2025 Ram 2500 Regular Cab

The new-and-improved Cummins turbodiesel inline-six produces 430 horsepower and 1,075 lb-ft of torque (up from 370 hp and 850 lb-ft in last year's 2500). It comes attached to an eight-speed transmission (versus a six-speed) now controlled with an electronic column shifter (versus mechanical). Ram says it reduced noise, vibration and harshness with this engine, which would theoretically address one of our previous complaints about the diesel's din. The optional 12-inch touchscreen is upgraded with Ram's latest infotainment interface, and it has also been replaced as the top-dog choice by a new 14.5-inch screen. An all-digital instrument panel and passenger-side screen are now available, too. Dual wireless charge pads and a 2.4-kW inverter are introduced to the available features list along with a trailer reverse steering control system and several safety technologies. The styling gets some changes too (note the reshaped grilles and new split headlight housings).

The Ford F-250 is the big nemesis, at least on paper. Its base gas V8 produces the same horsepower as the Ram's Hemi V8 but has a smidge more torque. Ford's optional 7.3-liter gas V8, then, blows the Hemi out of the water. The diesel situation is even more lopsided. Both of Ford's diesel options better the new Cummins. Then again, when the torque figures are all four digits, we're not sure how much it matters. The Chevy Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 can't top the 1,000 lb-ft threshold, but the diesel V8 does produce more power than the Cummins inline-six. The GM gas V8 also bests the Hemi's torque. Besides sheer grunt force, though, we prefer the Ram's interior, feature content and general driving experience.