2020 RAM 1500 vs 2020 RAM 2500

2020 RAM 1500
2020 RAM 1500
$28,200MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 RAM 2500
2020 RAM 2500
$33,895MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 RAM 1500
$28,200MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 RAM 2500
$33,895MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$28,200

MSRP

$33,895

Average price

$31,464

Average price

$42,749

Listings

3942

Listings

730

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.7 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.8 out of 10
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Great safety ratings
Cons
  • Advanced safety features are not standard
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Off-road capability
  • Impressive technology
Cons
  • Sluggish performance

2020 RAM 1500 Reviews Summary

A full redesign in 2019 left a significant bit of tech on the table for the increasingly popular Ram 1500: the EcoDiesel 3.0-liter engine. Ram was once the only option for a half-ton diesel pickup, but emissions certification problems resulted in Ram pulling the diesel engine a few years ago. The engineers at Ram have been hard at work updating it ever since. Although the EcoDiesel wasn’t ready for 2019, it’s now available to any 2020 Ram 1500 trim, so it seems it was well worth the wait. With 80% new parts, the EcoDiesel's improvements to power, efficiency, and delivery all mean that Ram is fighting hard to change minds about America’s least-loved engine type.

2020 RAM 2500 Reviews Summary

Heavy-duty trucks are all about headroom. It's packing a half-ton of timber in the bed without feeling a thing in the cab, or pulling 8,000 pounds and knowing there's another 8,000 or more in reserve. While it's acceptable to max out a light-duty truck on occasion, doing so puts excessive stress on the powertrain, brakes, and tires. HD trucks like the 2020 Ram 2500 are flashier and monstrous in size, but their posture is serious. If your life requires a truck like this, then I’d recommend you indulge in the Ram’s top-grade luxury, technology, and capability.

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

3.6L 305 hp V6

Engine

Drive Train

4X2

Drive Train

Seating Capacity

3

Seating Capacity

3

Horsepower

305 hp @ 6400 rpm

Horsepower

MPG City

17

MPG City

MPG Highway

25

MPG Highway

2020 RAM 1500
2020 RAM 1500
$28,200MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 RAM 2500
2020 RAM 2500
$33,895MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 RAM 1500
$28,200MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 RAM 2500
$33,895MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$28,200
$33,895
Average price
$31,464
$42,749
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews
4.7
4.7
Expert reviews

7.7 out of 10

Read full review

8.8 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Great safety ratings
Cons
  • Advanced safety features are not standard
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Off-road capability
  • Impressive technology
Cons
  • Sluggish performance
Summary
A full redesign in 2019 left a significant bit of tech on the table for the increasingly popular Ram 1500: the EcoDiesel 3.0-liter engine. Ram was once the only option for a half-ton diesel pickup, but emissions certification problems resulted in Ram pulling the diesel engine a few years ago. The engineers at Ram have been hard at work updating it ever since. Although the EcoDiesel wasn’t ready for 2019, it’s now available to any 2020 Ram 1500 trim, so it seems it was well worth the wait. With 80% new parts, the EcoDiesel's improvements to power, efficiency, and delivery all mean that Ram is fighting hard to change minds about America’s least-loved engine type.
Heavy-duty trucks are all about headroom. It's packing a half-ton of timber in the bed without feeling a thing in the cab, or pulling 8,000 pounds and knowing there's another 8,000 or more in reserve. While it's acceptable to max out a light-duty truck on occasion, doing so puts excessive stress on the powertrain, brakes, and tires. HD trucks like the 2020 Ram 2500 are flashier and monstrous in size, but their posture is serious. If your life requires a truck like this, then I’d recommend you indulge in the Ram’s top-grade luxury, technology, and capability.
Video

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
3.6L 305 hp V6
Drive Train
4X2
Seating Capacity
3
3
Horsepower
305 hp @ 6400 rpm
MPG City
17
MPG Highway
25
Look and feel
2020 RAM 1500
8/10
2020 RAM 2500
8/10
Whether or not you need a heavy-duty pickup is not always obvious. Here, we compare the light-duty Ram 1500 to its bigger sibling, the heavy-duty Ram 2500, to help you decide which one fits the bill. The 2020 Ram 1500 got the EcoDiesel 3.0-liter engine, addressing previous emissions certification issues. With 80% new parts, the EcoDiesel engine aimed to reclaim the Ram 1500's spot as a top choice for a half-ton diesel pickup, emphasizing improvements in power, efficiency, and performance. The 2020 Ram 2500, on the other hand, catered to those requiring heavy-duty capabilities, offering exceptional payload and towing capacity combined with top-grade luxury and technology for a serious yet sophisticated workhorse.
Performance
2020 RAM 1500
7/10
2020 RAM 2500
9/10
Performance ratings from CarGurus stand at 7 out of 10 for the 2020 Ram 1500 and 9 out of 10 for the 2020 Ram 2500. The Ram 1500's engine lineup includes a reworked 3.6-liter V6 with eTorque, a 5.7-liter V8, and the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6, combining efficiency with capability. The Ram 2500's power comes from a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 or a 6.7-liter Cummins diesel, delivering impressive towing and payload capacities along with a ride that balances comfort with rugged utility.
Form and function
2020 RAM 1500
8/10
2020 RAM 2500
8/10
CarGurus experts assigned both the 2020 Ram 1500 and the 2020 Ram 2500 an 8 out of 10 rating for form and function, highlighting their respective strengths in accommodating heavy loads and providing comfort. The Ram 1500 sets a high standard with its class-leading torque and a towing capacity of over 12,000 pounds, ensuring it meets the demands of various hauling tasks. Its spacious interior offers ample room for passengers in both the front and back seats, with rear coil springs enhancing the ride quality over rough terrain. The truck also boasts an impressive 151 liters of interior storage, nearly doubling that of its closest competitor, and features such as reclining rear seats in higher trims add an extra layer of comfort for passengers. The Ram 2500 is designed for even more demanding tasks, offering a choice between a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 and a 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engine. The Hemi V8 engine option enables the Ram 2500 to haul up to 4,380 pounds on RWD Regular cab models and tow a minimum of 16,110 pounds, with a maximum towing capacity reaching 17,350 pounds. Opting for the Cummins diesel engine further enhances the Ram 2500's capabilities, allowing for a towing capacity of up to 19,780 pounds and a payload capacity of up to 3,060 pounds. Additionally, the Ram 2500's interior is crafted to offer unparalleled luxury and comfort, making it as suitable for long hauls as it is for daily tasks, with features designed to simplify towing and payload management.
Technology
2020 RAM 1500
7/10
2020 RAM 2500
10/10
Technology ratings are 7 out of 10 for the 2020 Ram 1500 and 10 out of 10 for the 2020 Ram 2500. The Ram 1500's Uconnect system, available in 8.4-inch or 12-inch touchscreen formats, offers ease of use and connectivity. The 2020 Ram 2500 has a standard 5-inch touchscreen, but the 8.4-inch and 12-inch versions are also available, providing the same user-friendly interface and comprehensive control over the vehicle's functions.
Safety
2020 RAM 1500
9/10
2020 RAM 2500
9/10
Safety assessments give both the 2020 Ram 1500 and 2020 Ram 2500 a rating of 9 out of 10. The Ram 1500 stands out as the first full-size, body-on-frame pickup to earn a Top Safety Pick Plus from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), contingent on specific configurations. While the Ram 2500 is not rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the IIHS, its available safety features and strong build maintain a high safety standard.
Cost Effectiveness
2020 RAM 1500
7/10
2020 RAM 2500
7/10

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

CarGurus experts evaluated the 2020 Ram 1500 and Ram 2500 within their own classes. This resulted in an overall rating of 7.7 out of 10 for the Ram 1500, while the 2020 Ram 2500 scored 8.8 out of 10. The 2020 Ram 2500 edged ahead for its superior performance, technology, and luxury, despite its higher cost.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

CarGurus experts evaluated the 2020 Ram 1500 and Ram 2500 within their own classes. This resulted in an overall rating of 7.7 out of 10 for the Ram 1500, while the 2020 Ram 2500 scored 8.8 out of 10. The 2020 Ram 2500 edged ahead for its superior performance, technology, and luxury, despite its higher cost.

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By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

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