2019 Ram 3500 Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
byTravis Langness
Reviews Editor
Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.Pros
- Massive towing capacity with diesel engine
- Multiple camera views and trailer tire pressure display ease towing
- Comfortable seating and quiet cabin for such a big vehicle
Cons
- Appropriately busy ride quality with an unladen bed
What's new
- Fully redesigned for 2019
- Stronger and lighter frame components
- Upgraded powertrains and transmissions
- New interior and exterior styling
- Part of the fifth Ram 3500 generation introduced for 2019
The Ram 3500 was a class leader even before this year's redesign. Now with new safety and technology features, increased towing and payload capacities, and updated powertrains, it sets the bar in the heavy-duty truck segment that much higher.
Underneath, the Ram 3500 gets several updates for 2019. Ram is using more high-strength steel and aluminum in the frame and throughout the bodywork, reducing the truck's overall weight. There are new bushings and mounts to increase ride comfort and decrease noise. And for more standard power, the Ram 3500 now has the previously optional 6.4-liter V8 instead of the old standard 5.7-liter V8. It's hooked up to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. And, of course, you can still get the Ram's optional 6.7-liter six-cylinder turbodiesel (made by Cummins) paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Inside, the 2019 Ram 3500's cabin can be decked out in some surprisingly premium materials in the higher trim levels. Feature highlights include a new optional 12-inch Uconnect infotainment screen and available safety options such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. Of course, if all you want is a basic work truck, Ram can set you up that way, too.
None of these upgrades or changes make the 2019 Ram 3500 any less capable. In fact, it's the opposite. With more power and less weight than previous models, the Ram 3500 can tow and haul more than ever before. And with more interior tech than ever, it might be the most livable heavy-duty truck we've ever driven.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our first drive of the Ram 3500 Limited (turbodiesel 6.4L inline-6 | 6-speed automatic | 4WD).
Driving
The standard V8 is powerful, but the 6.7-liter turbodiesel is where it's at. The abundance of power and torque makes moving this massive truck easy, even with a trailer in tow. Despite its size, the 3500 is relatively easy to drive, even with the dual rear-wheel setup. The steering is light enough for quick turns and highway maneuvers.
Comfort
The 3500 has a bumpy ride most of the time, but it's not unbearable. A quiet interior, well-padded seats and a forgiving suspension make for a totally competent highway cruiser.
Interior
With all sorts of available leather-wrapped surfaces and wood grains on the dash, the 3500 can look and feel like a plush luxury SUV. Buttons and interior controls are laid out in a logical and easy-to-use manner, and there's plenty of space in every seating position for adults. Thanks to large windows and a relatively low beltline, visibility is excellent.
Utility
The standard V8 in the Ram 3500 can tow as much as 18,210 pounds, depending on the cab configuration you choose. Go with the big turbodiesel and that capability nearly doubles to a maximum 35,100 pounds. The six-speed Aisin automatic paired to the Cummins turbodiesel has relatively quick upshifts, and it doesn't hunt for gears on long grades.
Technology
The optional 12-inch Uconnect screen (the same one that debuted in the latest Ram 1500) is one of the most impressive screens in any new vehicle today. The Uconnect software that powers it is quick to respond to commands, easy to learn, and supported by ultra-crisp graphics. Optional safety tech such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning are excellent additions on such a work-oriented rig.
Which 3500 does Edmunds recommend?
There are dozens of available configurations for the Ram 3500. For a basic workhorse, we recommend the base-level Tradesman. The luxury-oriented Limited trim level is on the opposite side of the spectrum. Can't decide? The Big Horn/Lone Star trim level is an appealing middle-ground pick.
2019 Ram 3500 models
The 2019 Ram 3500 is available in three cab styles, with two bed lengths and two powertrains. Depending on the configuration, the 3500 is offered in five different trim levels: Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Laramie Longhorn and Limited.
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