The battle of the trucks is never-ending. We have seen multiple players step in the ring, but none of them could get anywhere close to the products with the Blue Oval logo slapped on them. Ram trucks fall under the same category. These trucks have been a victim to Ford's dominance for as long as one can remember. In all fairness, Ram is still a baby. The company was spun-off from the Dodge brand in 2010 and is owned by FCA. Even though the company is not as mature and experienced as the Chevy and the Ford, Ram sure has learned how to create quality products that can give the rivals a run for their money. For the 2019 model year, Ram decided to drop a bomb and declare war on the competition by launching a truck with four-digit torque figures! Can things get any crazier?

2019 Ram 2500 Limited

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2019 Ram 2500 Limited
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

- LED Headlights - Gaudy front fascia grille - The panel gaps could have had better fit and finish - Missing Multifunction tailgate - Has a raised, tall stance

Ram has reworked on the 2018 model heavily; so much so that one can call it a new generation altogether. The honeycomb grille has big, bold 'RAM' lettering on it. The headlamp units are small and in line with the two slats that connect to the 'RAM' logo. It is protected by layers of chrome on all the sides. The bumper features two fog lights on the extreme ends and two tow hooks in the middle. What is the bumper made of? You guessed it, CHROME! The trim may be called Limited, but the chrome sure is Unlimited. The headlamps receive an all LED setup with Daytime Running Lights that look fantastic.

The profile of the truck is not as integrated and proportionate as its rivals. It is as plain as it can get. The doors are devoid of any lines or creases that do not make it as aggressive as the rivals. The side of the bonnet receives a '2500' badge. The side indicator light is on the fender instead of being on the wing mirrors. The 2500 rides quite high and the wheel arches are flared, which make the 20-inch tires look quite puny on the huge truck. The alloy design looks like a steel plate. For a truck that costs this much, it must be said that the Ram 2500 Limited is quite plain. If aesthetics play a big part in your decision-making process, this may well land the 2500 Limited at the bottom of the list.

For a truck that has a rather garish face, Ram has given it a very toned-down rear. Unfortunately, the 2500 Limited does not come with Ram's Multifunction Tailgate. Perhaps, it will make its way in here soon. The taillights are a standard affair - vertically stacked and simple. The bumper, just like the one in the front, is chromed out. In all honesty, the Ram 2500 Limited is not engaging enough and leaves a lot to be desired. You can choose the 2500 Limited in different body forms and configurations:

4X2 Crew Cab Short Wheelbase

149 inches

4X2 Crew Cab Long Wheelbase

169 inches

4X4 Crew Cab Short Wheelbase

149 inches

4X2 Crew Cab Long Wheelbase

169 inches

4X4 Mega Cab

160.5 inches


Interior

- 12-inch Uconnect infotainment screen is flawless - Smart storage spaces all around the cabin - 17-speaker Harman Kandor setup - 360-degree surround-view camera - High on safety features

Step inside the truck, and you will be welcomed to a cabin that looks like a cockpit. It leaves tech-heads drooling, that's for sure. The dash is very busy, and some may find it to be too cluttered, but once you get used to it, this is one of the best cabins on the market. A 12-inch infotainment screen is surrounded by two vertical HVAC vents with air control sliders. To please the purists and the tech heads alike, Ram has used a combination of touch screen, buttons, and knobs for convenience. This is exactly how we like it, too! To give it a slightly retro feel, Ram has used flip switches on the bottom of the rear console. The passenger side comes with a decently-sized glove box, although it could have been placed slightly higher for better usability and easier reach from the seat.

Ram has used a lot of leather and wood all around the 2500 Limited's cabin. The automaker has also moved the gear lever next to the steering wheel, thus freeing up space in the center console. Apart from this, there are 11 more storage spaces of various sizes scattered throughout the truck. There’s even a wide cell phone/tablet docking area with wireless charging, five USB ports (including USB C-type ports,) and a three-position sliding cup holder tray that can be stowed under the center armrest. The aforementioned 12-inch Uconnect touchscreen infotainment system hat supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also comes with SiriusXM, Navigation, and a 17-speaker setup to provide an all-around experience.

To compete with the GMC's hyped-up 15 camera setup, Ram has featured a new 360-degree surround-view camera with trailer reverse guidance view that provides a single display-screen view of both sides of a trailer to assist you in maneuvering towing setups. There is no word on anything like the 'Trailering' app that's present in the Sierra. The Ram 2500 Limited boasts an advanced trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring system that can accommodate up to six pickup tires and 12 trailer tires with up to four trailer profiles. A majority of the customers will see it as a gimmick despite it being a very useful feature.

As for the safety features, Ram claims to have installed more than 100 safety and security features in the 2500 Limited, including:

-* Adaptive Cruise Control

-* Automatic Emergency Braking

-* Blindspot Monitoring System

-* Forward Collision Warning

-* Automatic Emergency Braking with Trailer Brakes

Headroom front/rear

40.9/39.8

Legroom front/rear

40.9/40.2

Shoulder Room front/rear

65.9/65.6

Hip Room front/rear

62.9/62.7

Interior volume front/rear

63.9/60.7


Drivetrain

- 6.7-liter, six-cylinder engine - 370 horsepower - 850 pound-feet of torque - Can tow up to 19,780 pounds - Payload capacity of 4,050 pounds

Ram grabbed everyone's attention when it announced the power figures of the 2019 model. The FCA-owned marque breached the 1,000 pound-foot of twist figure and threw caution to the wind. This was previously unheard of in a truck, and it benefits you greatly as torque comes into play low in the powerband. This is even more helpful when you're hauling heavy loads and need enough power to wade through uncharted surfaces and inclines. However, this engine does not find its space under the hood of the 2500 lineup. The 2500 Limited is offered with a detuned version of the same engine. This new-gen engine is 60 pounds lighter than its predecessor and uses new cast-iron cylinder head and cylinder block along with lighter and stronger pistons.

Ram offers a 6.4-liter, V-8 HEMI engine as standard. It produces 410 horses and 429 pound-feet of torque and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. That is a good engine for you to choose depending on your requirements. Another interesting feature is the RamBox Cargo Management System. It's more than just a toolbox. It is a secure, durable, lit (quite literally), and drainable storage system incorporated into the sides of the truck bed. Nifty and useful!

Engine

6.4-Liter HEMI V8

6.7-LITER CUMMINS TURBO DIESEL I-6

Type And Description

90-Degree V-Type, Liquid-Cooled, with Valve Timing (VVT)

Inline, liquid-cooled, turbocharged, intercooled

Displacement

392 cu. in. (6,417 cu. cm)

408 cu. in. (6,690 cu. cm)

Bore X Stroke

4.09 X 3.72 (103.9 X 94.6)

4.21 X 4.88 (107 X 124)

Valve System

Pushrod-Operated Overhead Valves, 16 Valves, Eight De-Activating and Eight Hydraulic Lifters, all with Roller Followers

Pushrod-operated overhead valves, 24 valves, hydraulic lifters

Fuel Injection

Sequential, Multiport, Electronic, Returnless

Electronic high-pressure common rail

Construction

Deep-Skirt Cast-Iron Block with Cross-Bolted Main Bearing Caps, 356 Aluminum Cylinder Heads with Hemispherical Combustion Chambers

Compacted graphite iron (CGI) block cast-iron head

Compression Ratio

10.0:1

19.0:1

Power

410 HP (306 Kw) @ 5,600 RPM

370 hp (276 Kw) @ 2,800 RPM

Torque

429 lb.-ft. (582 N•M) at 4,000 RPM

850 lb.-ft. (1,084 N•M) @ 1,700 RPM

Maximum Engine Speed

5,800 RPM Limited

3,200 RPM

Fuel Requirement

Unleaded Regular, 87 Octane (R+M)/2

Ultra-low sulfur diesel

Oil Capacity

7.0 Quarts (6.6 Liters)

12.0 quarts (11.3 liters) with filter

Coolant Capacity

16.6 Quarts (15.75 Liters)

23.8 quarts (22.50 liters)

Transmission

ZF 8HP75 — AUTOMATIC EIGHT-SPEED

six-speed automatic


Pricing

Ram is offering the 2500 Limited with a starting sticker price of $64,500. The company has priced it at a premium, and it feels a little expensive overall, but it is quite capable, so maybe not.

Competition

Ford Super Duty F-250 Platinum

Let's compare the Ram 2500 Limited with the undisputed market leader. The truck from the Blue Oval's stable comes with smart looks and a smaller, yet big, chrome grille on the face. It is offered with two engine options - a 6.2 liter, V-8 engine that produces 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of twist and a 6.7-liter, turbodiesel, V-8 that develops 450 horses and 935 pound-feet of twist. Both engines come mated with a six-speed automatic transmission and can be had with two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive configuration. This Ford truck can tow 21,000 pounds and has a 7,640 pounds payload capacity! Ford will be blessing the newer models, from the Super Duty F-250 trims, with a new 7.3-liter, V-8 engine that will make its debut in the 2020 model.

Step inside, and you will be welcomed to a large, comfortable, and utilitarian cabin. The top-trim comes with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, leather upholstery, power-adjustable pedals, and heated and cooled seats, to name a few. As is with any Ford truck and SUV, there is no dearth of customization. Right from spoiling yourself with creature comforts, to mechanical goodies, Ford has made sure you can build this truck as per your convenience. However, this could see you shell you out more than $80,000.

Check out more details on the 2020 Ford Super Duty F-250 Platinum.

GMC Sierra 2500 HD Denali

This Robin to Chevy's Batman has been in the Silverado's shadow for very long. The 2020 version seems to be like an alter-ego of its own old-self. The Sierra HD is slightly taller than its predecessor and also wears a longer hood. GMC is offering the Sierra HD with a 6.0-liter, V-8 engine that churns out 360 horses and 380 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. The GMC Sierra HD can tow up to 15,400 pounds and is offered with a maximum payload of 3,276 pounds.

GMC uses a 15-camera setup and equips it with a trailering system that makes backing up easy with a trailer hitched on your ride. The cabin feels very cluttered when compared to the Ram 2500 Limited's interior. GMC has also offered a MultiPro Tailgate that can be operated in six different ways depending on your requirement. A deal-maker? We surely think so. This whole package in the Denali trim starts at $61,300, making it a value-for-the-money when compared to both its American counterparts.

Read our full review on the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Denali.

Final Thoughts

The Ram 2500 Limited is a mixed package that's filled with some good things and some bad ones. The flashy exterior will draw polarizing opinions for sure. The interior looks absolutely stunning with modern and retro touches all around. The fit and finesse of the wood and leather material is the cherry on the cake. It is more than evident that Ram has focused on the core aspects of the truck the most - the drivetrain and the towing capabilities. However, the pricing is on the higher end. All the Ram HDs are currently built in Saltillo, Mexico for now, but the next-gen's production is expected to move to Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Warren, Michigan.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Ram 2500 Power Wagon.

Read our full review on the 2019 Ram 1500.

Read our full review on the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic.

Read our full review on the 2019 Ram 1500 Rebel 12.