Ram has done it again. For the ninth time, the brand has claimed a coveted Truck of the Year crown, this time with the refreshed 2026 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty. On paper, it’s an absolute diesel sledgehammer: 1,075 lb-ft of torque, serious towing muscle, refined ride quality, and legitimate off-road credibility—especially in Power Wagon form.
But awards don’t tell the whole story.
Behind the headlines, the new Ram 2500 HD delivers immense capability while also exposing a few weaknesses that prevent it from being the undisputed heavy-duty champion. So how did it beat Ford and GM yet again—and where does it fall short? Let’s break it down.
Why the Ram 2500 HD Won Truck of the Year
The Truck of the Year award isn’t about raw numbers alone. Judges evaluate real-world usability, daily comfort, powertrain refinement, and versatility—and that’s where the Ram 2500 HD shines.
This marks Ram’s first major HD refresh since its 2019 TOTY win, and the improvements focus on what owners actually use every day: power delivery, ride comfort, interior tech, and configuration flexibility.
Simply put, the Ram 2500 HD nails the fundamentals better than almost anything else in the segment.
Cummins Diesel Power: The Backbone of the Victory
At the heart of the Ram 2500 HD’s success is the legendary 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel inline-six.
Cummins Diesel Specs
- 430 horsepower
- 1,075 lb-ft of torque
- Peak torque at just 1,800 rpm
That torque figure isn’t just a headline—it’s transformational. Whether towing heavy trailers, hauling construction equipment, or climbing steep grades, the Cummins delivers smooth, effortless pull with minimal drama. Testers recorded a 0–60 mph time of 6.6 seconds, which is borderline absurd for a truck weighing 8,378 pounds.
The power delivery is calm, controlled, and confidence-inspiring—exactly what buyers want in a heavy-duty rig.
Power Wagon: Still the Off-Road King of HD Trucks
While most HD trucks live their lives on highways and job sites, the Ram 2500 Power Wagon remains the only heavy-duty pickup that takes off-roading seriously from the factory.
Instead of the diesel, the Power Wagon runs the 6.4-liter HEMI V8, delivering:
- 405 horsepower
- 429 lb-ft of torque
- 0–60 mph in 7.2 seconds
More importantly, it comes loaded with hardcore gear:
- Locking front and rear differentials
- Electronic disconnecting sway bar
- Factory winch
- Heavy-duty suspension tuned for rock crawling
It’s a rare breed—an HD truck that can tow, crawl, and daily-drive without feeling like a compromise.
Interior and Ride Quality: Ram’s Secret Weapon
Ram continues to dominate the segment when it comes to ride comfort and interior refinement. Even unloaded, the 2500 HD rides with more composure than many rivals, making it easier to live with day-to-day.
For 2026, Ram adds:
- Updated infotainment software
- Improved driver-assistance features
- Cleaner digital interfaces
- Higher-quality materials on upper trims
This truck feels less like a tool and more like a premium machine—without losing its workhorse DNA.
Where the Ram 2500 HD Falls Short
Despite the award, the Ram 2500 HD isn’t perfect—and testers didn’t ignore the flaws.
Steering Issues
The most common complaint? Imprecise steering. Multiple reviewers described the truck as feeling “loose” or “wandering” at highway speeds, especially when unloaded. In a segment where confidence matters, this stands out as a genuine weakness.
Trailer Tech Letdowns
Ironically, one of the areas where Ram trails rivals is in towing technology:
- Trailer backup assist was described as awkward and unintuitive
- Some testers preferred backing trailers manually
- Lane-centering assist is less refined than Ford’s system
Ford’s Super Duty still leads the class in work-focused driver aids, while GM’s HD trucks deliver more predictable steering feel.
How It Stacks Up Against Ford and GM
- Ford Super Duty: Best towing tech, superior steering precision, excellent work-site features
- Chevy/GMC 2500: Smoother steering feel, refined ride, simpler towing experience
- Ram 2500 HD: Best ride comfort, strongest diesel refinement, unmatched off-road HD capability
The Ram wins not by dominating every category—but by being the best all-around package.
Pricing and Configurations
Heavy-duty trucks aren’t cheap, and the Ram 2500 HD is no exception.
- Power Wagon: starts around $74,000
- Limited Diesel: starts around $78,000
- As-tested models: can approach $99,000
Still, buyers get enormous configuration flexibility, premium interiors, and one of the best diesel engines ever put in a pickup.
Final Verdict: A Worthy Champion—With Caveats
The 2026 Ram 2500 HD didn’t win Truck of the Year by accident. It excels where most owners actually live: towing heavy loads, absorbing daily abuse, delivering comfort, and offering versatility that rivals struggle to match.
Yes, the steering needs improvement. Yes, the trailer tech isn’t class-leading. But Ram nailed the essentials—and in the heavy-duty world, that’s what matters most.
The result?
A Truck of the Year winner that hauls harder than your ex’s baggage and proves that refinement and brute force can coexist.
So the big question remains:
Are you sticking with Ram—or jumping ship to Ford or Chevy?
