2024 Ram HD Expert Review
Reviewed by Duncan Brady
When a full-size truck isn't enough, go heavy duty. Compared to the Ram 1500 , Ram's 2500 has higher towing and payload capacities plus a higher GVWR to better support your beefy overlanding build. The middle-tier Ram pickup competes with other conventional three-quarter-ton offerings including the Ford F-250, Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, and GMC Sierra 2500HD, and some buyers may consider the Toyota Tundra.
What's New
The only change for the 2024 Ram 2500 is the addition of a Tailgate Ajar warning lamp. Last year's updates introduced a Rebel off-road trim and Trailer Tow app, plus noteworthy optional equipment including a digital instrument cluster, digital rearview mirror, trailer reverse steering control, and a Mopar performance hood.
What We Think
We're huge fans of the Ram in this segment. The heavy-duty pickup earned our Truck of the Year honors when it was new in 2020, mostly due to how well rounded it was. Despite competitors offering better performance or higher capacities at the time, this was still a hugely capable pickup that continues to provide supreme comfort, impressive safety features, confident towing, and even impressive efficiency.
Unlike some of the more brutish vehicles in the segment, the Ram can feel elegant. High-quality materials accent handsome, usable interior design, and Ram led the charge for heavy-duty pickups with impressive infotainment tech. Competitors are only beginning to catch up to the breadth of Ram 2500 offerings, too, as the Ram Power Wagon was the only proper off-roader in the segment for years. Now we just need to run a comparison against the redesigned F-250 and Silverado 2500.
Engine and Transmission Options
Ram offers two powertrains in its heavy-duty pickup. Buyers can choose a standard gas engine, a 6.4-liter V-8 developing 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic, or upgrade to the diesel. The oil-burner is a 6.7-liter turbodiesel inline-six churning out 370 hp but a huge 850 lb-ft, though unfortunately it's paired with a dated six-speed auto. (There's a high-output version of that engine which delivers 1,075 lb-ft of torque but buyers will need to opt for the Ram 3500 to get it.)
Towing and Payload Capacities
Those interested in maximum payload should opt for the gas truck, as capacity tops out at 4,010 pounds and carries an advantage of around 900 pounds over comparable diesel variants. The highest towing capacity for gas 2500s measures 17,740 pounds.
If you need more hauling capability but payload is less of a concern, go diesel. Although payload suffers (maximum capacity of 3,150 pounds), max towing is way up. A RWD Crew Cab Tradesman with the 6-foot 4-inch box is rated to tug 20,000 pounds.
Safety Features
Pickups like these are not typically safety rated by NHTSA or IIHS, but thankfully, the current generation of HDs has adopted some of the driver assist features we've come to love. Ram has an optional Safety Group that's available on all trim levels of the 2500, adding adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rain-sensing wipers, lane keep assist, and automatic high-beams. For 2024, a new Tailgate Ajar warning lamp comes standard.
Bed Space and Interior Room
The Ram feels huge inside, but it measures marginally smaller than two of its closest competitors. Likewise, both the 6-foot 4-inch and 8-foot bed options have less cargo capacity than the short- and long-bed options of the Ram's peers.
Technology
Depending on the trim level, Ram has three different infotainment displays in the Ram 2500. Tradesman and Big Horn variants get a super basic 5.0-inch display, though an 8.4-inch system is standard on the Power Wagon and above. A vertically oriented 12.0-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is optional on lower trims or available as part of a package on Rebel and above. Other optional features include a full digital instrument cluster, 360-degree camera, cargo view camera, and 17-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
Recommended Trim
Among the many trims and variants of the Ram 2500—Tradesman, Big Horn, Laramie, Rebel, Power Wagon, Limited Longhorn, and Limited, plus the decision between gas and diesel—there's no one perfect configuration. If it's a pure workhorse, the bare-bones Tradesman supplies the performance you need, but for folks who will also use their 2500 as a road tripper, around-town luxury cruiser, and occasional off-roader, the Power Wagon or Limited may make more sense.
