Ram2500

　　

2023 Ram 2500 Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.

　　, rating written byChristian WardlawSenior Manager, Written Content

　　Brent Romans has worked in the automotive industry since 1996. He has written or edited thousands of expert car reviews and road-tested hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Brent is a senior manager of written content at zzdcar and previously contributed to publications such as Super Street and Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road. His personal car is a 2019 BMW M2 Competition, which he bought for its ideal combination of performance, style and practicality.

　　There is a new reason to consider a 2023 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty, and its name is Rebel. This new trim level takes most of what makes the existing Power Wagon model so capable but packages it to accept the optional Cummins turbodiesel engine, which is not available in the Power Wagon.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 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) - $46,050 MSRPTradesman 2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $48,980 MSRPTradesman 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $49,670 MSRPTradesman 4dr Crew Cab LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $49,870 MSRPTradesman 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $52,600 MSRPTradesman 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $52,800 MSRPBig Horn 2dr Regular Cab LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $50,580 MSRPBig Horn 2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $53,510 MSRPBig Horn 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $55,110 MSRPBig Horn 4dr Crew Cab LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $55,310 MSRPBig Horn 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $58,040 MSRPBig Horn 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $58,240 MSRPLone Star 2dr Regular Cab LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $50,580 MSRPLone Star 2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $53,510 MSRPLone Star 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $55,110 MSRPLone Star 4dr Crew Cab LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $55,310 MSRPLone Star 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $58,040 MSRPLone Star 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $58,240 MSRPLaramie 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $63,480 MSRPLaramie 4dr Crew Cab LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $63,680 MSRPLaramie 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $66,405 MSRPLaramie 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $66,610 MSRPLaramie 4dr Mega Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $67,920 MSRPRebel 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $68,805 MSRPPower Wagon 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $69,900 MSRPLimited Longhorn 4dr Mega Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $75,540 MSRPLimited Longhorn 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.7L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A) - $83,820 MSRPLimited Longhorn 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.7L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A) - $84,020 MSRPLimited 4dr Mega Cab 4WD SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $79,435 MSRPLimited 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.7L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A) - $87,665 MSRPLimited 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.7L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A) - $87,715 MSRP

　　vs

　　$233/mo

　　Avg. Large Truck

　　In other news, Ram upgrades the 2500 Heavy Duty's towing features. The truck can still handle up to 20,000 pounds of trailer when it is properly equipped and can accept a 4,010-pound payload depending on the configuration. Now, however, new trailer tow camera views are available, along with power-telescoping trailering mirrors. A new Trailer Reverse Steering Control system is also available, making it easier to guide a trailer while reversing. Finally, Ram adds an available 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display to the 2500.

　　These upgrades arrive just in time to help the Ram 2500 butt heads with a completely redesigned 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty. The Ram will also battle reinvigorated 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and GMC Sierra 2500HD models soon. Which heavy-duty truck will be best for you? Check out our test team's Expert Rating below to help you decide.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the 2500 drive? For such a massive rig, the Ram 2500 accelerates, handles and stops reasonably well. Full-throttle acceleration is gradual but totally adequate. Our 4WD test truck needed 8.3 seconds to cover 0-60 mph at the zzdcar test track, which is respectable for the segment. A simulated-panic stop from 60 mph took 140 feet — which is also an average distance for a heavy-duty truck.

　　Around corners, the steering feels 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 available Power Wagon model has some serious off-road capability that most other heavy-duty trucks don't offer.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the 2500? 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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below