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Ram 1500 vs Ram 2500

What's the difference?

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Ram 1500
Ram 1500

$119,950 - $249,950

2025 price

Ram 2500
Ram 2500

2017 price

Summary

2025 Ram 1500
2017 Ram 2500
Safety Rating

Engine Type

Fuel Type
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Fuel Efficiency
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Seating
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Dislikes
  • Limited ride quality on air springs and 22s
  • Sheer size for parking
  • Not cheap to buy

2025 Ram 1500 Summary

Let’s not kid each other here. There’s an enormous elephant in the room and, depending on who you talk to, it might be missing a leg.

The pachyderm in question is the Ram 1500 pick-up and the amputation refers to the fact that the mighty (and melodious) V8 with which the Ram ute made its name, has been replaced by an inline six-cylinder. Okay, in the manner of US-built pick-ups, it still burns petrol rather than diesel, but a six-cylinder?

Stand downwind of the new Ram and there’s a strong whiff of corporate citizenship, but that’s what happens when the planet demands more from less. Ever tougher emissions and fuel economy demands being made around the globe have finally forced Ram’s hand and spurred it on to embrace the engine-downsizing trend. And here it is. And here we are.

There are other changes to the Ram formula as part of this upgrade, too. But none of them are as seismically proportioned as the dumping of the bent-eight. On the other hand, this is hardly a new thing in the full-sized pick-up market segment.

Ford’s latest F-150 is a V6-only deal, and to drive that vehicle is to understand that a six-cylinder engine will never be a V8, but it can be a darn good thing. Ditto Toyota’s Tundra which also taps into the boosted V6 vein with equally spectacular results. Heck, the Toyota is even a hybrid, for mercy’s sake.

If this was an SUV or people mover that had switched from a V8 to an inline six, the torches and pitch-forks would have stayed in the cupboard. But this is a Yankee pick-up and a huge seller for Ram in its home market, which brings with it a bunch of failure-no-option baggage.

Rarely has a new pick-up seemed so interesting.

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2017 Ram 2500 Summary

The RAM 2500 from RAM Trucks Australia, which is rated to tow nearly 7.0 tonnes, is designed primarily as a heavy duty towing platform with a huge Cummins turbo-diesel engine, long wheelbase, high kerb weight, exhaust brake and lots of room inside a luxurious cabin.

These 'Australianised' RAM trucks are shipped in a unique export specification direct from Fiat Chrysler Automobile's heavy duty RAM Trucks Saltillo assembly plant in Mexico, re-manufactured in RHD on a bespoke production line in Melbourne and distributed throughout Australia and New Zealand by American Special Vehicles.

ASV is a joint venture between Ateco Automotive and the Walkinshaw Automotive Group (WAG) which also owns Holden Special Vehicles. It is the only RAM Trucks importer in Australia officially sanctioned by FCA, resulting in a unique factory-approved vehicle that meets the company's strict OEM standards and is backed by a full factory warranty and national dealer network.

Put simply, it's as close as you can get to driving a brand new RHD version of this legendary American pick-up off FCA's Mexico assembly line, and offers a compelling solution for those with something really big to tow.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Ram 1500 2017 Ram 2500

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