This is it. We have all of the official information about the refreshed 2025 Ram HD (heavy-duty) pickup truck lineup. The truck receives an updated Cummins/ZF powertrain, new electrical architecture, new interior, and new exterior details. Is it enough to keep old customers and get new customers away from the Ford Super Duty and GM HD trucks? Let’s dig in!
New Cummins Diesel & New ZF Transmission
The big news is under the hood! The existing standard and high-output 6.7L Cummins I6 turbo-diesel options are no more. There is now just one 6.7L Cummins H.O. I6 engine available. The engine has many new parts and it is now rated at 430 hp @ 2,800 rpm and 1,075 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800 rpm.
Let’s see how the new Cummins compares to the outgoing versions.
| 2025 Cummins 6.7L I6 H.O. | 2024 Cummins 6.7L I6 H.O. | 2024 Cummins 6.7L I6 S.O. | |
| Power | 430 hp | 420 hp (+10) | 370 hp (+60) |
| Torque | 1,075 lb-ft | 1,075 lb-ft | 850 lb-ft (+225) |
| Transmission | 8-speed ZF Auto | 6-speed Aisin Auto | 6-speed 68RFE Auto |
It is impossible to say how the new Cummins engine performs without actually driving it and pulling heavy trailers. The new 8-speed ZF Powerline automatic transmission offers more gear ratios (including a very “low” 4.71-to1 1st gear). Ram says that in most everyday driving circumstances, the new truck will start out in 2nd gear (without any input from the driver). When loaded heavy or in some off-road situations, the low crawling 1st gear will be engaged. Ram also says that they improved fully-loaded GCWR 0-60 MPH acceleration by about 6 seconds. The new 2025 Ram HD should have much better acceleration than before. It should also have better overall efficiency, but we will not know this for sure until we put it on our “Denver 100” MPG loop.
The new ZF 8-speed transmission also offers two Power Take Off (PTO) ports. These PTOs can operate while the truck is driving as well.
Here is how the new 6.7L Cummins H.O. I6 compares to Ford’s Power Stroke and GM’s Duramax V8s.
| 2025 Cummins H.O. | 2025 Power Stroke H.O. | 2025 GM Duramax | |
| Engine | 6.7L I6 | 6.7L V8 | 6.6L V8 |
| Power | 430 hp | 500 hp | 470 hp |
| Torque | 1,075 lb-ft | 1,200 lb-ft | 975 lb-ft |
As you can see, Ram’s new high-output Cummins has significantly less horsepower than Ford and GM. How can the new Cummins compete? It’s about than just numbers on paper. The success of these trucks is hinged on payload, towing rating, efficiency, price, value, ease of maintenance, and reliability. Time will tell how the new Ram HD lineup will perform in the sales charts.
Payload & Towing
The new Ram HD lineup has the following maximum towing and payload ratings. The Ram 3500 dually Cummins turbo diesel has a max. tow rating of 36,610 lbs. This is actually less than the 37,090 lbs it was before. The conventional hitch rating is now 23,000 lbs, which is very competitive. The new maximum payload rating is 7,590 lbs, which is also less than the 7,680 lbs it was before. The ratings are minor adjustments to where they were before.
These rating are also relatively competitive. The current Chevy Silverado HD lineup is rated at 36,000 lbs of max. towing and 7,234 lbs of max. payload. The current Ford Super Duty is rated at 40,000 lbs of max towing and 8,000 lbs of max payload. Ford is still ahead on these numbers, but if you need to tow close to 40,000 lbs on a regular basis – you should consider getting a class 7 or class 8 semi truck.
The new 2025 Ram HD 2500 truck has a GVWR of 10,190 lbs, which was 10,000 lbs before. It means that the new 2025 Ram HD 2500 trucks may have 190 lbs more payload than before, or approximately the same payload as before if the new trucks are inherently heavier with technology equipment.
The new Ram HD 2500 does not offer nearly as much payload as many of the GM and Ford competitors. We will have to wait for some more detailed specs and/or updates from Ram.
Exterior
Exterior changes are minimal. The 2025 Ram HD trucks get new headlamps, grilles, and front fascias. They also have two version of updated tail lights. However, the sheet metal, the chassis, the wheelbase, and the cab all remain the same (as they were).
It means that the crew cab still has a 6’4” bed length and 149.5-inch wheelbase. The cabs are the same as they have been, but it also means that the long Mega Cab is still available.
Interior
The 2025 Ram HD trucks get updated interior and new design themes. The seats and how the seat feel is about the same, but the materials and technology are new. The 2025 HD trucks get the latest electrical architecture. It means these trucks get the new towing mirror controls we first saw on the new 2025 Ram 1500 pickups. This is cool.
These new heavy-duty pickups also get the latest large infotainment screens and the adaptive cruise control system. Luxurious trims get the 14.5-inch vertical infotainment screen that is also available in the new Ram RHO.
Features
The new Ram HD lineup has several unique features. One of these is an optional 2.4 kW power export plugs that are located in the bed. This is more powerful than the 2 kW system that is offered by the Super Duty. The new Ram HD trucks have a new electrical architecture that is shared with the 2025 Ram 1500 trucks. It means it has an optional passenger-side infotainment screen as well.
Pricing
2025 Ram HD 2500 trucks start at $47,560 (including destination charges). The current 2024 model starts at $47,245 (including destination and without incentives). This is a small price increase, but the base 2025 Ram HD Tradesman models are getting improved head lights, improved towing mirrors, and a larger infotainment screen inside.
The new Cummins turbo-diesel and the
Is It Enough?
This is still a tough question to answer before actually driving the new 2025 Ram HD trucks. If Ram keeps the pricing the same or lower than the competition, then the new lineup should be very attractive to buyers.
Please join me in the video, as I show you six versions of the new and refreshed 2025 Ram HD pickup trucks.
