C&D: 2014 Ram 2500 HD diesel test

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kevm14
Posts: 16014
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

C&D: 2014 Ram 2500 HD diesel test

Post by kevm14 »

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/201 ... est-review

The Ram has improved a lot. Rear coil springs and automatic leveling air springs are pretty innovative in this weight class. Though I'd be surprised if it rode/handled as well as the GM HD trucks. It's slower than the Duramax, too, but not by much. All in all, this seems like a pretty good truck. Not much to get excited about, though, at 8,000 lbs and $68k as tested ($8k of that is the Cummins alone). I liked this jab at typical home owners:
One other big-ticket option was the auto-leveling air-spring suspension ($1595). We never found a load heavy enough to challenge its leveling function; this truck laughs at a suburban homeowner's “big jobs” of hauling detritus from garage to the town dump or a refurbished lawn tractor from the hardware store.
Bob
Posts: 2470
Joined: Thu Dec 19, 2013 7:36 am

Re: C&D: 2014 Ram 2500 HD diesel test

Post by Bob »

So it traps 85 and got 16 MPG... using diesel truck owner math that means it's faster than a Corvette and gets 25 MPG :)
kevm14
Posts: 16014
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: C&D: 2014 Ram 2500 HD diesel test

Post by kevm14 »

Diesels have a funny way of feeling like nothing will stop them. It's the low rpm HP (yes, HP) and NVH I think.

In terms of powertrain performance, the Duramax has done wonders for GM after decades with its light duty 6.2/6.5 diesel offerings. For folks who actually cross-shop the big 3, the GM HD trucks seem to be the choice, especially concerning powertrain performance and general ride/handling when not hauling.
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