Capable, beautifully burly, sturdy and spacious, it is no surprise that the 2023 RAM 2500 is a heavy-duty fan favorite.
It had been a long day in our house the day that the 2023 Ram 2500 came for review. It was a steamy day in North Texas, the kind that reminds you of the gift of air conditioning and proximity to beaches within driving distance. We were feeling pent-up from the heat and ready to wander when my youngest looked up and said, “Mom, I think the fish is swimming upside down.”
After confirming that the fish was in fact not swimming at all, but rather dead, I decided that it was just the time to switch gears, put some miles on the Ram 2500, see what it could do and make a pit stop by the pet store on the way.
INSIDE THE RAM 2500
I live in the heart of truck country. It’s a beautiful place that gives you an appreciation for an equally beautiful truck. I’ve seen them in all shapes and sizes with a variety of dimensions, but what it boils down to is how does the vehicle integrate into life. Does it do what you expect it to do? Does it make life easier, and can it elevate the everyday, just a little bit?
I went to look at the Ram 2500 Lonestar Edition. It’s a Cummings Turbo Diesel and a burly big body truck that is not pretending to be anything other than solid with jewel like badging that twinkled in the sunlight. I stepped up to it.
It’s a beast. Taller than me by a good margin, it sits proud and solid, waiting for today’s mission. Open the door, and the power-deploying running board lets us get in with ease and welcomes us inside. You’ll notice that the door has discreet cargo holds for the stuff of pockets and random gear that you might need to be put down. The touchpoints like arm rests are covered in smooth leather and hide-away spots are accented with wood and polished aluminum.
From the backseat, my youngest got settled in with ease and fastened his seatbelt as I took in the setup. Look toward around the front quadrant, and there’s a smart blend of tactile buttons and an award-winning 8.4-inch UConnect infotainment system rests in the center of the dash. It’ll let you stay connected, ease navigation and manage comfort climate controls with the twist of a knob via the touchscreen.
Walk around the back, a pretty tri-fold tonneau cover ($695) and locking tailgate to keep your treasures or gear of life safe and out of sight. I slid the stroller in and made a note to try other gear in the bed before the week ended.
It’s a good look — the combination of features, details that make for easier living like the nifty spots for tech, multiple charging ports, abundant cup holders paired with the efficiency of space that simply works. There’s leg space and surfaces that you don’t have to be careful with. Combined, it makes it abundantly clear that Ram has been trucks that people love for a good minute… and with good reason.
During my perusal of the interior, he remembered that the fish had died and began the running monologue about what could have possibly gone wrong, but appreciated the fact that he could fasten himself in the seat without an assist from the front.
TURN IT ON
I figured that we should get moving as the one-sided conversation had already begun. The engine roared to life. The 6.7L I6 Cummings Turbo Diesel Engine ($9,595) powers the vehicle with ease. The version tested was a 6-speed automatic. The low growl was quiet, you can listen in the video below, and the purr settled into a smooth rhythm as we rolled down the road.
As a petite person, I was prepared for the herky-jerky ride that is common to many of the full-size, heavy-duty trucks. Pleasantly surprised, I found the ride suspension much improved and more comfortable, enough for me to settle into my favorite songs and my youngest to wind down into a nap. I noticed Ram branded Easter Eggs at various points, and it was just an added layer of fun in the day. Thankful for the journey, I navigated us to the pet store on the far side of town so I would have a chance to test the navigation and a couple of the drive modes before time for the big kids to get out of school.
The Alexa-enabled UConnect5 infotainment system powers the vehicle and allows you access the comfort and convenience functions of the vehicle like hands-free calling and voice command. Apple CarPlay connected with a couple of steps and allowed me to access my playlist. The sound system has a surround sound effect that provides crisp, clear sound throughout the vehicle and made my audiobook sound fantastic. Here’s what we were listening to: The Mystwick School of Musicraft
We finally made it to pet store for fish round two when I heard, “My Cup.” Already parked, I looked back and saw said cup precariously balanced between the two rear cup holders. Saved most of the cup, but some still tipped out on to the ‘premium’ fabric seating that the Lonestar edition of the RAM 2500 comes with.
I always get a bit nervous with fabric seats as I do life on the regular with short people. I was super delighted to find that the textured grey fabric was wipeable and allowed a few extra seconds for water from kid cups to bead up, making cleaning a breeze and the interior life-proof for the day to day. Simple things that really aren’t and make all the difference.
I came around the back to help him out of the back, so that we could finally get the new fish for the tank, and he said from a height of taller than me, “Mom, this truck makes me feel on top of the world.” I couldn’t help but laugh and think that’s kind of the point.
SPECS:
One of several available 2500 trims, the 2023 Ram Trucks 2500 Lonestar Edition 4×4 Crew Cab is an edition that does Texas proud with a life-proof interior, rear and front park assist and a gloriously powerful engine that does what you expect it to do when you expect it to do it. Heavy-duty, it’s ready for hauling your favorite toys or stably towing your RV up to 19.5k. It starts at $51,000 nicely equipped and as shown at just over $70k. Contact your local dealer for current deals and promotions. If you need a referral to a trusted dealer, let us know at blog@dallassinglemom.com
