Heavy duty trucks are about more. More towing, more payload, more torque, more aggression, and Ram's truck has been at the forefront of those flag-waving figures. That makes this new 2025 Ram HD — the all-encompassing name that includes the Ram 2500, 3500, and higher-numbered commercial trucks — a bit of a surprise. Look at the spec sheet, and you might think it does the same or even less than last year. Ram, of course, begs to differ.
Starting with the engines, where Ram offers a 6.4L Hemi gas V8 and a 6.7L inline six-cylinder Cummins turbodiesel engine. The gas engine makes 405 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque, down five horses from last year, but has the same torque figure. Since less than 30 per cent of Ram's customers buy that engine, most of them are looking for the cheapest truck possible, the power figure probably doesn't matter.
What will matter is that the 6.7L Cummins diesel is new this year, right down to the engine block and everything inside. Its output is 430 hp and 1,075 lb-ft of torque, the same figures as last year's High Output model, but there are some crucial differences. This engine is now the only diesel offering, whereas the outgoing model could also be optioned with a less powerful engine that made 370 hp and 850 lb-ft.
A stronger eight-speed automatic now lets the diesel deliver every one of those 1,075 lb-ft in every gear, too. Last year, output was highly limited depending on which of the eight gears was selected. Ram says that the new 2500 truck offers "a 70 per cent increase in torque delivery."
While Ram doesn't have to list fuel economy for trucks this big, the new model should improve life at the pumps. The new engine's max towing capacity is 16,606 kg (36,610 lb), 218 kg (480 lb) fewer than last year, but it can do it with a 3.42 rear axle instead of the outgoing model's 4.10 unit. That means if you're okay with 230 fewer kilograms (500 lb) of towing capacity (and most drivers aren't maxing out these trucks anyway) you can get better fuel economy through lower rpm in all of your highway driving.
The 2025 Rams get a new face with a much taller grille and a new stacked headlight design. LED lights are standard, and the luxury trims get "premium" LED lamps as well as their own special taillights.
Ram's Uconnect infotainment gets bigger screens. A work-spec 8.4-inch unit carries over on base models, but larger 12 and even 14.5-inch portrait-orientation screens are available. Ram didn't say much about new things the system's big displays can do, but expect smoother and quicker operation. Ram will also offer a large digital dash and a new for 2025 passenger screen that lets the front passenger operate navigation or watch videos through an HDMI port.
Other creature comforts and work-ready features include 2.4 kW of 110-volt AC power via two plugs in the bed and available wireless charging pads for two phones instead of one. Ram is adding trailer towing info to the centre screens, and has made adaptive cruise, drowsy driver detection, and other advanced driver assists standard that were previously limited to the light-duty trucks.
The 2025 Ram 2500 starts from $62,195 in Canada, with the 2025 Ram 3500 from $63,195. Available grades for 2025 include Tradesman, Big Horn, Laramie, Rebel, Power Wagon, Limited Longhorn and Limited models. The new trucks are expected to arrive at dealers in Q1 of 2025.
You may also like
