GMC Sierra 3500 HD vs Ram 2500
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Ram 2500
Overview
| Spec | GMC Sierra 3500 HDPro | Ram 2500Tradesman |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Pro | Tradesman |
| Body style | Truck (Regular Cab) | Truck (Regular Cab) |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | GMC Sierra 3500 HDPro | Ram 2500Tradesman |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $47,900 | $46,855 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | — | $13,300 (best) |
| Median listing price | — | $65,787 (best) |
| Highest listing price | — | $125,067 (best) |
| For sale now | 0 | 1,016 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | GMC Sierra 3500 HDPro | Ram 2500Tradesman |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel tank | 36 gal (best) | 32 gal |
Performance
| Spec | GMC Sierra 3500 HDPro | Ram 2500Tradesman |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 401 hp | 405 hp (best) |
| Torque | 464 lb-ft (best) | 429 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 6.6 L (best) | 6.4 L |
| Cylinders | V8 | V8 |
Size & capability
| Spec | GMC Sierra 3500 HDPro | Ram 2500Tradesman |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 3 seats | 3 seats |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Towing capacity | 14,500 lbs (best) | — |
| Payload | 4,583 lbs (best) | — |
| Curb weight | 6,329 lbs (best) | — |
| Ground clearance | 11.2 in | 13 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 142 in (best) | 140.5 in |
| Length | 236.3 in (best) | 232 in |
| Width | 81.9 in (best) | 79.4 in |
| Height | 80.9 in (best) | 78 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | GMC Sierra 3500 HDPro | Ram 2500Tradesman |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (driver) | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (driver) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (passenger) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side pole | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Rollover | — | 3 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported (best) | 6 |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | GMC Sierra 3500 HD | Ram 2500 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pro $47,900 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Tradesman $46,855 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Pro $49,300 MSRP | Tradesman $50,475 MSRP |
| 3 | Pro $50,000 MSRP | Tradesman $50,675 MSRP |
| 4 | Pro $51,400 MSRP | Tradesman $49,785 MSRP |
| 5 | Pro $51,600 MSRP | Tradesman $53,405 MSRP |
| 6 | Pro $51,800 MSRP | Tradesman $53,605 MSRP |
| 7 | Pro $53,200 MSRP | Big Horn $50,605 MSRP |
| 8 | Pro $50,700 MSRP | Big Horn $54,225 MSRP |
| 9 | Pro $52,100 MSRP | Big Horn $54,425 MSRP |
| 10 | Pro $52,800 MSRP | Big Horn $53,535 MSRP |
| 11 | Pro $54,200 MSRP | Big Horn $57,155 MSRP |
| 12 | Pro $54,400 MSRP | Big Horn $57,355 MSRP |
| 13 | Pro $54,600 MSRP | Lone Star $50,605 MSRP |
| 14 | Pro $56,000 MSRP | Lone Star $54,225 MSRP |
| 15 | SLE $54,700 MSRP | Lone Star $54,425 MSRP |
| 16 | SLE $56,200 MSRP | Lone Star $53,535 MSRP |
| 17 | SLE $57,000 MSRP | Lone Star $57,155 MSRP |
| 18 | SLE $58,400 MSRP | Lone Star $57,355 MSRP |
| 19 | SLE $58,600 MSRP | Black Express $53,070 MSRP |
| 20 | SLE $58,800 MSRP | Black Express $53,270 MSRP |
| 21 | SLE $60,100 MSRP | Black Express $56,000 MSRP |
| 22 | SLT $65,900 MSRP | Black Express $56,200 MSRP |
| 23 | SLT $66,100 MSRP | Warlock $56,400 MSRP |
| 24 | SLT $67,500 MSRP | Laramie $62,310 MSRP |
| 25 | AT4 $72,800 MSRP | Laramie $62,510 MSRP |
| 26 | AT4 $73,000 MSRP | Laramie $65,240 MSRP |
| 27 | Denali $76,100 MSRP | Laramie $65,440 MSRP |
| 28 | Denali $76,300 MSRP | Laramie $79,750 MSRP |
| 29 | Denali $79,100 MSRP | Rebel $69,755 MSRP |
| 30 | Denali Ultimate $97,200 MSRP | Power Wagon $73,250 MSRP |
| 31 | Denali Ultimate $97,400 MSRP | Limited $74,320 MSRP |
| 32 | Denali Ultimate $101,300 MSRP | Limited $74,610 MSRP |
| 33 | — | Limited $77,250 MSRP |
| 34 | — | Limited $77,540 MSRP |
| 35 | — | Limited $92,050 MSRP |
| 36 | — | Limited Longhorn $74,320 MSRP |
| 37 | — | Limited Longhorn $74,610 MSRP |
| 38 | — | Limited Longhorn $77,250 MSRP |
| 39 | — | Limited Longhorn $77,540 MSRP |
| 40 | — | Limited Longhorn $92,050 MSRP |
Live inventory
Ram 25001,016 for sale
See all
Used2019 Ram 2500
Big Horn
Bright White Clearcoat•Black84,916 mi$38,500Seelye Select on 9th
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Used2011 Ram 2500
Outdoorsman
Bright Silver Metallic Clearcoat167,785 mi$13,300Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
New2026 Ram 2500
RAM 2500 TRADESMAN CREW CAB 4X4 6'4' BOX
Silver Zynith•Diesel Gray/Black14 mi$63,794Clay Maxey Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Clinton, AR
Used2017 Ram 2500
Laramie
Delmonico Red Pearlcoat•Lt Frost Beige/Brown87,434 mi$31,995Wholesale Direct Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Used2022 Ram 2500
Tradesman
Bright White Clearcoat•Diesel Gray/Black161,113 mi$21,495Wholesale Direct Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Used2015 Ram 2500
Laramie
Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearlcoat•Lt Frost Beige/Brown124,149 mi$30,975Wholesale Direct Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
GMC Sierra 3500 HD vs Ram 2500 FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 GMC Sierra 3500 HD or 2026 Ram 2500?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 GMC Sierra 3500 HD vs 2026 Ram 2500 on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 GMC Sierra 3500 HD or 2026 Ram 2500?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Ram 2500 starts lower at $46,855. Live Ram 2500 listings start at $13,300.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 GMC Sierra 3500 HD or 2026 Ram 2500?
- The 2026 Ram 2500 leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (46,855).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 GMC Sierra 3500 HD or 2026 Ram 2500?
- The 2026 GMC Sierra 3500 HD leads on horsepower in this comparison (470).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 GMC Sierra 3500 HD or 2026 Ram 2500?
- The 2026 GMC Sierra 3500 HD leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (20,000).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 GMC Sierra 3500 HD vs 2026 Ram 2500?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Ram 2500 (4/5 NHTSA overall).