Tested: 2025 Ram 2500 Limited Crew Cab 4×4 Has Big-Rig Vibes

From the November/December 2025 issue of Car and Driver.

There’s a road sign on the edge of town that reads No Engine Brake. Though we’re pretty sure that only applies to semi trucks, as we approach the zone in the diesel-powered Ram 2500 with a trailer in tow and the engine brake fully engaged, the big diesel works against the load, emitting a throaty purr that gives off 18-wheeler vibes. Maybe that sign was meant for us after all.

The inline-six Cummins has always been the best-sounding diesel engine in the heavy-duty segment. For ’25, the big 6.7-liter has been further refined and given more power. But not enough to top Ford’s optional Power Stroke High Output, with its burly 500 horsepower and 1200 pound-feet of torque. The Ram’s revised turbocharged Cummins features a new intake, larger-diameter valves (24 of them), a quicker-spooling turbo, and increased fuel pressure. The result is a 60-hp gain to 430 horses, plus 225 more pound-feet of torque for 1075 total—the most of any base diesel in the class. Just bring an additional $12,595 to the table.

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The extra power is fantastic, and so are more forward gears. The old six-speed automatic, with its huge step from first to second gear, is now history. Instead, there’s a smooth-shifting ZF-sourced eight-speed, which can start off in second when an empty load doesn’t require first.

Naturally, more muscle brings more hustle. Our 8480-pound, nearly 22-foot-long conglomeration of steel, leather, and touchscreens stormed to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and clipped the quarter-mile in 14.8 seconds at 92 mph. The new powertrain is also more fuel-efficient. Its 22-mpg result in our 75-mph test is a 4-mpg improvement and translates to 700 miles between fill-ups.

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While the powertrain is a home run, the steering could use some refinement. The response flatlines off-center; blame the recirculating balls between your hands and the road. But the Ram hangs on for 0.71 g around the skidpad, a decent performance for its massive wheelbase.

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With a max tow rating of 18,230 pounds, the 2500 Limited Crew Cab four-by-four deserves a firm and reassuring brake pedal. Ours, however, turned to mashed potatoes during panic stops from 70 mph, requiring us to move the seat forward so our foot could kiss the firewall. Still, 212 feet in that test is a competitive result. As for another sign we saw, Brake Check Area—yeah, that one was definitely for us.

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Specifications

Specifications

2025 Ram 2500 Limited Crew Cab 4×4
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear/4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door pickup

PRICE

Base/As Tested: $78,390/$99,570
Options: Cummins High-Output 6.7-liter inline-six diesel engine, $12,595; Limited Level 1 Equipment group (lane-keeping assist, adaptive steering, limited-slip rear-axle differential, center high-mount stop lamp with cargo-view camera, drowsy-driver detection, LED bed lighting, spray-in bed liner, surround-view camera, traffic-sign recognition, trailer reverse guidance system, trailer tire-pressure monitoring), $4495; automatic-leveling rear air suspension, $1705; power sunroof, $1195; Tow Technology Plus group, $895; Billet Silver Metallic paint, $295

ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled pushrod 24-valve diesel inline-6, iron block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 408 in³, 6690 cm³
Power: 430 hp @ 2800 rpm
Torque: 1075 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm 

TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic

CHASSIS

Suspension, F/R: live axle/live axle
Brakes, F/R: 14.2-in vented disc/14.1-in vented disc
Tires: Firestone Transforce AT2

LT285/60R-20 125/122R M+S

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 169.0 in
Length: 260.9 in
Width: 83.5 in
Height: 80.1 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 64/61 ft³
Curb Weight: 8480 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS

60 mph: 6.3 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.8 sec @ 92 mph
100 mph: 17.8 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 8.0 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.3 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 5.1 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 102 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 212 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.71 g

Interior Sound
Idle: 46 dBA/4 sone
Full Throttle: 71 dBA
70-mph Cruising: 67 dBA/20 sone 

C/D FUEL ECONOMY

Observed: 15 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 22 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 700 mi 

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

Reviewed byDavid Beard

Managing Testing Editor

David Beard studies and reviews automotive related things and pushes fossil-fuel and electric-powered stuff to their limits. His passion for the Ford Pinto began at his conception, which took place in a Pinto.