Newton drivers need a versatile vehicle that can go from the mountains of New England to the city streets of Boston without a hitch – and the utility part is especially important for those in heavy duty professions.

If you need a full-size truck that doesn’t compromise, it’s hard to go wrong with the 2017 Ram 2500, a powerful yet graceful ride with everything you need and nothing you don’t. Check out our full review:  

Performance

Even the base 2500 is a powerful yet gentle beast, capable of towing up to 13,900 pounds but still handles smoothly on the pavement with its five-link, coil spring rear suspension. The base powertrain is a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission and option for all-wheel drive, making 383 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. There’s also the option to upgrade to a 6.4-liter V8 or a 6.7-liter Cummins turbocharged diesel inline-6, making a respective 410 and 350 horsepower.

All models come with a front stabilizer bar, 7-pin wiring harness, class V trailer hitch, trailer tow with 5-pin connector wiring, and the option for tow hooks, trailer brake control, and trailer tow mirrors.

Features

The base model, the Tradesman, has a standard 6-speaker audio system, cruise control, smartphone connectivity, USB and auxiliary media hub, Radio 3.0, 12-volt power outlet, electronic vehicle information center, instrument panel with black bezel, tilting and telescoping steering wheel, and tinted windshield. It also has available 5-inch touchscreen display with easy-to-see icons, integrated voice command with Bluetooth, remote USB port, Sirius XM Radio, Uconnect 3.0, and Uconnect 5.0.

Upper trim levels may include touchscreen navigation system, 10-speaker premium Alpine audio, rearview camera, and backup proximity sensors.

Interior and Styling

The Tradesman comes standard with a 40/20/40 split bench seat, storage space and bins behind the seats, and adjustable seating. Additionally, it has available Ram Work Grade Vinyl or cloth upholstery. The exterior features 17x7.5-inch steel styled wheels, a 17-inch steel spare wheel, center hub, all-season tires, and tire carrier winch. It also has the option for 18x8-inch polished aluminum wheels, chrome-clad wheels, full-size spare tire, and off-road tires.

Safety

All models of the 2500 are equipped with advanced multi-stage front airbags, electronic stability control, Sentry Key theft deterrent system, speed control, supplemental front seat-mounted airbags, supplemental side-curtain airbags, side-curtain front airbags, and tire pressure monitoring display. Each model also has available ParkView rear backup camera and a DOT-certified roadside safety kit for emergencies. Upper trim levels have available reflector triangles, center high-mount stop lamp with cargo view camera, fire extinguisher, rear parking assist, remote keyless entry, remote start, and security alarm.

Pricing

Starting at $32,145 MSRP

Category: Review
Tags: 2017 Ram 2500, full-size truck, review