2002 Dodge Ram 2500/3500: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

This report covers Dodge's 3/4-ton 2500 and 1-ton 3500 heavy-duty pickups, which continue with their '94 design for one more year, adopting the 1500's new styling for 2003. They come in regular-cab or Quad Cab extended-cab models with two rear-hinged back doors and 3-place rear bench seat. Engines are a 5.9-liter V8, an 8.0-liter V10, and a 5.9-liter 6-cyl turbodiesel. Automatic or manual transmission is available. Rams come with rear-wheel drive or 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard.

COMPETITION

With the advent of crossover vehicles this segment has become less defined. Once the domain of work-related heavy-duty pickups, buyers are now demanding that their full-size trucks do double duty. Our Best Buys remain the Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150, and GMC Sierra. These trucks offer a wide range of powertrain combinations, plenty of luxury accommodations, and ample towing power--though the GM twins are the only ones to offer full-time 4WD.

The big-rig-styled Dodge Ram matches the new Ford and GM models feature for feature but can't match their ride comfort or civility. We also like the expensive Toyota Tundra. What it lacks in brute strength, it more than makes up for with refined road manners.