2019 Ram 2500 Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　

What's new

The 2019 Ram 2500 is completely redesignedStronger and lighter frame componentsUpgraded powertrains and transmissionsNew interior and exterior stylingPart of the fifth Ram 2500 generation introduced for 2019

　　When you're already on top of the mountain, it's difficult to get any higher. But that's what the 2019 Ram 2500 has done. Already a class-leading heavy-duty pickup truck, the redesigned Ram 2500 has added all the modern tech you could ask for. It also has more towing and hauling power than ever before. And as if that weren't enough, the new 2500 has one of the most impressive interiors in its class.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Ram 2500 Tradesman 2dr Regular Cab LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　Not Available  for 2500 Tradesman

　　2500 Tradesman

　　Tradesman 2dr Regular Cab LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $33,395 MSRPTradesman 2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $36,295 MSRPTradesman 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $36,950 MSRPTradesman 4dr Crew Cab LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $37,150 MSRPTradesman 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $39,850 MSRPTradesman 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $40,050 MSRPLone Star 2dr Regular Cab LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $37,645 MSRPLone Star 2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $40,545 MSRPLone Star 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $42,100 MSRPLone Star 4dr Crew Cab LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $42,300 MSRPLone Star 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $45,000 MSRPLone Star 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $45,200 MSRPLone Star 4dr Mega Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $46,500 MSRPBig Horn 2dr Regular Cab LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $37,645 MSRPBig Horn 2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $40,545 MSRPBig Horn 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $42,100 MSRPBig Horn 4dr Crew Cab LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $42,300 MSRPBig Horn 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $45,000 MSRPBig Horn 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $45,200 MSRPBig Horn 4dr Mega Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $46,500 MSRPLaramie 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $49,100 MSRPLaramie 4dr Crew Cab LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $49,300 MSRPLaramie 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $52,000 MSRPLaramie 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $52,200 MSRPLaramie 4dr Mega Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $53,500 MSRPPower Wagon 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $52,900 MSRPLonghorn 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $56,300 MSRPLonghorn 4dr Crew Cab LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $56,500 MSRPLonghorn 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $59,200 MSRPLonghorn 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $59,400 MSRPLonghorn 4dr Mega Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $60,700 MSRPLimited 4dr Crew Cab LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $61,000 MSRPLimited 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $61,300 MSRPLimited 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $63,900 MSRPLimited 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $64,200 MSRPLimited 4dr Mega Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $65,700 MSRP

　　vs

　　$233/mo

　　Avg. Large Truck

　　The 2019 Ram 2500's frame is now made with more high-strength steel, and some body panels made from aluminum help bring the Ram's overall weight down. But it's not just the hardware that stands out. Available safety features such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning have been added to the lineup as well.

　　Under the hood, the Ram 2500 gives you a choice of one of two engines: a standard 6.4-liter gasoline V8 or an optional turbocharged 6.7-liter six-cylinder diesel. The V8 is now paired to an eight-speed transmission that increases efficiency and drivability. The optional turbodiesel gets more torque and more towing power, putting it right at the top of the heap when it comes to optional heavy-duty pickup truck engines.

　　Naturally, Chevrolet and Ford offer heavy-duty trucks of their own that offer stout capability as well. But if you're shopping for a heavy-duty pickup truck, the 2019 Ram 2500 should be at the top of your list to check out.

　　Notably, the 2019 Ram 2500 is a featured vehicle in our Cheapest New Cars article, and we picked the 2019 Ram 2500 and the 2500 Diesel as one of zzdcar' Cheapest New Cars for this year.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.9 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Ram 2500 Limited Mega Cab Standard Bed (turbo 6.7L inline-6 diesel | 6-speed automatic | 4WD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.9 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.0
Utility	8.5
Technology	8.5

　　

Driving

7.5

　　For such a massive rig, the Ram 2500 accelerates, handles and stops reasonably well. Full-throttle acceleration is gradual but totally adequate. The Ram took 8.3 seconds to do 0-60 mph at the zzdcar test track, which is respectable for the segment. A simulated-panic stop from 60 mph took 140 feet — an average distance for a heavy-duty truck.

　　Around corners, there isn't a lot of body roll and the tires are reasonably grippy. The steering is appropriately light, but the handling limits are low. If you ignore the 2500's size, it's actually pretty drivable in the city. For off-road use, the Laramie trim is not ideal because the suspension is optimized for load carrying. But the Power Wagon has some serious off-road capability that most 2500s don't offer.

　　

Comfort

8.0

　　Both the front and back seats of the Ram 2500 are extremely comfortable. The seats are well-padded and well-bolstered, and they have lots of adjustments. Soft-touch surfaces are nice for hands and elbows. And the ride on the highway is as good as you can expect in a 2500 — which is to say bumpy but not disturbing.

　　Climate control is operated via touchscreen and some button controls, but the touchscreen functions are hard to find. With the optional diesel powertrain, there's a lot of vibration coming up through the pedals and steering wheel as well as a constant drone on the highway — that's not completely unheard of for the class but still annoying.

　　

Interior

8.0

　　From the basic, no-frills Tradesman to the top-trim Limited, the Ram 2500 has an appealing interior. The 12.3-inch touchscreen on our tester is one of the best in the business. The buttons and interior controls are laid out in a logical and easy-to-use manner, and there's enough space in every seating position for adults. Getting in and out isn't an issue thanks to the power-deployable side steps and big openings from all four doors. Visibility is excellent thanks to the large windows and relatively low beltline.

　　

Utility

8.5

　　As you'd expect from a truck such as the Ram 2500, towing and hauling capability is massive. The available rear air suspension's exclusive kneeling function makes loading and trailer hookups easy. With our Laramie 4x4 test truck, the maximum payload is 2,520 pounds and max towing sits at 19,040 pounds. Both are impressive numbers, even among the admittedly strong competition.

　　The Ram 2500's center console is impressive, and the rear half of the cab has cavernous cargo capacity. The center console is huge, and small storage bins abound. If you're carrying kids, the ultra-wide back seat can easily hold three child seats, and the seat anchors are accessible.

　　

Technology

8.5

　　The Ram's 12.3-inch touchscreen is only rivaled by much more expensive luxury systems from Mercedes and Audi. The crisp, clear screen has an easy-to-learn organizational structure. But we also like the less expensive 8.4-inch touchscreen. Both of them offer easy access to your connected smartphone and voice controls that work well. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto operate seamlessly, and you'll find all the USB ports you could ask for. Those willing to spend extra for great sound can opt for an excellent 17-speaker premium stereo.

　　Driver aids such as adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring are effective without being intrusive.

　　

Which 2500 does zzdcar recommend?

　　When it comes to heavy-duty trucks, there is no one-size-fits-all. The Ram 2500 comes in several configurations with widely varying capabilities and specialties. You may want the bare-bones Tradesman for a work truck or the topped-out Limited trim level for ultimate road-trip luxury. However, we think the most appealing option for a lot of truck shoppers will be the Ram 2500's Big Horn/Lone Star trim level.

　　

2019 Ram 2500 models

　　Whatever your needs, a heavy-duty truck such as the 2019 Ram 2500 probably has a configuration that will fit your fancy. There are three cab styles, two bed lengths, two engines, two transmissions, and six trim levels to choose from: Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Longhorn, Limited and Power Wagon.

　　Cab styles include a two-door regular cab, a four-door crew cab and a four-door jumbo crew cab called the Mega Cab. The regular cab comes with a long bed (8 feet) only, while the crew cab has either the long bed or the short bed (6 feet 4 inches). The Mega Cab rides on the same wheelbase as the long-bed crew cab but combines an even bigger cabin with the short bed.

　　The standard engine for the Ram 2500 is a 6.4-liter V8 (410 hp, 429 lb-ft of torque) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Aside from the Power Wagon, every Ram 2500 also offers an available turbocharged 6.7-liter diesel six-cylinder engine. It puts out 370 hp and 850 lb-ft and is matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2500 is available with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, except the Power Wagon, which is available in 4WD form only.

　　The Tradesman is the most basic trim. Standard feature highlights include 17-inch steel wheels, a locking tailgate, air conditioning, a 40/20/40-split front bench, a tilt-only steering wheel, a 3.5-inch driver information display, vinyl upholstery, and a six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, a USB port and a 5-inch touchscreen interface.

　　Power windows and locks, including the locking tailgate, are standard on crew-cab models, as are power-adjustable heated mirrors. Regular-cab models have manual controls and non-heated mirrors by default.

　　The Big Horn (Lone Star for shoppers in Texas) adds chrome exterior trim, 18-inch steel wheels, an integrated trailer brake controller, remote locking and unlocking, a power-sliding rear window, remote ignition, cloth upholstery, carpeted floors, full power accessories for all body styles, and an extra charge-only USB port.

　　The Laramie builds off the Big Horn/Lone Star and adds more chrome trim (including the bumpers), a soft-closing tailgate, LED headlights and taillights, foglights, a 115-volt power outlet, power-folding auto-dimming mirrors, remote ignition, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 7-inch driver display screen, a power-adjustable driver's seat, leather upholstery, driver-seat memory functions, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an upgraded driver information display, a 10-speaker surround-sound audio system, HD and satellite radio, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

　　The Longhorn adds to the Laramie's substantial features list by including a chrome mesh grille, a spray-in bedliner, LED bed lights, automatic high beams, automatic wipers, upgraded leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, wood interior and steering wheel trim, power-adjustable pedals with memory settings, front bucket seats, heated rear seats, and a navigation system.

　　The Limited trim adds power-deployable running boards, 20-inch wheels, additional chrome exterior trim, the RamBox cargo management system (includes bedside storage compartments, an adjustable bed divider and tie-downs), and special black leather upholstery.

　　Finally, there's the off-road-themed Power Wagon, which is available only in crew-cab 4WD with the short bed and the 6.4-liter V8. It has some slightly different exterior and interior styling changes, but it's the extensive mechanical upgrades that make a Power Wagon. They include unique 17-inch wheels shod with aggressive all-terrain tires, off-road shock absorbers, tow hooks, skid plates, a manual transfer case, electronically locking front and rear differentials with a 4.10 axle ratio, hill descent control, an integrated front winch, and a front stabilizer bar that can be disconnected electronically to improve wheel articulation off-road.

　　There's also a way to get Power Wagon capability at a lower price. The Power Wagon option package can be added to a crew-cab Tradesman V8 4WD. That way, you get all of the Power Wagon mechanical bits, including the fender flares, but none of the bodywork styling cues or graphics.

　　Those who aren't looking for the extreme capability of the Power Wagon can add the Off-Road package that is available on 2500 crew-cab and Mega Cab 4WD models. This package can be paired with either the standard V8 or the optional turbodiesel, and it includes hill descent control, tow hooks, a transfer case skid plate and upgraded shocks.

　　Many upper-trim features are available on lower trim levels as part of packages or as stand-alone options. Other option highlights include a load-leveling air suspension, tow mirrors, a cargo-view camera, a 12-inch Uconnect touchscreen, wireless smartphone charging, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, a 360-degree surround-view parking camera, fifth-wheel trailer preparation, off-road tires, a 17-speaker stereo system, a CD player and a sunroof.

　　Jump to:Related 2019 2500 articles

　　

2019 2500 Highlights

Type: Crew CabMega CabRegular CabCrew Cab

　　Trim: TradesmanLone StarBig HornLaramiePower WagonLonghornLimitedTradesman

　　

Base MSRP	$36,950
Engine Type	Gas
Seating	6 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	19,370 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles