more about this model Half-ton pickups (those with "150" or "1500" in the model name) may seem big and burly, but there are some jobs they just can't do. If you have serious loads to haul, you'll need to step up to a heavy-duty pickup. We consider the Ram 2500 to be a top pick because it bundles tremendous towing and hauling abilities with best-in-class ride comfort.
What sets the Ram 2500 apart from the competition is its coil-spring rear suspension. It stands in stark contrast to the leaf springs that have been used in trucks since Henry Ford first put a pickup bed on a Model T. Coils provide a more comfortable ride — though such things must be considered in their context; any truck built to haul this much weight is going to ride firmly — and they also maintain better control of the rear axle, which means that bumps and ripples don't send the rear end skittering around as much as a leaf-spring-equipped truck. The Ram's steering is heavy yet accurate, and it tracks through the corners very nicely considering its bulk. A roomy well-finished cabin with easy-to-use controls rounds out this likable truck.
The base engine in the Ram 2500 is a 5.7-liter gasoline-fueled V8 (also available in a natural-gas-fueled version) that delivers 383 horsepower and 400 pound-feet. An optional 6.4-liter V8 puts out 410 hp and 429 lb-ft, and both engines come with a six-speed automatic transmission. But the Ram 2500 is arguably most famous for its 6.7-liter six-cylinder turbodiesel built by big-rig diesel manufacturer Cummins. Ram is also the only manufacturer offering a heavy-duty pickup with a manual transmission; it comes paired to a 350-hp, 660 lb-ft version of the Cummins. If you want to unleash the diesel's full potential, however, you'll need to opt for an automatic. So equipped, output rises to 370 hp and 800 lb-ft of torque. Because of the truck's weight capacity, Ram is not required to provide EPA fuel economy estimates.
Speed is not the diesel Ram's mission in life, but we still clocked it to 60 mph in a respectable 8.7 seconds. This is a workhorse, and work it does: Properly equipped, the Ram 2500 can haul up to 3,990 pounds in the bed and tow up to 17,980 pounds.
The Ram 2500 is offered with three cab styles (regular, extended and crew); two bed lengths; and seven trim levels: Tradesman, SLT, Big Horn (sold in Texas as the Lone Star), Laramie, Laramie Longhorn, Limited and Power Wagon. The Tradesman is a stripped-down work truck designed to deliver lots of ability at a low price point, while the Limited has bells and whistles we'd expect from a luxury car. The Power Wagon is an off-road themed version with a manual transfer case and other off-road-specific features, many of which are available in other models as part of a new-for-2017 Off-Road package. Whichever suits you best, Edmunds can help find the perfect 2017 Ram 2500 for you.
2017 Ram 2500 Overview
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Ram 2500 and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 2500 featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
Edmunds Value
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
Available Ram 2500 2017 Submodel Types: Crew Cab, Mega Cab, Regular Cab
Available Trims: Tradesman, SLT, Laramie, Big Horn, ST, Power Wagon, Laramie Longhorn Edition, Limited, Lone Star, Longhorn, Outdoorsman, Tradesman Power Wagon, Laramie Power Wagon
Exterior Colors: Bright White Clear Coat, Granite Crystal Metallic Clear Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat, Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Black Clear Coat, Maximum Steel Metallic Clear Coat, Delmonico Red Pearl Coat, True Blue Pearl Coat, Bright White Clearcoat, Blue Streak Pearl Coat, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl Coat, Pearl White, Black Clearcoat, Bright Silver Metallic Clearcoat, Flame Red Clear Coat, Mineral Gray Metallic Clearcoat, Black Forest Green Pearl Coat, Bright White Clear Coat/Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat, Black Gold Pearl Coat, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearlcoat, Deep Water Blue Pearlcoat, Flame Red Clear Coat/Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat, Low Vol Detonator Yellow Clear Coat, Prairie Pearl Coat, Mineral Gray Metallic Clear Coat, Omaha Orange, Bright White Clearcoat/Black Clearcoat, Bright White Clearcoat/White Gold Clearcoat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearlcoat, Dark Brown, Deep Water Blue Pearlcoat/Black Clearcoat, Detonator Yellow Clearcoat, Flame Red Clear Coat/Black Clear Coat, Hunter Green Pearlcoat, Light Cream, Luxury Brown Pearl Coat, Midnight Blue Pearlcoat, Mineral Gray Metallic Clearcoat/Bright Silver Metallic Clearcoat, Timberline Green Pearlcoat, True Blue Pearlcoat, Western Brown
Interior Colors: Black/Diesel Gray premium cloth, Black/Diesel Gray vinyl, Black/Diesel Gray cloth, Black leather, Dark Slate/Medium Graystone cloth, Canyon Brown/Light Frost Beige leather, Black premium leather, Dark Slate/Medium Graystone vinyl, Dark Slate leather, Canyon Brown/Light Frost Beige premium leather, Black/Cattle Tan premium leather, Black/Diesel Gray leather, Canyon Brown/Light Frost Beige cloth, Canyon Brown/Light Frost Beige premium cloth, Light Pebble Beige/Bark Brown leather, Light Pebble Beige/Bark Brown premium leather, Black cloth, Dark Slate premium leather, Light Pebble Beige/Bark Brown cloth, Light Pebble Beige/Bark Brown premium cloth
Popular Features: 10,000lb+ Towing Capacity, Post-collision safety system, Tire Pressure Warning, Towing Hitch, AWD/4WD, Aux Audio Inputs, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Crew Cab, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Trip Computer, Stability Control, USB Inputs, Bluetooth, 6ft Bed, Upgraded Engine, Back-up camera, Parking sensors, Remote Start, Mobile Internet, Power Driver Seat, Heated seats, Electronic Folding Mirrors, Auto Climate Control, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Alarm, Navigation, Leather Seats, Cooled Seats, 8ft Bed, Sunroof/Moonroof, Keyless Entry/Start, Upgraded Stereo, Standard Cab, Rear Entertainment System
Engine/Mechanics: 6, 8 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: diesel, regular unleaded, natural gas
Drivetrains: four wheel drive, rear wheel drive
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
