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If you’re in the market for a heavy-duty truck, you’re likely wondering which is the better choice: Ram 2500 vs Ford F-250. Our article directly tackles the performance, durability, and value of these two industry giants to equip you with the knowledge to make an informed choice tailored to your demands.
The Ford F-250 and Ram 2500 both offer powerful engines and impressive towing capacities, but the Ford’s diesel engine has a higher torque which is advantageous for heavy towing tasks.
Both trucks showcase high build quality and durability, with the Ram 2500 distinguished by its ride quality due to its coil springs and optional air suspension, while the Ford’s aluminum body contributes to a lighter construction that may enhance fuel efficiency and payload capacity.
The Ram 2500 typically scores higher in interior quality and usability features, but the Ford F-250 comes out strong in its towing capabilities and various off-road oriented packages, though it may fall short in terms of innovative utility features.
The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty and the 2023 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty are formidable contenders in the arena of heavy-duty trucks. Both these heavy duty truck models come loaded with robust capabilities, making them a popular choice among truck enthusiasts and commercial users alike. But when it comes to choosing between the two, a multitude of factors come into play.
From power and performance to cost, reliability, safety, and more, this thorough comparison will assist you in making an informed decision about your site connection.
Both the Ford F-250 and Ram 2500 boast powerful engines, which are the heart of any truck. The Ford F-250 offers a base 385-horsepower 6.2-liter V8, and two more engine choices: a 430-horsepower 7.3-liter V8 and a 475-horsepower 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V8.
On the other hand, the Ram 2500 comes with a standard 410-horsepower 6.4-liter V8 and an optional 370-horsepower 6.7-liter turbocharged diesel six-cylinder engine. Both trucks deliver competitive torque, but the Ford F-250’s 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine takes the lead with a whopping 1,050 lb.-ft., making it a strong contender for heavy-duty towing tasks.
Both trucks offer impressive figures in terms of towing and payload capacities. The Ram 2500 boasts a maximum towing capacity of 20,000 pounds, while the gasoline engine variant can tow up to 16,880 pounds. The Ford F-250’s gasoline V8 engines in a crew-cab body style have a maximum towing capacity of 15,000 pounds, with diesel engine configurations capable of towing up to 20,000 pounds, and a maximum conventional towing capacity of 24,200 pounds.
Both trucks offer unique towing technologies and packages, such as:
Ram 2500’s fifth-wheel/gooseneck towing prep package
Ford F-250’s class-exclusive Trailer Reverse Guidance technology
Ford F-250’s Snow Plow Prep Package
Having covered power and towing capacities, it’s time to shift focus to the driving experience. Both trucks offer rear-wheel drive as standard with the option of four-wheel drive, and configurations with single or dual rear wheels are available. The Ford F-250 is characterized by light steering and firm handling, while the Ram 2500 stands out with its confident steering and more modern driving feedback.
Further setting the Ram 2500 apart is its superior ride quality, thanks to its coil springs and the availability of air suspension. Additionally, the Ram 2500 enjoys a smaller turning radius when compared to the Ford F-250, indicating superior maneuverability.
Not only their performance capabilities but also the design and durability significantly contribute to the appeal of these heavy-duty trucks. The Ford F-250 employs aluminum body panels, known for their resilience and durability. Reports from users suggest these panels withstand typical use without punctures or warping.
In contrast, the Ram 2500 uses a frame constructed with high-strength steel at 50,000 PSI, providing greater rigidity, improved ride and handling, and reduced noise vibration. Both materials offer unique advantages, with Ford’s aluminum providing a lighter overall weight, and Ram’s steel offering superior durability and rigidity.
The exterior aesthetics of both trucks are a blend of ruggedness and sophistication. The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty showcases:
An expressive front end with a newly designed grille
Muscular sculpted hood
Redesigned front grilles and headlamps
LED headlamps available on all trim levels, enhancing the truck’s front aesthetic and visibility.
At the rear, stylish wraparound LED taillamps and a newly embossed tailgate elevate its overall exterior design.
Both the Ford F-250 and Ram 2500 exhibit high build quality through their choice of materials, reflecting their durability. The aluminum body of the Ford F-250 has shown resilience in damage tests, with heavy items causing minor dents but no punctures. Also, corrosion issues are notably absent among F-250 owners.
On the other hand, the steel body of the Ram 2500 undergoes rigorous testing simulations and incorporates updated safety features to enhance its durability. Despite the difference in materials, both trucks are designed to endure rigorous use while minimizing maintenance concerns.
Transitioning from the exterior to the interior, both the Ford F-250 and Ram 2500 provide cabins that are spacious and luxurious. The Ford F-250 provides up to 43.6 inches of rear legroom, while the Ram 2500 has greater headroom and legroom than the F-250 in the extended cab. Both trucks offer roomy cabins with ample space for all passengers, and while the Ford F-250 offers slightly more seating capacity, the Ram 2500 provides extra legroom in its Mega Cab configuration.
In terms of overall interior quality, the Ram 2500 shines, especially in its higher trims that feature a more pronounced luxurious feel and advanced technology features.
Both trucks provide ample seating and space, each offering its unique features. The Ford F-250 offers luxurious seating options in its King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trims. These trims feature:
High-quality leather seats
Unique elements such as Kingsville Antique Affect leather seats
Heated rear seats
An Admiral Blue premium luxury leather-wrapped steering wheel
These features, combined with a panoramic sunroof that extends to the back seats, create a spacious and comfortable cabin environment.
Connectivity and infotainment systems have become key components of a vehicle’s interior in the digital age. Both trucks come equipped with advanced infotainment systems, the Ford F-250 featuring the SYNC® 3 system and the Ram 2500 featuring the Uconnect® system. The Ram 2500 offers the Uconnect 5C NAV infotainment system with options for an 8.4-inch or a 12-inch touchscreen, while the Ford F-250 XLT trim features the Ford SYNC® 3 infotainment system as standard equipment.
For music lovers, both trucks offer premium sound systems, with the Ram 2500 Limited trim featuring a 17-speaker Harman Kardon® Premium Sound system, and the Ford F-250 King Ranch trim offering an 18-speaker B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen.
In addition to seating comfort and infotainment, storage solutions play a crucial role in a truck’s cabin. The Ford F-250 offers more cargo space in the bed compared to the Ram 2500. However, the Ram 2500 makes up for this with unique storage solutions like:
Under-seat storage
In-floor Ram bins
Cargo racks
The option of a Paramount Tailgate Table and LED Trailer Hitch Light.
The Ford F-250 and Ram 2500 both offer smart storage solutions, making them versatile for both work and leisure.
When choosing a vehicle, safety is of paramount importance. Both the Ford F-250 and the Ram 2500 are equipped with advanced safety and driver-assistance features. The Ram 2500 includes features like:
Adaptive Cruise Control, which helps maintain a safe following distance
Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking, designed to prevent potential frontal collisions
LaneSense Lane Departure Warning, which alerts the driver when the vehicle starts to drift out of its lane
These features, including android auto and automatic emergency braking, enhance safety and provide an experience safe for the driver, giving them peace of mind with secure checking and secure proceeding.
The Ford F-250, on the other hand, incorporates advanced safety features, including Trailer Reverse Guidance and Ford Co-Pilot360TM technologies, to aid drivers in various driving situations.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the Ram 2500 with 4 out of 5 stars for overall safety, while the Ford F-250 is yet to be evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
It’s important to note that both trucks are equipped with a range of safety features designed to protect passengers and enhance the overall safety of the vehicle.
Beyond safety features, both trucks implement driver-assistance technologies, heightening the ease of driving. The Ram 2500, for instance, enhances towing safety with its available cargo-view camera, enabling drivers to have a clear view of their cargo bed.
On the other hand, the Ford F-250 offers Trailer Reverse Guidance, which aids in the backing of trailers using cameras and on-screen visuals, and predictive camera views to support driving and towing maneuvers, with the help of third party sources.
The range of a vehicle’s trims and customization options often mirrors the manufacturer’s dedication to meet diverse customer needs and preferences. Both the Ford F-250 and Ram 2500 offer a variety of trims and customization options.
The Ford F-250 provides customization through off-road oriented packages including the XL Off-Road package, the FX4 Off-Road package, and the Tremor Off-Road package, while the Ram 2500 offers the Rebel and Power Wagon trims specifically designed for off-road driving.
The Ford F-250 and Ram 2500 provide a wide range of trims, from basic to luxury options. The Ram 2500 range starts with the functional Tradesman and ascends through:
Big Horn/Lone Star
Laramie
Limited Longhorn
to the pinnacle Limited trim.
The Ford F-250 offers the Lariat trim as a blend of luxury and power, with the premium Limited trim outfitted with the famed 6.7L Power Stroke® Turbo Diesel and a robust 10-speed TorqShift® automatic transmission.
Notably, the Ram 2500 Power Wagon stands out as an off-road-focused trim that doesn’t sacrifice luxury, featuring leather seating amid its rugged capabilities.
A wealth of personalization options is available for both trucks. The Ford F-250 can be outfitted with various appearance packages including the STX, Black, and Sport Appearance Packages, while the Ram 2500 offers the Night Edition package, which includes black exterior accents and black aluminum wheels for a sleek look.
Luxurious interior customization options include:
Leather seats
Wood trim
Model-specific features like the wireless charging pad in the Ram 2500 Limited
The Pro Power Onboard feature in the Ford F-250’s King Ranch trim.
When choosing between two vehicles, the cost of ownership weighs considerably. While the Ford F-250 has a lower MSRP than the Ram 2500, making it the more affordable option initially, other factors such as fuel economy, maintenance, and repair costs also come into play.
It’s important to note that the EPA does not provide fuel economy estimates for the Ford F-250 and Ram 2500 due to their classification as heavy-duty trucks.
In terms of pricing, the Ford F-250 has a lower starting price. The base trim for the Ford F-250, the XL, comes equipped with a 6.2L Flex Fuel V8 engine and Ford Co-Pilot360™ as standard features. However, while the Ford F-250 may have a lower starting price, it’s also crucial to consider the standard features and capabilities of each truck when evaluating their overall value.
Apart from the initial purchase price, other long-term considerations like fuel efficiency, repairability, and maintenance are crucial in determining the total cost of ownership. As previously noted, official EPA fuel economy estimates for heavy-duty trucks like the Ford F-250 and Ram 2500 are not available. Therefore, it’s important to consider other factors such as the trucks’ powertrains, weight, and aerodynamics when estimating potential fuel costs.
A detailed comparison of the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty and the 2023 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty clearly shows that both trucks bring robust capabilities and impressive features to the table. The Ford F-250’s diesel engine offers higher torque output advantageous for heavy towing tasks, while the Ram 2500 boasts unique towing capabilities and the convenient RamBox storage system.
In terms of interior quality, the Ram 2500 stands out, especially in its higher trims. However, the Ford F-250 has some advantages:
Its aluminum body contributes to a lighter vehicle with potentially enhanced fuel efficiency and towing capability
It may have better off-road capabilities
It has a higher payload capacity
On the other hand, the aluminum body of the Ford F-250 poses challenges in repairability.
According to Edmunds ratings, the Ram 2500 secures the highest overall score, outperforming in categories such as interior quality, ride smoothness, and usability features. Though slightly trailing, the Ford F-250 offers impressive interior configurations and peak towing capacities but falls short in innovative utility features when compared to the Ram.
In conclusion, both the Ford F-250 and Ram 2500 are formidable contenders in the world of heavy-duty trucks, each bringing their unique strengths and capabilities to the table. Whether you prioritize power, performance, design, durability, comfort, safety features, trim options, or cost of ownership, both trucks have plenty to offer. However, the choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. So, whether you’re a rugged outdoorsman, a hardworking contractor, or just a truck enthusiast, it’s clear that both the Ford F-250 and Ram 2500 have something to offer you.
The most reliable heavy duty truck is the GMC Sierra 3500HD, followed by the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD, both scoring over 9 out of 10 for reliability. These trucks are highly rated for dependability.
The Ford equivalent to the RAM 2500 is the Ford F-250. While they are comparable in price, the RAM 2500 offers some advantages over the Ford F-250 that make it a worthwhile purchase.
The best 2500 diesel truck to buy would be the Dodge Ram 2500, Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, Ford F-250 Super Duty, or Nissan Titan XD, as they are known for their long-lasting performance and durability, making them excellent choices in the competitive HD truck market.
The Ford F-250 offers a 6.2-liter V8, 7.3-liter V8, and 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V8 engines, while the Ram 2500 comes with a 6.4-liter V8 and an optional 6.7-liter turbocharged diesel six-cylinder engine. Choose based on your power and fuel efficiency needs.
The Ford F-250 has a maximum towing capacity of 20,000 pounds with its diesel engine configurations, and a maximum conventional towing capacity of 24,200 pounds, while the Ram 2500 can tow up to 20,000 pounds.