Is a RAM 2500 a Good Daily Driver? (+RAM 1500, RAM 3500)
The comfortable seats, quiet cabin, and reasonable ride quality make the Ram 2500 an acceptable option for daily driving.
Still, some of its downsides should make you sit up and take notice because heavy-duty trucks are utilitarian, first and foremost.
RAM 2500’s Positives as a Daily Driver
#1 Comfortable Ride (for a Truck)
Trucks are traditionally rugged vehicles, and although many models have become friendlier in the comfort department, most are still average daily drivers at best.
However, standing out among the horde of workhorses is the Ram 1500, one of the most comfortable-riding trucks on the road – the other being the Honda Ridgeline.
The ride in its larger sibling, the Ram 2500, isn’t as refined, but it’s close, squelching road ruts and imperfections reasonably well.
Crucially, the Ram 2500 isn’t as stiff-riding as most other heavy-duty pickups.
The cabin is relatively quiet, with little wind and road noise even on the highway, except for the diesel model, which emits a constant drone on the highway, although it isn’t a great deal noisier.
Both the front and back seats are comfortable, well-padded, and well-bolstered with lots of adjustments.
Visibility is a non-issue with the large windows and relatively low beltline.
#2 Impressive Towing and Hauling Ability
If the light-duty Ram 1500 is insufficient to meet your payload and towing demands, the heavy-duty Ram 2500 will more than adequately step up to the plate.
Its stout capabilities include up to 4,000 pounds of payload and 20,000 pounds of trailer towing ability, depending on the trim level.
The Ram 2500, with the optional Cummins diesel engine, comes into its own when climbing, towing, or hauling; the diesel-powered model produces a monumental 1,000 pound-feet of torque.
The 3500 is the most capable of the Ram lineup, but the 2500 is up to most tasks you could ask of it.
#3 Reasonably Strong Resale Value
Aside from the Toyota Tundra, which leads the full-size segment in value retention, the Ram 2500 heads the heavy-duty category.
Ram 2500s shed approximately 39% of their value after five years and 64% after ten years.
See the comparison with other trucks below:
| 5-yr Depreciation | 10-yr Depreciation | |
| Toyota Tundra | 39% | 59% |
| Ram 2500 | 39% | 64% |
| GMC Sierra 2500HD | 43% | 67% |
| Ford F-250 Super Duty | 45% | 63% |
| Chevy Silverado 2500HD | 45% | 65% |
That said, a used car’s resale value is also condition-dependent.
RAM 2500’s Negatives as a Daily Driver
#4 (Expectedly) Poor Fuel Economy
Heavy-duty trucks are exempt from EPA fuel economy ratings.
However, real-world data from Fuelly.com shows that the heavy-duty Ram 2500 averages 13.6 mpg and 14.6 mpg combined for the most-recent ten model years.
Rivals in the heavy-duty division – Sierra 2500HD, Ford F-250, and Silverado 2500HD – fare just as poorly, barely hitting 15 mpg combined.
In comparison, light-duty full-size trucks like the Ford F-150 achieve close to 20 mpg, and Toyota Tundra returns 19-mpg in mixed driving.
Comparing like-for-like, the light-duty Ram 1500 in the past ten model years achieved between 14.2 mpg and 19.5 mpg – a little less than its direct competitors.
Although pickup truck owners generally accept the low gas mileage, the more fuel-efficient light-duty trucks are worth considering if you don’t need the excess capacity of the heavy-duty ones.
#5 Hulking Size
Large, heavy-duty pickups like the 2500 aren’t for most drivers.
Unless you have towing and hauling-focused duties for this daily driver, the Ram 2500’s dimensions mean parking in a crowded space will be tricky, requiring careful maneuvering.
If you don’t need its capabilities, the Ram 1500 will serve you better.
#6 Mediocre Crash Safety
The Ford F-150, one of America’s best-selling full-size pickups, is an appropriate benchmark.
NHTSA awarded four out of five stars overall to the Ram 2500 and the full five stars to the F-150.
| 2022 Ram 2500 | 2022 Ford F-150 | |
| Overall Rating | 4/5 stars | 5/5 stars |
| Frontal Crash | 4/5 stars | 5/5 stars |
| Side Crash | 5/5 stars | 5/5 stars |
| Rollover | 4/5 stars | 4/5 stars |
This drawback is nowhere near a dealbreaker, but the F-150 is a safer vehicle that reflects current safety standards.
#7 Exorbitant Upkeep
Maintenance is a significant component of a vehicle’s running costs.
Regrettably, the Ram 2500 is prohibitively expensive to maintain, costing $1,070 per year, according to RepairPal – above the segment average.
See the year-to-year maintenance costs comparison below:
| Year | Annual Costs (Sierra 2500HD) | Annual Costs (Silverado 2500HD) | Annual Costs (Ford F-250) | Annual Costs (Ram 2500) |
| 1 | $471 | $514 | $523 | $811 |
| 2 | $545 | $599 | $609 | $965 |
| 3 | $663 | $733 | $746 | $1,210 |
| 4 | $851 | $947 | $965 | $1,602 |
| 5 | $1,007 | $1,126 | $1,147 | $1,928 |
| 6 | $1,252 | $1,407 | $1,434 | $2,441 |
| 7 | $1,751 | $1,976 | $2,015 | $3,481 |
| 8 | $1,949 | $2,203 | $2,247 | $3,895 |
| 9 | $2,133 | $2,413 | $2,462 | $4,280 |
| 10 | $2,407 | $2,726 | $2,781 | $4,851 |
| 11 | $2,442 | $2,766 | $2,822 | $4,924 |
| 12 | $2,735 | $3,101 | $3,164 | $5,536 |
Other Ram Truck Models & Trims:
Daily Driving a Ram 2500 Power Wagon
The Power Wagon offers massive off-road capability that most 2500 trims cannot.
It shares the same powertrain as the other Ram 2500 models.
Still, the Power Wagon carries extensive mechanical upgrades that include aggressive all-terrain tires, off-road shock absorbers, and locking front and rear differentials, making it comparatively less suitable for daily use.
Further, those enhancements come at a considerably steeper price than the standard trim.
But if its capabilities match your needs and you live outside crowded city areas, the burly Power Wagon could work as an everyday vehicle.
Daily Driving a Ram 2500 Cummins
The turbodiesel in the Ram 2500 Cummins makes 400-hp and, crucially, a robust 1,000 lb-ft of torque at a relatively low 1,800 rpm, giving it an enormous pulling strength rating of 35,000 pounds.
Unless you need its otherworldly capability, daily driving a Ram 2500 Cummins is overkill because the excessive power output on an empty truck can be challenging to control on slippery pavements.
Daily Driving a Ram 1500
Daily driving a Ram 1500 is a straightforward choice: its distinctive coil-spring rear suspension offers smooth on-road driving manners, and wind and road noise are well muted.
The Ram 1500 is one of the most comfortable daily drivers among light-duty pickups.
Its electrified and diesel powertrains also return impressive fuel economy compared to segment rivals.
Daily Driving a Ram 3500
Ram 3500 takes the 2500’s superior abilities and pushes them to record-breaking limits among heavy-duty trucks.
Suppose you can take advantage of its numerical supremacies, then the seat and ride comfort would make the Ram 3500 a justifiable daily driver.
The Limited trim is the most luxurious and technologically advanced version of the Ram 3500.
RAM Trucks Comparisons
RAM 2500 vs. RAM 1500 as a Daily Driver
Table Guide:
- Engine: base trim; +drivetrain; MHEV=mild hybrid.
- Fuel Economy: mpg combined (base trim).
- Maintenance Costs: per year avg. (RepairPal).
- Visibility: excellent, good, average, poor.
- Ride Comfort: excellent, good, average, poor.
| Engine | Horsepower | Fuel Econ. | Fuel Type | Maint. Costs | Visibility | Ride Comfort | Tow Max | |
| Ram 2500 | 6.4L-V8-4WD | 410-hp | 14-mpg | Regular | $1,070 | Good | Good | 20,000-lbs |
| Ram 1500 | 3.6L-V6-4WD–MHEV | 305-hp | 21-mpg | Regular | $691 | Good | Excellent | 11,520-lbs |
The Ram 2500 is the more heavy-duty of the two and is the logical choice for obvious reasons.
But if all you need is a light-duty truck, the Ram 1500 trumps the Ram 2500 in daily driving with a more fuel-efficient mild-hybrid powertrain, excellent levels of comfort and tranquility, and cheaper upkeep.
RAM 2500 vs. RAM 3500 as a Daily Driver
Table Guide:
- Engine: base trim; +drivetrain; MHEV=mild hybrid.
- Fuel Economy: mpg combined (base trim).
- Maintenance Costs: per year avg. (RepairPal).
- Visibility: excellent, good, average, poor.
- Ride Comfort: excellent, good, average, poor.
| Engine | Horsepower | Fuel Econ. | Fuel Type | Maint. Costs | Visibility | Ride Comfort | Tow Max | |
| Ram 2500 | 6.4L-V8-4WD | 410-hp | 14-mpg | Regular | $1,070 | Good | Good | 20,000-lbs |
| Ram 3500 | 6.4L-V8-4WD | 410-hp | 13-mpg | Regular | $1,279 | Good | Good | 24,150-lbs |
Both are relatively comfortable daily drivers among trucks; opt for the Ram 3500 if you need more heavy-duty performance.
However, the Ram 2500 is cheaper to maintain than the 3500 and is the more sensible choice for everyday use.
An impressively torquey diesel engine is available in the Ram 2500 Cummins should you require extra towing power.
RAM 2500 Power Wagon vs. Ford F-150 Raptor as a Daily Driver
Table Guide:
- Engine: base trim; T=turbo; +drivetrain.
- Fuel Economy: mpg combined (base trim).
- Maintenance Costs: per year avg. (RepairPal).
- Visibility: excellent, good, average, poor.
- Ride Comfort: excellent, good, average, poor.
| Engine | Horsepower | Fuel Econ. | Fuel Type | Maint. Costs | Visibility | Ride Comfort | Tow Max | |
| Ram 2500 Power Wagon | 6.4L-V8-4WD | 410-hp | 13-mpg | Regular | $1,070 | Good | Good | 10,590-lbs |
| Ford Raptor | 3.5L-V6-T–4WD | 450-hp | 16-mpg | Regular | $788+ | Good | Good | 8,200-lbs |
These are the two most off-road-capable trucks of their respective brands.
Suppose your daily driver goes off-roading as much as it stays on the pavement; the Ford Raptor edges the Ram 2500 Power Wagon as the better choice for everyday use, with slightly better multi-terrain capability and stronger fuel economy.
Should you need a solid work truck to drive daily, the Power Wagon beats the Raptor with higher towing and hauling abilities while maintaining agreeable on-road ride quality.
But if all you need is a light-duty full-size truck that offers one of the most comfortable rides, go with the Ram 1500.
References:
https://www.ramtrucks.com/models
https://repairpal.com/reliability/ram/2500
https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2022/RAM/RAM%2525202500%252520CREW%252520CAB/PU%25252FCC/4WD
