2026 RAM HD is one of our favorite heavy-duty vehicles because it has strong engine options, a high towing and payload capacity, and a smooth and quiet ride. The 2500 got a big makeover for 2025. It now has a new version of the famous Cummins 6.7-liter turbodiesel engine that makes 430 horsepower and 1,075 lb-ft of torque. There is also a 14.5-inch touchscreen with the newest Uconnect infotainment software.
Updates (August 25, 2025): We have added all the new information on the 2026 Ram HD, which has better stats, a sleek interior, a smooth ride, and the best inline-six diesel engine ever. The price range is $47,875 to $75,630.
The Ram 2500 comes in a range of trim levels, from the basic Tradesman work truck to the high-end Limited and Limited Longhorn variants.
Both the Ram 2500 and 3500 are quite capable vehicles. They are Ram’s two heavy-duty variants. The 2500 can haul a lot of weight and carry big loads, and you can still drive it daily.
The 3500, on the other hand, is built for the most challenging work. It can tow more and carry more than 2500. The 3500 can also come with two rear wheels, which assist in spreading the weight and make it easier to haul.
2026 RAM HD Reviews
Trucks like the 2026 Ram HD are built to do amazing things with their strength, but they also know how to look good, with inside features, materials, and technology that are as good as those in a high-end sedan. Two types of powertrains are available: The basic engine is a 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 with 405 horsepower.
However, serious users will want the 430-horsepower Cummins inline-six diesel, which has 1075 pound-feet of torque and a maximum tow rating of 36,610 pounds. Both come with an eight-speed automatic transmission and two- or four-wheel drive, while the Power Wagon and Rebel come with 4WD as standard.
Lastly, there are three cab sizes: standard, crew, and Mega. This makes selecting the right one for your family or crew easy.
The long-contested heavy-duty truck war continues to heat up following the all-new 2023 Ford Super Duty launch. Stellantis has unveiled the updated 2025 Ram 1500 in several variants over the past few weeks, including the Rebel, Warrior, and RHO, suggesting that upgraded heavy-duty components will soon be coming.
Ford Authority has also spotted the 2026 Ram HD testing in two different forms before the model’s official launch.
The two prototypes, which wear model’s slage covering the front and rear of each truck, consist of a 2026 Ram HD 350 Dally and a Ram HD 2500 Rebel. The Dally is more of a street-legal vehicle, while the Rebel puts a sportier spin on the Ram series’ workhorse.
Despite the C-series’ age, the 2026 Ram HD is slated to get new headlight designs, a minimally redesigned front grille, and some changes to the rear.
The Rebel prototype also features a set of Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires and a new radar panel below the front grille. The interiors of both models are extensively covered, suggesting that certain cabin upgrades are also in the pipeline.
What kind of powertrain changes might be made to the 2026 Ram HD lineup is unclear.
While the Ram 1500 made waves with its switch from a V8 to a new twin-turbocharged Hurricane I-6, previous reports have suggested Stellantis may be looking at a hydrogen alternative for the HD model that could arrive as early as late 2025. For now, it remains to be seen if that will happen.
Our Perspective
The 2026 Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty trucks will likely continue to perform well and receive better technology, focusing on better cabins and towing ability.
The 2026 model year is projected to have a bigger 14.5-inch touchscreen with the newest Uconnect infotainment software, new trims like Longhorn and Limited, and maybe even a new 7.2-liter diesel engine.
Here’s a closer look at what you may eHere’s
- Drive system: The current generation Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel is likely to be used in the 2026 model and may get even better.
- There are rumors that a new 7.2L diesel engine may be available, providing more power and torque.
6.4L Hemi V8: The 6.4L Hemi V8 is also likely an option. - Technology: The 2026 model will likely keep the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which may have remedies for latency problems.
- 14.5-inch Touchscreen: A larger 14.5-inch touchscreen could be supplied.
Wireless communication: It’s expected that wireless phone communication and driving assistance will be standard.
Features and levels of trim:
The Basic Tradesman model is the most basic, while the Limited and Longhorn models are the most opulent.
- Long horns: The Longhorn trim level has high-end touches like leather and wood trim.
- Limited: The Limited trim is the best with real wood, leather seats, and the latest technologies.
- Rebel: The Rebel trim is all about off-road performance, with options like Bilstein shocks and skid plates.
2026 RAM HD Changes and Updates
The 2026 Ram 2500 Redesign and 3500 trucks are mostly the same as the 2025 models but have some new features. The 2500 Black Express and 2500 Warlock trims are also new.
The Black Express is a Crew Cab with a short or long bed and rear- or four-wheel drive. The Warlock is a Crew Cab 4WD short bed. Both are built on the entry-level base model. You can get both with the 6.4-liter gasoline V-8 or the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel.
So far, we know that the 2026 Ram Trucks HD has been spotted experimenting with a new prototype of the revised 2500 HD model. While this prototype is intended for the Rebel class, most cosmetic changes should be seen on other courses of heavy-duty pickups.
For the revised 2500 HD lineup, a launch for the 2026 model year makes the most sense. It would be the most significant modification to the current pickup truck that arrived in 2019.
The camouflage kit shows lighting changes at both ends and a new front fascia design. Specifically for the Rebel, a new grille is also scheduled.
The new grille appears to have a more streamlined look than the existing one (pictured below), following in the footsteps of the smaller Rebel 1500, which also saw its grille cleaned up with its 2025 model year update. It also features reasonably large sensors.
The 2026 Trucks prototype rides on Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac All-Terrain tires, the same type used on the modern Rebel.
Our photographer claims the prototype’s interior also features camouflage gear, suggesting an upgrade to the cabin.
V-8 engines are being prototyped under the Stellantis brand, including Ram’s revised 1500 series, which will be gone by 2025. Even the 1500 TRX, with its Hellcat, has been replaced by Ram’s new 1500 RHO, which has a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-6.
However, the revised 2500 HD should retain its V-8 for now. Its 410-horsepower 6.4-liter V-8 is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The other is a 6.7-liter turbodiesel inline-6 from Cummins, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
READ NEXT: 2026 Jeep Cherokee: The Legendary Full Size SUV Review
2026 Ram HD 7.2L ZF Trucks
During the first half of this year, the Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, and Ram brands all saw their sales plummet; the auto industry went wild trying to figure out why.
Claiming that underperforming brands could be sold or merged with other groups, Stellantis executives dismissed rumors that they might sell Maserati and Chrysler or blamed the regional headquarters executives for the recent disappointing performance.
Their high standards for what’s currently on offer are to blame.
Furthermore, do they believe Dodge will achieve milestone sales with what the Charger doesn’t have, the venerable Hemi V8 under its hood, or with the Hornet, an unstable Alfa Romeo in disguise?
Foesn’tnately, rumors suggest the company is hard at work on the other end of the spectrum; a heavy-duty version is expected to arrive later this year or early 2025 for the 2026 model year, either as a new generation or through a complete refresh.
Reports suggest the big Ram HD could even double its diesel output with a new 7.2-liter Cummins inline-six alongside the current 370-hp and 420-hp 6.7L options, and will retain the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 a bit longer.
In terms of power (around 500 horsepower) and especially in terms of 1,200 lb-ft of torque, the latter could finally match the Ford Super Duty. Of course, take all this with a grain of salt, including installing ZF’s famous eight-speed automatic transmission that should deliver 10% fuel economy and better throttle response.
READ NEXT: 2025 RAM 2500: All-New Update Heavy Duty Truck Review, Specs and Price
The parallel world of automotive CGI is already challenging at work in the imagination of digital car content creators. Based on this new assumption, the good folks at YouTube’s AutoYa info channel have unofficially imagined a CGI rendering of the upcoming 2026 Ram 2500 and YouTube’s heavy-duty models and included these interesting technical details.
The channel’s resident pixel master has chosen to highlight the Ram 2500 and 3500 HD from several angles, including the channel’s conventional color roll and a glimpse at possible interior upgrades. So, what do you think?
2026 RAM HD Interior
Like other pickups, the Ram has a lot of trim levels and cab types, so the quality and quantity of the materials used inside, the amount of passenger space, and the tech features in the cabin can all be very different.
You can choose between a single cab, a roomy four-door Crew Cab, or the huge Mega Cab with the biggest back seat in its class. Ford, Chevy, and GMC also make heavy-duty trucks that are big and comfortable inside, but the Ram has the best inside in the market.
It features details at the luxury car level, incredible comfort, and a clean, modern appearance. The highest trim levels feature high-quality materials.
The Longhorn emblem is hand-branded into the wood on the truck’s upper glovebox door, and the top Longhorn trim has striped wood and gold trim on the dash, doors, and truck’s sges.
There are also many cubbyholes inside the cabin, and the controls are easy to operate. The central console has multiple levels and can hold a laptop with a 15.0-inch screen.
Every Ram HD has standard acoustic glass and active noise cancellation built into the audio system. This makes the truck quiet inside, even the diesel models.
Entertainment and Connectivity
Ram’s heavy-duty trucks have a lot of gear inside, including the newest infotainment systems, that can compete with certain high-end luxury cars and SUVs.
The Ram’s system is easy to use because it has clear menus and prompts. It also reacts swiftly to user actions, and the 4-inch touchscreen is big and in a good spot.
Ram also has a 12.0-inch touchscreen and a 14.5-inch touchscreen, both of which make the inside of the truck look and feel high-tech. There is also a second 10.3-inch display for passengers.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as navigation and a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot, are all part of the infotainment system. The truck’s interior has five USB ports and up to three 115-volt outlets, which can take up to 400 watts to charge the truck’s batteries swiftly.
2026 RAM HD Engine
All variants have a 405-hp 6.4-liter V-8 engine that delivers 429 pound-feet of torque as standard. The Power Wagon only has this engine and transmission and four-wheel drive.
But all the other models also come with a 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel inline-six engine and either rear- or four-wheel drive. The diesel engine comes in two sizes, 2500 and 3500, with 430 horsepower and 1075 pound-feet of torque.
Both gas and diesel engines come with an eight-speed automatic transmission. We drove the new Ram HD pickups and found that the new Cummins diesel engine was fast and smooth. It’s still louder than the V-, but not as loud as it used to be.
Performane
Depending on how the power is set up, we think the Ram HD pickups will reach 60 mph in 6.7 to 8.1 seconds.
2026 RAM HD Payload
The 2025 Ram 3500 can tow up to 36,610 pounds, but only with the diesel engine. It can also carry a maximum load of 7590 pounds, but you have to go with the regular gas engine to do that.
The 2500 model’s diesel engine can tow up to 20,000 pounds, and the gas engine can carry up to 4420 pounds.
2026 RAM HD MPG
The EPA doesn’t measure the fuel efficiency of commercial vehicles like the Ram 2500 and 3500 since their Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR) are in pounds.
We haven’t yet tested the upgraded Cummins engine in the Ram on our real-world highway fuel-economy test. Still, we’ll let you know when we do.
2026 RAM HD Safety
You can add many driver-assistance technologies to the Ram 2500 and 3500. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites include further information regarding the Ram’s crash-test results. Important safety features are:
Standard forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking
Adaptive cruise control is standard. Ram’s can get blind-spot monitoring and a rear cross-traffic alert.
2026 RAM HD Competitor
There aren’t many HD trucks on the market, right? Therefore, the Ford F-250 Super Duty, Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, and GMC Sierra 2500HD are the Ram 2500’s main competitors. Ford offers an optional 7.3-liter gasoline V8 that makes more power and torque than the Ram’s 6.4-liter V8.
Ford also makes a 6.7-liter tu2500 ‘ssel V8 with a lot of power. It has 1,200 lb-ft of torque. GM’s heavy-duty twins also have turbodiesel V8 Rams; they don’t exceed 1,000 lb-ft. The Denali and Denali Ultimate trim levels from GMC feature more opulent materials than the higher-end Ram 2500 trims.
2026 RAM HD Release Date
- Date of Release: Fall 2025
2026 RAM HD Price
The base price of the 2026 Ram HD is $47,875, but it may go up to $75,630 depending on the trim and options. Most serious users are ready to pay extra for the diesel, but the standard 405-hp 6.4-liter gas engine is more than plenty, especially in the 3500.
Before, we liked the 2500 4×4 Crew Cab Laramie the most because it had the best mix of spaciousness, luxury, capabilities, and pricing. That preference still applies, but the new Warlock is hard to resist, especially if you often go off-road.
Even though the Cummins offers more, the gas V-8 is faster around town. Stick with the gas V-8 unless you really need to tow big trailers. Get the limited-slip differential and load-leveling air suspension with the money you save. These will make the Rams’ ride even better.
| Models | Price MSRP |
| Tradesman | $47,875 |
| Lone Star | $51,625 |
| Big Horn | $51,625 |
| Black Express | $53,735 |
| Warlock | $57,165 |
| Laramie | $63,630 |
| Rebel | $70,775 |
| Power Wagon | $74,270 |
| Limited | $75,630 |
| Longhorn | $75,630 |
Verdict
The Ram HD is strong enough; it doesn’t need to beat you up to prove it. The most recent 2026 Ram HD models are predicted to vary significantly in the following years. Both prototypes, which feature the 2026 Ram HD 350 dual, don’t show the Ram HD 2500 Rebel hidden by camouflage covering the front and back of every pickup; they should show changes.
The Dally is more of a regular vehicle; the Rebel gives the formidable Ram lineup some sportiness. The0. The HD will have the 2026adlight design, redesigned front grille, and some rear changes. We’ll keep you updated with more developments regarding the 2026 RAM HD, so bookmark our website for more RAM HD news and coverage of exciting RAM information.
FAQs: People also ask about the RAM HD 2026
Q: What are the changes for Ram in 2026?
A: The modifications to the 2026 Ram include the return of the V8 Hemi engine for the Ram 1500 and the addition of new trim levels, such as the value-focused Express for the 1500 and the off-road-oriented Warlock for the 2500/3500 Heavy Duty versions. The Ram Heavy Duty lineup has better infotainment and payload capability, and the 1500 lineup gets new powertrain options and technology enhancements.
Q: When can you order 2026 Ram 2500?
A: You can currently order the 2026 Ram 2500 Black Express and Warlock variants. Orders commenced on or around June 30, 2025. The third quarter of 2025 is when deliveries for these models are set to start.
Q: Will the 2025 Ram 2500 be redesigned?
A: The Ram 2500 has been modified for 2025, and the optional diesel inline-six engine has been improved, which should make it work better. The outside and inside are also getting new styles and tech, such an infotainment screen that may be as big as 14.5 inches!
