RAM 2500/3500 (US) review

Having taken multi awards with its new, upgraded RAM 1500 interior, the RAM team has sensibly lifted a majority of those updates and installed them in the new 2500/3500HD range. Even though the basic architecture of the cabin remains almost the same as the previous generation – it’s still available in Regular, Crew and Mega sizes – every surface and piece of tech has been reconsidered.

In the base versions of the trucks, this manifests itself as an improvement in space efficiency, storage, connectivity and power outputs. Plus an overall upgrade in material quality and, we’d predict, durability. But in the models higher up the range some of the quality and attention to detail is remarkable.

Take the Laramie Longhorn as an example. This features all of the above upgrades plus a whole extra layer of craftsmanship. All contact surfaces are covered in full-grain leather, there is a barn-wood insert in the glovebox branded – properly burnt in traditionally – with the truck’s model designation. And there is some shotgun-style filigree in the bronze metal instrument surrounds.

But it’s not just the show that’s been improved. The trucks can now be specced with a 17-speaker sound system, a reconfigurable 12-inch display that gives a Tesla’s screen a run for its money, and acoustic glass which, together with several other upgrades, makes the cabin a full 10dB quieter than the models they replace. Typically a six decibel increase is equal to a doubling of the volume of sound, so we are talking a massive reduction in in-cab noise here.

If in-cab load flexibility is your focus, the Mega cab option offers near minivan proportions of space and carrying ability. Apart from the vast central storage bins between the driver and passenger seats – it can swallow and charge a 15-inch laptop plus a small backpack – the Mega cab also has fold flat rear seats and storage lockers.

The only small omission – and we know they are crazily expensive and complicated to engineer – is a telescoping steering column. The pedals do adjust for reach, so that goes some way to solving the issue. But in an ideal world, the driver would be able to adjust the reach to the wheel without having to adjust their whole body.