets the standard for off-road capability with a swaybar disconnect and locking front and rear differentials. We put it to the test over ruts and rocks, up and down a 31-degree dirt grade and on the asphalt. Put simply, it’s an unstoppable beast as long as the trail is wide enough to handle a full-size pickup truck. Since the Power Wagon is only offered with the Hemi, buyers who may want more grunt for work and play can opt for the Rebel that’s available with either gas or diesel power. Bilstein shocks adorn both off-road trucks (and can be optioned on other trucks), but the Power Wagon’s are a high-end monotube design.

Ram 3500 models stick with leaf springs for maximum trailering capability. While both the 2500 and 3500 offer an air suspension package that automatically levels the truck, only the 2500 gets a mode that lowers the rear end to make it easier to load the bed or hook up a trailer. Towing a massive fifth-wheel trailer up the same Davis Dam torture test used by the Society of Automotive Engineers to determine the industry’s max tow ratings in a Cummins-powered 3500 with dual rear wheels proved that towing with a big diesel is a more relaxing experience than the standard gasoline V8.

Tech and Safety:

In addition to the central screen, Ram offers a 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger. In addition to offering navigation and infotainment tech, it also boasts an HDMI port to mirror devices like tablets or smartphones.

More importantly to owners who plan to tow are options like a digital rearview mirror with a tow mode that gives multiple views of what’s behind, trailer reversing control to help guide the driver when backing up, Trailer-Tow Pages to monitor the status of the trailer using the center screen.

An onboard power inverter offers up to 2.4 kilowatts of power to twin outlets in the truck bed. The engine will spin up and slow down to maintain the power load.

Ram offers a strong suite of safety technology, but it’s not all standard. Adaptive steering, Blind-spot Monitoring (with conventional trailer coverage), Pedestrian Detection, and Rear Cross Path Detection are optional on base trucks. Forward Collision Mitigation (Automatic Emergency Braking) and Active Lane Management can also be optioned.

Value, Dollars, and Sense:

The Ram 2500 Heavy Duty starts at $47,560 in the United States (all prices include destination). The 3500 HD begins at $48,565. Prices can rise quickly from there along with trim level and as options packages are added. A well-equipped Tradesman with select exterior options, the 12-inch screen, and all the safety technology that’s offered is around $63,000. The Cummins diesel is a $12,595 option that most buyers will select.

At the top of the hill, a Ram 2500 or 3500 Limited with the Mega Cab and some options can push the $100,000 barrier. We won’t pretend that’s not expensive, but it’s comparable to the luxurious and hard-working options from Ford and General Motors.

Verdict:

If you need the ever-increasing capabilities that are offered by today’s modern crop of heavy-duty pickup trucks, Ram has what you’re looking for. In 2500 guise, Ram’s class-exclusive rear suspension design makes for a more comfortable ownership experience than its rivals. And while Ford offers more ultimate towing power at the top end, the Ram 3500 will tow just about any sort of trailer you’re likely to hook to its hitch, and, with the new eight-speed transmission, it’ll do it with more comfort than ever before.

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