Test by Tom Appel
2023 Ram 2500 Rebel 4X4
Specs
Class: Large Pickup Truck
Color: Granite Crystal
Seating capacity: 5
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | B+ |
| Fit and Finish | A- |
| Fuel Economy | B+ |
| Value | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 370-horsepower 6.7-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged diesel six |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | 4WD |
Miles driven: 99
Observed fuel economy: 17.5 mpg
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: N/A
Fuel type: Diesel
Snow performance: Excellent
Base price: $68,425 (not including $1895 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Special paint ($250), Customer Preferred Package (-$1095), Cummins diesel engine ($9695), Level 2 Equipment Group ($7110), Towing Technology Group ($2095), Safety Group ($1740), 5th-wheel towing prep ($545), Bed Utility Group ($845), 20-inch black-painted wheels ($995)
Price as tested: $92,500
Pros and Cons
The great: Better than expected ride and handling, Ram-typical cabin appointments
The good: Spacious cabin, easy-to-use infotainment system, better-than-expected fuel economy
The not so good: Options add up quickly
Overview
It took one of the coldest snaps in recent Chicago history to remind me that diesel engines need to warm up a little prior to starting. For those not in the know, diesel engines do not rely on spark plugs to ignite fuel, but instead on the heat created by pistons compressing the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.
Something called a glow plug is used to warm the chamber, but an idle diesel engine parked outside in sub-zero temperatures is not going to fire up immediately. And in the case of the Ram Rebel 2500 that visited Consumer Guide during this past winter’s extreme deep freeze, it took about 90 seconds for the glow plugs to do their work one especially bitter morning.
I mention the wait to start not because it is much of an annoyance—typically, even in winter, there is no delay at all—but because it isn’t often that the Ram’s Cummins diesel engine ever really compromises the heavy-duty pickup operational experience.
The Rebel is a sporty, mid-level Ram 2500 trim level, that slots in the following model range: work-oriented Tradesman, value-oriented Big Horn, popular Laramie, sporty Rebel, off-road oriented Power Wagon, uplevel Limited Longhorn, and luxury-oriented Limited. Base prices range from around $50,000 to $90,0000, but rise quickly with options, especially the aforementioned Cummins diesel engine. Going with 4WD on the Tradesman or Laramie adds about $3000 to the bottom line; it’s standard on other trim levels.
Note that the light-duty 1500-series Ram pickup is also offered in Rebel trim, and is the preferred option for customers not in need of serious towing or hauling capability. This because 1500-series Rams ride and handle better than the beefier rigs, and generally cost less to own and operate.
Having reviewed the Rebel 2500 recently—you can read that review here—we’d like to share the five things we find coolest about the Ram Rebel 2500. Take a look:
Ram 2500 Rebel 4X4: 5 Cool Things
Surprising drivability
While the Cummins diesel engine doesn’t quite match the 2500’s available 6.4-liter V8 gas engine’s generally refined power delivery, it’s much smoother than it once was. Indeed, from inside the cab, most driver’s will likely forget that their Ram is Cummins powered. The big diesel engine is also quieter than it once was, a plus in stop-and-go-driving. For those who need the diesel engine’s torque, it’s good to know the powerplant is easy to live with.
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Surprising fuel economy
Despite the extreme cold, and despite a good amount of 4WD engagement necessitated by significant snowfall, our test Ram 2500 returned 17.5 mpg over nearly 100 miles. That’s decent fuel economy for any full-size pickup, and especially impressive mileage for an engine that generates 850 pound-feet of torque.
A note about the Cummins engine: Though nearly a $10,000 option on trim levels on which it is not standard, the big diesel offsets its initial cost not only with somewhat improved fuel economy, but at trade in time. The Cummins engine goes a long way towards increasing trade-in value.
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Surprising comfort
It’s no secret that pickup trucks of all sizes and capabilities have become more civilized in the last decade or so. Still, it is impressive just how comfortable the Ram 2500 in Rebel trim actually is. While ride comfort is compromised somewhat by the 2500’s heavy-duty mission, the cabin is a pleasant place from which to conduct the business of driving—and possibly hauling. The Ram’s well-finished interior is rich in high-quality materials, apparently careful attention to assembly quality, as well as long-haul comfortable front-row seats. And, the Harman Kardon audio system, which comes as part of the extensive Level 2 Equipment Group, is very good (see below).
We are also happy to report that even on the coldest Chicago day of 2023, the cabin warmed up in short order.
Surprising luxury
Our test Ram came equipped with the comprehensive Level 2 Equipment Group. The $7110 package goes a long way towards converting a pleasant pickup truck into a luxurious pickup truck. The package’s roster includes such niceties as: leather-faced seats, leather cabin-accents, LED headlamps, 12-inch touchscreen (up from 8.4), ventilated seats, heated rear seats, the aforementioned premium audio system, and a number of other upgrades. The net result is a legitimate upgrade of the Ram Rebel from mainstream truck to luxury truck.
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Surprising weather readiness
Review
It’s reasonable to expect a serious 4WD work truck to acquit itself in extreme weather, and Consumer Guide’s test Ram 2500 Rebel did just that. The truck overcame deep snow without breaking a sweat, and as noted early, with the exception of the glow-plug delay, the big diesel engine ran operated as normal despite the serious cold.
We did seek out deep snow for the purpose of engaging the truck’s low-range gearing. Seems the best drifts we could locate in the Chicago suburbs were no serious challenge for the Ram in its most-aggressive off-road mode.
Note that though Consumer Guide reviewed a 2023 Ram 2500, the truck goes virtually unchanged for 2024.
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Ram 2500 Rebel 4X4 Gallery
(Click below for enlarged images)
