Our Opinion - 2023 Ram 3500 4WD Review

Ram’s huge 2500 and 3500 HD pickups are the best when it comes to being able to pull the most. The Cummins diesel inline-six engine in the Ram 3500 produces 400 horsepower and 1075 pound-feet of proper torque, allowing it to tow up to 37,090 pounds. Even with the standard 410-hp Hemi V-8 engine, the Ram HD can still compete with trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado HD and Ford Super Duty. Even though the heavy-duty Ram is rugged, life behind the wheel is not as easy as it seems. The interiors of both the Ram 2500 and 3500 are nice and comfortable, just like the full-size Ram 1500 half-ton truck. Work and adventure clash in the Power Wagon and Rebel versions, which are made for off-roading and come with skid plates, all-terrain springs, and tires that throw mud.

In 2023, They will add a new Rebel trim level to the Ram HD lineup. The unique off-road version has a higher suspension, skid plates, and a rear differential that can be locked by electricity. The Rebel only comes in the 2500 model and comes with four-wheel drive as standard. You can buy it with either a gasoline or diesel engine, though. A few pieces of the 2023 Ram 2500 and 3500’s equipment have also been updated. There is now a digital rearview mirror with side cameras and a 12.0-inch cluster of gauges that can be set up differently. The 2023 Ram HDs also have an option for Trailer Reverse Steering control, which makes a sometimes hard driving maneuver easier and improves life with a trailer. You can now get a Mopar performance hood on the Laramie and the Limited.

Pros:

  • A great partner for hauling and towing
  • Excellent skills on a horse
  • Alternatives for responsive engines

Cons:

  • The six-speed automatic diesel is getting old.
  • There are diesel HDs that go faster.

You can choose from three engines. A standard 6.4-liter V-8 engine with 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet torque powers all variants. It has an excellent automatic transmission with eight speeds. The Power Wagon comes with this engine and information because it only has four-wheel drive. But every other model has a 6.7-liter Cummins diesel inline-six engine and either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. There are two kinds of diesel engines. The first one comes in 2500 and 3500 models and has 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque. The high-output version with 400 horsepower and 1075 pound-feet of torque is only available on the 3500. Both engines are connected to an automatic transmission with six speeds instead of the more modern 10-speed messages that all of its diesel competitors use. Because the Cummins engine weighs 490 pounds more than the V-8 engine, which weighs 1060 pounds, diesel vehicles are slower and harder to turn in town, but they can haul and tow much more. The Cummins has gotten a lot better because of Ram. Even though it isn’t as loud as it used to be, it is still louder than the V-8.

The Ram 2500 and the Ram 3500 can be equipped with various features that help the driver. On the websites, you can find out more about how the Ram did in crash tests (IIHS). Among the essential safety features are the following:

  • There are options for both automatic emergency brakes and forward collision warnings.
  • There are options like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
  • Adaptive cruise control is something that can be used.

As with most pickups, the Ram comes in different trim levels and cab types. This means that the number and quality of interior materials, the number of seats, and the number and quality of technology systems inside the cab can vary a lot. There are three types of cabs:

  • The single cab.
  • The large four-door Crew Cab.
  • The vast Mega Cab (which has the most oversized back seat in its class).

The Ram has the best interior on the market, with details that are on par with luxury cars, excellent comfort, and a clean, modern look. The highest trim levels also have quality materials. Heavy-duty trucks from Ford, Chevrolet, and GMC also have ample, comfortable interiors. The Longhorn symbol is hand-carved into the wood of the truck’s upper glove box door, and the highest level of Longhorn trim has striped wood and gold trim on the dash, doors, and gauges. The cabin has plenty of storage space, and the controls are simple. It can hold a laptop with a 15.0-inch screen on its tiered center console. Even the diesel models of the Ram HD come standard with acoustic glass and active noise cancellation built into the audio system. This makes the inside of the truck as quiet as that of a luxury sedan.

The EPA doesn’t certify the gas mileage of commercial trucks like the Ram 2500 and 3500 because their GVWR is more than 8500 pounds. We did a lot of testing and found that a Ram 3500 with a high-output Cummins diesel engine, four-wheel drive, and a dual-wheel rear axle got 16 mpg on a 75-mph real-world fuel-economy route. The crew cab 2500 with four-wheel drive and a 370-hp diesel engine got 18 mpg on the highway, which was a little better.

Also, Ram’s heavy-duty vehicles have the same cutting-edge technology inside as some of the most expensive luxury sedans and SUVs. This includes advanced entertainment systems. The system in the Ram is easy to use, with simple menus and directions. It also has a large, well-placed 8.0-inch touchscreen that responds quickly to user input. The interior of the Ram has a high-tech look because it has the giant 12-inch touchscreen in its class. The system also has navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot that can be turned on and off as needed, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Inside the truck are five USB ports for charging your devices and up to three 115-volt outlets that can provide up to 400 watts of power to run or charge things quickly.

With a high-output Cummins engine and 1075 pound-feet of torque, a Ram 3500 can carry up to 7680 pounds and pull up to 37,090 pounds. When that engine is used, the more famous 2500 4×4 Crew Cab model can carry up to 2,380 pounds and pull up to 19,010 pounds in a trailer. All of these are great results for the class. The 2500 4×4 Crew Cab’s 370-horsepower Cummins engine can pull 16,870 pounds and tow 3,240 pounds. The standard V-8 can pull 14,370 pounds and carry 3,240 pounds, which is more than enough for most jobs and weekend trips.

The standard gasoline engine with 410 hp and 6.4 liters is more than enough, especially in the 3500, but most Ram HD buyers are willing to pay more for the diesel. We suggest sticking with the most popular model, the 2500 4×4 Crew Cab Laramie because it has the best mix of space, luxury, price, and capacity. If pulling big trailers isn’t your top priority, the 410-hp V-8 is faster around town and works well with the tremendous eight-speed automatic. Use the money you saved to add a load-leveling air suspension and a limited-slip differential to the Ram, which already has a great ride.

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