Starting at
Starting at
401-445 | Horsepower (hp) | 370-410 |
464-910 | Torque (lb-ft) | 429-850 |
83.5 | Cargo Space (cu.ft.) | 74.7 |
It's not that trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the Ram 1500 aren't tough trucks in their own right. It's just that sometimes the job calls for a truck that's tougher than tough. Sometimes you need to call in the even bigger guns to haul more, maneuver into wilder spots, and perform the more demanding jobs that smaller trucks just don't have the capacity to handle. That's where comparisons like the 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD vs 2022 Ram 2500 come in.
Technically speaking, both the Silverado 2500 HD and the Ram 2500 are the middle siblings of their families. Drivers who require even more capability from their trucks can explore the 3500 series of each brand. But for those who have decided that the middle is exactly where they need to be, both the Silverado 2500 HD and the Ram 2500 have received high praise for their performance and dependability. So how does a driver choose which next-level pickup truck is ideal for their job, their lifestyle, and their budget?
Let's take a look at both the 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD and the 2022 Ram 2500 in a side-by-side comparison to determine which one best fits your needs for power, performance, capability, and of course, coolness.
Big trucks have a reputation for being bulky and hard to drive. While there's no getting around the fact that both the 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD and the 2022 Ram 2500 are sizable trucks, both manufacturers acknowledge that drivers of pickup trucks still need to be able to get in and out of a gas station and may roam the city streets. Therefore, today's heavy-duty pickup trucks are designed with engines that keep them motivated and performance features that give drivers a lot to be thankful for.
A peek under the hood of the 2022 Silverado 2500 HD reveals a choice between two very compelling engines. The standard offering is a very capable 6.6L V8 gasoline-powered engine, which offers 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque. This engine pairs with a 6-speed automatic transmission that smoothly takes you from gear to gear without leaving anything behind.
For diesel fans, the Silverado 2500 HD offers an optional 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8. As is tradition with the Silverado family, the diesel engine has some serious power, to the tune of 910 lb-ft of torque and 445 horsepower. Several features have been included to keep this engine healthy and functioning happily, such as an engine block heater, winter grille cover, and engine after a run to keep things cool. Also included with the diesel engine is an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission.
The 2022 Ram 2500 also offers a selection between a gas and diesel engine. The gasoline-powered option is a 6.4L Hemi V8, good for 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, this engine is responsive and agile but not quite as powerful as the Chevy V8.
Continuing the legacy of the Ram/Cummins partnership, the diesel offering for this truck is a 6.7L Cummins Turbo-Diesel I-6. With 370 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque, this is a serious engine that has been tuned for daily driving as well. But again, the Cummins does not provide as much power as the Duramax, and its 6-speed transmission is dated compared to the Allison in the Silverado.
For many drivers of larger pickup trucks, details like bed and cab configurations, payload maximums, and maximum towing capacity are very important. These are the details that tell you whether a truck can get the job done or if you need to go even bigger.
Chevrolet has made it a point to create heavy-duty trucks that check off a lot of the boxes when it comes to what real drivers need. Perhaps most importantly to many drivers is the fact that the Silverado 2500 HD comes in a variety of sizes and shapes. Whether you select rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, you'll have your choice of a Regular cab, Double cab, or Crew cab, which can seat up to 6. Chevy's long box provides 83.5 cubic feet of cargo room, while the standard box offers 69.5 cubic feet.
The overall weight each vehicle can stow and tow depends on the trim, configurations, and engine selected. The maximum trailering capacity for the 2022 Silverado 2500 HD is 18,510 pounds when equipped with the diesel engine. Payload maximums are up to 3,979 pounds with the standard gasoline engine or up to 3,715 pounds for the diesel engine.
Chevy has also provided drivers with extra equipment that can improve their overall cargo-hauling experience. The Multi-Flex tailgate is optional on all trims and can be reconfigured to fit different load sizes or act as a work surface or seat. Also of note: an available Bluetooth speaker is built right into the tailgate so you can keep motivated with your favorite jams. Additionally, drivers can add a variety of trailering cameras to help with safe hauling, including the "see-through trailer" view.
The 2022 Ram 2500 is offered with your choice of Regular, Crew, or six-passenger Mega cab. Both 6'4" and 8' box sizes are offered, but with 57.5 cubic feet of space in the standard box and 74.7 cubic feet in the longer version, it lags behind the Silverado 2500 HD when it comes to fitting large payloads.
As with the Silverado 2500 HD, the payload and towing capacities of the Ram 2500 are determined by your configuration and the engine selected. The gasoline-powered V8 tops out at a payload of 4,010 pounds with a trailering max of 17,540 pounds. The Cummins Turbo-Diesel can handle payloads of up to 3,160 pounds and has a massive 20,000 pound limit on towing capacity.
The 2022 Ram 2500 can also be outfitted with additional trailering technology, including the available Trailer 360-degree Surround View Camera, which provides a bird's eye view around the truck and trailer. Additionally, the digital rearview mirror can provide a live feed of your trailer with Tow Mode. However, Ram doesn't offer some of Chevy's more useful camera views.
Of course, neither the 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD nor the 2022 Ram 2500 is all work and no play. Each is offered in a variety of trims that provide drivers with just the right extra touches to make driving more enjoyable.
The 2022 Silverado 2500 HD is offered in four trims: the WT, LT, LTZ, and luxurious High Country. The WT tends to be thought of as a fleet version of the Silverado series, but it comes admirably equipped with safety features such as hitch guidance and a rear vision camera, along with a six-speaker audio system that connects with Bluetooth devices as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Moving up through the trims unlocks the ability to add a variety of packages and features to your Silverado experience, including additional safety features, auto-dimming mirrors, and leather upholstery.
Six different trims are offered for the 2022 Ram 2500: the Tradesman, Big Horn, Laramie, Limited Longhorn, Limited, and the off-road-capable Power Wagon. The base Tradesman model only includes a 5" touchscreen infotainment system with auxiliary jack and USB plug, ParkView Rear Back-up Camera, and standard Trailer Sway Damping. Choosing a higher trim level adds a greater number of features, ranging from additional trailer cameras to premium Alpine sound systems and dual gloveboxes.
From additional trailering equipment, such as gooseneck hitch prep kits, to more robust safety and driver assistance features, such as forward collision alert with automatic braking, drivers can choose to add many available packages to the 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD or the 2022 Ram 2500. Whether you are looking for darker rims, different floor mats, or that unique something that personalizes your ride, these packages help make the road that much more enjoyable.