When it comes to heavy duty and midsized pickup trucks, the Dodge Ram models deserve a special mention. The 2017 Dodge Ram 2500 is a worthy contender and it is pitted against contenders from Honda and Ford. The truck is sold in various trims with extensive customization options and its durability makes it a viable option in this segment. For 2017 Dodge Ram 2500 receives quite a few useful upgrades.
2017 Dodge RAM 2500 – Design and Features:
There is no denying the 2017 Ram 2500 has a decidedly macho and rugged look. The boxy style is there with a massive grille. Grille style varies across trims though most trims get chrome treatment. There are several trim options starting with the base Tradesman. You also get SLT, Big Horn, Laramie, Power Wagon, Laramie Power Wagon, Limited and Laramie Longhorn trims. Body styles include regular cab, crew cab, and mega cab. Exterior color options are aplenty but not all colors are available across all trims.
In base trims, comfort is not the priority but the utility is. The features that you get in base trim are an AM/FM radio and vinyl interiors. Upper trims can be fitted with Uconnect touch screen entertainment of Chrysler. The largest screen you can opt for is 8.4 inches. It is almost on par with General Motors’ IntelliLink and Ford’s Sync3 infotainment setups.
As for safety, every trim gets airbags. Tire pressure monitoring and Electronic Stability Control. Higher trims get features like Remote Start System, Remote Keyless Entry, and backup camera. However, advanced safety features like blind spot monitoring or lane keep assist are not available even in top end trim.
2017 Dodge RAM 2500 – Interesting Engine Mix:
The majority of trims of Dodge Ram 2500 2017 get fitted with a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine which makes 383 hp. It is the same unit used in Ram 1500 too. The off-road based Power Wagon trim gets a more powerful V8 engine. The latter is a 6.4-liter version and it makes 410 hp. A 6.7-liter turbo diesel inline engine is also offered that generates 370 hp. All the engines are paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission gearbox. The Power Wagon trims get 4WD only while others get either 4WD or RWD.
The towing capacity of the Tradesman is 17,370 lb and payload is 3,064 lb. For Big Horn and SLT trims towing capacity and payload are 17,310 lb and 2,423 lb. Laramie has a towing capacity of 17,400 lb and payload capacity of 2,557 lb. For Laramie Longhorn and Limited trims, the towing capacity and payload are 17,290 lb and 2,426 lb.
2017 Dodge RAM 2500 – Price and Availability:
The pricing of 2017 Dodge Ram 2500 has not been announced but it could be close to the price of 2016 models. This means the base trim price would start at $33,000 and the top end version may cost around $60,000. It will be made available for sale late in 2016.
Overall, 2017 Dodge Ram 2500 is a solid heavy duty truck with a rugged build and powerful engine options. It, however, loses out to rival contenders from Ford and GM in safety and technology departments to an extent.