A Comprehensive Pickup Truck Comparison

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  2024 Ram 2500

  Expert Opinion: The 2024 Ram 2500 is unchanged from the amazing workhorse of the previous year, which is good because if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. With more luxury than a heavy-duty truck should come with, and some awe-inspiring power options, it is one of the best on the market. The only downside is that it can get expensive unlocking the full potential of power and capabilities.

  Pros

  • Amazing luxury
  • Smooth, comfortable ride
  • Power and pulling to spare

  Cons

  • Poor fuel economy
  • Unruley size
  • Expensive top trims

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  2024 Ford F-250

  The 2024 F-250 is built “Ford Tough” and is a versatile heavy-duty pick with trims and configurations for every job. It offers a great 4×4 package as well as a diesel engine option that cranks out a stump-pulling 500 pound-feet of torque. It may lack the luxury and comfort of its competitors, but like all Fords, is solid truck for work or play.

  Pros

  • Great engine options
  • Excellent towing and hauling
  • Versatile capabilities

  Cons

  • Underwhelming base model
  • Rough ride
  • Less luxury than rivals

Summary

• The 2024 Ram HD 2500 remains unchanged, showing that Ram believes in the adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
• Ford didn’t seek press coverage for the 2024 Super Duty F-250, suggesting confidence in their previous model and its performance.
• The Ram 2500 has a significant edge in towing capacity, while the Ford F-250 has a slightly larger payload, making them capable heavy-duty workhorses.

Full-size pickups like the Ram 1500 or the Ford F-150 have gotten trendy and luxurious, occupying the market segment enjoyed by high-end SUVs a decade ago. That is to say, most people buy them as status symbols and never use them for work, haul anything with them, or take them off-road. Heavy Duty trucks like the Ram HD 2500 and the Ford Super Duty F-250, on the other hand, are strictly for consumers who work hard and play even harder. The actual hard work is deciding which of these amazing trucks to purchase.

The 2024 Ram HD 2500 remains unchanged from the previous model year with the notable exception that the Tailgate Ajar warning lamp is now standard equipment for all trim levels. That might not be the most exciting new feature, but the truck was already near-perfect and Ram clearly adheres to the adage that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Ram is reportedly gearing up for a radical redesign of all its trucks in 2025, but for this year it’s more of the same, which is great news.

Ford introduced its latest generation of trucks for the 2023 model year, so the 2024 Super Duty F-150 is also more of the same for the heavy-duty workhorse. Ford is apparently so confident in this year’s model that they didn’t bother seeking out any press coverage for it. Neither Car and Driver nor MotorTrend got a hands-on test drive, and it doesn’t appear as if they even submitted it for crash testing or safety rating. This could be viewed as Ford trying to hide something, but it’s the same truck from last year and the 2023 was a killer ride.

• 	2024 Ram 2500	2024 Ford F-250
  Model	2024 Ram 2500	2024 Ford F-250
  Engine:	6.4-liter Hemi V-8	6.8-liter V-8
  Torque	429 pound-feet	445 pound-feet
  Transmission	Eight-speed automatic	10-speed automatic
  Driveline	Rear-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive
  MSRP	$48,735	$46,965
  Towing Capacity	15,620 pounds	14,800 pounds
  Payload Capacity	3,999 pounds	4,303 pounds
  Horsepower	410 Horsepower	405 Horsepower

In order to bring you the most up-to-date and accurate comparison possible, we’ve relied on information sourced from Ram, Ford, Fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, IIHS, and hands-on experience. For information regarding our ranking and grading procedures, please refer to our methodology policy.

Performance And Capability

The Ram HD 2500 Tradesman comes standard with a 410 horsepower V-8, which is exactly what every base-model truck should be equipped with. Ford’s entry level truck, the Super Duty F-150 XL, has a 6.8-liter V-8, which is slightly bigger but generates a bit less horsepower at 405. The Ford packs a little more torque, which is the most important power metric when it comes to heavy-duty trucks.

Base Powertrain Comparison

The standard Ram 2500 6.4-liter offers the most zip as well as the smoothest ride, and is the only engine available in the Power Wagon trim. There are, however, a couple of options with the available 6.7-liter Cummins diesel inline-six. The first makes 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque, which greatly improves the Ram’s towing capability. The second, which is sadly only available in the 3500, pumps out an astounding 1075 pound-feet of torque, beating even the mighty Dodge Demon 170.

Ford also has several engine options beyond the standard 6.8-liter V-8. There is a 7.3-liter V-8 gas engine that only adds $1,700 to the base model price. Then, they offer an expensive 6.7-liter turbo diesel that runs an extra ten grand, plus a more expensive 6.7-liter turbo diesel that tacks on an extra $12,495. There is a mindset that heavy-duty trucks should have diesel engines, but the base-model gas V-8 is more than capable and much quieter.

Full Performance Specifications

(Sourced from RAM Trucks and Ford)

The battle of the base-model engines is basically a wash. The Ram 2500 makes slightly more horsepower, while the Ford F-250 has a minimal edge in the torque department. Those differences are minuscule and wouldn’t be noticed by an average driver. The bottom line is, both trucks have amazing standard engines, that provide plenty of go and pull for the massive heavy-duty pickups.

Fuel Economy

The EPA doesn’t actually rate fuel economy for commercial vehicles, which both the Ram 2500 and Ford F-250 are classified as because of their high Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). There little chance that anyone has ever bought a heavy-duty pick with expectations of dynamite city mpgs, so this is simply not a deal-breaker stat. For what it’s worth, Car and Driver got 18 mpg on the highway with the gas V-8 2024 Ram 2500.

(Gas Mileage Figures Sourced From The EPA)

Ram HD 2500 Vs. Ford Super Duty F-250 Towing And Off-Road Capability

When it comes to base-model towing and hauling capabilities, the Ram 2500 has a significant edge in pulling, while the Ford F-250 somehow has a slightly larger payload. Unlike people with mid-size or full-sze pickups who never use them for truck-related activities, heavy-duty truck owners drag boats, horse trailers, and excavators, so towing is important in this class.

The Ram 2500 bumps up its towing capabilities with the optional 6.7-liter Cummins diesel inline-six​​​​​ from 15,620 pounds to 19,010 pounds, which is great for pulling a moderately sized office building. The Ford F-250’s 7.3-liter V-8 option cranks its towing capability up to 17,800 pounds, while the 6.7-liter turbo diesel ups it to 22,900 pounds, but as was already mentioned, that’s a costly option.

Towing And Payload Capacities

Off-Road Capability

The Power Wagon trim, which is a nod to the legendary Dodge 4×4, is the money package when it comes to off-roading with the Ram 2500. With driver-selectable locking differentials, two skid plates, and auto-locking hubs, this truck is ready to rock the rocks. The adjustable air ride suspension and massive ground clearance make for an enjoyable ride on any terrain.

While certainly a capable 4×4, the Ford F-250 was built more as a general-purpose work truck than a 4×4 all-star. With a lower ground clearance and worse angles, it’s not quite as amazing on the trail as the Ram 2500. According to Ford, their Off-Road Package includes, “water fording vent tubes,” though they don’t explain what those are. Besides that, there’s really nothing on their website that adds anything to the F-250’s off-road equipment or capabilities.

Off-Road Specifications

Interior Design And Technology

Interior design is another category that Ram wins. Ram trucks have two distinct advantages over all competitors and they are the smoothest ride of any pickup and the most luxurious, as well as spacious cabs. The 2024 Ram 2500 Crew Cab seems more like a full-size SUV than a pickup, and offers the largest rear seat in its class. It also comes with top-tier amenities at the base trim, but in the upper echelons, it is a luxury vehicle that can pull an oak tree stump out without breaking a sweat.

As was mentioned in the introduction, Ford is being a little tight-lipped with the 2024 F-250. There’s not a lot of press and absolutely no actual test-drive reviews, so all the information on the truck comes directly from the company. None of that information, however, involves the interior style, comfort, or features. It’s probably not that far off to assume that the lowest trim levels are more sparse and cheaper than the upper models, but realistically, if they blew away the competitors, they would advertise it, so the Ram 2500 is likely much better.

Ram 2500 vs. Ford F-250 Technology Comparison

The Ram 2500 infotainment system is anchored by a huge 12-inch reconfigurable touchscreen that features navigation, serves as a Wi-Fi hotspot, and supports Apple CarPlay as well as Android Auto. It also has five USB ports and three 115-volt outlets that can power everything from a phone charger to a reciprocating saw.

Ford is again, downplaying the 2024 F-250, so there’s not a ton of details about the infotainment system. They apparently offer an eight or twelve-inch touchscreen, but beyond that, the tech is a mystery. Ford touts its Sync 4 System that they describe as having, “cloud-based connectivity and so much more bring[ing] you a seamless and personalized driving experience” which is almost the same thing as saying nothing.

Interior Room And Cargo Capacity

Both the Ram 2500 and the Ford F-150 have similar dimensions with the long bed, while the Ford’s standard bed is slightly larger. The gold standard for a truck bed is that it can carry a 4×8 piece of plywood or drywall and both of these massive pickups have that covered and then some. The Ram has additional storage capabilities with two lockable cargo boxes built into the truck bed wall as well as a few hidden spaces within the cabin.

Cargo Space Comparison

Safety And Reliability

As of this writing, the 2024 Ford F-250 has not been crash tested by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, or at the very least the results have yet to be published. It, like the 2024 Ram 2500 is a massive 7,000-pound-plus vehicle, so it is inherently safe for passengers, though much less so for anything it collides with.

2024 Ram HD 2500 Safety

There is currently no crash test video available.

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

• Recalls (NHTSA): # 1 due to rearview camera
• NHTSA Investigations: # 0
• NHTSA Consumer Complaints: 0
• Awards: N/A

2024 Ford F-250 Safety

There is currently no crash test video available.

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

• Recalls (NHTSA): # 0
• NHTSA Investigations: # 0
• NHTSA Consumer Complaints: 0
• Awards: 0

Reliability Comparison

As for reliability, both trucks just hit the market, so history will tell, but they come from long lines of solid, well-built pickups. “Built Ford Tough,” isn’t just an ad slogan, their trucks are some of the longest lasting and durable on the road. Ram trucks and their Mopar engines are legendary for providing hundreds of thousands of miles of reliable service. This is another area where the two trucks are evenly matched.

Warranty

Pricing And Availability

The base-model Ram 2500 Tradesman is a little more than the Ford F-250 XL, but it comes with much more. Realistically, the entry-level Ram is more comparable to the mid-trim Fords, in terms of equipment and comfort, so the value needle swings back in the 2500’s favor. The Ram Power Wagon and the Ford King Ranch are the respective brands’ top 4×4 packages, with the Ram offering far superior off-roading capabilities and comfort for less money. The top-tier trims for both trucks provide the kind of luxury expected from high-end European automobiles, but Ram does it for a few bucks less.

Trim Pricing Comparison