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2024 Ram 1500 vs. Ram 2500 | Highland, IN

If you’re searching for a hardy truck with excellent performance capabilities, either the 2024 Ram 1500 or 2024 Ram 2500 could suit your needs. Which ultimately has what you need? The Ram 2500 is the more powerful of the two trucks, while the Ram 1500 typically focuses on light-duty towing and premium amenities. For more information, read through this 2024 Ram 1500 vs. Ram 2500 guide crafted by the team at Thomas Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Highland. You can explore these Ram trucks further by reading our Ram 1500 review and Ram 2500 overview.

Interested in seeing these Ram trucks in person? Take a look at our new Ram 1500 inventory and new Ram 2500 inventory, then schedule a test drive at our Highland, IN, dealership. If you have any questions, you can give us a call at (219) 533-3126 or message us online.

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2024 Ram 1500 vs. Ram 2500

2024 Ram 1500 vs. Ram 2500 Interior Design

Discover deluxe amenities and spacious cabins no matter whether you decide on a 2024 Ram 1500 or 2024 Ram 2500. If you need optimal lumbar support, the Ram 1500 offers up to four adjustments for lumbar, while the Ram 2500 offers two-way lumbar support. Keep the whole crew comfortable no matter the season with the heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats offered on both models. The Ram 1500 takes beating the summer sweats a step further with optional ventilated rear seats, which aren’t available on the Ram 2500.

How many can each truck seat? The Ram 1500 can seat five or six passengers total, depending on whether the front row has two individual bucket seats or a bench seat. Turn to the Ram 2500 if you don’t require quite so much seating — the regular cab can only seat three passengers. The other Ram 2500 cabs can seat up to five passengers.

In this day and age, connectivity has never been easier. Both the 2024 Ram 1500 and Ram 2500 offer an available Uconnect® 5 Nav infotainment system with a 12-inch touchscreen, which can be linked to through Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Also, both offer a 12-inch digital driver information cluster for easy access to important vehicle information. If you’re a music-lover, both trucks offer an available Harman Kardon® premium sound system for an optimal listening experience, which comes with 19 speakers on the Ram 1500 and 17 speakers on the Ram 2500.

2024 Ram 1500 vs. Ram 2500 Engine Specs

Which Ram truck offers the power you need for a smooth workday or weekend adventure? The 2024 Ram 2500 has the highest performance capabilities, including towing and payload capacities. Meanwhile, the Ram 1500 has three versatile engine options, with the 3.6L Pentastar® V6 offering the best fuel economy ratings of the two models — 20 city and 26 highway MPG. Most Ram 2500 trucks are built exclusively with a 4x4 drivetrain, with the notable exception of the Tradesman® and Laramie® models, which come in either 4x2 or 4x4. By contrast, most Ram 1500 trucks can be built with 4x2 or 4x4, except the Tradesman HFE (4x2 only), as well as the Rebel® and TRX®, which are only available in 4x4.

Ram 1500 Engines

Engine 3.6L Pentastar V6 5.7L HEMI® V8 Supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8
Max. Horsepower 305 HP 395 HP 702 HP
Torque 269 lb.-ft. 410 lb.-ft. 650 lb.-ft.
Transmission Eight-speed automatic Eight-speed automatic Eight-speed automatic
Max. Towing 7,730 lbs. 12,750 lbs. 8,100 lbs.
Max. Payload 2,320 lbs. 2,300 lbs. 1,360 lbs.

Ram 2500 Engines

Engine 6.4L HEMI V8 6.7L Cummins® turbo diesel I6
Max. Horsepower 410 HP 370 HP
Torque 429 lb.-ft. 850 lb.-ft.
Transmission Eight-speed automatic Six-speed automatic
Max. Towing 17,730 lbs. 19,990 lbs.
Max. Payload 4,000 lbs. 3,150 lbs.
2024 Ram 1500 Exterior Mountain Range Profile

2024 Ram 1500

2024 Ram 2500 Exterior Desert

2024 Ram 2500

2024 Ram 1500 vs. Ram 2500 Towing & Payload

So which truck offers the towing capabilities you need? If you need to tow nearly 20,000 pounds, the Ram 2500, when equipped with the 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel I6 engine, can tow up to 19,990 pounds. Meanwhile, the Ram 1500 offers an excellent maximum towing capacity when you choose the 5.7L HEMI V8 engine — 12,750 pounds. If you’re looking to maximize your payload capacity, turn to the Tradesman trim on either model. The Ram 1500 Tradesman, when paired with a quad cab and 6-foot, 4-inch bed, has a 2,320-pound payload capacity. The Ram 2500 Tradesman, meanwhile, has a 4,000-pound payload capacity when built with a regular cab and 8-foot bed.

2024 Ram 1500 vs. Ram 2500 Packages Available

Both the Ram 1500 and Ram 2500 offer a diverse array of available packages, including several towing packages.

Ram 1500 Packages

HEMI Max Tow Package

  • 256mm rear axle
  • 3.92 rear axle ratio
  • Class IV receiver hitch
  • On/off-road tires
  • Trailer brake controller

Trailer Tow Group (Tradesman)

  • Power trailer-tow mirrors with manual fold-away
  • Class IV receiver-hitch
  • Heated exterior mirrors with supplemental signals and courtesy lamps

Trailer Tow Group (Laramie, Rebel)

  • Mirror-mounted auxiliary reverse lamps
  • Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors with memory settings, clearance/running lights, supplemental signals, and courtesy lamps

All Trailer Tow Groups include:

  • Trailer brake controller
  • Trailer light check
  • Trailer reverse steering control (except TRX)
  • Trailer tire pressure monitoring system

Ram 2500 Packages

Tow Mode Digital Rearview Mirror Package

  • Digital rearview mirror
  • Wired tow mode camera

Tow Technology Plus Group

  • Digital rearview mirror with side cameras
  • Trailer reverse steering control

Towing Technology Group

  • Blind spot with tag-trailer and cross-path detection
  • Center stop lamp with cargo-view camera
  • Power heated and power-folding/telescoping mirrors
  • Surround view camera system
  • Trailer reverse guidance
2024 Ram 1500 Interior Front

2024 Ram 1500

2024 Ram 1500 vs. Ram 2500 Safety & Technology

The 2024 Ram 1500 and Ram 2500 boast several driver assistance systems designed to help protect you, your passengers, and your cargo. While both share access to several driver assist technologies, there are a few exceptions. The Ram 1500 offers parallel and perpendicular park assist with stop, pedestrian emergency braking, and a head-up display. The Ram 2500 offers a blind spot with tag trailer system that isn’t offered on the Ram 1500. Other driver assist systems offered on both Ram trucks include:

  • Surround view camera
  • ParkView® rear view camera
  • Adaptive cruise control with stop and go
  • Automatic high beam headlamp control
  • Lane keep assist
  • Digital rear view mirror
  • Electronic roll mitigation
  • Trailer sway damping
  • Full-speed forward collision warning plus
  • Blind spot and cross-path detection
  • ParkSense® front and rear park assist with stop

2024 Ram 1500 vs. Ram 2500 Trim Levels

There are numerous trims available for the 2024 Ram 1500 and Ram 2500, each with unique features. Head over to our Ram 1500 trims and Ram 2500 trims guides to learn more.

Ram 1500 Trims

  • Tradesman® $39,420*
  • Tradesman HFE $41,060*
  • Big Horn® $44,830*
  • Laramie® $54,880*
  • Rebel® $59,595*
  • Limited Longhorn® $62,190*
  • Limited $66,055*
  • TRX® $96,585*
*Starting MSRP

Ram 2500 Trims

  • Tradesman $45,250*
  • Big Horn $56,340*
  • Laramie $65,165*
  • Rebel $68,965*
  • Power Wagon® $68,470*
  • Limited Longhorn $82,035*
  • Limited $85,810*
*Starting MSRP

2023 Ram 1500 vs. Ram 2500 | Interior, Safety & Technology

Sophisticated performance and durable materials are both hallmarks of the Ram nameplate. The 2023 Ram 1500 and 2023 Ram 2500 offer a host of amenities engineered to make truck driving a smooth but fun experience, including a large digital gauge cluster, impressive suspension systems, and an innovative digital rear view camera. For more details, read through this 2023 Ram 1500 and Ram 2500 comparison crafted by the Thomas Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram team. 

Ready to learn more? Take a look at our Ram 1500 review and Ram 2500 review. 

Intrigued by one or both of these Ram trucks? View our new Ram 1500 inventory and new Ram 2500 inventory, then pair your favorite model with a finance or lease offer. Next, schedule a test drive at our Highland, IN, dealership. If you have any questions, give us a call at (219) 533-0702 or message us through our online form.

Ram 1500 vs. Ram 2500 Interior & Exterior Design

Rugged lines and sculpted hoods make the 2023 Ram 1500 and 2023 Ram 2500 stand-out trucks in their own rights. The Ram 1500 provides rear seat recline, a 10 square-foot dual-pane panoramic sunroof, and active noise cancellation system in the cabin to improve the comfort of you and your passengers. Depending on what you prefer, choose from 18-, 20-, or 22-inch wheels. You’ll find that the multifunction tailgate has 60/40 split swing-away doors to make it easier to enter your truck bed and load cargo. And the power running boards can be retracted to improve maneuverability in tight spaces. 

The 2023 Ram 2500 offers a number of available interior and exterior features designed to bring the focus to off-road activities. Discover comfortable seating materials in the form of the available Gore-Tex and mesh premium cloth or Natura Plus leather-trimmed bucket seats. Go off the beaten path easily with the optional 11.1 inches of ground clearance, traction-focused 33-inch all-terrain tires and 20-inch black diamond cut aluminum wheels. Admire a distinguished silhouette in the form of a Mopar® sport performance hood.

Ram 1500 vs. Ram 2500 Engine Specs & Towing Capacity

The 2023 Ram 1500 and 2023 Ram 2500 push boundaries with beefy performance. The 2023 Ram 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of 12,750 pounds, while the 2023 Ram 2500 can tow up to 20,000 pounds. Improve ride handling with the suspension systems on either truck. The Ram 1500 boasts an Active-Level™ four corner air suspension, while the Ram 2500 has two rear suspensions — a five-link coil system and an air suspension system. View Ram 1500 and Ram 2500 engine specs in the following tables. 

2023 Ram 1500

Engine

5.7L HEMI® V8 with eTorque

3.6L Pentastar® V6 with eTorque

3.0L EcoDiesel V6

6.2L Supercharged HEMI V8

Horsepower

410 HP

305 HP

260 HP

702 HP

Torque

395 lb.-ft.

273 lb.-ft.

480 lb.-ft.

650 lb.-ft.



2023 Ram 2500

Engine

6.7L Cummins® turbo diesel I6

6.4L HEMI® V8

Horsepower

370 HP

410 HP

Torque

850 lb.-ft.

429 lb.-ft.

Ram 1500 vs. Ram 2500 Safety Options & Technology

Protect your crew with integral driver assistance features on the 2023 Ram 1500 and Ram 2500. Both boast an available digital rear view camera, which allows you to more clearly see your truck’s rear with the help of an LCD monitor built into your rear view mirror, which can be turned off for a more traditional reflective mirror as needed. Additionally, the Ram 2500 offers side camera views integrated into the digital rear view camera system. The Ram 2500 also comes with new telescopic trailer tow mirrors that can extend or retract as you require them. The trailer tow mirrors also feature a trailer tow pages app, multiple view modes, behind-trailer view and blind-spot view. 

Other available driver assistance features include: 

  • 360-degree surround view camera
  • 360-degree trailer surround view camera
  • Electronic roll mitigation
  • Blind spot monitoring equipped with rear cross path with trailer detection
  • Forward collision warning with active braking
  • Pedestrian emergency braking
  • Trailer light check
  • Parallel and perpendicular park assist
  • Adaptive cruise control with stop and go

Stay up-to-date on important information regarding your truck with help from the all-new 12-inch digital cluster offered with both the 2023 Ram 1500 and 2023 Ram 2500. The digital cluster gives you access to full-color 3D graphics, customization, easy-to-see vehicle stats, and turn-by-turn navigation. A modern 12-inch Uconnect® 5 NAV infotainment system is also offered with both the Ram 1500 and Ram 2500. Use wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ with this first-class infotainment system. 

Ram 1500 vs. Ram 2500 Size & Cargo Space

Seat anywhere from three to six passengers in either the 2023 Ram 1500 or 2023 Ram 2500. You’ll find that the Ram 1500 and Ram 2500 each offer two truck bed sizes apiece. The Ram 1500 can be paired with either a 5-foot, 7-inch bed or 6-foot, 4-inch bed, while the Ram 2500 can be built with an 8-foot bed or 6-foot, 4-inch bed. The Ram 1500 offers best-in-class rear legroom maxing out at 45.2 inches.

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