2015 RAM 2500 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Continuing to pick away at Ford’s vaunted pickup-truck supremacy, the 2015 Ram 2500 remains one of the most utilitarian not to mention one...

Continuing to pick away at Ford’s vaunted pickup-truck supremacy, the 2015 Ram 2500 remains one of the most utilitarian not to mention one of the best looking trucks you can buy. This three-quarter-ton heavy-duty full-size brute, slated to be available in October of 2014, sported a few upgrades for that year’s offering, thus no significant changes are expected for the 2015 model year.

Again, this sizable Ram pickup comes in a gazillion versions, with the major trim levels to once more include the base Tradesman, the up-featured SLT, the truly posh Laramie, the rugged Outdoorsman and the luxury-laden Longhorn. Tradesman and SLT editions can be upgraded into Power Wagon garb, while the SLT is further configurable into Big Horn/Lone Star iterations, even as the Laramie returns available in the super-plush Limited variation. Also returning are the usual trio of cab choices, the 3-seat Regular cab (Tradesman, SLT), the 6-passenger, 4-door Crew cab (all trim levels except the Tradesman, Outdoorsman and Power Wagon), and the also-6-passenger, also-4-door Mega cab, which adds a couple of square feet of extra cabin room. And, of course, the 2015 Ram 2500 can be delivered with the standard 6.4-inch bed in Crew and Mega cab variants, or with the 8-foot long-bed configuration that’s again limited to Regular and Crew cab versions.

As is traditional, nearly all trims are delivered with standard rear-wheel drive (RWD), while of course this hefty hauler again offers part-time 4-wheel drive (4WD) with a 2-speed transfer case, auto-locking hubs and a locking rear differential as an option. Oh, and the terrain-taming Power Wagon and Outdoorsman sub-trims come with 4WD as standard equipment, and keep in mind that the Tradesman gets a standard manual transfer case in 4WD garb, while all others tote an electronic transfer case, which remains optional for the Tradesman.

Also returning to the 2015 Ram heavy-duty 2500 lineup is the standard 5.7-liter V8 powerplant of yore. Mated with the delivered 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, this capable V8 puts out 383 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. Mileage numbers are, as usual, unavailable, but towing is maxed out at 11,860 pounds with the proper equipment, while standard payload capacity is 3,030 pounds.

Standard power in the aptly named Power Wagon iterations remains a 6.4-liter V8 that’s managed by the ubiquitous 6-speed shiftable automatic to the tune of 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque. This powerplant remains optional in all other Ram 2500 variations, with towing maxed out at about 16,300 pounds in a properly equipped trim.

Finally, the 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 monster that’s available to most trims also returns for 2015, bearing the standard 6-speed automatic transmission managing 370 hp and 800 lb-ft of torque. Should you want to get down and dirty, this torque-laden turbodiesel can be delivered with an available 6-speed manual transmission, but power numbers are cut to 350 hp and 660 lb-ft of torque. Look for a maximum towing capacity of almost 18,000 pounds out of a properly equipped turbodiesel-toting 2500.

The 2014 model year, by the way, saw the introduction of coil rear springs for the entire 2500 lineup, which according to most media folks did wonders for ride comfort and handling duties. However, all repeated caution that this brute is, after all, a truck, thus the overall driving experience, especially in 4WD-equipped versions, won’t be precisely sedan-like.

In any case, standard appearance features aboard the 2015 Ram 2500 lineup include, depending on the trim level, 17- or 18-inch steel or alloy wheels mounting all-weather or all-terrain tires. Then there are such added goodies as heated, auto-dimming, power-adjustable and power-folding mirrors, an electric winch in front, a spray-in bedliner, black or chrome grille, trailer hitch and wiring, tubular running boards, tow hooks and wheel flares.

Inside, again depending on the selected trim level, look for vinyl, cloth or leather upholstery, full power accessories, heated power-adjustable front and rear seats, cruise control, tilt-wheel steering, rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, remote engine start, dual-zone climate control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and memory for driver’s settings.

Techno-doodads, meantime, include everything from a 6-speaker AM/FM radio and basic Uconnect service in the Tradesman to a single-CD/DVD player with 9 premium speakers, satellite radio and multiple USB ports in the Laramie Limited. The Longhorn and higher trim levels additionally boast standard GPS navigation, not to mention upgraded Bluetooth-interfaced Uconnect infotainment with an 8-inch display.

Of course, options for 2015 again run the gamut from up-styled wheels and exterior bling to a power sunroof, Rambox cargo-management tools, fifth-wheel towing prep and, in the Laramie Limited, 20-inch alloy wheels. Expect, once again, that lower trim levels will be offered with many of those standard features in higher trims available as add-ons.

Standard safety equipment, meantime, includes 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front (and in Crew and Mega cabs, rear) head airbags, front side-mounted airbags, a post-collision safety system and, in the Laramie and higher trims, a remote antitheft alarm. The Big Horn/Lone Star packages additionally include front fog/driving lights, while the Laramie’s available Limited level boasts Uconnect emergency services and projector-beam headlights.