2022 Ram 2500

The very basic Tradesman has an MSRP of $37,050 in 4x2 configuration with the Regular Cab and eight-foot bed. Choosing the Crew Cab configuration will cost you $40,670 with the smaller bed, or $40,870 for the longer bed. $2,930 buys you the upgrade to 4x4 across the range. Big Horn and Lone Star models start at $41,170 with the Regular Cab and 4x2, and top out at $50,145 for the Mega Cab with 4x4.

The mid-range trims begin with the Laramie which carries a starting MSRP of $52,020 for the 4x2 Crew Cab with the 6'4" box, while $200 on top of that gives you the eight-foot box. The Mega Cab can only be had in 4x4 guise and has a sticker price of $56,460. The unique Power Wagon can only be had in one configuration - the Crew Cab with the 6'4" box and 4x4, and is priced at $56,790.

Second from the top, the Limited Longhorn's cheapest configuration costs $60,320, while the most expensive 4x4 with the Mega Cab body costs $64,765. Finally, the top-spec Limited has a starting price of $64,985 with the Crew Cab and shorter bed length, while the Mega Cab variant will set you back $69,730. For all models other than the Power Wagon, the 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine can be equipped for an additional $9,400.

The price of the Ram 2500 excludes licensing, registration and other sundries, as well as a destination charge of $1,795 in the US.

Carrying over from 2019's substantial upgrade, the five-link rear coil springs and the frequency-response dampers have added immense value in one critical area: comfort. Big trucks are designed more for functionality and to work hard, so it makes a nice change to tangibly feel an improved ride quality and better handling, whether or not the cargo box is filled to the brim. In many comparisons with competitors such as GMC's Sierra or Ford's F-250, the Ram 2500 truck provides a much smoother ride with better road-holding and a confidence-inspiring sense of gravity. It also does really well in terms of isolating the cabin from rougher road surfaces. The Power Wagon trim is worth a special mention for its added off-roading prowess, and is exclusively available in 4x4 configuration with more than 14 inches of ground clearance. As further testament to Ram's commitment to passenger contentment, there is also optional air suspension which can be fitted to 4x4 models to further enhance comfort levels.

Steering is light for the express purpose of making it easy to maneuver this large lump around, and it does so admirably in low-speed settings. At higher speeds and on the highway, there's a rather numb sense to the wheel, but it tracks straight and responds to input, albeit a little slowly.

The current generation of the Ram 2500 seemed to have been a call to arms for the manufacturer when it was launched; striving to best rivals like the Ford F-250 and GMC's Sierra 2500, Ram has truly come out with guns blazing. Not only does the Ram 2500 provide towing capacities right up there with some of the greats as well as superior acceleration figures, but it offers a cabin that is far removed from the gritty, tough-as-nails functionality of the workhorse that it is. Plush leather, premium audio equipment, large infotainment displays, and pretty impressive fuel economy from the diesel engine, make for a really convincing package overall. While the Ford Super Duty remains popular in the US on the sheer braggadocio of its best-seller status, we have no doubt that the Ram 2500 can easily deliver a knock-out punch, given the chance.

Generally speaking, there are two possible reasons for buying a heavy-duty truck: one, you need a workhorse to tow monstrous earth-moving equipment, horseboxes, or small houses; and two, you want the swagger of a badass truck to impress (intimidate?) people with. Depending on which of these reasons apply to you, we'd advise opting for at least the Laramie or Limited Longhorn trim. The Laramie has the basics needed to keep you comfortable and safe (with available options to add on if you want to), while still able to tow and haul the maximum - keep the stock 6.4-liter engine, add on the fifth-wheel hitch for $545 and you have yourselves a hard laborer. If your reasons for wanting a truck is the second option mentioned above, you'll have to opt for the Limited Longhorn version to get the most out of its luxury, convenience and technological advances. It's worth a mention that if your truck will regularly be traversing rough terrain or going off-road, the Power Wagon can be similarly outfitted as the higher-spec trims, but with the benefit of better rough-housing capabilities.

The baby brother to the Ram 2500 is also the donor from which many of the 2500 underpinnings stem. It seems an unlikely comparison, as the 1500 is lighter in weight and capability, but for many, it will remain a valid question: is it worth forking out the extra cash for the 2500? The Ram 1500 is a fine truck in and of itself, with all the same cargo capacities in terms of box length. It's naturally less bulky, and - as the names imply - one is for heavy-duty work while the other functions much better as a lifestyle vehicle that can be used for the occasional move, haul, or tow. The 2500 is focused on carrying and hauling heavy items, and with both vehicles offering the same list of features, it really boils down to what you need from your truck. The 1500 offers better fuel economy, too, but cannot compare to the brute strength of its bigger, badder sibling.

The rivalry between Ram 2500 and Ford F-250 Super Duty is as American as the names of the Ram trucks themselves. While the Ford Super Duty continues to lead the pack in terms of sales and popularity, it is rapidly losing ground against the Ram truck that is now nipping at its heels in terms of pure power and capability - however, the Ford offers much more torque and a far greater towing capacity - while the Ram manages 20,000 pounds, you get nearly 23,000 lbs from the Blue Oval now. Besides available muscle, the Ram 2500 has also come to the party in a much nicer outfit, looking smart both inside and out - the interior is sublime for a truck, with fine leather at the top end of the spectrum. The Ford tries hard to keep up, but Ram has outdone itself in putting together a premium cabin and a no-nonsense powertrain. If we had to pick one, we'd opt for the Ram.