2023 Ram 3500 Mega Cab

　　

2023 Ram 3500 Review

byAlex NishimotoCorrespondent

　　Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007. He was a staff writer for MotorTrend for 10 years and since then has contributed to CNET, PRI, AutoWise and other publications.

　　When a regular Ram 2500 Heavy Duty won't do the trick, there's the brawnier 2023 Ram 3500. In addition to guaranteeing you one upmanship among your truck-owning buddies, the Ram 3500 is ready for just about any towing or hauling job you can throw at it. With its available high-output Cummins turbodiesel inline-six, the 3500 produces 420 horsepower and, most importantly, 1,075 lb-ft of torque. That's good enough for a maximum tow rating of 37,090 pounds when properly equipped.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Ram 3500 Laramie 4dr Mega Cab 4WD SB (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 3500 Laramie

　　3500 Laramie

　　Laramie 4dr Mega Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $69,370 MSRPLimited Longhorn 4dr Mega Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $76,985 MSRPLimited 4dr Mega Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $80,885 MSRP

　　vs

　　$233/mo

　　Avg. Large Truck

　　The Ram 3500 belongs to the Ram pickup truck family, which means it benefits from a comfortable cabin and a relatively smooth ride on paved roads. It also comes with plenty of the latest tech features, which include a vertically oriented 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a new digital instrument panel display.

　　Though the 2023 Ram 3500 is still the truck to beat when it comes to most available torque, its heavy-duty rivals have closed the gap since the big Ram arrived on the scene. The Ford F-350 and F-450 Super Duty give the Ram 3500 a run for its money in the towing and hauling department, and they also offer decent available tech. Chevy's Silverado 3500HD is always in the mix, too. Picking among them often comes down to what brand you're loyal to or which one offers the best deal. We certainly think you'll do well by picking the Ram.

　　

Which 3500 does zzdcar recommend?

With so many different configurations available, it's tough to recommend a single variant. But after you spec your Ram 3500 to your specific needs, we say treat yourself to the midlevel Big Horn trim, which gets you a larger touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a host of other creature comforts that help make the big Ram's cabin a nice place to spend some time whether you're on or off the job.

　　

Ram 3500 models

The 2023 Ram 3500 is available in five main trim levels: Tradesman, Big Horn, Laramie, Longhorn and Limited. There are also three cab styles — regular cab, crew cab and Mega Cab (the extra-large crew-cab) — and either a standard bed (6 feet 4 inches) or a long bed (8 feet) but limits to how you can combine each trim, cab and bed. Keep reading for a breakdown of the 3500's engines and features.

　　Engine selections include gasoline and diesel powerplants:

　　Standard 6.4-liter gas V8 (410 hp, 429 lb-ft) with an eight-speed automatic Optional 6.7-liter Cummins turbocharged diesel inline six-cylinder (370 hp, 850 lb-ft) with a six-speed automatic Optional high-output version of the diesel with 420 hp and 1,075 lb-ftEquipment highlights for each trim level are as follows:

　　Tradesman

　　When you seek the maximum capability at the minimum price, the Tradesman offers:

　　18-inch steel wheels Locking tailgate Vinyl seats Manual door locks (power locks with remote keyless entry standard on Crew Cab) Air conditioning Cruise control Class V tow hitch 5-inch touchscreen infotainment systemBig Horn (also known as the Lone Star in Texas)

　　Goes beyond the basics, adding:

　　18-inch alloy wheels Chrome exterior trim Power-adjustable, heated tow mirrors Cloth seats and carpeted floors Trailer brake controllerLaramie

　　For a little more luxury and livability, the Laramie offers:

　　Power-folding chrome tow mirrors Power-sliding rear window Soft-opening tailgate Leather seats Power-adjustable and heated front seats Dual-zone automatic climate control 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Integrated navigation system Heated steering wheel Nine-speaker premium sound system Remote engine start Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)Longhorn

　　For a more premium pickup, the Longhorn installs:

　　LED headlights Upscale design details LED cargo bed lighting Front parking sensors Spray-in bedliner Remote tailgate release Rain-sensing wipers Premium leather Front bucket seats Real wood interior trim Ventilated front seats Heated rear seats Power-adjustable pedals Connected services including 4G LTE Wi-FiLimited

　　The most luxurious and technologically advanced version of the Ram 3500, the Limited features:

　　20-inch wheels Exclusive leather seats Premium wood interior trim 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system Blind-spot warning with trailer coverage (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change) Rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is approaching from the side while reversing) Depending on trim level and configuration, numerous individual and packaged options are available for the 2023 Ram 3500. Significant upgrades for the truck include:

　　Dual rear wheels Cargo bed storage bins (RamBox) Night Edition package with blacked-out exterior trim 17-speaker premium Harman Kardon sound system Digital rearview mirror Configurable digital instrument panel Wireless smartphone charger Power running boards Trailer-reverse guidance camera Towing equipment, including fifth-wheel/gooseneck preparation Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Ram and the car in front) Lane keeping assistance (steers the Ram back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Ram and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

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