The HEMI is Alive and Well in the 2025 Ram Heavy Duty Trucks

Ram is showing off its freshened 2025 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty trucks and reassuring potential buyers that the company will still be offering the popular HEMI engines for the big trucks. The company has been taking hits for discontinuing the mighty HEMI for the Ram 1500. Even though the replacement engine called the RHO inline six gets better gas mileage and has higher horsepower, a Ram executive recently admitted that discontinuing the HEMI has been perceived as “UnAmerican”. The 2025 Ram 2500 and 3500 will also have a new 6.7-liter Cummins High-Output Turbo Diesel engine option.

“More than 70% of Ram heavy-duty customers opt for the diesel, and for 2025 we built on that demand and long-lasting durability with an improved Cummins engine coupled with a new eight-speed transmission,” said Tim Kuniskis. “This is a very specific pickup segment that requires a powerful tool — every 2025 Ram 2500 we sell allows the potential of 1075 lb.-ft. of torque in every gear, for a 70% increase in torque delivery from the previous generation 2500.”   

2025 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty

The 2025 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty give customers two engine options: the new 6.7-liter Cummins High-Output Turbo Diesel engine and the standard 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine. The new Cummins Turbo Diesel engine and TorqueFlite HD eight-speed transmission upgrades give the truck 36,610 pounds of towing capability. The new, more powerful Turbo Diesel is available for all of the Heavy Duty trucks. It produces 430 horsepower and 1,075 lb.-ft. of torque.

The beloved 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 delivers 405 horsepower and 429 lb.-ft. of torque. According to Ram, the 2025 Ram 2500 boasts improved 0 to 60 mph (6.9 seconds vs 8.0 seconds) and quarter-mile times, delivering quicker, more responsive performance.

The 2025 Ram Heavy Duty features a new grille design. The new standard LED headlights and taillamps make the larger trucks look more like the 2025 Ram 1500.

2025 Ram 2500 and 3500 Technological Improvements

The 2025 Ram 2500 and 3500 will have the latest Uconnect 5 system with a new larger 14.5-inch screen. The trucks will also give the front seat passenger a segment-first 10.25-inch screen. That means that the passenger can help with navigation if needed by controlling his or her own screen. The passenger can also monitor the outside cameras to help with maneuvering. The truck also has a digital rearview mirror and dual wireless phone charging pad.

An on-board power inverter can produce up to 2.4 kilowatts and features two covered 110-volt outlets located inside the truck bed.

New standard safety features include:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward Collision Warning-Plus
• ParkSense front/rear park assist
• New Drowsy Driver Detection
• Traffic Sign Recognition
• Active Lane Management
• 360-degree surround-view camera with trailer reverse guidance view provides a single display screen
• View of both sides of a trailer to assist drivers in maneuvering towing setups

Ram Lineup and Pricing

For 2025, the Ram Heavy Duty lineup includes Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Rebel, Power Wagon, Limited Longhorn and Limited models.

The Ram Heavy Duty lineup is built in Saltillo, Mexico, and is scheduled to arrive in dealerships this quarter.

2025 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty pricing starts at $47,560, including destination.

Ram 3500 Heavy Duty pricing starts at $48,565, including destination.

Ram Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

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