2023 Ram HD Review, Pricing, and Specs

Most Ram HD buyers are willing to pay up for the diesel, but the standard 410-hp 6.4-liter gas engine is plenty capable, even in the 3500. For the best mix of capability, space, luxury, and price, we would stick with the most popular model, the 2500 4×4 Crew Cab Laramie. Although more are sold with the Cummins, stick with the 410-hp V-8, which is quicker around town and pairs with an excellent eight-speed automatic, unless towing huge trailers is a high priority for you. With the dollars saved, spring for the limited-slip differential and load-leveling air suspension, which further improves the Ram’s already impressive ride quality.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Three engines are available. Standard power in all models comes from a 410-hp 6.4-liter V-8, which makes 429 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with an excellent eight-speed automatic. This is the only engine and transmission offered in the Power Wagon, which is exclusively four-wheel drive. However, every other model is also offered with a 6.7-liter Cummins diesel inline-six with either rear- or four-wheel drive. Two versions of the diesel are available. The first is available in both 2500 and 3500 models and makes 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque. The 400-hp high-output version, only available on the 3500, makes an incredible 1075 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are backed by a six-speed automatic, whereas its diesel competitors all pack more modern 10-speed transmissions. At 1060 pounds, the Cummins engine outweighs the V-8 by 490 pounds, so the diesel models don’t handle quite as well around town, and they’re not quick, but they can haul and tow significantly more weight. Ram has done an incredible job refining the Cummins. Although it’s still noisier than the V-8, it’s no longer a raucous beast.

Towing and Payload Capacity

With the high-output Cummins and its 1075 pound-feet of torque, a Ram 3500 has a towing capacity of 37,090 pounds and a maximum payload of 7680 pounds. When equipped with that engine, the more popular 2500 4×4 Crew Cab model offers a max payload of 2380 pounds and a max trailer-weight rating of 19,010 pounds. Those are strong numbers for the class. With the 370-hp version of the Cummins, the 2500 4×4 Crew Cab can haul 3240 pounds and pull 16,870. With the standard V-8, the truck can also handle 3240 pounds, and tow 14,370, which is more than enough for most jobs and weekend expeditions.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Fuel economy is not estimated by the EPA on commercial vehicles such as the Ram 2500 and 3500 because their Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR) are more than 8500 pounds. A Ram 3500 with the high-output Cummins diesel engine, four-wheel drive, and dual-rear-wheel axle earned 16 mpg on our 75-mph real-world fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen. The less powerful 370-hp diesel engine found in the four-wheel-drive crew-cab 2500 returned slightly better numbers on the highway with an 18-mpg rating.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

As with most pickups, the Ram’s extensive number of trim levels and cab styles mean its interior materials, passenger space, and in-cabin tech features can vary widely in terms of quantity and quality. A single cab, a spacious four-door Crew Cab, and the massive Mega Cab (which offers the largest rear seat in the class) are available. Although heavy-duty trucks from Ford, Chevy, and GMC are also large and luxurious inside, the Ram has the best interior in the segment with luxury-car-level detailing, extreme comfort, and a clean, modern design, while the highest trim levels offer premium materials. The top Longhorn trim even gets striped wood and gold trim on the dash, doors, and gauges, along with the Longhorn logo hand-branded into the wood on the truck’s upper glovebox door. The cabin’s design also features functional controls and a ton of interior cubby storage. Its multilevel center console can accommodate a laptop with a 15.0-inch screen. Every Ram HD also comes with standard acoustic glass and active noise cancellation tied into the audio system, and the result is a truck that’s luxury-car quiet inside—even the diesel models.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Ram also packs its heavy-duty trucks with in-cabin tech, including the latest in infotainment, that rivals some big-buck luxury sedans and SUVs. The Ram’s system is intuitive, with simple menus and prompts. It also responds quickly to user inputs, and its 8.0-inch touchscreen is large and well placed. Ram also offers a giant 12.0-inch reconfigurable touchscreen, which is the largest in the class and gives the truck’s interior a high-tech look and feel. The system also features navigation, a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For your devices, the truck’s interior features five USB ports and up to three 115-volt outlets, which can handle up to 400 watts to run or charge tools quickly.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Both the Ram 2500 and 3500 can be equipped with a long list of driver-assistance technology. For more information about the Ram’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Available forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
• Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Ram provides its two heavy-duty models with a competitive limited warranty. While both its powertrain coverages span five years, gas-fed engines get 60,000 miles of protection while the diesel offers 100,000 miles—similar to what’s offered by the Ram’s HD rivals. Unlike Chevy and GMC, however, the Ram has no complimentary scheduled maintenance.

• Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
• Gas powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• Diesel powertrain warranty covers five years or 100,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

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