Ram 2500 vs Ram 3500
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Ram 3500
Overview
| Spec | Ram 2500Tradesman | Ram 3500Tradesman |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Tradesman | Tradesman |
| Body style | Truck (Regular Cab) | Truck (Regular Cab) |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ram 2500Tradesman | Ram 3500Tradesman |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $46,855 | $46,570 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $13,300 (best) | $14,500 |
| Median listing price | $65,640 (best) | $71,584 |
| Highest listing price | $125,067 | $101,312 (best) |
| For sale now | 1,021 (best) | 328 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ram 2500Tradesman | Ram 3500Tradesman |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel tank | 32 gal | 32 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Ram 2500Tradesman | Ram 3500Tradesman |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 405 hp | 405 hp |
| Torque | 429 lb-ft | 429 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 6.4 L | 6.4 L |
| Cylinders | V8 | V8 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ram 2500Tradesman | Ram 3500Tradesman |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 3 seats | 3 seats |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Ground clearance | 13 in (best) | 11.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 140.5 in (best) | 140 in |
| Length | 232 in | 232 in |
| Width | 79.4 in | 79.4 in |
| Height | 78 in (best) | 77.8 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ram 2500Tradesman | Ram 3500Tradesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 6 | 4 (best) |
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 2500 | Ram 3500 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tradesman $46,855 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Tradesman $46,570 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Tradesman $50,475 MSRP | Tradesman $48,155 MSRP |
| 3 | Tradesman $50,675 MSRP | Tradesman $50,190 MSRP |
| 4 | Tradesman $49,785 MSRP | Tradesman $50,390 MSRP |
| 5 | Tradesman $53,405 MSRP | Tradesman $51,775 MSRP |
| 6 | Tradesman $53,605 MSRP | Tradesman $51,975 MSRP |
| 7 | Big Horn $50,605 MSRP | Tradesman $49,500 MSRP |
| 8 | Big Horn $54,225 MSRP | Tradesman $51,085 MSRP |
| 9 | Big Horn $54,425 MSRP | Tradesman $53,120 MSRP |
| 10 | Big Horn $53,535 MSRP | Tradesman $53,320 MSRP |
| 11 | Big Horn $57,155 MSRP | Tradesman $54,705 MSRP |
| 12 | Big Horn $57,355 MSRP | Tradesman $54,905 MSRP |
| 13 | Lone Star $50,605 MSRP | Big Horn $49,895 MSRP |
| 14 | Lone Star $54,225 MSRP | Big Horn $51,905 MSRP |
| 15 | Lone Star $54,425 MSRP | Big Horn $53,515 MSRP |
| 16 | Lone Star $53,535 MSRP | Big Horn $53,715 MSRP |
| 17 | Lone Star $57,155 MSRP | Big Horn $55,525 MSRP |
| 18 | Lone Star $57,355 MSRP | Big Horn $55,725 MSRP |
| 19 | Black Express $53,070 MSRP | Big Horn $52,825 MSRP |
| 20 | Black Express $53,270 MSRP | Big Horn $54,835 MSRP |
| 21 | Black Express $56,000 MSRP | Big Horn $56,445 MSRP |
| 22 | Black Express $56,200 MSRP | Big Horn $56,645 MSRP |
| 23 | Warlock $56,400 MSRP | Big Horn $58,455 MSRP |
| 24 | Laramie $62,310 MSRP | Big Horn $58,655 MSRP |
| 25 | Laramie $62,510 MSRP | Lone Star $49,895 MSRP |
| 26 | Laramie $65,240 MSRP | Lone Star $51,905 MSRP |
| 27 | Laramie $65,440 MSRP | Lone Star $53,515 MSRP |
| 28 | Laramie $79,750 MSRP | Lone Star $53,715 MSRP |
| 29 | Rebel $69,755 MSRP | Lone Star $55,525 MSRP |
| 30 | Power Wagon $73,250 MSRP | Lone Star $55,725 MSRP |
| 31 | Limited $74,320 MSRP | Lone Star $52,825 MSRP |
| 32 | Limited $74,610 MSRP | Lone Star $54,835 MSRP |
| 33 | Limited $77,250 MSRP | Lone Star $56,445 MSRP |
| 34 | Limited $77,540 MSRP | Lone Star $56,645 MSRP |
| 35 | Limited $92,050 MSRP | Lone Star $58,455 MSRP |
| 36 | Limited Longhorn $74,320 MSRP | Lone Star $58,655 MSRP |
| 37 | Limited Longhorn $74,610 MSRP | Laramie $61,805 MSRP |
| 38 | Limited Longhorn $77,250 MSRP | Laramie $62,005 MSRP |
| 39 | Limited Longhorn $77,540 MSRP | Laramie $63,610 MSRP |
| 40 | Limited Longhorn $92,050 MSRP | Laramie $63,810 MSRP |
| 41 | — | Laramie $64,735 MSRP |
| 42 | — | Laramie $64,935 MSRP |
| 43 | — | Laramie $66,540 MSRP |
| 44 | — | Laramie $66,740 MSRP |
| 45 | — | Laramie $78,845 MSRP |
| 46 | — | Laramie $81,050 MSRP |
| 47 | — | Limited $74,820 MSRP |
| 48 | — | Limited $75,020 MSRP |
| 49 | — | Limited $75,620 MSRP |
| 50 | — | Limited $75,910 MSRP |
| 51 | — | Limited $77,750 MSRP |
| 52 | — | Limited $77,950 MSRP |
| 53 | — | Limited $78,550 MSRP |
| 54 | — | Limited $78,840 MSRP |
| 55 | — | Limited $91,860 MSRP |
| 56 | — | Limited $93,350 MSRP |
| 57 | — | Limited Longhorn $74,820 MSRP |
| 58 | — | Limited Longhorn $75,020 MSRP |
| 59 | — | Limited Longhorn $75,620 MSRP |
| 60 | — | Limited Longhorn $75,910 MSRP |
| 61 | — | Limited Longhorn $77,750 MSRP |
| 62 | — | Limited Longhorn $77,950 MSRP |
| 63 | — | Limited Longhorn $78,550 MSRP |
| 64 | — | Limited Longhorn $78,840 MSRP |
| 65 | — | Limited Longhorn $91,860 MSRP |
| 66 | — | Limited Longhorn $93,350 MSRP |
Live inventory
Ram 25001,021 for sale
See all
Used2019 Ram 2500
Big Horn
Bright White Clearcoat•Black84,916 mi$38,500Seelye Select on 9th
Kalamazoo, MI
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
Ram 3500328 for sale
See all
Used2020 Ram 3500
Tradesman
Delmonico Red Pearlcoat•Black41,976 mi$43,985Seelye Select on 9th
Kalamazoo, MI
New2026 Ram 3500
RAM 3500 BIG HORN CREW CAB 4X4 8' BOX
Diamond Black Crystal Pearlcoat•Black13 mi$73,765Clay Maxey Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Clinton, AR
New2026 Ram 3500
RAM 3500 TRADESMAN CREW CAB 4X4 8' BOX
21 mi$66,993Clay Maxey Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Clinton, AR
New2026 Ram 3500
Tradesman Cummins HO Diesel Dually 4x4
Bright White Clearcoat•Black13 mi$65,695Greenville Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM
Greenville, AL
New2026 Ram 3500
Laramie
22 mi$78,648Shottenkirk Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Granbury
Granbury, TX
New2026 Ram 3500
Laramie
21 mi$78,789Shottenkirk Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Granbury
Granbury, TX
Ram 2500 vs Ram 3500 FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Ram 2500 or 2026 Ram 3500?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Ram 2500 vs 2026 Ram 3500 on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 Ram 2500 or 2026 Ram 3500?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Ram 3500 starts lower at $46,570. Live Ram 2500 listings start at $13,300. Live Ram 3500 listings start at $14,500.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Ram 2500 or 2026 Ram 3500?
- The 2026 Ram 3500 leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (46,570).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Ram 2500 or 2026 Ram 3500?
- The 2026 Ram 3500 leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (36,720).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Ram 2500 vs 2026 Ram 3500?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Ram 2500 (4/5 NHTSA overall).