The highly anticipated 2025 Ram HD pickup trucks have arrived, bringing with them a series of updates and refinements. But can they reclaim market share from the formidable Ford Power Stroke and GM Duramax trucks? Let’s dive in and compare.
Before examining how the new Ram 2500 and 3500 models measure up against the competition, let’s begin with a look at the powertrain and drivetrain specifications of the new Ram HD.
2025 Ram HD Specs
6.7L Cummins Turbo-Diesel:
- Horsepower: 430 hp @ 2,800 rpm
- Torque: 1,075 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm
- Transmission: ZF PowerLine 8-speed (8AP1075) TorqueFlite automatic
- PTO: 2 PTOs & PTO can operate while driving
- Starting: Can start in 2nd gear under light load conditions.
- First Gear Ratio: 4.71 to 1
- Transfer Case: BW 44-48 with a 2.64 to 1 low range gearing
- Rear Axle Ratio: 3.42 to 1
- Gas V8 Options: 3.73 and 4.10
- Lowest Crawl Ratio: 42.5 to 1
Next, we’ll explore how the Ram 2500 (3/4-ton truck) compares to its Ford and Chevrolet/GMC rivals. This comparison focuses on crew cab 4×4 standard bed configurations with the best available turbo-diesel specifications.
Ram 2500 Comparison
The new Ram HD 2500’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) remains considerably lower, resulting in a lower maximum payload capacity. However, its maximum tow rating nearly matches its competitors, making it a capable truck for many applications. For those requiring higher payload and towing capabilities, the Ram HD 3500 series offers a step up in capacity.
Ram 3500 Comparison (SRW)
This table illustrates how the 3500 series trucks stack up, each with a crew cab 4×4 standard bed single rear wheel (SRW) configuration.
The Ram HD 3500 SRW models demonstrate a much more competitive GVWR, payload capacity, and towing ability when compared to the Ford and GM offerings.
Ram 3500 Comparison (DRW)
Below are the specifications for diesel-powered 4×4 versions of the Ram HD 3500 with dual rear wheels (DRW).
DRW (2-door)
DRW (4-door, Crew Cab)
As seen in the tables above, the performance numbers are extremely competitive for the 3500 SRW and DRW trucks. This leaves the question: which truck performs best in real-world conditions when pushed to its limits? Which is the most efficient for towing? Which accelerates and stops best? We will soon be showing videos to answer these questions.
