2019 Ram 2500 Review

Cab styles include a two-door regular cab, a four-door crew cab and a four-door jumbo crew cab called the Mega Cab. The regular cab comes with a long bed (8 feet) only, while the crew cab has either the long bed or the short bed (6 feet 4 inches). The Mega Cab rides on the same wheelbase as the long-bed crew cab but combines an even bigger cabin with the short bed.

The standard engine for the Ram 2500 is a 6.4-liter V8 (410 hp, 429 lb-ft of torque) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Aside from the Power Wagon, every Ram 2500 also offers an available turbocharged 6.7-liter diesel six-cylinder engine. It puts out 370 hp and 850 lb-ft and is matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2500 is available with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, except the Power Wagon, which is available in 4WD form only.

The Tradesman is the most basic trim. Standard feature highlights include 17-inch steel wheels, a locking tailgate, air conditioning, a 40/20/40-split front bench, a tilt-only steering wheel, a 3.5-inch driver information display, vinyl upholstery, and a six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, a USB port and a 5-inch touchscreen interface.

Power windows and locks, including the locking tailgate, are standard on crew-cab models, as are power-adjustable heated mirrors. Regular-cab models have manual controls and non-heated mirrors by default.

The Big Horn (Lone Star for shoppers in Texas) adds chrome exterior trim, 18-inch steel wheels, an integrated trailer brake controller, remote locking and unlocking, a power-sliding rear window, remote ignition, cloth upholstery, carpeted floors, full power accessories for all body styles, and an extra charge-only USB port.

The Laramie builds off the Big Horn/Lone Star and adds more chrome trim (including the bumpers), a soft-closing tailgate, LED headlights and taillights, foglights, a 115-volt power outlet, power-folding auto-dimming mirrors, remote ignition, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 7-inch driver display screen, a power-adjustable driver's seat, leather upholstery, driver-seat memory functions, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an upgraded driver information display, a 10-speaker surround-sound audio system, HD and satellite radio, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Longhorn adds to the Laramie's substantial features list by including a chrome mesh grille, a spray-in bedliner, LED bed lights, automatic high beams, automatic wipers, upgraded leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, wood interior and steering wheel trim, power-adjustable pedals with memory settings, front bucket seats, heated rear seats, and a navigation system.

The Limited trim adds power-deployable running boards, 20-inch wheels, additional chrome exterior trim, the RamBox cargo management system (includes bedside storage compartments, an adjustable bed divider and tie-downs), and special black leather upholstery.

Finally, there's the off-road-themed Power Wagon, which is available only in crew-cab 4WD with the short bed and the 6.4-liter V8. It has some slightly different exterior and interior styling changes, but it's the extensive mechanical upgrades that make a Power Wagon. They include unique 17-inch wheels shod with aggressive all-terrain tires, off-road shock absorbers, tow hooks, skid plates, a manual transfer case, electronically locking front and rear differentials with a 4.10 axle ratio, hill descent control, an integrated front winch, and a front stabilizer bar that can be disconnected electronically to improve wheel articulation off-road.

There's also a way to get Power Wagon capability at a lower price. The Power Wagon option package can be added to a crew-cab Tradesman V8 4WD. That way, you get all of the Power Wagon mechanical bits, including the fender flares, but none of the bodywork styling cues or graphics.

Those who aren't looking for the extreme capability of the Power Wagon can add the Off-Road package that is available on 2500 crew-cab and Mega Cab 4WD models. This package can be paired with either the standard V8 or the optional turbodiesel, and it includes hill descent control, tow hooks, a transfer case skid plate and upgraded shocks.

Many upper-trim features are available on lower trim levels as part of packages or as stand-alone options. Other option highlights include a load-leveling air suspension, tow mirrors, a cargo-view camera, a 12-inch Uconnect touchscreen, wireless smartphone charging, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, a 360-degree surround-view parking camera, fifth-wheel trailer preparation, off-road tires, a 17-speaker stereo system, a CD player and a sunroof.