2023 Dodge RAM It’s been four model years since the last major mid-cycle action (MCA) progress from the 2500/3500 Heavy-Duty RAM pickup continues to be quite competitive against new competition from Ford and General Motors (GM).
Over the past decade, the state of the truck market has played out a constant battle between the three automakers over bragging rights about towing, payload, and technology.
With the 2023 model year approaching, it seems likely that Ford and GM are eagerly working on updated versions of their current line of heavy-duty pickup trucks.
This is the first time we’ve seen RAM engineers test some of their latest gear for the upcoming 2023 RAM 2500/3500 Heavy Duty pickup.
2023 Dodge RAM Review: New Dodge RAM 2023
It appears that the RAM Truck brand will continue to offer its Heavy-Duty lineup based on the 4th generation RAM 2500 (DJ) and 3500 (D2) platforms.
These two new prototypes don’t show much change in the style department, but we’re sure we’ll start seeing more style updates ahead of Spring.
2023 Dodge RAM 2500
The most significant change for the 2023 model year is the change in the rearview mirror. This RAM 2500 Limited Longhorn Mega Cab shows us an early development unit of the all-new 2023 truck side mirrors.
The Limited Longhorn testers appear to be equipped with a 3D-printed version of the new extendable side mirrors.
The new mirror design will be available in both power and manual applications. They will also house electric and heated glass and surveillance glass as well as LED puddle lights, blind spot indicators, 360-degree cameras, rear, and front floodlights, LED turn signals, and a new tow camera.
Most of the features have been adapted into the “deer” folding crane mirrors currently in the Heavy-Duty RAM lineup, but now there’s no need to fold the rearview mirror while pulling.
Another test truck that caught our eye is this Olive Green RAM 2500 with what looks like a new, more production-ready mirror unit covered in black vinyl camouflage. The hood has also been closed, but again sources close to HDRAMs.com have stated that this truck is not a 2500 RAM Power Wagon 2023 but an off-road-oriented 2500 Rebel RAM model.
It seems that RAM will offer the all-new Rebel model for the very attractive 2023 model year. RAM now offers Rebel beyond its 1500 RAM lineup as we saw in Latin America’s Rebel 1000 RAM. The Rebel will use many of the styling elements of the 2500 Power Wagon’s RAM but this time it will allow for a more aggressive offroad Cummins package.
Read next: 023 RAM 1500: All-New RAM 1500 Limited Crew Cab Review
We rate the 2023 RAM 2500 Rebel prototype featuring a black version of the WRA 18-inch x 8-inch Limited Longhorn aluminum wheels with a set of BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KO2 tires as well as a Power Wagon grille that matches the RAM 1500 Rebel motif plus with Power Wagon Flared fenders and no holes for the WARN Power Wagon winch in the lower grille.
We were hoping there might be a new hood design for the Rebel, to help differentiate it from the Power Wagon.
We also noticed that the Uconnect 5’s 12-inch display remained vertical on the instrument panel until 2023.
However, we did see some interior camouflage folded back on the dashboard. We’re sure it’s for the all-new 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Stellantis has equipped all of its new vehicles with an all-digital cluster.
We expect to see more testing of the updated 2500/3500 Heavy-Duty RAM lineup. For more information on the Heavy Duty lineup, be sure to follow our dedicated RAM Heavy Duty website HDRAMs.com for the latest news, rumors, and information.
For those Heavy-Duty RAM owners out there, don’t forget to check out the HDRAMs.com owners forum with nearly 15,000 active members too.
2023 Dodge RAM 1500
The 2023 RAM 1500 will continue to battle full-size pickup rivals such as the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Toyota Tundra with its tantalizing mix of performance, efficiency, comfort, and luxury.
2023 Dodge RAM 1500 Limited
That’s right: In range-topping trims like the Longhorn and Limited, the interiors of these RAM trucks could embarrass the overall design and materials found in many vehicles with fancy badges on their grilles.
2023 Dodge RAM Rebel
If off-roading matters more than luxury, the Rebel RAM trim packs take-anywhere hardware like a 2-inch lift, upgraded shocks, front and rear tow latches, and a locking differential.
Look for the 2023 RAM lineup to bring even more package options, special editions, and updated color and trim options to the exterior and interior of this workhorse truck.
While it’s an open secret, a fully electrified RAM 1500 version is in development, that model will likely arrive for the 2024 or 2025 model years.
When it arrives, the electric RAM will face competition from the Ford F-150 Lightning, and electric versions from the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC. Sierra – not to mention entry-level models, including the Tesla Cybertruck and Rivian R1T.
The 2023 RAM 1500 powertrain lineup includes a 3.6-liter V6 equipped with a fuel-efficient mild hybrid system, a 5.7-liter V8 offered with and without this mild hybrid technology, a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6, and an outrageous 6.2-liter supercharged V8.
This last engine is reserved for the TRX model and sends 707 horsepower to all four wheels.
Performance in the TRX is outstanding for a vehicle of this weight and size. No matter which engine is chosen, each is equipped with an enhanced 8-speed automatic transmission.
With two cabin size options, three cargo bed lengths, and endless package options, the RAM 1500 is highly customizable, just like competing models from Ford, GMC, and Chevy.
While not quite up to the main towing and payload limits of major rivals, the RAM is noted for a smoother ride, thanks to the standard rear coil spring suspension, or the optional air suspension that looks more like a magic carpet.
2023 Dodge RAM 3500
RAM Trucks Australia will begin offering the new generation 2022 RAM 3500 LaRAMie heavy-duty pick-up in Australia, with a new version of the manufacturer’s largest local offering at the top of the revised three-model line-up.
The updated 3500 RAM sits above the new DT Series 1500 and the recently revised 2500, delivering some of the largest towing and payload capacities in the business.
Heading into the local RAM lineup, the RAM 3500 Crew Cab will only be offered in LaRAMie specs and will start at $162,950 before on-road costs.
Like all RAM vehicles sold by factory-backed RAM Trucks Australia – not independent importers and converters with no factory affiliation – the 3500 was converted to right-hand drive in Melbourne by Walkinshaw Automotive Group, which also manufactures Chevrolet pick-ups and does final assembly on Volkswagens. Amarok 580 W Series.
Like the smaller stablemates 1500 and 2500 – both entering new model generations in early 2021 – the RAM 3500 underwent the same design and homologation process involved in bringing this new generation of pick-ups to Australia.
RAM Trucks Australia says the process included 50,000 hours of pre-built development, 80,000 km of the rolling test, and 50,000 km of real-world driving.
Powering the high-spec 3500 LaRAMie RAM is a Cummins 6.7 liter inline-six turbo-diesel engine that delivers 276kW/1152Nm to the road via a four-wheel drive system. The six-speed torque-converter automatic is the only transmission available.
The two-stage elongated solid leaf axle, together with that high engine output, allows a payload of 1724kg. The RAM 3500 also has the ability to tow up to eight tons (when equipped with the appropriate hitch and air brake).
Standard equipment includes a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system (compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), a 10-speaker Alpine stereo system, a 7.0-inch display in the instrument cluster, partial leather upholstery, 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, and taillights. , 360-degree surround-view camera, and dual-zone climate control.
Safety systems include autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and tire pressure monitoring.
Additional Driver Assistance Package ($1950) adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-path and trailer detection. Metallic and pearlescent paints cost an additional $950.
Read next: 2023 RAM 2500: Next-Gen RAM 2500 Heavy Duty Pickups Review
2022 Dodge RAM 3500 Specs
- 6 ft 4 inch (1939mm) cargo body
- 12-inch Uconnect 4 infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite navigation
- 7.0-inch instrument cluster display
- Leather section chair with six-seater layout
- Heated and ventilated front outer seats
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel with heating
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- 40:20:40 folding seats front and 60:40 rear
- Alpine 10-speaker premium sound system with subwoofer
- Full LED headlights
- 18 inch polished aluminum wheels
- Digital rearview mirror
- Side ladder with RAM logo
- Acoustic glass
- Dumped tailgate with power release
- Active noise cancellation system
- Adaptive browsing control
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Trailer brake control with sway control
- Lane departure warning
- Front and rear parking sensors
- 360-degree camera
2023 Dodge RAM Price
We expect the 2023 1500 RAM price to start at around $36,000 for the base truck. It will be a Tradesman trim with Quad Cab, a 6-foot-4-inch cargo bed, and in rear-wheel-drive format.
This is a work truck, plain and simple, but equipped with a reasonable number of standard features.
Most RAM buyers will upgrade to at least the Big Horn or LaRAMie trim, which starts at around $39,000 or $47,000 and provide a lot more in terms of comfort, safety, and standard and available tech features.
The upper limit of the regular 1500 RAM lineup is occupied by the Limited, which should continue to have an asking price of around $60,000. While that’s a lot of money, it’s still over $10,000 less than the price you’d pay for the 707-hp TRX RAM.
2022 RAM Release Date and 2023 Dodge RAM
The 2022 Ram 1500 BackCountry Edition will start at $41,780 MSRP (plus destination fee). This new off-road pickup will enhance the versatility of the Ram 1500 series, which continues its success.
It will be available in Fall 2021 and we expect the 2023 Dodge RAM to hit showrooms the following year in Fall 2022 as the newest model.
