2025 Ram Heavy Duty: More Capable, More Features
Versatility and ease of operation were prime considerations for this new line of serious pickups and chassis cabs.
Having reconfigured its commercial vehicle business under the Ram Professional umbrella, Stellantis is making significant efforts in providing a range of vehicles, packages and solutions that will provide more reasons for fleet operators to consider the brand as the backbone of their business.
We’ve already previewed Ram Professional and the updated Ram ProMaster commercial van here at Autosphere, now it’s the turn of the 2025 model year Ram Heavy Duty pickup and Chassis Cab models.
These have received a significant update for 2025, designed to further improve their capability and versatility.
Externally, the biggest difference is a new grille and standard LED headlights (with optional LED bi-functional projector units), plus revised taillights on pickup 2500 ¾ and 3500 1-ton models.
Another key feature is more powerful Cummins turbocharged diesel engine. For years— decades in fact—the optional in-line six Cummins diesel has been a huge draw for commercial buyers and operators, due to its reputation for power, torque and robustness. According to Tim Kuniskis, CEO, Ram brand, more than 70% of all Ram Heavy Duty customers opt for the diesel —one reason why for the 2025 model year, it’s been further enhanced.
The Cummins High Output Turbocharged Diesel in 2025 trim, is rated at 430 horsepower and a whopping 1,075 lb-ft of torque. It features a redesigned block and cylinder head, heavy duty pistons and a new, performance-oriented cast-aluminum intake manifold and higher-pressure fuel system. There’s also a new helical front gear assembly on the Cummins that turns the camshaft and fuel pump, designed to reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). Improved intake port geometry for the top feed fuel injectors, is designed to improve air/fuel flow and, combined with top load lubrication and integrated fuel filters also enables easier servicing—a boon for fleet operators.
Additionally, there’s also a new turbocharger and larger intake/exhaust valves to improve volumetric efficiency. The result? Improved performance and efficiency. According to Ram’s own data, a 2500 Heavy Duty equipped with this engine is over a second quicker in the acceleration stakes, able to do the 0-96km/h (0-60 mph) dash in 6.9 seconds compared with eight seconds for its 2024 counterpart. The upgraded fuel system is also designed to improve exhaust emissions when combined with what Ram calls the Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC).
Trucks equipped with the diesel are also now rated to tow up to a staggering 36,610 lbs (with both standard and goose-neck trailers).
The eight-speed TorqueFlite HD automatic transmission that’s teamed with the Cummins turbo diesel has also been upgraded and features stouter first and second gears, for improved off-the line acceleration, particularly important when towing or hauling. First is now a 4.89:1 ration versus 3.23:1 on the old truck, enabling better pickup. Additionally, the transmission features wide ratios to maximize efficiency whether it’s powering up steep grades or maximizing fuel economy on the highway.
Additionally, all TorqueFlite HD transmissions have a new, standard electronically operated column shifter, designed for ease of use and operation.
The standard engine on the 2025 Ram Heavy Duty continues to be the 6.4-litre HEMI gasoline V8, which is rated at 405 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. Equipped with this engine, the 2025 Ram Heavy Duty has a maximum payload rating of 7,590 lbs.
For chassis cabs, upfit flexibility is of huge importance among fleet customers, which extends to features such as the Power Take Off (PTO) system that’s used to drive upfit equipment such as dump bodies or cranes. On the 2025 Ram Heavy Duty chassis cab, the PTO is available for both right and left-handed operation, and can be installed at the same time, for applications such as a hydraulic pump and a compressor. Additionally, for applications such as gravel dump bodies, the PTO can be driven off the engine at low speed, allowing the vehicle operator to raise the dump body while the Ram Heavy Duty Chassis Cab is slowly moving forward.
On the electrical side, Doug Killian, Development Chief for Ram Trucks, also notes that the 2025 Ram Heavy Duty features a best-in-class onboard inverter that provides 2.4 kilowatt per panel for electrical power. “120-volt outlets in the bed are going to drive plug in, tools, heaters, anything that that’s going to be needed on the job site,” he says, noting that the 2.4-kilowatt system enables operators to run a number of those tools simultaneously, while also providing light and heat. With the Ram Heavy Duty stationary but the engine running, the customer can turn the inverter on via the dash mounted touch screen and via a switch located to the left of each outlet in the bed. The truck’s engine can then rev up to provide the required rpm to support the inverter.
When it comes to onboard features, an updated Uconnect 5 system with an enhanced 12-inch touchscreen, a new, reconfigurable 14.5-inch screen and a 10.25-inch passenger side screen (visible to only right front seat occupants and a segment first for commercial light and medium duty trucks). This new passenger side screen provides three distinct functions, co-pilot (with navigation device management), exterior camera viewing and entertainment via HDMI. This enables the occupant to connect a device such as a cell phone or tablet, with the passenger screen serving as a monitor for the device. Therefore, when connected, they can surf the Internet, stream music or use apps via the Uconnect 5 system.
Helping to make all this possible is an advanced Atlantis electrical architecture that enables the Uconnect 5 system to operate at speeds that are five times faster than previously offered. Ram Professional says that in the case of the Ram Heavy Duty, the system offers lightning quick response to input (as little as 0.5 seconds) while also providing expanded memory.
Like the ProMaster van, the 2025 Ram Heavy Duty also offers a digital rear-view mirror. This works by displaying video in real time from a rear mounted and facing camera. It’s particularly useful when hauling loads or having upfit equipment that obscures the view behind the cab. Ram Heavy Duty models are also available with handy telescoping power assisted trailer tow mirrors to provided added visibility when pulling loads.
Trailer reverse steering control makes it easier for drivers to manoeuvre when backing up the truck, while Trailer Tow Pages provide a whole host of trailer monitoring information—everything from light operation, to tire pressure monitoring, trailer brake system condition and even auxiliary camera shortcuts – all accessed via the Uconnect 5 system.
Standard safety features on the 2025 Ram Heavy Duty include adaptive cruise control, Forward Collision Warning-Plus, front and rear Park Sense parking assistant features (standard on the Big Horn trim level) and Drowsy Driver Detection, as well as Traffic Sign Recognition and Active Lane Management functions. An available enhanced Lane Keep Assist system leverages blind spot sensors to adjust steering inputs – ensuring the truck stays within its designated lane. Many of these functions can be accessed via the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster which provides the driver with nearly two-dozen different safety and operating features.
All Ram Heavy Duty models are assembled at Stellantis’ facility in Saltillo, Mexico, and will begin arriving at Ram dealers in Canada and the United States during the first quarter of 2025.
Based on what we’ve seen so far, the 2025 Ram Heavy Duty lineup looks set to enhance the brand’s commercial offerings and provide a wide range of enticing options and versatility for fleet buyers.
Engines:
- 6.4-litre HEMI V8 (405 hp/429 lb-ft torque)
- 6.7-litre I-6 Cummins High Output Turbo Diesel (430 hp/1075 lb-ft torque)
Cab Configurations: Regular Cab, Crew Cab, Mega Cab*
Maximum towing capacity: 36,610 lbs**
*Pickup variants only
**With Cummins High Output Turbo Diesel
