Following the introduction of the refreshed, light-duty 2025 Ram 1500 pickup, Stellantis has unveiled the updated 2025 Ram Heavy Duty (HD), highlighted by a more powerful available 6.7-liter Cummins high-output turbocharged diesel engine paired with a new heavy-duty eight-speed automatic transmission.
As in previous years, Ram offers the 2025 Heavy Duty in three cab configurations (regular, extended, and crew) and two cargo bed lengths. Trim levels include Tradesman, Big Horn, Lone Star (available only in Texas), Power Wagon, Rebel, Laramie, Limited Longhorn, and Limited.
Buyers will choose between the standard 6.4-liter Hemi V8 and the new Cummins turbodiesel inline six-cylinder engine. A new eight-speed automatic transmission is standard with both engines. Buyers can select rear-wheel or four-wheel drive (4WD), the latter standard on Power Wagon and Rebel trims.
While the big news for the 2025 Ram HD is the new Cummins diesel engine and eight-speed automatic transmission, there are several notable updates to the big truck’s exterior.
You’ll find new standard LED headlights flanking updated, trim-specific grille designs. Buyers can also opt for new “premium” LED headlights featuring bi-functional projectors. Ram also updates the conventional taillights. Like the front, premium LED taillights are available on some trims. Several new wheel designs also debut.
Geared toward tailgaters, campers, or those who intend to use their Ram HD as a work truck, a new on-board power inverter can send up to 2.4 kW of power to two covered outlets inside the pickup bed. Meanwhile, new power-telescoping trailer tow mirrors aid rear visibility.
Like the truck’s exterior, the 2025 Ram HD’s interior carries over mostly unchanged, the notable exception being the trio of screens for front-seat occupants. From left to right, there’s a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster for the driver, a centrally located 12-inch infotainment touchscreen running an enhanced version of Uconnect 5, and a 10.25-inch screen for the front passenger. An optional rearview camera mirror and dual wireless phone chargers also debut.
The most noteworthy change to the 2025 Ram HD truck lineup lies beneath the hood. That’s where you’ll find a reworked and significantly more powerful 6.7-liter high-output Cummins turbodiesel inline six-cylinder engine—available on all but the Power Wagon. Output measures 430 hp, and Ram claims the updated Cummins diesel has a class-leading 1,075 pound-feet of torque—70 percent more than the previous-generation Ram 2500 HD, according to the automaker.
Ram says more than 70 percent of its HD buyers opt for the turbocharged diesel engine over the standard, 405-hp, 6.4-liter Hemi V8. Both engines work with a new TorqueFlite HD eight-speed automatic transmission. The maximum towing capacity for the Ram 3500 with the Cummins diesel and a fifth-wheel (gooseneck) hitch is 36,610 pounds. That figure drops to 23,000 pounds with a conventional hitch. The maximum payload for the Ram HD—7,590 pounds—comes from the gas engine.
Rear-wheel drive is standard on all 2025 Ram HD pickups except for the Power Wagon and Rebel trims. Four-wheel drive is standard on the latter two and optional on all other trims.
Not to be overshadowed by the powertrain enhancements, the 2025 Ram HD lineup gains a fair amount of standard and optional advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and other technologies. New standard ADAS for 2025 include adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and front and rear parking assistance on Big Horn and higher trims. Meanwhile, new options include a driver monitoring system, traffic-sign recognition, and enhanced lane-keeping assistance.
On the infotainment front, the standard 12-inch Uconnect infotainment touchscreen has increased resolution for a sharper image. Additionally, buyers can now upgrade to a reconfigurable 14.5-inch screen. Both touchscreens offer split-screen capability and higher contrast than the previous system. Stellantis also upgraded the speed at which the system operates. The automaker says the new Uconnect system is five times faster than the old one, with more memory and quicker response to input.
Like the light-duty 2025 Ram 1500, all new Ram HD trucks have a class-exclusive, triple-function 10.25-inch front passenger screen. This handy auxiliary screen enables the co-pilot to set up navigation, manage connected devices, control entertainment options, and monitor activity outside the truck via the exterior cameras. To avoid distracting the driver, only the front passenger can see what’s on the screen.
New camera technologies also become available on the 2025 Ram HD, including a surround-view camera with trailer reverse guidance and an exterior-mounted auxiliary camera that aids visibility when there’s a trailer present.
In the world of heavy-duty trucks, it’s all about the numbers. Towing capacity, specifically. The makers of the Chevrolet Silverado HD (and its mechanical twin, the GMC Sierra HD), Ford Super Duty, and Ram HD continually engage in a never-ending battle to see who can produce the truck with the most muscle. Currently, Ford claims to offer the most towing capacity, at 40,000 pounds, followed by the latest Ram HD (36,610). The Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD claim 36,000 pounds maximum available trailering.
Ram is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of January 7, 2025, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
Jeff Youngs has 30 years of experience in the auto industry, including 19 years with JD Power in marketing and editorial management roles. He also spent nearly six years as a media relations professional with General Motors. More recently, as a freelance automotive journalist, his work has appeared on JDPower.com, CarGurus, Kelley Blue Book, Autotrader, Autolist, and iSeeCars.
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