Climbing into a Ram 2500 transforms your sneakers into well-worn Lucchese boots, turns your airline snacks into T-bone steaks, and suddenly fills you with strong opinions on livestock care. Credit where it’s due—Ram fully embraces its rugged persona. Whether it’s the gunmetal and barbed-wire detailing of the upscale Longhorn or the off-road prowess of the Rebel, there’s an undeniable sense that the folks behind Ram trucks know their way around hauling, winching, and towing. Maybe not every designer is a roping expert, but they certainly understand what it takes to move heavy loads, which is why the 2025 Ram HD lineup handles the toughest jobs with ease.
A Closer Look at the Ram HD
On the outside, the 2025 Ram HD receives subtle front-end updates, including redesigned grilles, a repositioned Ram logo, and standard LED headlights, with premium LED projectors available as an option. Ram continues to offer its signature lockable bed storage, featuring built-in bins along the bedsides and adjustable cargo tie-down cleats. Additionally, new wheel designs distinguish different trim levels. Inside, storage remains a highlight, with features like sliding center consoles, folding rear seats, and plenty of compartments for small items.
The biggest interior update for 2025 is the introduction of a massive 14.5-inch touchscreen—2.5 inches larger than before—running the latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The trim lineup remains unchanged, starting with the Tradesman and progressing through various levels of luxury and off-road capability, including the Big Horn, Lone Star, Power Wagon, Rebel, Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited.
Powertrain Options and Towing Capabilities
The 2025 Ram 2500 and 3500 HD models continue to offer both gas and diesel powertrains. The standard option is a 405-horsepower, 6.4-liter Hemi V-8, while the available 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel inline-six produces 430 horsepower. Both engines now come paired with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. Our test drives primarily focused on the diesel-powered 2500 Rebel, Laramie, and Longhorn models, though we also had the opportunity to drive the 6.4-liter Hemi-powered versions and explore the 3500 and chassis cab variants to evaluate their towing capabilities.
For towing demonstrations, we started at the base of the Davis Dam Grade, a nearly 12-mile incline used as the SAE standard for determining tow ratings. While engineers typically test these trucks in extreme summer heat, our drive took place in rainy, blustery conditions, with windshield wipers working overtime as we pulled trailers loaded with a Dodge Ram 1500 SRT-10, heavy construction equipment, and even a party barge twice the length of the truck hauling it.
Towing Technology and Performance
Ram equips its HD lineup with a range of features designed to simplify towing. The trucks offer multiple camera views, adjustable fish-eye lower mirrors, digital rearview mirrors, blind-spot monitoring that accounts for trailer length, and, on diesel models, an exhaust brake that works in conjunction with tow/haul mode to assist with both planned and emergency stops. When it comes to raw power, the 405-hp V-8 delivers 429 lb-ft of torque, while the Cummins diesel cranks out a staggering 1,075 lb-ft. Thanks to this immense pulling power, the Ram HD shrugs off heavy loads, making it easy to forget you’re towing anything—until you attempt to navigate a drive-through.
While full-size heavy-duty pickups aren’t typically the first choice for recreational off-roading, the Rebel and Power Wagon prove to be capable exceptions. The Power Wagon, in particular, is designed for rough terrain, equipped with a winch and an electronically disconnecting front anti-roll bar. Despite its size, it glides over ruts smoothly enough to keep your gas-station coffee from spilling. Meanwhile, the Rebel, though less refined, benefits from the torque-rich Cummins, ensuring it can pull itself out of almost any tricky situation.
Upgraded Diesel Engine and Performance Enhancements
There’s no surprise in the fact that the 2025 Ram 2500 and 3500 can tackle steep inclines with ease, whether loaded with cargo or pulling a trailer. These trucks are workhorses for a reason. The most significant update for 2025 lies under the hood of the Cummins-equipped models. Though the 6.7-liter diesel engine retains its displacement, it has undergone a complete redesign from the block up.
The upgrade, coupled with the transition from a six-speed to an eight-speed transmission, boosts output to 430 horsepower and 1,075 lb-ft of torque, with a maximum towing capacity of 36,610 pounds when properly equipped. Impressively, Ram claims that the new diesel models can hit 60 mph in under seven seconds. After logging miles behind the wheel, we can confirm that these trucks feel astonishingly quick for their size, with the new Cummins powertrain delivering both smoother and quieter performance than previous versions.
Engineering Improvements
Ram and Cummins collaborated to refine the engine, starting with a switch from an integrated intake to a bolt-on aluminum manifold, offering longer intake runners and improved charge cooling. The intake and exhaust valves are now 2mm larger, while fuel pressure has been increased by 3,000 psi to a total of 32,000 psi. These upgrades translate to a 60-hp and 225-lb-ft increase over the previous diesel model. Additionally, a new turbocharger with a smaller, faster-spooling turbine wheel enhances efficiency. To further reduce noise, Ram replaced the cam drive and fuel pump drive’s spur gears with quieter helical gears—an upgrade that will surely keep neighbors happy.
For fleet operators and mechanics, maintenance has been streamlined, as oil and fuel filters have been repositioned to the top of the engine for easier servicing. Ordering configurations have also been simplified; with the new eight-speed transmission, there’s no longer a need for multiple optional gear ratios—all diesel models now come with a standard 3.42 rear axle. The transmission’s low first gear makes heavy-duty hauling effortless, while an unloaded truck can start in second gear for smoother acceleration. Notably, all 2500 and 3500 pickups now receive the high-output diesel, with the 360-hp, 800-lb-ft standard-output version reserved exclusively for chassis-cab models.
Comfort, Tech, and Final Impressions
Behind the wheel, Ram makes handling this massive truck as intuitive as possible. Thoughtfully placed grab handles and step-ups ensure easy access to the cabin. The center console is spacious enough to store a gear bag, purse, or even lunch for an entire crew. Front seats offer multiple adjustments, while the roomy rear seat can accommodate several burly workers—or a small cow.
The combination of strategically placed mirrors and multiple camera angles provides excellent visibility, a crucial feature when maneuvering through parking lots where pedestrians can fall below the hood or tailgate line. Technology is another strong suit, with wireless phone connectivity, an extensive suite of driver-assist features, and a new passenger-side display screen. There’s no shortage of USB and 120-volt outlets either.
The optional oversized touchscreen, while impressive, can be difficult to reach from the driver’s seat—at least for those with shorter arms. Additionally, while we typically praise Stellantis’ infotainment systems, the latest Uconnect 5 feels slightly sluggish, especially when switching between navigation and vehicle settings.
Overall, the 2025 Ram HD builds upon an already formidable foundation, blending brute strength with refined technology and thoughtful upgrades that make life easier—whether you’re hauling a trailer, navigating job sites, or simply enjoying the ride.
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