Heavy-duty trucks often offer a dizzying array of configurations, and the Ram Heavy Duty pickups are no exception. The 2023 Ram HD lineup includes 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 models, but since the 4500 and 5500 models are primarily commercial vehicles, we’re going to focus on the 2500s and 3500s.
The Ram HD 2500 and 3500 have a lot in common. The key differences are in their towing and hauling capabilities. Also worth noting: The off-road-ready Power Wagon is available exclusively as a Ram 2500.
For every Ram HD, the base engine is a gas-powered 6.4-liter Hemi V8 rated at 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. Drivers looking for more towing muscle will be interested in the available 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel inline-6. The standard output generates 370 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque. There’s a high-output option available for the 3500 model that produces 420 hp and 1,075 lb-ft of torque.
Ram boasts that this truck has a best-in-class max tow rating of 37,090 pounds with the Ram 3500 and best-in-class horsepower for a standard gas engine. The Chevrolet Silverado HD and the Ford Super Duty line are chief rivals for the Ram Heavy Duty.
Let’s walk through the model range of the 2023 Ram Heavy Duty pickups and find the right trim for you.
2023 Ram 2500 Tradesman (starting at $43,245), Ram 3500 Tradesman ($44,990)
As its name implies, the base Tradesman trim is a basic, no-nonsense work truck. As such, it has durable vinyl floors and seats, manual windows, manual door locks, and steel wheels. But it also has air conditioning, cruise control, automatic headlights, and a 5-inch Uconnect infotainment system with Bluetooth.
A Tradesman Level 1 Group adds some appreciated features like power, heated tow mirrors, active noise control, an overhead console, power windows, power locks, and remote keyless entry. A Level 2 Group adds cloth seats, carpeted floors, a front armrest with cupholders, a sliding rear window, and SiriusXM.
The Tradesman is available in regular cab and crew cab configurations.
The 2023 Ram 2500 HD Tradesman has a $1,795 destination fee ($1,845 in Hawaii), bringing the starting price up to $45,040. With a 60-month loan at 3% interest and no trade-in or down payment, that truck would have a starting monthly payment of about $809. See 2023 Ram 2500 Tradesman models for sale and See 2023 Ram 3500 Tradesman models for sale
2023 Ram 2500 Tradesman/3500 Tradesman include:
Work Grade interior — Durable vinyl floors and seats speak to the no-nonsense nature of this work truck.
Uconnect — This standard infotainment system had a 5-inch screen and integrated voice command with Bluetooth.
Mighty engines — The standard gas V8 offers best-in-class horsepower for a base engine, and a stronger Cummins turbodiesel is optional.
2023 Ram 2500 Big Horn (starting at $47,775), Ram 3500 Big Horn ($49,520)
Before we dig in on this popular trim, we should note that if you’re in Texas, the Big Horn is called the Lone Star. Other than badges, these trucks are identical.
The Tradesman trim is a bit too spartan for most drivers, which makes the Big Horn a good value choice for the average truck driver. It has alloy wheels, chrome bumpers and exterior trim, cloth seats, carpeted floors, heated, power-adjustable mirrors, an overhead console, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, an auto-dimming mirror, a trailer brake controller, and trailer light check.
Like the Tradesman, the Big Horn is available with Level 1 and Level 2 equipment groups. Level 1 adds premium cloth seating, an 8.4-inch infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa, more interior lighting, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and power telescoping mirrors.
Level 2 adds more upgrades like dual-zone automatic climate control, a 7-inch driver information screen, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, blind-spot monitoring, LED taillights, front and rear parking sensors, power-adjustable pedals, remote start, and a universal garage door opener.
A couple of appearance packages are also available, namely the Night Edition and Sport Appearance Package.
The Big Horn trim is the only one available in all three cab styles; regular cab, crew cab, and Mega Cab.
The 2023 Ram 2500 Big Horn starts at about $891/month, assuming you get a 60-month loan (with no money down) at 3% interest. See 2023 Ram 2500 Big Horn models for sale and See 2023 Ram 3500 Big Horn models for sale
2023 Ram 2500 Big Horn/3500 Big Horn include:
Chrome trim — Chrome bumpers and chrome exterior trim add an upscale look to this rugged pickup.
Creature comforts — The Big Horn model comes standard with many basic niceties that aren’t standard in the Tradesman, like power windows, power locks, and cloth seating.
Trailer brake controller — This feature is a must if you regularly tow trailers equipped with brakes.
2023 Ram 2500 Laramie (starting at $60,575), Ram 3500 Laramie ($62,235)
The Laramie trim is where the Ram HD pickup gets into premium territory. Some standard equipment highlights are leather seating, heated, power-adjustable front seats, an 8.4-inch infotainment system with navigation, Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. There’s also an Alpine 9-speaker audio, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a chrome billet grille.
The Laramie continues the trend of having Level 1 and Level 2 equipment groups available. Level 1 adds automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, a power-release tailgate, rear in-floor storage boxes in the crew cab model, a CD player, ventilated front seats, a memory system for the driver, power-adjustable pedals, and blind-spot monitoring.
Upgrade to Level 2, and you’ll be treated to a Harman Kardon 17-speaker premium audio system, navigation, two extra USB ports, heated rear seats, and a wireless charging pad.
Like the Big Horn trim, the Sport Appearance Package and Night Edition are available for the Laramie trim to enhance the truck’s looks.
The Laramie is available with a crew cab or the larger Mega Cab.
Getting a Ram HD Laramie with a 60-month loan with 3% interest and no money down will start at about $1,121/month. See 2023 Ram 2500 Laramie models for sale and See 2023 Ram 3500 Laramie models for sale
2023 Ram 2500 Laramie/3500 Laramie include:
Premium style — Chrome mirrors, a chrome billet grille, and stylish wheels give a premium look to this truck.
Leather seats — This is the most affordable trim of the Ram HD with standard leather seating. Heated front seats also come standard.
8.4-inch screen — This bigger and better infotainment system comes with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, navigation, and more.
2023 Ram 2500 Longhorn (starting at $68,115), 3500 Longhorn ($69,780)
The Longhorn model builds upon the upscale Laramie model, mainly with nicer materials and more Western-inspired aesthetics. It has unique 18-inch alloy wheels, body-color fender flares, chrome belt moldings, chrome running boards, LED fog lamps, LED projector headlights, and a 12-inch digital gauge cluster. You also get filigree leather seats, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, front and rear parking sensors, and authentic wood and chrome interior trim.
The Longhorn Level 1 Equipment Group piles on even more luxury. It adds a massive 12-inch infotainment system with navigation and HD Radio, blind-spot monitoring, LED bed lighting, a wireless charging pad, power-deployable running boards, and Harman Kardon audio.
The Longhorn model is available in crew cab and Mega Cab configurations.
The Ram HD Longhorn has a starting monthly payment of approximately $1,256 if you get a 60-month loan (with no money down) at 3% interest. See 2023 Ram 2500 Longhorn models for sale and See 2023 Ram 3500 Longhorn models for sale
2023 Ram 2500 Longhorn/3500 Longhorn include:
Filigree leather seats — These 2-tone seats with filigree accents are unique to the Longhorn trim.
Wood and leather trim — This Western-inspired interior is full of authentic wood and leather accents for a style that’s both rugged and luxurious.
Digital gauge cluster — This tech feature shows you everything you want to see on one sleek screen.
2023 Ram 2500 Power Wagon (starting at $68,200)
The Power Wagon is the most capable off-roader in the 2023 Ram HD lineup. More than just an appearance package, the Power Wagon has standard 4-wheel drive, a 4.10:1 axle ratio, electronic locking front and rear differentials, an off-road suspension, skid plates, hill descent control, powder-coated bumpers, a Warn winch, and 17-inch black wheels with all-terrain tires.
With three available equipment groups, the Power Wagon trim is almost a model range of its own. Level 1 adds remote start, power pedals, a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, rear in-floor storage in the crew cab models, a universal garage door opener, illuminated vanity mirrors, and a power release tailgate.
Level 2 adds some nice upgrades like soft leather seats with heavy-duty vinyl accents, an electronic transfer case, 9-speaker audio, trailer-tow mirrors, a memory system, automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, and more LED interior lighting. It also has dual-zone automatic climate control, remote proximity entry, dual remote USB ports, a 115-volt power outlet, and a security alarm.
Finally, Level 3 is what you get if you want both capability and luxury. On top of the Level 2 package, Level 3 adds a gunmetal “RAM” grille badge, a black mesh grille, premium headlights with gloss black surrounds, and luxurious Medium Greystone Natura Plus leather seats.
The Power Wagon is available exclusively as a 2500 crew cab model.
The Ram HD Power Wagon begins at about $1,258/month, assuming a 60-month loan at 3% interest. See 2023 Ram 2500 Power Wagon models for sale
2023 Ram 2500 Power Wagon includes:
Rugged appearance package — The head-turning appearance package of the Power Wagon includes powder-coated bumpers, a unique hood, black accents, and meaty off-road tires.
Off-road suspension — This suspension makes the Power Wagon a proficient off-roader while remaining comfortable on the road.
Warn winch — A Warn winch is a common modification for off-road enthusiasts and is standard on the 2023 Ram Power Wagon.
2023 Ram 2500 Limited (starting at $71,990), 3500 Limited ($73,650)
The luxurious Limited trim sits at the top of the 2023 Ram HD pickup range. The Ram HD Limited offers premium features and the latest technology without compromising capability.
The Limited model has a unique appearance package with satin chrome trim, a premium interior with full leather seating, a 12-inch infotainment system (with up to five user profiles), a customizable home screen, and simultaneous dual-phone connectivity. You also get power-deployable running boards and safety tech like blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-path detection.
The Limited trim is pretty loaded, but it still has a Level 1 Equipment Group available. It adds a surround-view camera with trailer reverse guidance, full-speed forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and Harman Kardon audio.
Like the other upscale trims of the Ram HD, the Limited model is only available with a crew cab or Mega Cab.
The top Limited model starts at about $1,326/month with a 60-month loan at 3% interest and no money down. See 2023 Ram 2500 Limited models for sale and See 2023 Ram 3500 Limited models for sale
2023 Ram 2500 Limited/3500 Limited include:
Luxurious interior — This premium interior includes full-leather seats, wood and leather trim, and the latest technology.
12-inch screen — This giant customizable screen is loaded with features like navigation and dual-phone connectivity, and it can remember up to five user profiles.
Power running boards — This handy feature is both practical and luxurious.
