Name: 2025 Ram 3500
Brand: Ram

Ram 3500

EPA MPG: NA

Ram 3500 First Drive

Summary

Introduction

Redesigned Ram 3500 Features Big Power and Capability Boosts

Massive trucks promise big towing and hauling, with luxurious interiors and safety features for all trim lines

Overview

The Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty (HD) trucks promise industry-leading hauling and towing capabilities. The Ram 3500 competes with the other monsters of Detroit to steal the hearts of truck buyers. Most important, the Ram 3500 offers key advanced safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, and blind spot warning on all versions. The Detroit truck battles are especially fierce, and the Ram looks to set the bar even higher.

The big Ram HD resembles its smaller 1500 sibling with its trademark bold grille and high stance. As before, the Ram is offered in two-door regular cab, four-door crew, and four-door "mega" cab, in either two- or four-wheel drive. And to enter the cabin, with all this ground clearance, means opting for the available running boards--or else bring a ladder. There’s no getting around the sheer enormity of this truck.

The popular Power Wagon trim is back, featuring a unique suspension, factory lift kit, locking front and rear differentials, and a 12,000-pound winch.

Impressions

Like all heavy-duty truck manufacturers, Ram offers the 3500 in basic work trim as well as high-end versions filled with leather and wood trim. The company claims that this HD is quieter, with various active noise-cancellation systems, and special acoustic glass. The Ram HD continues to offer the excellent Uconnect infotainment system, with an optional 12-inch fully configurable screen. As is the case with all of these monster trucks, the interior is huge and filled with useful cubbies and storage bins.

Truck buyers always want numbers: horsepower, torque, payload, and towing. Not to worry, there are some big numbers here. Both the 2500 and the 3500 have a standard gasoline powertrain--a 6.4-liter V8 that puts out 410 horsepower and 429 lb.-ft. of torque. Each is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Both the 2500 and the 3500 diesel engines are 6.7-liter inline six-cylinders, though their outputs differ, and each is matched with a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2500 diesel has the low-output version, rated at 370 horsepower and 850 lb.-ft. of torque. Also, the maximum payload capacity for the 2500 is 4,050 pounds.

The 3500 diesel with the high-output engine has 400 horsepower and a stunning 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque.

When properly equipped, the automaker claims the Ram 2500 can tow up to 19,780 pounds, and the Ram 3500 can pull a maximum of 35,100 pounds.It looks like the Ram will deliver hauling and towing capability in spades.

The Ram 2500 and 3500 offer automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind spot warning on all trim lines.