2019 Ram 2500 Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
When you’re on the market for a brand new heavy-duty pickup truck, then nothing can beat the 2019 Ram 2500. Ram is known for producing top-tier trucks, and the 2500 is one of their mainstays - providing everything from a crystal clear infotainment system to insane power and handling. But in the crowded field of heavy-duty pickup trucks, what exactly sets the 2500 apart?
What's new for 2019
Very little has changed in the 2019 Ram 2500, as Ram has found most of the interior and exterior features to be sustainable throughout 2019. Furthermore, Ram has primarily focused on the Ram 1500 in 2019, rather than focusing on the 2500 as much as in prior years. The Ram 2500 will see significant upgrades after 2020, when production shifts to another Ram plant. The most notable changes in 2019 include a brand new set of LED headlamps, along with new front grille textures and a streamlined front end.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2019 Ram 2500 – The Pros
1. Roomy Interior
The 2019 Ram 2500 does not struggle for interior space at all. While many pickup trucks - especially heavy-duty pickup trucks - tend to struggle with cabin size, the 2500 can easily fit five adults without feeling cramped. The interior can also be upgraded from the regular crew cab to a Mega Cab, which adds even more open space to the interior. This upgrade increases legroom in the back seats to 43.3 inches, enough for passengers of all heights.
2. Low Sound Levels
A major complaint many drivers have with full-size pickup trucks is that the interior can be extremely noisy, particularly over bumpier roads or worn road terrain. This is not the case in the 2019 Ram 2500, as the interior has been carefully designed to minimize road noise and engine noise. While you can still feel the powerful engine throughout the vehicle, the rumble does not get irritating or bothersome to the ear even on long drives.
3. Standout Engine Choices
Ram has always prided its prowess in powerful engine creations, and that is quite evident in the 2019 Ram 2500. The base engine of the 2500 is a powerful 5.7-liter V8 engine that can muscle a fantastic 383 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. In higher levels of trim, a slightly more powerful 6.4-liter V8 engine is available that can produce 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. The final engine choice for the 2500 is a 6.7-liter diesel engine, which can push an astounding 385 horsepower and 930 lb-ft of torque. This engine is one of the most powerful in the entire heavy-duty pickup truck class.
4. Top Tier Towing
A combination of powerful engine dynamics and a fine-tuned suspension means that the 2019 Ram 2500 is a behemoth at towing. At its base levels, the 2500 can tow an astounding 6,820 pounds. When upgraded and focused on towing, the Ram 2500 can tow up to 17,980 pounds. That’s nearly 9 tons - easily enough to tow a trailer, a boat, or anything else you may need to transport.
5. Smooth Suspension
Ram uses a special type of suspension in its heavy-duty trucks known as a rear coil and spring suspension. This type of suspension allows the vehicle to respond accurately on the road whether its towing or hauling huge weights or if the truck bed is completely empty. This suspension is also somewhat intelligent, automatically adjusting when bed loads shift or if road conditions change dramatically. It even can lower the suspension when towing large loads, keeping the truck in a more aerodynamic and balanced position. The smooth suspension also means that driving isn’t as stressful as in other trucks, as bumps do not cause the truck to skitter across the road.
6. Supreme Braking Ability
Towing large loads can be somewhat nerve-racking, as small cars can dart in front of your larger vehicle and cause you to brake suddenly. If your car can’t respond quickly enough, this can lead to some bad consequences. Fortunately, the 2019 Ram 2500 has some of the best braking ability in the entire class. It’s able to brake in under 200 feet from high speeds with heavy loads, ensuring that you stay safe on the road. While the braking feel can be adjusted to your liking, the Ram’s brake pads and brake pedal are tuned to provide maximum control while not feeling overly tuned or finicky.
7. Fantastic Infotainment System
Most heavy-duty pickup trucks neglect the infotainment system, as most true pickup truck users tend to focus on towing and hauling equipment rather than entertainment. Ram knows that this is an important part of vehicles today, and clearly has put some thought into its infotainment system in the 2019 Ram 2500. In the base model, there’s a 5-inch touchscreen that lets you interface directly with the Ram Uconnect system. This screen increases in size to a maximum of 9.4-inches in higher level trims. Every feature you could need in an infotainment system is present here, from Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration to mobile WiFi. There’s even a great weather app built into the system, as well as a responsive voice recognition system for when you need your visual attention focused on the road.
8. Large Cargo Area
As expected, the 2019 Ram 2500 has plenty of cargo space both inside the cabin and outside. The bed of the 2500 offers between 50 and 75 cubic feet of space, with a textured base for grip. The center console offers plenty of storage space, letting you store anything you may need on longer trips. If you fold down the rear seats of the vehicle’s interior, then you can fit even more cargo. You can easily fit multiple backpacks for your next vacation trip, and could potentially even fit checked luggage as well.
9. Nimble Handling
For a car of this size, the 2019 Ram 2500 handles surprisingly well. Even with larger bed loads, the 2500 is able to change lanes with ease. When towing, drivers must be aware that turning and changing lanes can be slower, but that is par for the course with pickup trucks. At high speeds, the vehicle feels grippy on the road, keeping its stability at all times.
10. Tons of Trims and Options
If you’re not satisfied with the 2019 Ram 2500’s base trim on its own, then you’ll be happy to know that there are many trims and package options available for the vehicle. From driver assistance technology to luxury packages, you have many features to choose from. Notable trim upgrades include the luxurious Laramie, the even heavier-duty Power Wagon, and the decked-out Longhorn. If you want some exterior flair then the Sport Appearance package is right up your alley, adding extra body colors and larger, shinier wheels.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2019 Ram 2500 – The Cons
1. Lackluster Safety Technology
The 2019 Ram truck is notably missing safety technology that you can expect on other vehicles. Other than a rearview camera, the Ram doesn’t come standard with any safety assistance technology. You can upgrade the vehicle to include parking sensors and more, but the base model does not include these features.
2. Slow Acceleration
The 2500 can’t accelerate very fast, making highway entrances and stoplights a slightly stressful experience. This is a problem most pickup trucks struggle with, however, and should be expected in vehicles of this size. The Ram truck falls into the middle of the pack in acceleration from 0 to 60 in its class.
3. Transmission Can Feel Out of Sync
When trying to accelerate quickly, the Ram’s automatic transmission can feel like it’s slightly out of place from where it should be. This feels strange at first and takes some getting used to. If it’s too strange, Ram offers a six-speed manual transmission for those who are manual inclined. This transmission offers greater control and much finer shifting.
How it stacks up to the competition:
The heavy-duty pickup truck class is one with quite a bit of competition, but the 2019 Ram 2500 certainly shines. Compared to some of its closest rivals like the Ford Super Duty F-250 and the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, the Ram exhibits simplicity and power. Its extreme towing capacity paired with a spacious interior show the vehicle’s capability to work hard while remaining comfortable.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a new heavy-duty pickup truck this year, then you should absolutely consider the 2019 Ram 2500. This pickup truck truly offers it all, from interior comfort to a huge bed and an enhanced towing capacity. Plenty of packages, upgrades, and trim options allow you to create the pickup truck of your dreams, making this a top-tier pickup truck for those aiming to purchase a pickup truck in 2019.
