2023 Ram 2500 Insurgent in Granite Crystal (a $250 coloration possibility)
2023 Ram 2500 Heavy Responsibility Insurgent
Class: Massive Pickup Truck
Shade: Granite Crystal
CG Report Card
Room and ComfortA
Energy and PerformanceB+
Match and FinishA-
Gasoline EconomyC
ValueB
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of your complete mannequin lineup.
Large & Tall Consolation
Large GuyA
Tall GuyA
Large & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Large” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester.
Drivetrain
Engine Specs370-horsepower 6.7-liter
Engine TypeTurbocharged diesel six
Transmission 6-speed computerized
Drive Wheels4WD
Miles pushed: 125
Noticed gas economic system: 13.6 mpg
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas economic system: N/A
Gasoline kind: Diesel
Snow efficiency: Glorious
Base value: $66,135 (not together with $1895 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: Cummins diesel engine ($9695), Stage 2 Gear Group ($7110), Towing Know-how Group ($2095), Security Group ($1840), sunroof ($1195), 20-inch alloy wheels ($995), Mattress Utility Group ($845), particular paint ($250)
Value as examined: $92,045
Fast Hits
The good: Higher than anticipated trip and dealing with, Ram-typical cabin appointments
The nice: Spacious cabin, easy-to-use infotainment system
The not so good: Choices add up rapidly
Tom Appel:
For those who’ve pushed a contemporary 1/2-ton pickup truck lately, you realize that although being succesful haulers, they are often outfitted to imitate the consolation and luxurious of a premium-brand sedan. Ram, particularly, is constructing pickup vehicles with cabins that might not look misplaced in a Cadillac or Lincoln. You might also know that fashionable light-duty pickups will be enjoyable to drive, that includes the type of energy and dealing with that may encourage smiles on even the dullest of commutes. However, that’s half-ton pickups. What in regards to the heavy-duty stuff?
2023 Ram 2500 Insurgent
Sadly, given the hauling and towing expectations of ¾-ton pickups, these succesful beasts are tuned to work, not frolic, and the standard of trip and dealing with undergo in consequence. Predictably, much more succesful 1-ton vehicles undergo moreover within the space of on-road refinement.
There’s, nevertheless, a ¾-ton Ram mannequin, new for 2023, that goes a ways in direction of feeling like a ½-ton truck whereas principally sustaining its big-rig towing and hauling numbers. Meet the Ram 2500 Heavy Responsibility Insurgent.
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2023 Ram 2500 Insurgent
The Insurgent slots pricewise within the Ram 2500 lineup between the favored Large Horn and upscale Laramie trim ranges, and spices issues up with a critical dose of off-road and dealing with upgrades. Be aware {that a} Insurgent variant has been a part of the Ram 1500 sequence since means again in 2015, and provides light-duty pickup consumers an reasonably priced and enjoyable possibility that’s each sporty and comfy.
The 2500-series Insurgent is not any totally different in mission, although the it’s rather more succesful as a piece truck than the 1500, and never fairly as a lot enjoyable to drive.
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2023 Ram 2500 Insurgent
For the indecisive, the 2500 Insurgent will be the technique to go. The large pickup comes solely in crew-cab type and solely with a 6’ 4” mattress. Engine choices embody a 410-horsepower gasoline-fueled 6.4-liter V8. Additionally out there, for lots more cash, is the favored Cummins-brand 6.7-liter diesel. The diesel produces 370 horsepower and mates solely to a 6-speed computerized transmission. The fuel engine pairs with an 8-speed auto. All 2500 Rebels come customary with 4-wheel drive and a 2-speed switch case.
Although the truck is handled to numerous distinctive trim bits, together with a novel hood, what makes a Insurgent a Insurgent is generally what’s beneath it. In extra to beefed up springs and an out there air suspension, the Insurgent employs Bilstein-brand shock absorbers in any respect 4 corners. The chassis updates additionally embody 33-inch off-road oriented wheels and tires, in addition to protecting skid plates, and a WARN-brand 12,000-pound winch. All this {hardware} makes the 2500 Insurgent a critical rock-crawler in addition to a greater handler on street. That’s the place the enjoyable is available in. Extra on that in a second.
The Insurgent does quit some towing capability within the title of off-road functionality and on-road agility, however the truck’s 14,920-pound restrict remains to be absolutely fifty % greater than most half-ton vehicles, and greater than most consumers will ever want.
Shopper Information lately spent every week in a Ram 2500 Insurgent in Granite Crystal outfitted with the diesel engine, and the all-encompassing Stage 2 Gear Group. The $7110 package deal goes a ways in direction of changing the Ram right into a Bentley, and consists of such niceties as a 12-inch contact display, Harman Kardon premium audio, black-aluminum cabin trim, and leather-based seating surfaces. Value-conscious consumers with be glad to listen to {that a} Stage 1 Gear Group does a pleasant job of spiffing up the Insurgent for a extra budget-friendly $4410.
Anybody acquainted with the present crop of Ram vehicles is aware of the model leads the business in cabin design and appointments, and the 2500 Insurgent lives as much as that customary. Every thing contained in the Insurgent appears upscale and seems to be effectively assembled and of high-quality.
All 2023 Ram 2500 pickups make use of the Stellantis Uconnect 5 infotainment digital interface, and the system works very effectively. On-screen controls are logically organized and function intuitively. And, the Harmon Kardon audio system ranks among the many finest brand-name audio methods we’ve loved in a heavy-duty truck.
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2023 Ram 2500 Insurgent
There’s loads of area within the Ram, although this writer’s spouse lodged two complaints: First, she discovered the step-in into the truck one thing of a attain (she’s 5’ 2”, however she’s nimble), and the passenger facet entrance footwell consists of some intrusion from the transmission tunnel forcing occupants to sit down aligned barely to the fitting. Pushing the passenger seat absolutely again helps to alleviate the issue. The rear seating space is lots roomy, and conveniently outfitted—through the again of the middle console–with two USB-A and two USB-C shops, which needs to be sufficient connectivity for even probably the most ardently digital passengers.
Nevertheless it’s on the street the place the 2500 Insurgent impresses most. The burly Cummins diesel engine isn’t the snorting beast it as soon as was, having been refined through the years consistent with Ram’s transfer upscale. The diesel nonetheless cranks out nearly obscene quantities or torque, however is smoother now, and much quieter. Worry not, hard-core diesel followers, the Cummins engine remains to be the loudest of the big-pickup diesel engines, however it quiets down impressively at cruising speeds.
The enjoyable I discussed earlier comes not from the below the hood, however via the chassis and steering wheel. Now, I’m not speaking Volkswagen GTI enjoyable, however the Insurgent serves up much more suggestions and management than I’d count on from a ¾-ton truck.
Along with shocking trip high quality unladen, the 2500 Insurgent—regardless of its off-road oriented wheels and tires—turns in nearly athletically in corners, with out lean or important scrubbing of pace. Even the steering feels (comparatively) good, with respectable suggestions and extra accuracy than an enormous pickup typically supplies.
As famous above, the burly diesel supplies all types of energy, however throttle response will be tardy, and the engine clatter is considerably out of step with the sportiness mission. For those who want the Cummins for hauling and towing, so be it. However in the event you’re in search of a sportier profile, and wish to save nearly $10,000, we suggesting check driving a 2500 Insurgent with the usual gasoline V8.
No matter your engine selection, the 2023 Ram 2500 Insurgent is a surprisingly livable machine that’s extra enjoyable to drive than any ¾-ton pickup has a proper to be. If the worth of this high-quality beast appears excessive, take into account going with the fuel engine and the less-inclusive Stage 1 Gear Group possibility package deal. You’ll be forward some cash, and nonetheless have an enormous rig that’s surprisingly entertaining to drive—and nonetheless critically succesful.
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2023 Ram 2500 Insurgent
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2023 Ram 2500 Insurgent Gallery
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