2023 RAM 2500 vs 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD showcased a bold and dominant exterior design, meticulously redesigned for the 2020 model year. It featured a tall hood, boxed-off lines, and an oversized grille, giving it a commanding presence on the road. It was regarded as one of the more attractive heavy-duty trucks available. However, once inside, opinions tended to shift slightly. While the interior was decent and functional, it fell short when stacked up against its rivals. Material quality, especially in the top trims, lagged behind competitors like the Ram 2500 and Ford F-250 Super Duty. The Sierra’s cabin, while not cramped, didn't boast the same spaciousness found in these competing trucks.

The Sierra 2500HD offered five trim levels, each with a distinct look and feel, and configurations including regular cab, extended cab, and crew cab body styles, plus two bed lengths. The Pro trim targeted professionals needing heavy-duty capability minus the frills. The SLE and SLT trims catered to mainstream buyers with a bit more comfort. The AT4 was designed for off-road enthusiasts, and the Denali was aimed at customers seeking luxury.

Our test vehicle was the off-road-oriented AT4 trim, which came with black chrome accents, C-shaped LED lighting, and red recovery hooks among other styling cues. Inside, it had Jet Black with Kalahari upholstery, heating and ventilation for the perforated leather seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and premium audio from Bose. The package felt rugged yet upscale, perfectly balancing off-road capability with luxury touches.

In contrast, the 2023 RAM 2500 Rebel had an equally aggressive, blacked-out exterior. It borrowed heavily from the Power Wagon’s design but included an aluminum sport hood, 20-inch wheels, and a cleaner look overall. The Rebel featured a specific grille and a crew-cab configuration with a 6-foot, 4-inch cargo bed. Unlike the Power Wagon, the Rebel offered a 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine, though the package had some limitations due to the cooling requirements and lack of a winch.

Inside, the Rebel’s use of quality materials, contrast stitching, and fancy finishes lent it a luxurious feel, although the gloss black plastic around the infotainment system could reflect sunlight and show dust and fingerprints. Though the starting price was higher at $67,045 (plus destination), a host of additional features, including the Safety Group and Towing Tech Group, bumped it up to $91,630 for our test vehicle. Technological enhancements like a new 12-inch digital instrumentation panel, side-view cameras, and trailer-assistance features made it a modern, tech-friendly truck.

Performance-wise, the 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD featured robust powertrains. The 6.6-liter V8 engines—both gas and the optional Duramax turbodiesel—delivered strong performance. The Duramax diesel, paired with an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission, churned out 445 horsepower and a remarkable 910 lb-ft of torque. This combination was potent yet delivered silky-smooth gear shifts. However, with a maximum tow rating of 18,500 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 3,597 pounds, it wasn't the segment leader. Nonetheless, climbing hills and tackling off-road terrains was effortless, especially with the AT4's off-road-focused features, including a locking rear differential and all-terrain tires.

By comparison, the RAM 2500 Rebel came standard with a 6.4-liter V8 engine producing 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It also offered a 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel inline-six as an option, outputting 370 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque. The Cummins engine, although more efficient, did not offer the same towing and payload capabilities as the V8 when fully equipped, topping out at a 16,870-pound tow rating and 3,140-pound payload capacity. Despite this, the diesel engine provided better fuel economy—up to 14.7 mpg in mixed driving conditions—a notable advantage over the gasoline version’s observed 10.3 mpg.

The RAM’s frame consisted of 98.5% high-strength steel, and it included features like a five-link rear suspension and optional rear air suspension, resulting in superior ride comfort and articulation. Off-road, the Rebel excelled with its 20-inch wheels, 33-inch off-road tires, locking rear differential, and skid plates. The diesel engine added a pleasingly subtle clatter and ample low-end torque, enhancing its off-road capability while maintaining refined handling on regular roads.

Functionality in the 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD was top-notch with multiple cab configurations, two bed lengths, and a wealth of convenience features. It could seat up to six passengers, and headroom, legroom, knee room, and hip room were ample in both rows. However, getting into the elevated cabin required some effort, especially in the AT4 trim. Inside, the center console offered ample storage, including dual glove boxes and hidden rear seat storage. Convenience features like a 120-volt household outlet and a wireless charging pad added to its utility. Additionally, the innovative MultiPro tailgate with six configurations made loading and unloading cargo easier and supported a makeshift mobile office setup.

Conversely, the 2023 RAM 2500 Rebel’s interior demanded good physical condition and long legs for cab entry. The Cummins diesel's column shifter seemed less refined but was part of a generally well-appointed cabin featuring leather or cloth upholstery depending on the specs. In the rear, amenities included air vents, heated seats, and power outlets. The RAM’s abundant storage solutions and the optional Ram Box bedside storage bins highlighted its practicality. Its cargo box could be outfitted with a spray-in bedliner, LED lighting, and an access step. The overall rear seat roominess and comfort were commendable, making it a great option for passengers.

Technological provisions in the 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD were strong, featuring either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen depending on the trim. Higher trims included standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a feature not available on the base trims. Navigation was included in Denali models and optional on other higher trims. The Sierra’s Bose premium audio system enhanced the cabin experience, though the voice-recognition system had its quirks. One of its significant advantages was the 15 available camera views, including the "transparent trailer" feature and the standard rear camera mirror, essential for towing and visibility.

The 2023 RAM 2500 Rebel introduced a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and enhanced its camera and trailering technology. Standard features included surround-view and forward-view cameras, blind-spot monitoring, and a digital rearview mirror, supplemented by Trailer Reverse Steering Control. The next-gen Uconnect 5 system with a 12-inch touchscreen was feature-rich, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a navigation system. The optional 17-speaker Harman Kardon audio system delivered impressive sound quality. However, the voice-recognition system wasn't as seamless as those found on smartphones, but it handled point-of-interest queries well.

Safety features in the 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking assists. Standard items like HD Surround Vision, a rear-seat reminder system, driver Safety Alert Seat, and a Teen Driver system added to its safety portfolio. Despite its robust safety features, crash-test ratings were not available due to its high GVWR.

Similarly, the 2023 RAM 2500 Rebel boasted a comprehensive suite of ADAS, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Testing these systems in various environments proved their reliability. However, like the GMC, the RAM 2500 didn't have crash-test ratings owing to its size and weight.