RAM 2500/3500 (US) review

Not so long ago, HD trucks worked from Monday to Friday and were idle over the weekend while their owners drove something more sophisticated. That’s changed now and people are driving their big trucks seven days a week. That’s why the new HD RAMs feature so much new tech and creature comforts.

And that’s why the whole ownership proposition has changed. Models like the Laramie Longhorn might look expensive and unnecessary in a working truck range. But when that truck is not just your hauler but your daily driver, too, why not have all the luxury you expect in your daily driver, too? It’s why RAM turned to the leather and wood suppliers from Bentley – yes, the luxury road car company – to get the right quality materials for their top-spec trucks.

And if you think the improvements are just a veneer, think again. These trucks feature all the active and passive safety of the luxury cars their owners have in the garage, too. Swiveling LED headlights, aluminum body panels, acoustic glass, wi-fi and much more were the preserve of luxury auto marques only a few years ago. But now you can get them on a HD truck.

Reliability of HD RAMs has historically been excellent and there is nothing in this new line-ups’ spec which suggests that’s going to be any different – other than being further improved. Running costs should also be lower with the addition of the eight-speed box to the V8-powered models as fuel consumption will be reduced.

The Cummins diesel-engine options look expensive at $11k for the full 1k lbft option, but they are superb motors which will haul reliably for years. So it’s all about the cost per use – and bragging rights.