2025 Ram 2500 and 3500 update revealed with more powerful diesel
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The heavy-duty Ram 2500 and 3500 pick-ups have received an updated design, new technology, and revisions to its six-cylinder Cummins diesel with more power than before – while the V8 lives on overseas.
The updated 2025 Ram 2500 and 3500 have been unveiled in full to align the heavy-duty pick-ups with their smaller 1500 sibling.
Due on sale in the United States by April – with an Australian debut likely to be some months away – the facelift for Ram's heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 pick-ups adds more power for their diesel engines, along with the continuation of the petrol Hemi V8 overseas.
It follows an update for the Ram 1500 unveiled in late 2023 and due in Australia by mid-year, which received similar styling and technology changes but switched its Hemi V8 for a twin-turbo inline-six.
Australian versions of the Ram 2500 and 3500 are offered exclusively with diesel power, as petrol power has been made exclusive to the 1500 locally.
The high-output version of the 6.7-litre Cummins inline-six turbo-diesel is now standard in the US, with updates to produce 321kW and 1458Nm – 22kW more than before with unchanged torque.
An eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission is fitted with an electronic column-mounted gear selector, replacing the previous six-speed unit with a mechanical column gear shifter.
Ram claims faster acceleration times "especially when towing heavy loads," with an unladen 2500 diesel claimed to complete the 0-60mph (0-97km/h) sprint in 6.9 seconds, compared to eight seconds before.
Revisions applied to the diesel engine include a new high-pressure fuel delivery system, an updated variable-geometry turbo, and claimed serviceability improvements with easier software updates at the dealer, and the repositioning of the oil filter and dual fuel filter to the top side of the engine.
Cold-start engine management has been improved by adding standard glow plugs to ensure "reliable vehicle operation even in the harshest and most extreme weather conditions,” Ram says.
Australian-market Ram 2500 and 3500 models currently use a standard-output 276kW and 1152Nm version of the inline-six diesel – 45kW and 306Nm less than the new high-output version – but this is no longer offered in the US for 2025.
A 6.4-litre naturally-aspirated Hemi petrol V8 petrol remains standard-fit in the US with 298kW and 582Nm, matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission and two- or four-wheel drive.
US diesel models can now tow up to 36,610 pounds (16,606 kilograms) with a "more fuel-efficient" 3.42 rear axle ratio – but Australian versions are likely to remain limited to 8000kg braked when fitted with an auxiliary gooseneck tow hitch and air brakes.
Styling changes include a new grille, a split headlight design, updated LED tail-lights similar to the facelifted Ram 1500 it is based on, and new-look alloy wheel designs.
Inside, the Ram heavy-duty line-up is now available with the same 14.5-inch portrait-orientated UConnect 5 infotainment touchscreen as the 1500, along with a 10.25-inch passenger screen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in flagship grades.
Current Ram 2500 and 3500 Laramie models in Australia are fitted with a 12-inch touchscreen and a 7.0-inch semi-digital instrument cluster – with facelifted US versions moving to digital instruments as standard, while the larger infotainment screen is listed as an optional extra.
Other additions for 2025 include a digital rear-view mirror, a dual wireless phone charger, and – in the US – an onboard 2.4kW power inverter with outlets in the tub to power devices with the engine running.
The lane-keep assist system has been enhanced to provide additional steering corrections for lane centring using the blind-spot sensors integrated within the tail-lights.
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