If you have a tough job to do and need equipment up to the task, a pickup truck can be the most effective weapon in your arsenal. Pickups come in a variety of sizes and trims, each one tailor-made to adhere to the various wants and needs of the people who drive and them. When it comes to the world of the heavy-duty pickup, only the best will do, so settling for second isn’t a viable option. Today, we’re going to see who puts the “heavy” in heavy-duty between the 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500HD and the 2022 Ram 2500.
We’ll be looking at the bigger picture that separates these two titans of toil. There’s more to a high-powered vehicle than how much it can tow; after all, safety and cost-effectiveness are just as important—sometimes more so. Let’s fire up the engines and begin.
Economic Advantages and Cost Effectiveness
One of the first things any consumer looks at when they’ve got their eye on a vehicle is just how much they’ll be paying when they sign the dotted line. Chevy and Ram both offer models that are very close in price. They compare well to one another, as well as the other models in their class.
Starting with an MSRP of $40,865, the 2022 Ram 2500 is priced higher than the Silverado 2500, Ford Super Duty, and GMC Sierra 2500. As a matter of fact, the only truck in its class that comes with a higher price tag is, surprisingly, the Nissan Titan XD. Chevy has always had a competitive spirit about them, and the starting MSRP of the 2022 Silverado 2500HD certainly speaks to this commitment. Beginning at $38,500, Chevy underbids similar offerings from Ram and Nissan. The only segment rival sold at a lower price is the 2022 Ford Super Duty.
Breaking down the various trim levels between both models is another indication of cost-effectiveness. Aside from having a slightly lower starting MSRP, the Silverado 2500 separates itself into five levels, each of which has unique features, capabilities, and styling. Thankfully, the three introductory trims are relatively close to one another in cost.
On the contrary, the Ram 2500 is broken down into seven different trims: the first two are stripped-down and simple, and the two top trims come with hefty price tags normally reserved for high-end, luxury sedans. As we’ll see, the amenities and safety features for Ram come at a greater cost and seem to exist on a sliding scale, as opposed to the accessibility that Chevy provides across the trimline.
Safety and Accessibility
Many safety features that you read about these days aren’t exclusive to only one brand. As a matter of fact, many that are either identical or similar can be found across the entirety of the industry. The question is no longer what features a car possesses, but how accessible they are without the hindrance of a larger price tag. In short, it comes down to what’s standard and what’s merely available.
“Availability” is the term in question when I discussed the wide range of safety options for the 2022 Ram 2500. While traction control, airbags, and a backup camera are standard across the various trimlines, the same can’t be said for adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, or automated emergency braking. All of these features are available for purchase, but only on the upper trim levels. While Ram has continued to place an emphasis on creature comforts to treat their drivers like royalty, the price tag that comes attached for peace of mind is at times hard to overlook.
As for the 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500HD, its slightly lower MSRP than the Ram might indicate that you’re getting less than the competition. Nothing could be farther from the truth, though. The 2500HD comes with GM’s Stabilitrak stability control system, as well as electronic trailer sway control, which is more than ideal for all the hardworking folks that utilize Chevy for this purpose. Hitch guidance and view are also highly effective in making sure you and your cargo are secure, and OnStar services are those extra eyes watching over you should the unforeseen occur. Of course, if you’re in the process of teaching a younger driver the ins and outs of the road, GM’s Teen Driver program is also standard—just so you can reinforce habits of highly effective drivers to a whole new generation.
Peak Performance and Unshakable Power
I’ve saved this section for last, and for good reason. Now that you’ve had a chance to reflect on the safety and costs of your next vehicle, let’s turn our attention to what you’ll be needing most: performance and power to ensure a successful hard day’s work. When it comes to this category, both machines are very capable and efficient. To this end, both the Silverado 2500 and Ram 2500 come equipped with two available engine choices.
For a gasoline-powered engine, Ram equips the 2500 with a 6.4-L HEMI that boasts an impressive horsepower rating of 410, along with 429 lb-ft of torque. Not to be outdone, the Chevy Silverado answers the torque-heavy HEMI with a 6.6-L V8. While just slightly underneath Ram’s gasoline-powered engine with a horsepower rating of 401, Chevy wins the torque competition with the power to generate 464 lb-ft. The engines are also neck-and-neck when it comes to towing, as Ram boasts a maximum capacity of 17,540, whereas the Silverado 2500HD maxes out at 17,370.
If the competition between the gasoline-powered engines is too close to call, the contest of diesel is a no-brainer. The Ram 2500 has an available diesel option that will earn anyone’s respect. A 6.7-L Cummins Turbo Diesel inline-six certainly talks the talk and walks the walk with the ability to generate 850 lb-ft of torque and 370 horsepower. Quite impressive.
However, just as they’ve been doing for years, Chevy proves why they’re the ones leading the charge in the diesel resurrection. The Silverado 2500HD offers the devastatingly powerful 6.6-L Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8. It produces a whopping 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque, all while not exceeding 3000 RPMS when generating either. A 10-speed automatic transmission takes capability and performance to the absolute limit. A maximum towing capacity of 18,510 lbs leaves most other passenger pickups in the dust, and high torque ensures consistent performance when testing the 2500HD’s weight limits.
My Final Verdict
The choice one makes when purchasing a vehicle is one to consider carefully, with all the options weighed evenly and objectively. What we’ve seen today are two manufacturers who both provide performance for the big jobs, but appear to have very different outlooks when it comes to overall presentation.
While the 2022 Ram 2500 possesses variety, they’re kept out of reach by price and a multitude of high-end trims. The 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD has all the markings of a product built by a manufacturer that understands the average consumer’s budget. You get more features standard at a lower price, while the diesel option silences the competition altogether. Once again, Chevy proves themselves to be the brand that has their finger on the pulse of America.
