Not much changed between the 2011 and 2012 model years for the Ram 2500. One major change is the addition of a standard 6-speed automatic transmission. Other changes revolve around the storage configuration for the 6.4-foot bed and some additional options for the Laramie, Laramie Longhorn and Power Wagon trims.

A total of eight trim levels are available for the 2012 Ram 2500: ST, SLT, Outdoorsman, Lone Star, Big Horn, Laramie, Laramie Longhorn and Power Wagon. All trims are available with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD) except the Power Wagon, which comes only with 4WD. All come equipped with a 383-hp 5.7-liter Hemi OHV V8 paired with an automatic transmission with overdrive that achieves 400 lb-ft of torque. This engine can be upgraded to a 6.7-liter turbocharged Cummins inline-6 diesel engine that makes 350 hp and a best-in-class 800 lb-ft of torque (610 with the optional manual transmission). Mileage per gallon figures were not available at press time for the Ram 2500.

Depending on the trim chosen, the 2012 Ram 2500 is available in three cab styles: Regular, Crew Cab and Mega Cab, as well as a combination of bed sizes. Regular cabs can be configured only with a long bed (8 feet), and the Mega Cab comes only with a 6.4-foot bed, but the Crew Cab can be fitted with either size. The ST trim is available as either a Regular or Crew Cab; the ST is available as Regular, Crew or Mega Cab; the Lone Star, Big Horn, Laramie, Laramie Longhorn and Outdoorsman are available as a Crew or Mega Cab only; and the Power Wagon is available only as a Crew Cab (with a 6.4-foot bed).

The ST trims come standard with speed control, vinyl 40/20/40 split bench front seat, black grille, black front and rear bumpers, black trailer tow mirrors, Class IV trailer tow hitch receiver with 4- and 7-pin wire harness, 6-speaker media center (with AM/FM radio, CD player and WMA/MP3 jack), heavy-duty front and rear shocks and 17-inch argent steel wheels. Selecting the SLT trim adds cruise control, remote keyless entry, power door locks, cloth-trimmed seats, overhead console, carpeted floor mats, chrome bumpers, Sirius XM satellite radio with a 3-month trial subscription, trailer brake control and 17-inch chrome-clad wheels.

For those selecting a Lone Star Trim, standard equipment additions include a heated steering wheel, overhead console, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, quad halogen headlights, chrome grille with chrome insert, HomeLink control (for garage door, home lighting and more), 17-inch polished forged-aluminum wheels, and unique Texas badging. The Bighorn trims add the same standard equipment as the Longhorn trim, minus the Texas badging.

The Outdoorsman trims include as factory equipment a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, premium 40/20/40 bench seat, front seat center cushion storage, storage tray, front and rear rubber floor mats, accent fender flares, black door handles, painted bumpers, tow hooks and 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Choosing a Laramie trim adds dual-zone automatic temperature control, leather-trimmed heated seats, front passenger memory seat with 10-way power adjust and 6-way power lumbar, driver preference memory control, 60/40 split-folding backseat, heated steering wheel, auto-dimming chrome exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals, accent fender flares, a 506-watt 9-speaker media center (with 6.5-inch touchscreen, 30GB hard drive, CD/DVD/ WMA/MP3 player and subwoofer), Uconnect voice command (with Bluetooth connectivity), Bluetooth streaming audio, remote USB port, 115-volt auxiliary power outlet and 17-inch polished-aluminum alloy wheels.

Selecting a Laramie Longhorn trim adds as standard equipment leather-trimmed premium bucket seats, ventilated front seats, driver preference memory control, heated second-row seats, full-length premium floor console, Mopar sill guards, accent color running boards, spray-in bedliner, and a 506-watt 9-speaker media center with a Garmin navigation system and a 1-year subscription to Sirius XM Travel Link. Finally, for those choosing a Power Wagon trim, the standard additions include an electric winch, 4.56:1 rear axle ratio, front disconnecting stabilizer bar, fuel tank and transfer case skid plate shields, Tru-Lok front and rear axles and a 180-amp alternator. Depending on trim choice, other optional equipment choices include a power sunroof, engine block heater, rear-window defroster, power adjustable pedals, remote start system and rear seat entertainment system.

For safety and security needs, all 2012 Ram 2500 trim levels come standard with 4 airbags (advanced multistage front airbags and supplemental side-curtain airbags), dynamic front crumple zones, side-impact door beams, a tire pressure monitoring system, 4-wheel disk brakes with antilock braking system and a Sentry key theft deterrent system. A security alarm comes standard on the Outdoorsman trims, fog lamps and ParkSense rear park-assist system come standard on Laramie trims, and a ParkView rear back-up camera comes equipped on the Laramie Longhorn trims.

In addition to having best-in-class torque (when equipped with the Cummins diesel engine and an automatic transmission), the 2012 Ram 2500 can tow up to 15,500 pounds or haul 3,190 pounds when properly equipped—both figures rank at or near the top for heavy-duty pickup trucks. The Ram 2500 finds itself on equal footing against competitors Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and Ford F-250 in all of the important categories: ruggedness, hauling capacity and sticker price. What sets the Ram 2500 apart from the competition is the styling touches found inside the truck’s cabin, making the Ram heavy-duty pickup a slightly better buy.