2020 Ram 2500 Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The 2020 Ram 2500 is a full-sized, heavy-duty pickup truck. Not to be confused with the Ram 1500, this truck was built for some serious work. They can handle anything from hauling heavy loads at the worksite to hauling the family and towing a trailer on long road trips. The interior offers the kind of quality and comfort you would expect from a luxury vehicle. Here are some of the best reasons to get a new Ram 2500.

What's New for 2020?

The 2020 Ram 2500 gets two new colors this year. These are Olive Green and Hydro Blue. Ram offers a special Heavy Duty Night Edition for 2020. This model features a blacked-out color scheme for both the exterior and interior. Lane-keeping assist is now available for every trim package. Ram also now offers a tire-pressure-monitoring system for attached trailers.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2020 Ram 2500 – The Pros

1. Powerful Engines and Performance

The standard engine for the Ram 2500 is a 6.4-liter HEMI V8. This powerful engine produces a whopping 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque. Ram also offers a 6.7-liter I6 Cummins Turbo-diesel engine. This massive power plant cranks out 370 horsepower with 870 pound-feet of torque. The diesel may have a few less horses, but the massive amounts of torque means better towing capabilities. Both powerful engine choices will be able to get the toughest of jobs done.

2. The Hauling Capabilities

The 2020 Ram 2500 is a hauling monster. Let's face it, hauling capabilities is one of the primary reasons anyone chooses to buy a pickup truck. The 2500 is for those who need some serious hauling power. A Ram 2500 equipped with the standard V8 HEMI can haul a payload of up to 4,010 pounds.

With the Cummins turbo-diesel, the Ram 2500 can also carry a payload of up to 4,010 pounds. There is no difference here between the two engines. This is due to the fact that payload capacities have more to do with the frame's weight-bearing abilities than the engine power. So, no matter which engine you choose, you'll have some serious heavy-duty hauling capabilities.

3. The High Towing Capacity

Towing capacity is second only to payload capacity for most people when it comes to important truck specifications. The Ram 2500 really has it where it counts in this category. A truck with the turbo-diesel engine, when also properly equipped, can tow a massive 19,680 pounds. The standard V8 is no slouch here either. It can pull up to an impressive 17,540 pounds.

4. Capable Off-Road Performance

Off-road capabilities is another reason people love trucks. The 2020 Ram 2500 doesn't disappoint in this category. All models of this truck have a high ground clearance. All trim levels offer available 4X4 drive. Both engine choices for the 2500 produce massive amounts of torque to help propel the truck over rough terrain.

The Power Wagon trim is the ultimate rock crawler and off-road machine. This model comes with off-road shock absorbers. It also offers all-terrain tires, tow hooks and a manual transfer case. Electronic, locking differentials and skid plates round out some of the notable off-road features here.

5. Great Steering and Handling

No matter which model of the Ram 2500 you choose, it will provide excellent handling. The steering dynamics are great for a vehicle in this category. Steering is tight and accurate with plenty of feedback from the road. Braking is powerful and smooth here as well. The handling is actually just a bit better with the regular, gasoline-powered engines.

6. One of the Best Interiors in its Class

The 2020 Ram 2500 has a luxurious interior that is one of the best in its class. This includes surprisingly comfortable seats and a quiet cabin. Even the normally noisy diesel engine won't intrude on the quiet atmosphere of this interior. At the higher trim levels, you'll see rich, thick leather upholstery. There is real wood trim and even some finely-textured metal accents. The interior is both cozy and quite attractive.

7. Modern Infotainment System

The base model of the Ram 2500 gets the Uconnect 3 infotainment system. Higher trim levels get the upgraded Uconnect 4 system with a larger, 8.4-inch touchscreen display. The audio system is powered by an Alpine stereo and features nine speakers for realistic, crystal-clear sound. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are offered here as well.

The Uconnect 4 system has a number of USB ports for connecting or charging phones and other smart devices. There is also an audio-jack input for mobile devices. Bluetooth connectivity is included as well. The system even features integrated voice-command technology for hands-free operation of many of its features.

8. Safety Features and Driver-Assist Technology

The 2020 Ram 2500 was designed to be a safe vehicle for the driver and passengers. There are advanced, multi-stage airbags up front. There are side airbags up front and for the back-row passengers. The Ram 2500 also has supplemental, side-curtain airbags for extra protection for all rows. There are also a number of available driver-assist features.

Electronic Stability Control and Electronic Roll Mitigation keep the vehicle stable and with all four wheels on the road where they belong. A rear-view camera gives drivers a better view of what's behind them. There are also font and rear parking-assist systems to help you to easily fit this large truck into parking spots.

9. A Striking Exterior Design

The Ram 2500 has a tough yet attractive exterior design. there are some differences in the grill designs depending on the trim model you choose. All have the distinctive Ram logo in the middle. The rear and front bumpers and fascias all have an aggressive look to them. Overall, the Ram 2500 is a nice blend between rugged workhorse and elegant vehicle. It will look right at home at the worksite, a campsite or even at the country club.

10. It's Rugged and Reliable

The 2020 Ram 2500 was built to be durable and reliable. The heavy-duty construction and solid frame were designed to take a beating at the worksite or over rough terrain. The powerful engines were designed for a lifetime of heavy hauling and towing. Ram trucks always have a good track record of longevity and reliability.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 Ram 2500 – The Cons

1. The Diesel Engine is Expensive

The Cummins turbo-diesel engine is a monster when it comes to towing capacity. Unfortunately, it's rather costly. A truck equipped with the diesel motor is significantly more expensive. For those who need the extra torque, it will be well worth it. For those who need the truck for hauling more than towing, the V8 HEMI may be the better option in order to save a few bucks.

2. High-Tech Safety Can Get Expensive

The 2020 Ram 2500 offers a number of high-tech safety features and modern driver-assist systems. Unfortunately, some of the best ones are optional or only found on the highest trim levels. Adding the ones you want can start getting pricey rather quickly.

3. The High Driving Position

If you like full-sized trucks, then you probably don't mind sitting up high. Many drivers actually prefer it. You often get a better view of your surroundings from a higher perch. Still, between the high ground clearance and the driver-seat ergonomics, the 2500 has a driving position that is really high up there. This kind of comes with the territory for a truck in this class, but it's something to be aware of.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

The 2020 Ram 2500 faces three main competitors in the full-sized, heavy-duty truck class. These are the Chevrolet Silverado 2500, the GMC Sierra 2500 HD and the Ford F-250 Super Duty. Chevy's Silverado and the GMC Sierra are both General Motors vehicles. They share the same basic platform. This means they also share many of the same features and performance stats. The Sierra offers a more upscale interior and some additional luxury features.

The Ram offers a base price that is lower than the Chevy and GMC trucks. The Silverado has a higher payload capacity, while the Ram 2500 has a higher towing capacity. The Ram offers more power and torque, especially out of the turbo-diesel engine. The Ram also provides a better ride quality and has the nicer interior. The Sierra comes closer to the interior quality of the Ram, but still doesn't offer the refined ride quality that it does.

The Ford F-250 is probably the biggest competition for the Ram 2500. Ford's F-series trucks have been some of the best-selling models in North America for decades now. Both offer diesel engines with similar payload and towing capacities. Ford edges out the Ram towing capabilities but just a small margin. The horsepower and torque ratings are very similar between these two trucks. The Ram wins out against the Ford when it comes to interior quality, comfort and overall ride quality.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a full-sized, heavy-duty truck that can do it all, look no further than the 2020 Ram 2500. The number one reason to buy a truck in this class is for the capabilities. The Ram 2500 has towing and hauling capacities that are heard to beat. It's an impressive off-road performer. It also provides for an exceptionally comfortable and quiet ride. Last of all, this truck offers all of the modern comfort features and safety equipment that anyone could ever want.