2018 Ram 3500 review
Ram 3500 highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Massive towing ability
- Quality fit and finish
- Comfortable ride
Cons
- Diesel slower than V8 competitors
- Lower power with manual transmission
- Aging interior design
Mileage (EPA estimate)
(data not available)
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
The 2018 Ram 3500 brings strong capability and high-end features to the heavy-duty truck market.
The Ram 3500 resides at the top of the brand's pickup truck lineup, offering impressive hauling and towing capabilities with a range of comfort and convenience features. The big truck adds the ultra-luxurious Limited Tungsten edition for the 2018 model year and a range of new features that include an 8.4-inch infotainment display, Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® functionality, and a standard backup camera. In addition, the powerful Cummins diesel engine gets bumped up to 930 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 30 lb-ft. One of the most capable trucks on the market, the Ram 3500 boasts a maximum towing capacity of 31,210 pounds, more than enough for just about any application. Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories. In addition to its impressive muscle, the Ram 3500 is available in six trim levels that range from the basic Tradesman to the luxurious Limited. With a spacious cabin and multiple configurations, the Ram 3500 is quite competitive in the heavy-duty truck market, which includes the Ford F-350 Super Duty, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500.
All Ram 3500 years
What is new for the 2018 Ram 3500?
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features are now available as options on select trims.
- The Tradesman trim now comes with Rear View Camera as standard equipment.
- The Bighorn trim now comes with Rear View Camera, Remote Start, and Running Boards as standard equipment.
- The Laramie Longhorn trim now comes with Smart Key as standard equipment.
- The SLT trim now comes with Rear View Camera as standard equipment.
- The Laramie trim now comes with Rear Seat Heaters and Remote Start as standard equipment.
- The Lonestar trim now comes with Rear View Camera as standard equipment.
2018 Ram 3500 trims
Tradesman:
- 383-hp, 400-lb-ft of torque 5.7L
- 410-hp, 429-lb-ft of torque 6.4L
- 350-hp, 660-lb-ft of torque 6.7L
- Cruise Control
- Power Mirrors
- Vinyl Seats
- Traction Control
- Side Airbags
- Overhead Airbags
- Rear View Camera
- Tow Hitch
- View our Ram 3500 Tradesman inventory
SLT:
- Includes all features available on the Tradesman
- 5.7L
- 370-hp, 429-lb-ft of torque 6.4L
- Cloth Seats
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Bluetooth Technology
- Manual Transmission
Bighorn:
- Includes all features available on the SLT
- Power Seats
- Remote Start
- Alloy Wheels
- Running Boards
- View our Ram 3500 Bighorn inventory
Lonestar:
- Includes all features available on the Bighorn
- 169.5 inch wheelbase
- View our Ram 3500 Lonestar inventory
Laramie:
- Includes all features available on the Lonestar
- 6.7L
- Leather Seats
- Memory Seats
- Front Seat Heaters
- Rear Seat Heaters
- A/C Seats
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Parking Sensors
- Alpine Sound System
- View our Ram 3500 Laramie inventory
Laramie Longhorn:
- Includes all features available on the Laramie
- 370-hp, 800-lb-ft of torque 6.7L
- Smart Key
- Navigation System
- View our Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn inventory
Laramie Limited:
- Includes all features available on the Laramie Longhorn
- 20 Inch Plus Wheels
- View our Ram 3500 Laramie Limited inventory
Ram 3500 photos
5 reasons to buy the 2018 Ram 3500
What We Like
Comfort: There's no getting around the fact that the Ram 3500 rides like a truck, but it is one of the more comfortable options in the heavy-duty truck market. The front seats are well padded with good support, and the optional air suspension helps to smooth out some of the bumps. The powerful diesel engine is not very noisy, and overall the cabin stays relatively quiet, even at highway speeds.
Utility: As a heavy-duty truck, utility is the main reason for purchasing a Ram 3500. Available with a short or long bed, the Ram 3500 can haul up to 7,350 pounds or tow 31,210 pounds; both figures are among the best in class. Inside, the Ram 3500 features convenient storage wells hidden under the rear floor mats as well as multiple bins and pockets throughout the cabin.
Interior: The Ram 3500 has a spacious, comfortable cabin with plenty of headroom and legroom. Rear passengers will find good space to spread out, especially in the extended-length Mega Cab. Doors open wide, and there are well-placed door handles for easy entry and exit, further aided by the optional side steps.
What Needs Improvement
City driving: The Ram 3500 is very large by design—a necessary requirement for its role as a highly capable pickup truck. While the big truck is comfortable to cruise on the highway, it can be more than 20 feet long with the Mega Cab option and 8 feet wide with the dual rear wheels, making maneuvering or finding parking in the city a difficult task.
Shop with your budget in mind
Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Ram 3500 an overall reliability rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Average. This rating ranks Ram 3500 15th out of 19 among Fullsize Trucks.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Ram 3500Ram 3500 features and specs
SLT 2WD 2D Regular Cab
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- AM/FM Stereo
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- Cloth Seats
- Cruise Control
- Manual Transmission
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Windows
- Rear View Camera
- Side Airbags
- Tow Hitch
- Traction Control
- CD Audio
- Dual Rear Wheels
- Parking Sensors
- Running Boards
Drive Wheels
2WD
Engine size
5.7L
Horsepower
383
Torque (ft-lbs)
400
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
32
Wheelbase
140"
Overall length
230.4"
Width
79.4"
Height
77.7"
Leg room
F 41"
Head room
F 39.9"
Front tires
LT275/70SR18
Rear tires
LT275/70SR18
Seating capacity
3
Max towing capacity
1188/11880 lbs.
Transmission
Manual 6
2018 Ram 3500 FAQ
The Ram 3500 received a rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Average. This rating ranks the Ram 3500 as 14 out of 19 among Fullsize Truck
The 2018 Ram 3500 has received an average 5.0 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2018 Ram 3500, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2018 Ram 3500 Reviews.
The 2018 Ram 3500 has a maximum towing capacity of between 10980 and 14610 pounds, when properly equipped. Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
Here is what's new for the 2018 Ram 3500:
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Lane Departure Warning
- Rear Seat Heaters
- Remote Start
- Rear View Camera
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Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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