Ram 1500 vs. Ram 2500: Which Truck is Right for You?

Ram trucks have long been the bellwether for what the best pickup trucks ought to look like. They set an uncommonly high bar for quality, comfort, and luxury, and they’re also able to manage some truly impressive specs that guarantee they can handle anything thrown their way.

But which Ram truck is right for you? It’s not quite as simple as just picking a trim—first, you’ll need to decide whether you want the classic and capable light duty 1500, or the brawny and powerful 2500 HD. Lucky for you, we’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Read on for a handy truck comparison of 2024 Ram models for sale near Niceville, FL.

2024 Ram 1500 vs. 2024 Ram 2500: Pricing and Trims

Both trucks are available in a wide variety of trims, and each comes with their own unique features and options. Here’s the full selection, along with starting MSRP as of this writing.

Because the 2500 is larger and generally more capable, it commands a higher price tag than the 1500 for the same trim with comparable amenities. The lone exception is the top-tier off-road oriented Ram 1500 TRX, which rocks a monstrous supercharged HEMI V8 and a laundry list of other upgrades that allow it to conquer large rocks, deep mud, sand dunes, and other backcountry challenges.

2024 Ram 1500 vs. 2024 Ram 2500: Specs, Engines, and Capability

Possibly the biggest and most important difference between the Ram 1500 and Ram 2500 is their powertrain selections.

The 2024 Ram 1500 has three available engines:

• 6-liter Pentastar V6 with eTorque (standard on Tradesman, Tradesman HFE, Big Horn, Laramie, Rebel, and Limited Longhorn)305 horsepower
  • 269 pound-feet of torque
  • 8,110 pounds max towing capacity
  • 2,370 pounds max payload
• 7-liter HEMI V8 with eTorque (standard on Limited; available on Tradesman, Big Horn, Laramie, Rebel, and Limited Longhorn)
  • 395 horsepower
  • 410 pound-feet of torque
  • 12,750 pounds max towing capacity
  • 1,860 pounds max payload
• Supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 (standard on TRX)
  • 702 horsepower
  • 650 pound-feet of torque
  • 8,100 pounds max towing capacity
  • 1,360 pounds max payload

Meanwhile, the 2024 Ram 2500 has two beefy engine options:

• 4-liter HEMI V8 (standard on all models)
  • 410 horsepower
  • 429 pound-feet of torque
  • 17,730 pounds max towing capacity
  • 4,000 pounds max payload
• 7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel I6 (available on all models except Power Wagon)
  • 370 horsepower
  • 850 pound-feet of torque
  • 20,000 pounds max towing capacity
  • 3,150 pounds max payload

In addition, most Ram models come standard with rear-wheel, and four-wheel drive is available.

When selecting the best Ram pickup for your needs, we’d recommend focusing on towing and payload specs first. Despite being the smallest available engine, the standard V6 Pentastar in the 1500 will still ably tow most travel trailers, toy haulers, lawncare equipment, and more, so you may be able to save yourself some dough and put it towards other upgrades. The bulkier 5.7-liter HEMI will give you plenty of breathing room for towing things like medium sized boats.

On the other hand, if you need to haul bigger cargo like 5^th wheel trailers, larger horse trailers, and massive boats, you’ll need to make the jump to heavy duty territory, and you may even consider maxing out capacity with a diesel-powered Ram. As a little bonus, you’ll be able to get a smile when someone asks the question “How much does your Ram 2500 tow?”

You’ll also notice that we didn’t really touch on the supercharged 6.2-liter found in the Ram 1500 TRX. That’s because, while it can still tow a respectable amount, the ballistic 702-horsie motor, which is paired with standard 4WD, is more intended for all-out off-road and trail rescue fun. Some might say it’s frivolous, but we say it sounds like a heck of a good time.

2024 Ram 1500 vs. 2024 Ram 2500: Dimensions and Configurations

Aside from pricing and capability, the available exterior and interior measurements of the 2024 Ram are probably the most salient point of separation between the two.

First, let’s start with cargo box space:

Both trucks have two available bed lengths—the 6’4” box is available on both, although it loses a bit of wall height on the 2500. Because of its prodigious power, the Ram 2500 is able to pull a much longer bed, which is actually a couple inches longer than eight feet, making it the ideal pick for buyers who need a truck with the most bed space. However, some may find a shorter bed easier to maneuver.

Now, let’s address the various Ram truck cab styles.

The Ram 1500 can be bought with the smaller Quad Cab and the larger Crew Cab, both of which are four-door body styles. The Ram 2500 has three available cabs: the Crew Cab, the two-door Regular Cab, and the massive Mega Cab, which adds about 12 cubic feet of storage behind the second row. It’s also worth noting that the Crew Cab on the 1500 is actually larger than the Crew Cab on the 2500.

With all of these options, it’s enough to make your head spin trying to keep it all straight. To simplify things, here’s a quick list of the available cab and cargo box configurations:

• 2024 Ram 1500
  • Quad Cab 6’4” Box
  • Crew Cab 5’7” Box
  • Crew Cab 6’4” Box
• 2024 Ram 2500
  • Regular Cab 8’ Box
  • Crew Cab 6’4” Box
  • Crew Cab 8’ Box
  • Mega Cab 6’4” Box

Both the Ram 1500 and 2500 can be optioned to seat up to six people with ample room to spare. No matter which one you’re leaning toward, you can shop with confidence knowing that there’s a perfect Ram truck out there to suit your needs.

Shop Available Ram Trucks Near Destin

When it comes to figuring out which Ram truck is best for your needs, it’s good to know you have options, and Step One Crysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat Crestview is here to help every step of the way. We offer tons of new car specials to save you money up front, and you can value your trade-in on our website in seconds.

Contact us on our website or give us a call at (850) 750-0622 to learn more.