Ram 1500 vs Ram 2500
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Ram 2500
Overview
| Spec | Ram 1500Express | Ram 2500Tradesman |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Express | Tradesman |
| Body style | Truck (Quad Cab) | Truck (Regular Cab) |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | mild hybrid | gas |
| Model year | 2027 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ram 1500Express | Ram 2500Tradesman |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $42,375 (best) | $46,855 |
| Lowest listing price | $899 (best) | $13,300 |
| Median listing price | $53,267 (best) | $65,787 |
| Highest listing price | $139,900 | $125,067 (best) |
| For sale now | 4,143 (best) | 1,016 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ram 1500Express | Ram 2500Tradesman |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 22 MPG (best) | — |
| City MPG | 20 MPG (best) | — |
| Highway MPG | 25 MPG (best) | — |
| Fuel tank | 26 gal | 32 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Ram 1500Express | Ram 2500Tradesman |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 305 hp | 405 hp (best) |
| Torque | 269 lb-ft | 429 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 3.6 L | 6.4 L (best) |
| Cylinders | V6 | V8 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ram 1500Express | Ram 2500Tradesman |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 6 seats (best) | 3 seats |
| Doors | 4 (best) | 2 |
| Towing capacity | 7,660 lbs (best) | — |
| Payload | 2,365 lbs (best) | — |
| Curb weight | 4,836 lbs (best) | — |
| Ground clearance | — | 13 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 141 in (best) | 140.5 in |
| Length | 229 in | 232 in (best) |
| Width | 82 in (best) | 79.4 in |
| Height | 78 in | 78 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ram 1500Express | 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 | Ram 1500 | Ram 2500 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Express $42,375 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Tradesman $46,855 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Express $45,125 MSRP | Tradesman $50,475 MSRP |
| 3 | Express $48,265 MSRP | Tradesman $50,675 MSRP |
| 4 | Express $45,775 MSRP | Tradesman $49,785 MSRP |
| 5 | Express $48,525 MSRP | Tradesman $53,405 MSRP |
| 6 | Express $51,665 MSRP | Tradesman $53,605 MSRP |
| 7 | Tradesman $42,375 MSRP | Big Horn $50,605 MSRP |
| 8 | Tradesman $45,125 MSRP | Big Horn $54,225 MSRP |
| 9 | Tradesman $48,265 MSRP | Big Horn $54,425 MSRP |
| 10 | Tradesman $45,775 MSRP | Big Horn $53,535 MSRP |
| 11 | Tradesman $48,525 MSRP | Big Horn $57,155 MSRP |
| 12 | Tradesman $51,665 MSRP | Big Horn $57,355 MSRP |
| 13 | Big Horn $47,630 MSRP | Lone Star $50,605 MSRP |
| 14 | Big Horn $50,380 MSRP | Lone Star $54,225 MSRP |
| 15 | Big Horn $53,520 MSRP | Lone Star $54,425 MSRP |
| 16 | Big Horn $51,030 MSRP | Lone Star $53,535 MSRP |
| 17 | Big Horn $53,780 MSRP | Lone Star $57,155 MSRP |
| 18 | Big Horn $56,920 MSRP | Lone Star $57,355 MSRP |
| 19 | Lone Star $47,630 MSRP | Black Express $53,070 MSRP |
| 20 | Lone Star $50,380 MSRP | Black Express $53,270 MSRP |
| 21 | Lone Star $53,520 MSRP | Black Express $56,000 MSRP |
| 22 | Lone Star $51,030 MSRP | Black Express $56,200 MSRP |
| 23 | Lone Star $53,780 MSRP | Warlock $56,400 MSRP |
| 24 | Lone Star $56,920 MSRP | Laramie $62,310 MSRP |
| 25 | Warlock $48,525 MSRP | Laramie $62,510 MSRP |
| 26 | Laramie $61,680 MSRP | Laramie $65,240 MSRP |
| 27 | Laramie $65,080 MSRP | Laramie $65,440 MSRP |
| 28 | Laramie $65,525 MSRP | Laramie $79,750 MSRP |
| 29 | Rebel $65,645 MSRP | Rebel $69,755 MSRP |
| 30 | RHO $74,995 MSRP | Power Wagon $73,250 MSRP |
| 31 | Limited $76,605 MSRP | Limited $74,320 MSRP |
| 32 | Limited $76,905 MSRP | Limited $74,610 MSRP |
| 33 | Longhorn $76,605 MSRP | Limited $77,250 MSRP |
| 34 | Longhorn $76,905 MSRP | Limited $77,540 MSRP |
| 35 | Tungsten $89,000 MSRP | 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 15004,143 for sale
See all
New2026 RAM 1500
Big Horn Crew Cab 4x4 5'7" Box
Forged Blue Metallic•Black1 mi$54,053MSRP $65,770Big O Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Greenville, SC
New2026 RAM 1500
Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 5'7" Box
Granite Crystal Metallic Clear-Coat Exterior Paint•Black1 mi$58,672MSRP $72,525Big O Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Greenville, SC
New2026 RAM 1500
Big Horn Crew Cab 4x4 5'7" Box
Diamond Black Crystal Pearlcoat•Black1 mi$52,465MSRP $63,625Big O Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Greenville, SC
New2026 RAM 1500
Rebel Crew Cab 4x4 5'7" Box
Forged Blue Metallic Exterior Paint•Red/Black1 mi$56,641MSRP $71,490Big O Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Greenville, SC
New2026 RAM 1500
Big Horn Crew Cab 4x4 5'7" Box
Bright White Clearcoat•Black1 mi$54,657MSRP $66,570Big O Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Greenville, SC
New2026 RAM 1500
Big Horn Crew Cab 4x4 5'7" Box
Granite Crystal Metallic Clearcoat•Black1 mi$51,681MSRP $62,620Big O Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Greenville, SC
Ram 25001,016 for sale
See all
Used2018 Ram 2500
Laramie
MAROON46,870 mi$40,332Big O Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Greenville, SC
New2027 RAM 2500
Black Express
Bright White Clearcoat•Black1 mi$75,095Big O Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Greenville, SC
Used2020 Ram 2500
Big Horn
WHITE59,152 mi$44,372Big O Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Greenville, SC
New2026 RAM 2500
Big Horn Crew Cab 4x4 6'4" Box
Bright White Clearcoat•Black1 mi$71,645MSRP $79,275Big O Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Greenville, SC
New2026 RAM 2500
Big Horn Crew Cab 4x4 6'4" Box
Silver Zynith•Black1 mi$71,940MSRP $79,570Big O Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Greenville, SC
New2026 RAM 2500
Big Horn Crew Cab 4x4 6'4" Box
Diamond Black Crystal Pearlcoat•Black1 mi$71,940MSRP $79,570Big O Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Greenville, SC
Ram 1500 vs Ram 2500 FAQ
- Which is better: 2027 Ram 1500 or 2026 Ram 2500?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2027 Ram 1500 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: 2027 Ram 1500 or 2026 Ram 2500?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2027 Ram 1500 starts lower at $42,375. Live Ram 1500 listings start at $899. Live Ram 2500 listings start at $13,300.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2027 Ram 1500 or 2026 Ram 2500?
- The 2027 Ram 1500 leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (42,375).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2027 Ram 1500 or 2026 Ram 2500?
- The 2027 Ram 1500 leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (22).
- Which has better horsepower: 2027 Ram 1500 or 2026 Ram 2500?
- The 2027 Ram 1500 leads on horsepower in this comparison (540).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2027 Ram 1500 or 2026 Ram 2500?
- The 2027 Ram 1500 leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (11,140).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2027 Ram 1500 vs 2026 Ram 2500?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Ram 2500 (4/5 NHTSA overall).