Heavy-Duty Legends Face Off: A Closer Look at the 2025 Ram 2500 and Ford F-250

Two big contenders are ready to clash in America’s toughest market: the heavy-duty truck segment. Truck fans everywhere face a tough choice between the powerful Ram 2500 and the rugged Ford F-250. These trucks are strong enough to pull boats, haul gear, and conquer the roughest terrain. Major upgrades for 2025 give both trucks unique vibes that appeal to different drivers.

In this 2025 Ram 2500 vs. 2025 Ford F-250 review, we’ll find out what makes these heavy-duty beasts stand out and determine which one is worth your hard-earned cash.

Performance Face-Off: Engine, Transmission, and Handling

Check out how the Ram 2500 compares to the Ford F-250 in terms of performance.

Engine

The 2025 Ram 2500 offers two robust engine options. The standard 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 gives you 405 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. But the real standout is the High-Output 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, which cranks out 430 horsepower and a class-leading 1,075 lb-ft of torque.

Ford offers four different powertrain options. The standard 6.8-liter V-8 matches the Ram with 405 horsepower but provides more torque at 445 lb-ft. If you upgrade to the larger 7.3-liter V-8, you’ll get 430 horsepower and 485 lb-ft of torque. The F-250 offers two diesel options: the standard 6.7-liter Power Stroke producing 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque and a high-output version delivering 500 horsepower and an impressive 1,200 lb-ft of torque.

Transmission

Both trucks have new transmission upgrades for 2025, but they approach shifting differently. Ram fits all 2500 models with a new TorqueFlite HD eight-speed automatic transmission that features an electronic column shifter. This transmission can adapt to load conditions for smooth second-gear starts even when you’re not carrying anything. Ford keeps the same reliable TorqShift-G 10-speed automatic transmission in all of its F-250 trucks, giving you more gear ratios for better performance.

Handling

The Ram’s unique coil-spring rear suspension makes for a much smoother ride than the Ford. If you’re into off-roading, you can check out Ram’s specialized Power Wagon or Rebel trims, which come with all-terrain tires and special systems for tackling tough trails. Ford counters with its Tremor Off-Road Package, including 35-inch all-terrain tires along with special rock crawl and trail control modes.

Towing and Payload: Meeting Your Heavy-Duty Needs

With the high-output Power Stroke diesel engine, the F-250’s maximum towing capacity is 23,000 pounds. Even the standard 6.8-liter gas V-8 does well with a towing capacity of 17,300 pounds. The 7.3-liter gas V-8 can tow up to 17,200 pounds, while the standard Power Stroke diesel tops out at 22,900 pounds.

Ram doesn’t fall too far behind Ford. The 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 can tow up to 17,750 pounds, beating Ford’s base engine. The Ram 2500’s Cummins diesel can handle 20,000 pounds, but that’s still less than the Ford’s diesel options. Ram has made some good improvements, too, such as matching the new Cummins engine with an eight-speed transmission to improve fuel efficiency and offering a new 3.42 rear axle ratio instead of the older 4.10 gearing.

Ford excels in hauling heavy loads. With the 7.3-liter V-8 engine, the F-250 has a staggering maximum hauling capacity of 4,246 pounds, with the 6.8-liter V-8 following closely at 4,240 pounds. The diesel versions can manage between 4,048 and 3,918 pounds. Ram’s gas-powered 2500 maxes out at 3,940 pounds, and if you choose the Cummins diesel, you’ll only get up to 2,750 pounds.

Interior, Comfort, and Technology: A Look Inside

The Ram 2500 has one of the best interiors in the heavy-duty truck market. It features a massive 14.5-inch infotainment touch screen front and center, and an optional 10.25-inch Passenger Interactive Display lets front-seat passengers control entertainment and navigation without affecting the driver’s settings. The craftsmanship is spot-on, no matter the trim, from the practical Tradesman to the luxe Limited models. Higher trims come with leather upholstery, wood accents, and detailed stitching, all while keeping daily usability in mind with smart storage and great visibility.

Ford features a 12-inch customizable digital instrument cluster and a standard 8-inch SYNC 4 touch screen. It’s slightly smaller than the Ram’s display, but you get solid connectivity with standard 5G Wi-Fi. If you want luxury, the King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trims bring premium materials and fancy comfort features. The available power twin-panel moonroof brightens things up, and the Platinum Plus Package adds some exclusive touches.

Safety and Reliability: Protecting You on the Road

The new Ram 2500 comes packed with advanced driver-assistance features that monitor your surroundings and warn you of potential dangers. Automatic emergency braking helps prevent accidents, while lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control make highway driving a breeze. Blind-spot monitoring, electronic stability control, and trailer sway dampening are invaluable when towing large trailers. Also, with its strong steel frame and multiple airbags, you and your passengers stay safe and sound.

Ford’s new F-250 is loaded with safety features to help prevent accidents and protect you and your passengers. The driver-assistance package includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert. Surround-view cameras help with parking and hooking up the trailer, while the trailer backup assist makes reversing easy.

Both Ram and Ford use strong materials and rigorous testing to make their trucks as tough as possible. Each truck also comes with a warranty that covers replacement parts, but the terms are different for each brand.

Choosing the Right Truck for Your Needs

To find your perfect truck, you have to know your needs and priorities. If you’re looking for exceptional towing power along with a fantastic selection of engines, the Ford F-250 might be the model for you. If you want a smooth ride and cutting-edge technology, the Ram 2500 is a great choice, especially with its impressive Cummins diesel engine.

Come visit Meadowland of Carmel, New York, today to see these impressive trucks up close. Our friendly team is here to help you find the perfect truck for your needs. Contact us and schedule a visit today.

Image from ramtrucks.com

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