2025 Ram Heavy Duty Up Close: Refreshed Humongous Hauler
Ram’s big pickup trucks are getting some significant changes for the 2025 model year, including an updated diesel powertrain, new styling and new tech. It follows on the heels of the updated Ram 1500 light-duty pickup and gets some of that truck’s tech, too. We had a chance to get up close with multiple versions of the Ram Heavy Duty at the 2025 Chicago Auto Show to see how the changes affect the truck.
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How Does the 2025 Ram HD Look?
The front end of the Ram Heavy Duty has been refreshed, with new grille designs for different trim levels and new LED split headlights. The truck’s taillights have been modified, too. It’s an evolutionary design update overall that still retains a clear connection with the prior truck.
Previously, to get the high-output Cummins diesel engine in a Ram HD, you had to choose a 3500 pickup, but the high-output engine is now offered in both 2500 and 3500 models and works with a new eight-speed automatic transmission.
The diesel engine features a new block and cylinder head, new intake, new turbocharger, larger valves and a higher-pressure fuel system that now makes 430 horsepower and 1,075 pounds-feet of torque. With the high-output diesel, the Ram 2500’s 0-60 mph time drops more than a second, according to Ram, to 6.9 seconds. Buyers can still get a gas 6.4-liter V-8 that makes 405 hp and 429 pounds-feet of torque.
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What’s It Like Inside?
Inside, the cab of the Ram HD can be packed with screens, including a new 14.5-inch portrait-style touchscreen that’s also offered in the 2025 1500 pickup. Additionally, there’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and 10.25-inch front passenger screen in the dashboard for navigation, entertainment and camera views. The passenger screen is designed so that it’s not visible to the driver.
The Laramie and Rebel versions of the truck on the show floor had nicely trimmed interiors as well as a big configurable storage console between the front seats. The crew cab is comfy and roomy, with plenty of space in front or back for adults. However, with the 14.5-inch touchscreen, the trailer brake controller elements are split between the bottom of the screen and nearby physical controls, an unusual setup.
The 2025 Ram 2500 starts at $47,560 (all prices include destination), and the 3500’s starting price is roughly $1,000 more. Both prices are just a few hundred dollars more than the 2024 truck. While the new features for 2025 don’t dramatically alter the Ram HDs, the targeted changes bring important updates to the model line that should resonate with truck shoppers.
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