Even though Ram is the newest member in the truck segment (if you don't count the years "Ram" was a model under the Dodge umbrella), it cannot be taken for granted. Given the kind of products it has in its portfolio, you will be surprised to know that the company is just nine years old. Ram is essentially a by-product of Dodge and is a fully-owned subsidiary of the FCA. Don't mistake it to be a rookie or a newb by any means. The name might be new, but the company has been building trucks since the 1970s under the name 'Fargo trucks' which was sold outside the United States. The 2019 Ram model sees a few changes. These trucks became an overnight sensation when Ram announced a 1,000 pound-foot of torque figure for the 3500 series. The Ram 2500 doesn't boast that, but it still has a lot going in its favor to be deemed as a potent threat to the Blue Oval and the Bowtie.

Overview

The truck segment is arguably the most competitive one in the auto industry right now. It's quite amusing how these big, bulky machines exude so much class today. A decade back, even an air conditioner or power windows were considered as unique selling propositions. Ford has sprinted to the forefront and maintains a healthy lead over its competitors. It has steamrolled the Chevrolets, the GMCs, and the Rams alike. However, all these companies have pulled up their socks and are giving cut throat competition to the market-dominator. As a result of this civil war, folks in the U.S. have plenty of options to choose from.

Exterior

A glance of the gigantic face in the rear view mirror is enough for you to step aside and make way for this truck. I guess the designers were asked to work only with chrome to design the front end. Every trim in the 2500 lineup comes with a different grille design. The front fascia of the Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn consists of six horizontal chrome strips that are surrounded by thick chrome strips extending all the way to the headlamp clusters. The LED headlights are small and in line with the two slats that connect to the 'RAM' logo. These headlights feature an Adaptive Front Lighting System. The bumper is made up of - you guessed it - chrome as well. The bumper features two fog lights on the extreme ends and two tow hooks in the middle.

For a truck with such a gaudy face, the profile of the Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn seems rather sedate. It is as plain as it can get, and it does not look very proportionate either. Some elements in the wing mirrors and the lower window sill are made up of chrome again. The truck has a tall stance, and thanks to the flared wheel arches, even the 20-inch wheels look puny on it. The side of the bonnet receives a prominent '2500' badge. For a truck this premium, some things look out of place. The side indicator light is placed on the fender instead of being on the wing mirrors, the alloy design feels too plain, etc.

The rear of the Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn is not very exciting either. The taillights are vertically stacked and do their job; nothing fancy here. The simple tailgate wears the Ram badge, which adds certain character to an otherwise simple derriere. It's quite surprising that Ram decided to skip the Multifunction Tailgate in the 2500 Series. For a truck that costs over $50,000, Ram should have offered it in the 2500 range, at least on the Laramie Longhorn and the Limited trims. Perhaps, the next model year will offer it. The Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn can be had in different body forms and configurations:

Interior

For all the critiques I mentioned in the previous section, Ram makes up for it here. The chocolate-and-coffee theme looks absolutely fantastic. Ram has tastefully and evenly used leather and wood trim all around. The automaker has decorated elements on the door panels, dashboard, and armrests with hand-stitched leather. Authentic wood is used in the plenty as well. On the onset, the cabin feels too cluttered. The dash is very busy, but resembles a cockpit. The multifunction steering wheel is perfectly sized, but is not meaty enough and the thumb contours are conspicuous by their absence. The instrument cluster is extensively detailed and is wrapped in leather.

The center console, as Ram describes it, consists of "real open-pore barnwood and brushed aluminum accents, complemented with solid wood tandem doors". The passenger side comes with a decently-sized glove box, although it could have been placed slightly higher for better usability. Ram has employed a combination of touch screen, buttons, and knobs for convenience. At the bottom of the center console, Ram has used flip switches to give the interior a retro vibe. The armrest and the dash panels are embossed with 'Laramie Longhorn Edition' branding. This will always remind you that you are seated in a special trim. The tan seats are made of pure leather and are heated as well.

Ram has paid a lot of attention to the storage space inside the cabin. The gear lever has been moved next to the steering wheel, thus freeing up space in the center console. Ram says there are 12 different storage spaces around the cabin, including one that can house a 15-inch laptop safely, away from prying eyes. The automaker has offered the Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn with five USB ports, including USB C-type ports, and a three-position sliding cup holder tray that can be stowed under the center armrest. To counter the GMC's much-hyped 15 camera setup, Ram has introduced 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. But unfortunately, that does not make its way in here.

Another interesting feature is the RamBox Cargo Management System. It's more than just a toolbox. It is secure, durable, lit (quite literally), and is drainable storage system incorporated into the side rails of the truck bed. Neat! As for the safety features, the Ram claims to have installed more than 100 safety and security features in the 2500 Laramie Longhorn, some of which are:

-* Blindspot Monitoring System

-* Forward Collision Warning

-* Adaptive Cruise Control

-* Automatic Emergency Braking

2019 Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn interior dimensions

Drivetrain

Even though the engine capable of those figures isn't offered in the 2500 Series, let's talk about it a little. The automaker breached the four-digit torque figure and became an overnight sensation. This was previously unheard of in a truck, and it benefits greatly as you have more power available at your disposal at lower speeds. It helps even more when you're towing heavy cargo and need a lot of power to move from a standstill and also to conquer unknown surfaces and inclines.

The Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn comes with a 6.4-liter, V-8 HEMI engine as standard. This mill churns out 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque. Ram has mated it to an eight-speed automatic transmission. If you are not looking to haul a lot of luggage on a daily basis, this engine should suffice nicely. Ram has also offered a detuned version of the mill found under the hood of the Ram HD. It is a 6.7-liter, six-cylinder engine that Ram has developed along with Cummins. It develops 370 ponies and 850 pound-feet of twist. The FCA-owned marque has mated this capable engine to a six-speed, Aisin-sourced automatic gearbox. This new-gen mill weighs 60 pounds lighter than its predecessor and uses new cast-iron cylinder head and cylinder block along with lighter and stronger pistons. That is a good spread of engines for you to choose from depending on your requirements.

2019 Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn drivetrain specifications

Let's come to the most important point of a truck - it's towing and payload capacities. The Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn comes with a maximum towing capacity of 19,780 pounds. This is not the best figure when compared to its rivals, but it is not the worst either. The Ford F-250 leads the way with a towing capacity of 21,000 pounds, whereas the GMC Sierra HD takes the bottom place with a capacity to tow a meager 15,400 pounds. In terms of payload capacity, the Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn comes with a rating of 4,050 pounds. The Ford F-250 and the GMC Sierra HD come with a rating of 7,640 pounds and 3,276 pounds respectively.

Ram also provides a 5-year/100,000 miles Roadside Assistance, and a 5-year/100,000 miles limited warranty on the diesel powertrain on its trucks. Chevrolet also offers the exact same warranty and roadside assistance on its HD range of trucks. Ford, on the other hand, provides a 5-year/60,000 miles Roadside Assistance and powertrain warranty on the super duty trucks. The 6.7-liter engine, however, comes with a 5-year/100,000 mile warranty. Now you know which Ford engine to pick at the time of your next purchase!

Pricing

The Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn is sold with a starting price of $56,700. If you compare it to the competition, it feels slightly overpriced. But the extra moolah gets you a luxurious cabin with smart storage spaces and nifty features. With the add-ons and optional accessories, the price could go up to $70,000.

Competition

GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT

This GMC Sierra has a turnaround story similar to that of the Ram trucks. Both these brands have upped the ante to move up the ranks in all the departments. Hence, it is imperative to pit the Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn against the GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT. On the outside, the GMC Sierra 2500HD does not carry a garish face as the Ram 2500. The styling cues are comparatively subtle. On the inside, it is not as well-loaded as the Ford or the Ram, but all necessary creature comforts like touchscreen infotainment system, heated and power adjustable seats, etc. are present.

GMC has missed equipping this trim with the 15-camera setup with trailering system that makes backing up easy with a trailer hitched on your ride. Even the MultiPro Tailgate misses out in this trim. Both of these can be found in the Denali trim. But we can't blame GMC for it as it has only three trims in its lineup as compared to the six trims each in Ford and Ram's portfolio. GMC offers the Sierra 2500HD 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. The Sierra 2500HD SLT comes with a starting price of $51,000. However, you could even look at the Denali trim which starts at $61,300 and offers all the bells and whistles you can ask for in a truck.

Read our full review on the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT

Ford F-250 Super Duty King Ranch

It is impossible to talk about trucks and not mention the Blue Oval's F-Series. The Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn goes up against the Ford F-250 Super Duty King Ranch. This truck comes with looks that will please and offend none. The cabin is simple, yet utilitarian. It comes with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, leather upholstery, heated and cooled seats, and power-adjustable pedals, to name a few.

Under the hood, the Ford F-250 features a 6.2 liter, V-8 engine as standard. It develops 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of twist. The bigger 6.7-liter, turbodiesel V-8 mill produces 450 ponies and 935 pound-feet of twist. This is the engine that has enough grunt to beat the Ram's 6.7-liter engine. Both the engines come mated with a six-speed automatic transmission system, either in two-wheel-drive system, or four-wheel-drive configuration. This truck also tops the chart for the best towing and payload capacities, rated at 21,000 pounds for the former and 7,640 pounds for the latter. Ford also announced that a new 7.3-liter, V-8 engine will make its debut in the 2020 model. This will be available from the F-250 Super Duty trims. No wonder Ford trucks are the best sellers. However, Ford trucks are not known to be cheap. Customize it with their list of desirable products and the price could soar well above $70,000.

Read our full review on the 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty King Ranch

Final Thoughts

The Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn, as I mentioned before, makes sense if you need a truck that has the best of both the worlds - strong mechanicals and premium interior. It may not be the best-looking of the lot, but we are talking about trucks here that serve a different purpose altogether. So, the aesthetics should not be a deal-breaker. The mix of leather and wood, and the overall tan theme is appealing. The highlight for me is the presence of flip switches that add a retro feel to an otherwise modern cabin. In terms of engine specs and towing capabilities, the Ram 2500 makes a strong case for itself, but it is trumped by the Ford in both the departments. The pricing seems to slightly on the higher side, but hey, you are getting 100-percent genuine hide and wood inside the cabin. All the Ram trucks are currently built in Saltillo, Mexico for now, but the next gen production is expected to move to Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Warren, Michigan.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Ram 2500 Limited.

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.