Pros
- Ride/handling
- Interior room
- Trailer towing capability
Acceleration
5/10
The turbodiesel 6.7-liter 6-cylinder has good power at any speed. The automatic transmission is quick to downshift. No manual transmission or V8 models have been made available for testing.
Fuel Economy
4/10
No opportunity to measure. Dodge recommends 89-octane gas for the Hemi V8. Ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel is required for turbodiesel models.
Ride Quality
6/10
The ride is comfortable over all surfaces. The 2500 rides nearly as well as Ram's light-duty 1500 models. The ride is stiffer in 3500 models, but still comfortable.
Steering/Handling/Braking
4/10
As with the 1500s, Ram is far too large to be called nimble, but car-like is not a stretch. Body lean is modest in turns. Steering is well-weighted and offers good road feel. Brakes have excellent stopping control and pedal feel is confidently firm.
Quietness
7/10
Quiet for a big truck, with little wind noise at highway speeds. The turbodiesel 6.7-liter engine is quieter than many competitors' diesel engines
Controls
6/10
Simple, mostly handy layout, though most drivers must stretch to reach dashboard-mounted 4WD controls. The gauges are well placed and clearly marked.
Details
5/10
Cabin decor ranges from rubber floor covering and vinyl seats to leather and woodgrain trim. There are many soft-touch surfaces and Laramie's dash top is nicely stitched.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (Front)
8/10
Seats are comfortable with plenty of room, although the center floor hump eats into passenger foot room. Power-adjustable pedals improve comfort and help shorter drivers sit a safe distance from steering-wheel airbag. The 4WD models have an extremely high step-up. A high nose hides the view of nearby objects, hampering sense of control in tight spaces.
Room/Comfort (Rear)
8/10
Cabin wide enough for three, though the center cushion is too short for long-term comfort. There is generous legroom in Crew Cab.
Cargo Room
8/10
Plentiful storage cubbies, bins, and wells. Bucket-seat models enjoy a huge, deep center-console storage area. All models have a two-tiered glovebox, although neither tier is particularly spacious. Crew Cabs have floor wells that can be used as coolers.
Value Within Class
8/10
As with the mainstream 1500s the new Ram heavy-duty makes news for impressive ride comfort and competent handling. The diesel engine is both powerful and refined. Improved cabin trappings over the previous generation are a nice bonus. Chevy and Ford loyalists would do well to check out the Dodge heavy duty trucks. As Walter P. Chrysler used to say "look at all three."
Highlights
Following the Dodge Ram 1500 redesign last year, the 2010 Ram 2500/3500 gains most of the light-duty's upgrades. Suspension, styling, and interior are new. The Quad Cab of the last generation is replaced by a 4-door Crew Cab with more interior room. It joins Mega Cab crew cab, which has even more interior room, and regular cab models.
Rams come in 3/4-ton 2500 and 1-ton 3500 models. Crew Cab offers 6.4-ft- and 8-ft-long cargo beds; regular cab uses the 8-ft bed, while Mega Cab uses the 6.4-ft bed. Regular cabs seat up to three passengers; the others up to six. ST, SLT, and Laramie trims continue.
All versions offer rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive that should not be left engaged on dry pavement but include a low-range gear for off-road use. An electric-shift transfer case is standard on 4-wheel drive SLT and Laramie models. The off-road ready Power Wagon package also returns with electronic locking front and rear differentials, special suspension, and winch. Dual rear wheels are available on 3500s. A 383-hp 5.7-liter V8 engine is standard on all 2500 models. Optional on 2500s and standard on 3500 models is the turbodiesel 350-hp 6.7-liter 6-cylinder engine. All V8-equipped models have a 5-speed automatic transmission. Turbodiesel models come with standard 6-speed manual or optional 6-speed automatic transmission. Maximum towing capacity is 17,600 lbs.
Available safety features include ABS and curtain side airbags. Optional equipment includes a sunroof, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, power-adjustable pedals, and a navigation system. This evaluation is based on preview test drives.
Competition
Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Large Pickup Trucks are traditionally the vehicles of choice for heavy-duty hauling and towing. They offer an array of cab styles and bed lengths and usually feature powerful V8 or diesel engines. For personal use, consider light-duty half-ton models. For heavy-duty or commercial use, consider three-quarter- or one-ton models.
Our Best Buys are the Dodge Ram 1500 and Ford F-150. Our Recommended picks are the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, and Toyota Tundra. New or significantly redesigned models in the class include the Dodge Ram 2500/3500 and Toyota Tundra.