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Ram 1500 vs. Ram 2500: Differences Explained

August 14, 2023 By Gauge Magazine

Ram 1500 Ram 2500

When you are looking to buy a truck your line of thinking is likely to turn to a Ram. The Ram 1500 and 2500 models enjoy great reputations for performance, durability, and reliability. That is why they are so popular with truck buyers. The only dilemma you have is deciding which model would be the best one for you to buy.

If you are searching Ram 2500 for sale Texas, for instance, you will probably notice that the 2500 and 1500 are similar in length and width. So what are the main differences?

Here is a look at some key points that will help you decide whether to buy the 1500 or 2500 Ram model.

A quick comparison

A good place to start would be to look at some of the key dimensions and how the two models compare.

Both models are available in a choice of 5 feet 7 inches or 6 feet 4 inches bed. You can get the 1500 as a crew cab, regular cab, or a mega or quad cab option. The 2500 comes as a crew cab and quad cab option.

Both models carry six passengers. The 1500 is 232.9 inches long, compared to the 2500, which is 238.8 inches long. Width and height are also similar. One of the key differences when comparing dimensions is that the 1500 has an interior passenger volume of 132.4 cubic feet, compared to 62 cubic feet for the 2500 model.

When it comes to cargo capacity, the 1500 offers 53.9 cubic feet, and the 2500 offers 57.5, so there is not a great deal of difference there.

What’s under the hood is different

Engine size and performance are where you start to see a difference between the 1500 and 2500.

The 1500 has a 3.6L V6 engine. The 2500 has a 6.4L V8 engine. You get 305 HP with the 1500, compared to 410 HP with the 2500.

The 1500 offers 269 lb-ft of torque, compared to 429 lb-ft for the 2500.

One of the most notable disparities between the two models is towing capacity. You have a capacity of 6,640 lbs with the 1500 model, but the 2500 is much more muscular, offering 14,690 lbs of towing capacity.

If you need your truck to have lots of pulling power, the 2500 wins that argument.

How do fuel economy and performance compare?

The 1500 offers a typical mpg of between 22 and 25 whereas the 2500 will deliver somewhere between 15 and 18 mpg, on average.

Not surprisingly, the 2500 has a slightly bigger fuel capacity. When you compare driving range, you can expect somewhere between 520 and 650 miles per tank, and between 370 and 495 miles in the 2500.

As you can see there are a lot of similarities between the two models, plus some notable differences. The main feature that separates the 1500 and 2500 is performance. If you want more torque and horsepower it has to be the 2500 for you.

Whichever model you decide to buy, the Ram 1500 and 2500 both deliver excellent performance and reliability combined with a great driving experience.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: buying guide, fuel economy, towing capacity, Truck Performance, truck reliability

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