2023 RAM 2500 vs 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty

The 2023 Ram 2500 Rebel's appearance was strikingly familiar to those acquainted with the Power Wagon. Essentially a Power Wagon minus certain features like the graphics, 17-inch wheels, and the 12,000-pound Warn winch integrated into the front bumper, the Rebel sported an aluminum sport hood and 20-inch wheels, giving it a similarly aggressive and modern blacked-out aesthetic. All Ram 2500 Rebels featured the Rebel-specific grille, a crew-cab configuration with a 6-foot, 4-inch cargo bed, and a standard 6.4-liter V8 engine. Additionally, the Rebel offered a 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel inline-six, unavailable in the Power Wagon due to the incompatibility with the Warn winch's cooling requirements.

Priced starting at $67,045 plus a $1,895 destination charge from the Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico factory, the Ram 2500 Rebel’s total Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) could climb significantly with additional options. Our Hydro Blue Rebel test model, equipped with the Safety Group, Towing Tech Group, and a 17-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, had an MSRP of $91,630, including destination.

The 2500 Heavy Duty Rebel benefited from several updates across the Ram lineup for the 2023 model year. A new 12-inch digital instrumentation panel was available, offering advanced towing technologies such as power telescopic towing mirrors, trailer and side-view capabilities for the digital rearview mirror, and a Trailer Tow Pages app. The Trailer Reverse Steering Control, a semi-autonomous steering technology, made reversing a trailer more straightforward.

The interior of the Ram 2500 Rebel was luxurious, featuring high-quality materials, contrast stitching, and sophisticated finishes. However, the gloss black plastic around the infotainment system attracted dust and fingerprints and reflected sunlight, sometimes making it difficult to see the climate controls. Despite these minor inconveniences, the interior's overall comfort and aesthetic appeal were undeniable.

Conversely, the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty's redesign marked more of an evolution than a revolution. The new model was available in several trims: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited. The base XL trim, although a work truck, still offered some creature comforts, including 17-inch wheels, vinyl upholstery, a four-speaker stereo, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The XLT trim added features like cloth upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and integrated trailer brake controller.

The Lariat trim introduced more luxurious features such as leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a 12-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The King Ranch, driven during the test, stood out as a luxury truck with 20-inch alloy wheels, two-tone paint, and less chrome, favoring darker tones for a sophisticated look. The King Ranch also featured unique branding, luxurious interior appointments like two-tone brown leather seats, and an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium stereo system.

Further up the trim levels, the Platinum and Limited models offered even more amenities. The Platinum trim featured similar comforts to the King Ranch but with more cosmopolitan styling, while the top-tier Limited trim included nearly every package and option available, such as max-recline seats and a dual-panel sunroof, providing a comprehensive luxury experience.

The 2023 Ram 2500 Rebel's performance was robust, with the standard 6.4-liter V8 engine producing 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive (4WD). The part-time transfer case allowed for 4-Hi and 4-Lo settings, and a front-axle disconnect system helped improve fuel efficiency by enabling rear-wheel drive (RWD) operation.

In addition to the V8, the Rebel offered a standard-output version of Ram's Cummins 6.7-liter turbodiesel inline-six engine, which generated 370 horsepower and an impressive 850 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission. While the Cummins engine provided better fuel efficiency and significant torque, it increased the vehicle's price by approximately $10,000. Moreover, the V8 was necessary for the Rebel's maximum towing capacity of 16,870 pounds and payload capacity of 3,140 pounds.

The Cummins engine's fuel economy was notable, with the trip computer showing 19.1 mpg after 75 miles of highway driving, which dropped to 16.1 mpg during a climb and further to 14.7 mpg with off-roading. The V8, under similar conditions, showed a significantly lower 10.3 mpg. The Rebel's off-road capabilities were robust, thanks to its high-strength steel frame, hydraulically assisted recirculating ball steering gear, and sophisticated rear suspension, which Ram claimed offered the best ride, handling, load carrying, and axle articulation in the heavy-duty segment. The Rebel also featured 20-inch wheels with 33-inch off-road tires, a locking rear differential, a limited-slip rear differential, and skid plates, making it nearly as capable as the Power Wagon while offering better towing and hauling capacities.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty, on the other hand, offered a range of powerful engines. The base 6.8-liter gas V8 produced 400 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque. A more powerful 7.3-liter V8 was available, delivering 430 horsepower and 485 pound-feet of torque. The 6.7-liter PowerStroke turbodiesel V8, a popular choice, produced 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque. Our test model featured a high-output version of this engine, boasting 500 horsepower and an incredible 1,200 pound-feet of torque.

All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth power delivery and ensuring the diesel engines remained in the optimal powerband. The F-250's diesel engine offered lively performance, even at highway speeds, but its size made maneuverability challenging, especially in tight spaces. The Super Duty's steering was precise for a vehicle of its size, making it manageable in traffic.

When properly equipped, the F-250 Super Duty's towing capacity maxed at 22,000 pounds, requiring specific configurations with the turbodiesel engine. Ford's Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and onboard scales made towing more manageable, providing real-time cargo load estimates and weight distribution insights.

Entering and exiting the 2023 Ram 2500 Rebel required good physical condition and long legs. The Cummins turbodiesel's six-speed automatic used a column shifter, which felt somewhat cheap compared to the rest of the interior. Depending on the configuration, the truck featured cloth or leather upholstery and either a front bench or bucket seats. Our test vehicle had premium Natura Plus leather and bucket seats, which were comfortable and practical with heating and ventilation, though accessing these features required navigating the Uconnect 5 infotainment system's Comfort menu.

The rear seat was spacious and comfortable, offering air conditioning vents, heated outboard cushions, USB charging ports, and a 115-volt/400-watt AC power outlet. The interior boasted ample storage, including hidden dashboard storage, center console bins, and various compartments throughout the cabin. Cargo box options included a spray-in bedliner, LED lighting, and a bed access step, with the available Ram Box locking bedside storage bins being particularly appealing.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in regular cab, SuperCab (extended cab), and Super Crew (full four-door crew cab) configurations, with either a 6.75-foot or 8-foot bed. The SuperCab's rear-hinged clamshell doors required the front doors to be open, which could be inconvenient but provided a wide opening for the cab. Our test model featured an optional Warn winch integrated into the front bumper, a soft-opening tailgate, and helpful bed steps ahead and behind the rear wheels.

The F-250's interior was designed for practicality and convenience, with numerous cupholders, a massive center storage bin, dual glove boxes, and extensive door storage. In the Super Crew model, the rear seats folded up to provide a large protected cargo area.

The 2023 Ram 2500 introduced a new 12-inch digital instrumentation panel, offering various gauge and menu display configurations controlled via the steering wheel. The system was intuitive but required familiarization to avoid distractions while driving. The Rebel also featured advanced exterior camera systems and trailering technologies, including blind-spot cameras, a digital rearview mirror, and Trailer Reverse Steering Control.

Every Ram 2500 came with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring a 12-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, navigation, and an optional 17-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system. The infotainment screen remained bright and visible even in direct sunlight, with configurable home screen options and primary menu selections for easy navigation. The voice-recognition system worked well but was slightly less effective than smartphone assistants.

The base infotainment system in the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty was an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our test model had a larger 12-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, featuring a logical control layout and redundant dials for radio and climate controls. The screen integrated seamlessly into the dash, providing a modern look.

The F-250 offered multiple USB ports, a wall-style power outlet, and wireless device charging, ensuring connectivity and charging options for various devices. The navigation system included Trailer Navigation, which optimized routes based on trailer weight and dimensions, avoiding tight turns and low bridges.

The 2023 Ram 2500 offered several advanced driving assistance

systems (ADAS), including automatic high-beam headlights, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking (including for trailer brakes), lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. These systems performed well on open highways, adjusting to traffic conditions smoothly. However, official crash-test ratings were unavailable for the Ram 2500.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty came equipped with the Ford CoPilot 360 suite of driver assistance features, depending on the trim level. These included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centering assist, traffic sign recognition, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The parking camera system was particularly useful for maneuvering the large vehicle in tight spaces.

Our test model featured dual-tier power-adjustable and power-telescoping trailer mirrors, providing excellent visibility and making the truck easier to park. Ford also offered a trailer blind-spot monitoring system and an innovative backup camera for use with the tailgate down. However, like the Ram 2500, the F-250 Super Duty had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.