2020 Ram 2500 – Defiance, OH

Ram 2500 Trim Breakdown

The 2020 Ram 2500 comes in six different trims, making the possibilities for customization endless. The standard model is the Tradesman with an MSRP of $33,895. It has work grade vinyl seats and easy-to-clean molded doors. Cloth seats are available as an option. The next trim, Big Horn, has an MSRP of $37,995. Cloth seats are standard, with your choice of bucket or bench seats. The Bighorn also features Active Noise Cancellation and acoustic laminated glass. And the Tradesman and Big Horn are both two-door Regular Cab with Crew Cab available. 

The Laramie is the next step up and features LED exterior lighting and leather-trimmed seats. The MSRP for the Laramie is $49,550. The Power Wagon is the off-road model of the 2020 Ram 2500 and has an MSRP of $53,550. This trim has off-road specific features such as a front disconnecting sway bar, front and rear axle lockers, and a 12,000-pound WARN winch. And the interior features durable vinyl seats. 

The Laramie Longhorn comes next in the lineup and has an MSRP of $56,950. The Laramie Longhorn has a Southwest style reflected in its seats with alligator-embossed leather and real wood accents. The top-of-the-line 2020 Ram 2500 is the Limited, with an MSRP of $61,650. The interior features 100% leather seats with real wood and aluminum accents, and driving it feels like pure luxury.  

Engine Options

There are two engine options for the 2020 Ram 2500. The standard engine is a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 that provides 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque. This is a powerful engine, so much so that it is quite surprising for a truck of its size. But the proof is in the numbers; it really is that powerful. But the offerings get even better.

For those who want more torque for trailering, Ram offers an extraordinary diesel engine option. The 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel I6 produces 370 hp and an astounding 850 lb-ft of torque. This should give you the ability to tow even your most massive trailer, which is a good reason on its own to consider buying a heavy-duty truck like the 2020 Ram 2500.

Two Different Transmissions

Ram offers two transmissions on the Ram 2500, depending on which engine you choose. The Hemi V8 gas engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission while the Cummins Turbo Diesel continues to be paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Both transmissions do their jobs and are sufficient for the Ram 2500 to perform all the driving, trailering, and hauling tasks you give your truck. 

Towing with the Ram 2500

The maximum towing capacity on the 2020 Ram 2500 is an incredible 19,680 pounds when the truck has a 4x2 drivetrain and features the Cummins Turbo Diesel engine. And the maximum towing capacity is a still-impressive 15,040 pounds with the standard HEMI V8 engine. While both numbers are impressive, it is true that drivers who need to tow heavy trailers should consider going with the optional Turbo Diesel. 

As with most trailering, a great deal depends on the configuration of the truck. For example, the 2020 Ram 2500 Power Wagon, which only comes in a 4x4 drivetrain, has a maximum towing capacity of 10,350 pounds. Similarly, the Limited, Laramie Longhorn, and Laramie can tow between 14,120 and 14,550 pounds with a 4x2 drivetrain. And this is less than the 15,040 pounds on the Tradesman and Big Horn with 4x2 drivetrains. No matter which trim and configuration you pick, you will get good towing capacity, but it will vary - so that is something to keep in mind.

Space Inside the Ram 2500

Depending on whether you buy your 2020 Ram 2500 with a regular cab or a crew cab, you will be getting plenty of space for you and your passengers. As I said, this is not one of those old heavy-duty trucks. The Ram 2500 gives you the power and ruggedness you need in a heavy-duty truck with the creature comforts you want to make driving more fun. 

The Tradesman and Big Horn with regular cab seat up to three passengers, and provide 62 cubic feet of passenger space. The Regular Cab has one row of seats, with you and your passengers enjoying 39.8 inches of headroom, 40.9 inches of legroom, 62.9 inches of hip room, and 65.9 inches of shoulder room. 

The Ram 2500 with a crew cab has even more passenger space. With 125 cubic feet of passenger room, there is enough space for six to be seated in the truck's two rows. Front-row passengers will enjoy 40.9 inches of headroom, 40.9 inches of legroom, 62.9 inches of hip room, and 65.9 inches of shoulder room, while rear-seat passengers appreciate 39.8 inches of headroom, 40.2 inches of legroom, 62.7 inches of hip room, and 65.6 inches of shoulder room. With that much space, you won't have to worry about your passengers fighting over the shotgun seat because every seat will provide comfort. 

Infotainment for Entertainment 

The 2020 Ram 2500 features the exceptional Uconnect infotainment system. This combines the truck's information systems with several entertainment features in one easy-to-use color touchscreen. These features include Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, Siri Eyes Free, 4G Wi-Fi Hotspot, and SiriusXM Satellite Radio. There are also two USB ports. The standard screen size on the Ram 2500 is 8.4 inches, with an optional 12-inch screen available on certain trims. This is the largest available screen size available for any full-size truck. 

Adding to the premium driving experience, the Tradesman trim has a 4-speaker sound system. This goes up to 6-speakers on the Big Horn, and Power Wagon trims. The Laramie, Laramie Longhorn, and Limited have a full 10-speaker sound system. And lastly, a 17-speaker Harmon Kardon Premium Audio System available on the Limited trim. This is the highest number of speakers on any truck in the 2020 Ram 2500's class. With all these features, it won't be long before you and your passengers have so much fun, you forget you're supposed to be doing work in your heavy-duty truck.

Loading Up Cargo

If part of your motivation to buy a heavy-duty truck is its cargo capacity, then a great deal will depend on the Ram 2500 truck's payload box in deciding which trim level to choose. The Tradesman, Big Horn, and Limited all come equipped with an 8-foot box, which provides 74.7 cubic feet of storage space. In addition, the Tradesman has a cargo capacity of 4,010 pounds, the largest of the trims, while the Big Horn has a cargo capacity of 3,940 pounds, and the Limited has a capacity of 3,100 pounds. 

The smaller 6-foot 4-inch box on the Laramie, Laramie Limited and Power Wagon provides 61.5 cubic feet of space for cargo. As a result, the maximum cargo capacity is 3,530 pounds on the Laramie, 3,350 on the Laramie Limited, and 1,500 on the Power Wagon. All of these numbers are sufficient, but as with towing, the numbers vary, so it will be important to pay specific attention to trim if cargo space and weight capacities are essential to your purchase.