2023 RAM 2500: Beast of a Truck
What do our experts think of the 2023 RAM 2500 Review? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s New for the 2023 RAM 2500?
The 2023 version of the RAM 2500 comes to the market with an all-new trim called Rebel. Think of it as a less extreme version of the off-road focused Power Wagon. In addition, RAM introduces a 12-inch infotainment system available on the upper trim levels and standard on the Limited trim.
2023 RAM 2500 – ramtrucks.com | Shop 2023 RAM 2500 on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Wild towing capacity
Great interior
Off-road trims are great
Unwieldy
Limited configurability
Needs a bit more refinement
Possibly the best HD pickup
2023 RAM Specs
- 410 horsepower from base engine
- 429 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 7 available trims
- Towing capacity of 37,090 lbs
- Class-leading 12-inch infotainment screen
- 4-star NHTSA crash test rating
- Three-year limited warranty
2023 RAM 2500 Powertrain
The 2023 RAM 2500 comes with a gas-burning 6.4-liter V8 that makes 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
If you need torque, a 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel engines is available for most trims outside of the Power Wagon and Rebel trims. The standard-output turbo diesel makes 370 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque. While the highoutput diesel option makes 400 hp and 1,075 lb-ft of torque. Both turbo diesel engines are mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox.
Buyers can choose whether or not to go with rear-wheel drive or 4WD on most trims. The Power Wagon and Rebel trims offer 4WD as standard.
Towing & Payload
Those who tow a lot both in terms of frequency and weight can’t help but appreciate the ability of the RAM 2500. When properly equipped this thing will tow up to 37,090 pounds. That’s like towing two of the biggest African elephants in history with enough capacity left to add another RAM 2500. Payload maxes out at 7,680. RAM will also install a fifth-wheel hitch for those that want it.
2023 RAM 2500 Fuel Economy & MPG
The RAM 2500 is exempt from fuel economy regulations so the EPA doesn’t test it. Real-world testing indicates that it’ll get anywhere from 15 to 20 mpg depending on the usage case. That’s not too bad considering how big and heavy this pickup is.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
RAM might make headlines with its towing capacity but it’s the interior that really strikes us. Not only is it incredibly spacious with the largest back seat in the HD segment (MegaCab Only), but the material choices are excellent. RAM found a nice balance of durability and robustness. For example, the Tradesman trim gets vinyl upholstery and flooring as it’s almost certainly going to be a work truck first and foremost.
Those who plan on making the RAM 2500 their long-haul everyday office can invest a little more and get one that feels like a luxury airliner though. That’s a wide range and we can’t help but appreciate it.
Little touches like the inclusion of active noise cancellation are a big hit too. RAM also includes clever storage solutions like under-seat cubbies and the RAMBox lockable storage bins on each side of the bed. Keep in mind though you’ll need the short box bed to get that last feature.
Entertainment & Technology
RAM offers three different infotainment systems in the 2500 starting with a small and archaic 5-inch unit in the base Tradesman. It’s complemented by just four speakers. The Laramie trim gets an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system that uses Uconnect as its user interface. We like it a lot thanks to its quick responses and easy-to-navigate menu. Above that is a 12-inch screen on the Limited trim which is the biggest in the HD segment. It’s also highly configurable which allows for multiple information panels on the display at one time.
Safety Features
Despite the fact that this is a gigantic vehicle with slow steering, long braking distances, and a lot of mass behind it, RAM doesn’t offer much in the way of standard advanced safety technology.
Buyers will have to pay extra for things that most commuter cars have including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and more. It’s worth noting that the IIHS doesn’t test vehicles of this size but the RAM 2500 only scored four stars in NHTSA crash testing.
2023 RAM 2500 Trims & Pricing
Tradesman – $47,470
The base RAM 2500 comes with 17-inch wheels, cruise control, a tilt-adjustable steering wheel, a front bench seat, vinyl upholstery, a five-inch infotainment system, four speakers, two USB ports, and a class five towing hitch.
Big Horn – $52,000
The Big Horn adds 18-inch wheels, heated power-folding mirrors, a trailer light check system, an integrated trailer brake controller, power windows, power locks, cloth upholstery, and floor mats.
Laramie – $64,900
Consider this the very first modern-feeling RAM 2500 as it gets active noise cancellation, power-telescoping mirrors, remote start, dual glove boxes, LED interior lighting, an upgraded gauge cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated front seats, an 8.4-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, integrated navigation, nine speakers, and rear parking sensors.
Rebel – $68,940
This off-road-focused trim gets 4WD as standard and adds 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, hill descent control, off-road suspension tuning, a rear limited-slip differential, a locking rear axle, skid plates, and recovery hooks. In addition, it benefits from LED headlights, LED fog lights, cloth upholstery, all-weather floor mats, second-row in-floor storage bins, power-adjustable pedals, a surround-view camera system, and parking sensors all around.
Longhorn – $70,750
This RAM is a bit posher with premium leather upholstery, genuine wood trim, a wood and leather steering wheel, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high-beam headlights, and driver’s seat memory settings.
Power Wagon – $71,320
The Power Wagon is even more off-road hardcore than the Rebel and as such it gets an electric winch, a disconnecting front stabilizer bar, off-road suspension tuning, locking front and rear axles, powder-coated bumpers, a manual-shift transfer case and 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires.
Limited – $74,320
The top trim gets 20-inch wheels, adjustable tie-down hooks, upgraded interior trim, a 12-inch infotainment system, a wireless charging pad, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and RAMBox in-bed storage for those that select the short bed.
Warranties
RAM offers a pretty basic three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty on every 2500. Gas-powered trucks get five years or 60,000 miles of coverage while diesel models get the same time but up to 100,000 miles of coverage. RAM doesn’t provide any sort of complimentary maintenance but neither do rivals.
What we think
2023 RAM 2500 – ramtrucks.com | Shop 2023 RAM 2500 on Carsforsale.com
The 2023 RAM 2500 is one of the biggest and baddest heavy-duty pickups on the market. There’s no question that it can tow a lot and that it has one of the very best interiors in this segment too. It’s hard to think of an area where it really fails to meet or exceed the expectation of its customer base. To that end, we’d suggest checking out this article on new car incentives before you buy because this pickup can also carry a huge price tag.
