2027 Dodge RAM 3500: Ram Confirms Long-Awaited Midsize Truck Coming in 2027. Ram will return to the segment it left in 2011. It will build a new vehicle at its Belvidere, Illinois, plant, which has been closed since 2023.
Updates (March 15, 2026): We’ve just updated the latest details on the 2027 Ram Power Wagon, now finally offering a Cummins diesel with exceptional torque. The new model is set to go on sale in the second half of 2026, with diesel versions starting at $88,470.
For years, there have been rumors that Ram would return to the midsize truck market, which it left when Dodge stopped making the Dakota in 2011. It was said that dealers were given a concept for an all-electric midsize truck in 2023. Soon after, a gasoline-powered Rampage that had been sold in Brazil was seen testing on U.S. roads. It’s now official: Ram will make a new midsize pickup truck, and production should start within the next two years.
Stellantis, the corporation that owns Ram, confirmed the change in a message that said production would start up again at its Belvidere, Illinois, plant, according to AN. Illinois Senator Dick Durbin repeated the claim on social media. Car and Driver also contacted Ram to confirm, and a representative responded, “We will stick to the schedule set out in the 2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement for a 2027 launch.” We plan to use our multi-energy strategy (ICE, PHEV, and BEV) to its fullest with this new midsize vehicle.
The Belvidere plant has been closed since February 2023, but it will return to make a new midsize truck and bring back about 1,500 UAW-represented workers. The United Auto Workers (UAW) say that manufacture of the vehicle will begin in 2027, although Stellantis documents don’t give a date for when this would happen.
In late 2023, when Stellantis and the UAW agreed to stop a huge union strike, we first heard about the prospect of a new Ram mid-size car at Belvidere. This led to the disclosure of documents that showed Stellantis’ production plan. The plant made the Jeep Cherokee until it stopped making them in 2023. In 2019, there were roughly 5,000 workers there, but only 1,350 remained when manufacturing stopped.
There isn’t much information on the truck itself. It will, however, have a number of powertrain choices, including as gasoline, electric, and plug-in hybrid models. It probably isn’t done yet because it will take about two years to make. We think that the unnamed midsize truck will be built with body-on-frame construction, probably a shorter version of the STLA Frame platform that supports the Ram 1500 Ramcharger plug-in hybrid and the new electric Ram 1500 REV.
Last year, Stellantis went into detail about their body-on-frame platform, which can hold cars with wheelbases between 123.7 and 145.3 inches. The Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, and Chevy Colorado are all midsize trucks that compete with Ram. Over the next three years, more information regarding Ram’s midsize truck will come out.
- Automotive News was the first to say that Ram will start making a new midsize truck in 2027.
- The truck will be made in Belvidere, Illinois, at a site that hasn’t been used since Jeep Cherokee production stopped in 2023.
- A Stellantis official told Car & Driver that the new mid-size car will have electric, gas, and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
2027 Dodge RAM 3500 Reviews
People who love trucks and work in the car business have been asking the same question for years: When will Ram bring back their midsize pickup truck? We finally have a clear explanation, thanks to Antonio Filosa, the CEO of Stellantis. Filosa stated in a casual conversation at the Kepler Cheuvreux Fall Conference on Thursday that Ram’s much anticipated midsize truck will officially be available in 2027.
This is a big step forward for Ram because it fills a hole in the lineup that has been there since the Dodge Dakota went out of production in 2011. This is the first time Stellantis leaders have given a clear schedule for the new pickup, even though there have been whispers about it for years. Filosa says that this truck isn’t just arriving; it’s going to make a statement.
A Look Behind the Curtain
Filosa said that he had the chance to see more than just the truck’s sketches recently. “I saw the truck in person two weeks ago at our design center in Detroit. I saw the sketches and designs as well as the clay model,” he stated. “And it was so pretty.”
He even joked with investors, telling them to come to Detroit to witness it for themselves, but they couldn’t bring their phones or cameras. He quipped, “If you want to come to Detroit, we’ll show you without phones and cameras, and you’ll be amazed.” This level of confidence shows how crucial this car is to Ram’s future.
Filling the Gap Left by the Classic Ram 1500
The Ram 1500 Classic will no longer be made after October 2024. This means that Ram won’t have any trucks that are truly economical around $40,000. This leaves a big hole in the lineup, especially as the costs of full-size pickups are going up.
Tim Kuniskis, the CEO of Ram, has said that this new midsize truck will be a spiritual successor to the Classic. It will be a cheap way for people to get into the Ram brand. This midrange alternative is perfect for anyone who can’t afford a new Ram 1500 right now.
The Right Way to Build: Body-on-Frame
During its EV Day presentation in 2021, Stellantis shocked a lot of people by saying that its midsize truck would employ a unibody chassis like the STLA Large. People who buy regular trucks didn’t like this notion since they want trucks that are really tough and useful.
MoparInsiders.com has now confirmed through its sources that Ram’s midsize truck will have a body-on-frame (BoF) architecture, which is the same strong base that the Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, and Toyota Tacoma use. This choice makes sure that Ram will be a strong competitor in this market, instead of following in the footsteps of the Honda Ridgeline, which is a lifestyle truck.
Where will it be built?
Stellantis first said that the truck will be made at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois, which had never been used before. But there are murmurs in the industry that a final decision hasn’t been made yet. The Toledo plant, which makes the Jeep® Wrangler and Gladiator, or even Warren Truck, which isn’t using all of its BoF capability, are other options.
If production moves out of Belvidere, Stellantis will have more options because the plant will be able to make unibody vehicles. But Belvidere is still a good possibility, especially because the present administration is focused on making cars in the US.
Lessons from the Past and a Look Ahead
Dodge had a hard time selling the Dakota last time because it was too big and too expensive compared to the Ram 1500. People thought it was a better deal to upgrade to a full-size truck with a HEMI® engine. But things have changed. The average price of a half-ton pickup truck has gone through the roof, so there is now room for a mid-size truck that is reasonable, useful, and still feels like a “Ram.”
Filosa and Kuniskis realized they had to find the appropriate amount. The new Ram pickup may be a wonderful alternative if it costs the same as the Ford Ranger, which starts at $33,330 and goes up to $56,070 for the high-performance Raptor. If it were put in the right place, it wouldn’t hurt sales of the 1,500 units; instead, it would bring in new customers who had been waiting for a low-cost Ram.
How about the Dakota Tribe in South America?
Ram has also stated that a new Dakota midsize truck will be made in Argentina starting later this year. This is even more fascinating. But don’t get your hopes up; it won’t be coming to the US.
The South American Dakota is made on the same production line as the Fiat Titano and is made just for that market. The crazy “Nightfall” concept version, which had off-road parts including FOX™ shocks, skid plates, beadlock wheels, and a spare tire on the truck, even came out in Brazil. It’s a tough truck, but Americans don’t want it.
On the other hand, the North American midsize Ram will be bigger, made in the US, and built to fit the needs of this market. It is yet unclear if it will bring back the Dakota name or go in a new way, but one thing is for sure: it will be its own truck.
Why This Truck Matters
The midsize Ram isn’t just another model for Stellantis; it’s a key part of the puzzle. Ram might lose budget-conscious customers to Ford, GM, Toyota, and Nissan if they don’t make a vehicle that costs less than $40,000. And since the pickup truck market is getting more and more competitive, Ram can’t afford to stay still.
Filosa’s promise to launch in 2027 makes it apparent that Ram is ready to come back to the midsize truck market with a real truck that is designed well and priced competitively. Ram could be ready for a big comeback if the clay model Filosa saw is as good as he says it is.
2027 RAM Power Wagon
The 2027 Ram Power Wagon Will Get a Cummins Turbodiesel Engine. The Ram Power Wagon will get incredible torque and even better off-road capabilities when the 2027 model arrives in the second half of 2026, but it will come at a hefty price: Prices start at $88,470, including delivery.
That’s about $15,000 more than the base 2026 Power Wagon with a gasoline engine. (All Power Wagons are available only in 4×4 and Crew Cab configurations with a 6-foot-4-inch pickup truck bed.) Is the extra price worth it? Absolutely.
Get ready—and your trailer—for 1,075 lb-ft of torque from the new Cummins High-Output 6.7-liter inline-six turbodiesel engine. This engine also produces 430 hp.
For the first time, the diesel Power Wagon can be ordered with a fifth-wheel/gooseneck trailer setup and a height-adjustable automatic rear air suspension that maintains a level position under heavy loads and features a bed-lowering mode for easy trailer hookup.
The truck also features a 3.42:1 rear axle ratio paired with an eight-speed TorqueFlite HD automatic transmission. With a 31-gallon fuel tank, the Ram can travel up to 600 miles between refuelings.
Ram says the new diesel-powered Power Wagon has a towing capacity of nearly 20,000 pounds, along with a payload capacity of 3,000 pounds. So, feel free to haul as many rocks as you want.
Add the Towing Technology Group and you’ll get: an LED third brake light with a cargo view camera, a 360-degree surround-view camera system, trailer reverse guidance, and a trailer tire pressure monitoring system. Furthermore, the Technology Plus Group gives you a 3.0 digital rearview mirror and trailer reverse steering control.
But this isn’t just a tow truck. Ram reminds us that the 2027 Power Wagon with the Cummins turbodiesel retains its title as the most capable off-road full-size pickup on the market with electronic front and rear locking differentials, Bilstein shocks, extensive underbody protection, a class-exclusive five-link coil-over rear suspension, hill descent control, Mopar accessory rocker rails, and a class-exclusive removable front stabilizer bar.
You may remember that the last Dodge/Ram pickup truck to use a Cummins diesel engine was the 1989–1993 model year. That massive vehicle featured a severed goat’s head mounted on its roof. Okay, it was a cast aluminum ram’s head, but it was still impressive.
- The Ram Power Wagon will get a new Cummins turbodiesel engine option for 2027.
- This engine produces 1075 lb-ft of torque—enough to tow up to nearly 20,000 pounds.
- It will be priced at $88,470 when it launches in the second half of this year.
Features
The Power Wagon features standard all-wheel drive, and the Cummins engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and a 3.42 rear axle ratio. Ram claims this configuration can tow up to nearly 20,000 pounds with the newly available gooseneck fifth-wheel hitch. The HD off-roader can also now be equipped with a self-leveling rear suspension.
As before, it rides on 35-inch all-terrain tires, and if the 13.2 inches of ground clearance weren’t enough, the Power Wagon’s undercarriage is protected by a steel armor plate. Other notable hardware on the truck includes a removable front anti-roll bar for better articulation and electronically locking front and rear differentials.
2027 Dodge RAM 3500 Interior
The Power Wagon’s interior remains spacious and comes standard with heated front seats. Of course, buyers can opt for a pair of leather-trimmed bucket seats with heated and ventilated bolsters. Ram also offers a variety of interior options, including a larger 14.5-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen, a passenger-side display, additional leather surfaces, and a 17-speaker Harman Kardon stereo.
2027 Dodge RAM 3500 Cummins 7.2L
While the displacement increase to 7.2 liters is the headline news, the architecture under the hood may feel very familiar. Dodge has confirmed that the 2027 Cummins will continue to utilize a modular emissions strategy. This means you’ll still see three main components:
- Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
- Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
- Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
The good news for repair shops and enthusiasts is that this system will remain modular and easy to install, similar to the current Cummins 6.7L platform. Continuity is key here, and with AP Emissions Technologies remaining the primary manufacturer for these components, we can expect a relatively smooth transition in terms of hardware reliability and replacement parts.
Additionally, cold start management is significantly improved with the integration of advanced glow plug technology. “By reducing start-up time, this enhancement ensures reliable vehicle operation even in the harshest and most extreme weather conditions,” Cummins said.
Inside, Ram calls it “premium materials and craftsmanship,” 24-way power massaging seats, and a 14.5-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen infotainment system. However, you can also get heated cloth seats if you don’t need all those comfort features.
2027 Dodge RAM 3500 Price
While the company hasn’t released pricing for the rest of its heavy-duty truck lineup, nor the gasoline-powered Power Wagon, the diesel version will start at $88,470—$4,500 more than the current Hemi-powered truck.
So, start saving now for that $88,470 price tag. And buy a big trailer, too.
2027 Dodge RAM 3500 Release Dates
The new Cummins-powered Ram Power Wagon will arrive at dealerships in the second half of this year.
FAQs: People also ask about the Dodge RAM 3500 2027
What's the worst Ram 3500 to stay away from?
To avoid problems with a Ram 3500, stay away from the 2003 Dodge Ram (dashboard cracks, high complaints), the 2007 (serious steering or "death wobble"), the 2013–2018 models (first-generation aftermarket systems, turbo issues in 2014–15), and possibly newer models like the 2018 (brake system recalls) or the 2023 (engine or seatbelt issues). Instead, look for pre-emissions 2nd gens or well-maintained 4th or 5th gens, as problems often have to do with emissions technology, launch years, or specific parts like turbo actuators or lifters.
Which is better, Duramax or Cummins?
There is no clear winner between Duramax and Cummins; they each have their own strengths and weaknesses. For example, Duramax is often praised for its smooth, refined power and high horsepower for everyday driving, while Cummins is known for its raw low-end torque, simple inline-six design, and legendary long-haul reliability for heavy towing and work applications. However, both engines are durable if they are properly maintained. The best pick depends on how you want to use it: for performance and comfort (Duramax) or for maximum pulling strength and toughness (Cummins).
How many miles per gallon will the 2026 Ram 3500 6.7 Cummins get?
The 2026 RAM 2500 and 3500 offer two engine options: 4L HEMI V8: Around 14–15 MPG city and 18–22 MPG highway. 7L Cummins Turbo Diesel: Up to 17 MPG city and 25 MPG highway.
Verdict
The 2027 Dodge Ram 3500 is a dramatic return to the midsize truck market for Ram. It combines new technology, great performance, and smart design for today’s driver. This new pickup is built on a solid body-on-frame base and has many different energy options. It will change the way people think about value and capability. Stay ahead of the curve by bookmarking our site and checking out more strong truck insights. You’ll never miss the latest automotive advances.
