2019 Ram 3500

While million-dollar supercars and concept vehicles may get the spotlight on the world stage, heavy-duty trucks also push the envelope of automotive progress. They give average consumers access to more capability every year, and the power numbers keep rising. The fully redesigned 2019 Ram 3500 is an excellent example of a truck that pushes the boundaries and shows just how far consumer vehicles have come.

What's New?

Unless you go with a chassis cab or a commercial vehicle, the 3500 is the most capable pickup in Ram's lineup. The most obvious change for the 2019 Ram 3500 is its updated appearance that is highlighted by a new grille design, new headlights and taillights, and a flashy new interior.

Under the hood, the Ram features a revised powertrain lineup. The previously standard 5.7-liter V8 engine is no longer available. In its place is the previously optional 6.4-liter V8 that's now paired to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged 6.7-liter six-cylinder diesel is still optional, and it still comes with a six-speed automatic.

The heavy-duty Ram also gets chassis and suspension updates. The frame features several new lighter-weight parts, plus the Ram uses more high-strength steel and an aluminum hood. Suspension bushings are also new, as are the engine mounts and exhaust hangers, all of which help reduce noise and vibration in the cabin. Ram says it has also decreased the truck's drag coefficient with the redesign, adding active grille shutters and making the truck more aerodynamically efficient.

How Capable Is It?

The 2500 is capable of towing some massive cargo, but the Ram 3500 is king when it comes to pulling a trailer. The standard V8 in the Ram 3500 puts out 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque — a respectable set of numbers for sure. With that engine and with the right cab-and-bed configuration, you can have a rig with a potential maximum payload rating of 7,680 pounds.

Want to pull a trailer? The Ram 3500, in the right configuration, can tow as much as 18,210 pounds with the standard V8. Power delivery is strong under full throttle, with lots of low-end grunt and a satisfying growl from under the hood. The eight-speed automatic is an excellent addition, providing quick, smooth shifts across the rev range.

Fitted with the optional turbocharged 6.7-liter diesel six-cylinder engine, the Ram 3500's numbers get even crazier. The 6.7-liter Cummins-sourced engine gets a new cast-iron cylinder head, a new engine block with new exhaust valves and springs, and new rocker arms. It also has lighter and stronger pistons, new connecting rods, new bearings, and an all-new exhaust manifold. Thanks to all those changes, the Ram's optional engine is putting out 400 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of torque.

At 6,910 pounds, payload capacity with the diesel engine is almost as high as with gasoline engine. Towing capability shoots up to 35,100 pounds, which is an increase of 4,100 pounds compared to last year's truck. The diesel powertrain makes that classic diesel rumble at idle, but on the highway it settles down nicely, allowing for a relatively quiet ride.

How Does It Drive?

The 3500 is a big and heavy rig, but it's not difficult to drive. The steering is light enough that you can turn quickly and maneuver on the highway. On the open highway, the Ram 3500's ride quality is, as you'd probably expect, bumpy. Something this capable needs seriously beefy underpinnings. Luckily, that doesn't completely ruin the ride quality. What road imperfections make their way into the cabin are relatively muffled and totally bearable. And that's especially true when you put some weight in the bed to settle things down a bit.

The 3500's cabin is also pleasingly quiet. Ram added active noise cancellation technology to the 2019 truck in addition to the aforementioned changes to the chassis. The changes, Ram says, have reduced cabin noise by 10 decibels — welcome news for anyone towing long distances.

How Luxurious Is It?

The 2019 Ram 3500 comes in five trim levels: Tradesman, Big Horn, Laramie, Longhorn and Limited. Depending on the trim level you select, there are four configurations to choose from: single cab with an 8-foot bed, crew cab with a 6-foot-4-inch bed, crew cab with an 8-foot bed, and mega cab with a 6-foot-4-inch bed. If you go with a crew-cab or mega-cab configuration, there's more than enough room for tall adults in every seating position.

The rear seats are just as comfortable to sit on as the front seats are. You can also recline them or fold into a flat surface for storing large items. Ram has clearly succeeded in making this as comfortable a rig as possible without compromising capability.

At the base trim levels, the 3500 feels and looks like a basic workhorse, as it should. Buyers who aren't interested in high-tech options can still have a bare-bones pickup — or at least one that plays the part. On higher trim levels, you get access to all sorts of available leather upholstery options and different wood-trim choices. The seats feel plush and supportive, and there are lots of soft-touch points throughout the cabin. Combine all of this with the optional 12-inch Uconnect screen — the same one that debuted in the latest Ram 1500 — and you've got a truly impressive cabin.

Other notable options from the Lone Star on up include LED headlights and taillights, a 10-speaker or 17-speaker optional stereo, an 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen (or the previously mentioned 12-inch screen), heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision mitigation with emergency braking.

New for 2019 is a 360-degree surround-view camera that will certainly be appreciated on such a big vehicle if you're ever trying to fit it into a tight spot. It's part of a system that also allows for multiple trailer-camera setups, including a camera inside your trailer or a split screen that allows you to see the corners of your trailer as you move along. Also new is a trailer tire-pressure monitoring system that can provide readouts for up to six pickup tires and 12 trailer tires.

How Much Does It Cost?

At the base Tradesman trim level, in regular-cab configuration with rear-wheel drive, the Ram 3500 starts at $36,590, including a $1,695 destination fee — a crew-cab model checks in at $39,995 including destination. Most midlevel trims are in the $40,000 to $55,000 range, while a top-trim Limited 3500 in mega-cab configuration (with four-wheel drive, the only option at that trim level) checks in at $68,745. It can climb even further when you opt for the optional Cummins turbodiesel engine, which adds $9,100 to the sticker price.

Should I buy one?

The 2019 Ram 3500 is one of the most capable and well-equipped vehicles on the road. If you need to tow massive trailers on a regular basis, it should be right at the top of your list. Available with real wood interior accents, soft-touch leather, and one of the most user-friendly and high-tech infotainment interfaces on the road today, the 2019 Ram 3500 is a game changer. With that said, its competitors are likely to be hot on its heels, as there are redesigned versions of the Ford Super Duty and the Chevrolet Silverado HD on the way, too.

Notably, we picked the 2019 Ram 2500 as one of Edmunds' Best Trucks for Towing for this year.