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Truck buyers, especially those in the three-quarter-ton segment, are a loyal bunch. It takes a lot to make someone look outside the Blue Oval or break their “Bowtie Till I Die” oath. The 2025 Ram 2500 attempts to give truck buyers a compelling third option, hot off a heavy facelift for the 2025 model year. Can an updated interior, overhauled interior, and some powertrain alterations help Ram compete against its mighty rivals from Detroit?

The Ram 2500 (and the 3500) are updated for the 2025 model year, but it is not a ground-up redesign. Many of the changes to the HD truck were previewed on the Ram 1500, but they are not exactly the same. As you’d expect from a truck in this segment, there are numerous trim, cab, and engine configurations to choose from. CarBuzz tested a Ram 2500 Laramie Crew Cab with a 6’4″ bed and four-wheel-drive. While not the most rugged or luxurious in the lineup, we believe this might be the ideal combination for a large swath of buyers.

Exterior Looks: Macho Or More Macho

Since the 2025 Ram 2500 is a facelift and not an all-new model, the overall structure remains the same, just with some new details. There are several new grille designs that change depending on the trim, all of which spell out R-A-M in bold letters. We prefer the mild chrome slats of our Laramie trim rather than the plastic grilles found on the Tradesman and two off-road models, or the blingy chrome grilles on the Limited grades. Ram offers various wheels, ranging from 17-inches on the Tradesman up to 20-inchs on the Limited and other trims. It’s possible to make a Ram 2500 look like a basic work truck, an off-road beast, or a luxury-toy tow rig.

Buyers who don’t need a back seat can opt for the Regular Cab model with an eight-foot bed. The Crew Cab model offers a full-size set of rear doors with either an eight-foot or six-foot, four-inch bed. Ram is the only truck to offer what it calls the Mega Cab, which offers more space in the second row and can only be paired with the shorter bed.

Interior & On-Board Technology: Simple Or Simply Indulgent

A Ram 2500 ranges from spartan and utilitarian to plush and luxurious. The base Tradesman is equipped with a vinyl bench seat, but can upgrade to cloth with optional packages. Leather seats are available on the mid-level trims, while the Limited and Limited Longhorn get upgraded leather. We like the Laramie trim because it can be equipped with a bench seat, providing room for up to six passengers, or bucket seats with a giant center console between them. The Laramie is a nice middle trim, packing nice leather and wood trim plus heated/ventilated front seats without being too pricey. Upper trims are only available with the five-seat configuration and offer more premium finishes, but lack the massing seats found in rivals.

Depending on which trim you opt for, the Ram 2500 can have a slew of interesting features in the cabin. Optional extras include a wireless phone charger that can charge two devices at once, an on-board power inverter that can produce up to 2.4 kW, a 360-degree surround-view camera, digital rearview mirror with tow mode, a power sunroof, auxiliary switches, and more. There are also some handy add-ons to make the bed more usable, including a kick-down bed step, and RamBox locking side storage.

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2025 Ram 2500 HD Interior and Exterior Photo Gallery

View images of the 2025 Ram 2500 HD interior and exterior here.

Infotainment: How Much Screen Do You Want?

Ram equips the 2500 with one of three screen sizes, depending on how much you want to be surrounded by technology. An 8.4-inch touchscreen comes standard on the Tradesman and Big Horn, but both can be upgraded to a 12-inch screen. The Laramie gets the 12-inch screen standard, and can be upgraded to the largest 14.4-inch display, though it doesn’t have much functional benefit over the middle setup. That largest screen can also be combined with a 10.25-inch passenger display, which replaces the upper glove box and doesn’t serve a huge purpose other than letting a passenger watch a TV show or movie. In addition to having three screen options, there are three audio levels: a base six-speaker setup, a premium nine-speaker (seven on the regular cab) Alpine with a subwoofer, and a 17-speaker Harman Kardon system. Our Laramie has the Alpine, which sounded great for a pickup truck. We’ve tested other Ram trucks with Harman Kardon, and they pack enough punch to belong in a European luxury car.

Performance: Hemi Or Cummins

Our tester featured the optional Cummins diesel engine, which 70% of Ram HD customers opt for. Though this engine was available last year, all trims now get the “High Output” version as standard. This engine has also been thoroughly revised with a new block, heavy-duty pistons, intake manifold, turbocharger, and exhaust valves, all to improve fuel economy and reduce noise, vibration, and harshness. In our experience, this is among the quieter diesel engines in this segment, and it delivers ample passing/towing power. All Cummins-powered Ram 2500 models now send power out to an eight-speed automatic transmission, replacing last year’s six-speed box.

Performance Impressions

It may not be the most powerful engine in its class, producing less than the V8-powered competitors, but the Cummins diesel didn’t earn its legendary reputation for being a slouch. Despite being down two cylinders, this engine muscles its way to 60 mph in 6.28 seconds in our testing. That acceleration run was done in 4WD High mode, which helped limit wheelspin off the line. Being able to get off the line quickly is a luxury in a big truck like this, and the Ram 2500 keeps up with its V8 rivals without much effort. We love how quiet the inline-six is during normal driving, and how smooth the transmission shifts during acceleration. The new eight-speed automatic replaces the outgoing six-speed Aisin unit, and can skip first gear when unladen to reduce jerkiness from a standstill.

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Ram’s Heavy Duty Trucks Conquer The Ultimate Towing Test With Ease

Ram’s Heavy Duty truck lineup is put through rigorous testing to ensure it won’t let you down when conditions are rough.

Towing capacity ranges wildly depending on the cab configuration, drivetrain, and engine. The Ram 2500 maxes out at 20,000 pounds (trailer weight) but the 3500 can pull up to 36,610 pounds with a gooseneck, thanks to a new 3.42 rear axle ratio that’s also more efficient. With the 6.4-liter Hemi, it can tow 17,750 pounds. Max payload is higher with the V8, 4,420 pounds compared to 2,740 with the Cummins.

Ride and Handling

Trucks in this segment rarely feel spry, but the Ram 2500 feels more easily maneuverable than rivals from Ford or GM. It still has hydraulic steering, but the effort is lighter than competitors, making it easier to park this behemoth, and keep it centered in its lane. The ride is also superior to the competition thanks to a five-link solid rear axle. Even without towing anything, the Ram 2500 doesn’t shutter on rough roads or lean uncontrollably through corners. Optional self-leveling air suspension is available to further improve the ride, but our tester is not equipped with it. The ride is a bit bouncy on the highway, a consequence of this truck’s immense capabilities.

Fuel Economy

Ram does not publish fuel economy for the 2500, as trucks in this class are exempt from testing. We observed 11.7 mpg on average, with a mix of city and highway driving. A 31-gallong fuel tank comes standard, but you can also upgrade to a 50-gallon tank.

Verdict & Pricing: E-Z HD

The pickup truck segment is highly competitive, and prices tend to reflect that. You can purchase a 2025 Ram 2500 Tradesman Regular Cab 4×2 for as little as $45,465 with 4×4 adding $3,000 to the price. That trim is fine as a basic work truck, but anyone buying for personal or mixed use will want to step up to the Big Horn, starting at $49,465 for a Regular Cab 4×2. There’s a huge jump to the Laramie at $61,795, but this trim comes standard as a Crew Cab, as do all higher trims. We think the Laramie offers the ideal combination of available features, though many of them are optional. Our tester rings in at $84,545 after a $1,995 destination charge; $12,595 of that cost is the optional Cummins diesel engine.

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CarBuzz’s Best Truck Of The Year Is The 2025 Ram 1500

From the simple Tradesman to the loaded Tungsten and rugged RHO, the Ram 1500 lineup is stellar.

Buyers who plan to use their Ram off-road can opt for the Rebel for $68,940 or the even more rugged Power Wagon for $72,140. Or if you want maximum luxury and plan to drive thousands of miles, the Limited Longhorn and Limited cost $73,410 and $73,460, respectively, and are mainly differentiated by their interiors. Even these trims have pricey options available, and can be specced to above $90,000.

If you only purchase vehicles based on the stats, the Ram 2500 may not be your truck of choice. It doesn’t stand out simply by looking at the numbers, but it’s a great truck when you sit behind the wheel. Trucks of this size can be intimidating to drive, but the Ram is easily the most accessible. It offers light steering, a more comfortable ride, and a plus interior that doesn’t scream utilitarian. If this is your first HD truck, or you simply enjoy convenience, the 2025 Ram 2500 should be at the top of your considerations.