Truck comparison · Elgin CDJR
2026 Ram 2500 vs. Chevy Silverado 2500HD
This page started life comparing the 2022 trucks. Both have been updated since, with the Ram 2500 getting a new interior, a standard eight-speed automatic and a 1,075 lb-ft Cummins, and the Silverado HD getting its 2024 refresh. Here is how the two three-quarter-ton trucks line up for 2026 on the numbers that matter: engines, towing, payload and gearboxes.
Quick answer
For 2026 the Ram 2500 and Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD are closely matched. Gas engines: Ram's 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 makes 405 hp and 429 lb-ft; Chevy's 6.6-liter V-8 makes 401 hp and 464 lb-ft. Diesels: Ram's 6.7-liter high-output Cummins makes 430 hp and 1,075 lb-ft; Chevy's 6.6-liter Duramax makes 470 hp and 975 lb-ft. Both diesels tow up to 20,000 lb conventionally; Chevy quotes up to 22,420 lb with a gooseneck on the 2500HD. Ram's gas truck tows up to 17,840 lb and carries up to 3,930 lb of payload. Ram uses an eight-speed automatic with every engine; Chevy uses a 10-speed Allison-branded automatic. Ram's advantages are torque, a quieter cabin with the 12-inch or 14.5-inch Uconnect screen, and the Power Wagon and Rebel off-road trims; Chevy's are diesel horsepower, gooseneck rating and a 15-camera trailering view.
Specs side by side
| Spec | 2026 Ram 2500 | 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD |
|---|---|---|
| Gas engine | 6.4L HEMI V-8, 405 hp / 429 lb-ft | 6.6L V-8, 401 hp / 464 lb-ft |
| Diesel engine | 6.7L Cummins high-output I-6, 430 hp / 1,075 lb-ft | 6.6L Duramax V-8, 470 hp / 975 lb-ft |
| Transmission | TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic (both engines) | Allison-branded 10-speed automatic (both engines) |
| Max conventional towing | 20,000 lb (diesel); 17,840 lb (gas) | 20,000 lb (diesel, NHT package) |
| Max gooseneck / fifth-wheel | 20,000 lb (diesel) | 22,420 lb (regular cab long bed, 2WD diesel, NHT) |
| Max payload | 3,930 lb (gas, regular cab 4x2) | Chevrolet quotes payload by configuration; see the GM trailering guide |
| Trims | Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, Black Express, Warlock, Laramie, Rebel, Power Wagon, Limited, Limited Longhorn | Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ, High Country, ZR2 (3500HD only in some years) |
| Off-road halo | Power Wagon (gas, locking diffs, disconnecting sway bar, winch); Rebel (gas or diesel) | ZR2 and ZR2 Bison (Multimatic dampers, locking diffs) |
How the 2022 trucks compared
When this page was first written the two were further apart. The 2022 Ram 2500 started at $37,750, made 410 hp from the 6.4-liter HEMI, towed up to 15,040 lb with the gas engine and carried 4,010 lb; the 2022 Silverado 2500HD started at $35,300, made 401 hp from its 6.6-liter gas V-8, towed 14,500 lb with gas and carried 3,760 lb. Ram offered 100 percent leather seating on Limited; Chevy did not. Since then Chevy refreshed the HD for 2024 with the 10-speed on every engine and more Duramax output, and Ram redid the 2500 for 2025 with the eight-speed, the high-output Cummins as the only diesel, and the new cabin. The gap in gas towing stayed in Ram's favor; diesel towing is now a tie on the 2500 class.
Which one for your work
- Towing a gooseneck trailer near the limit: the Silverado 2500HD's 22,420 lb rating is the higher number, though at that weight most buyers step up to a 3500.
- Heavy conventional towing with a gas engine: the Ram 2500 HEMI (17,840 lb) beats the Chevy gas truck.
- Diesel torque for grades and launches: the Cummins' 1,075 lb-ft is the class figure; the Duramax answers with 470 hp.
- Off-road: the Ram Power Wagon has no direct Chevy 2500 equivalent (the ZR2 is closer to the Rebel).
- Cabin: Ram's 2025 redesign brought the 12-inch and 14.5-inch screens, a quieter cab and active noise cancellation; Chevy's 13.4-inch screen and Super Cruise hands-free driving are its counterpoints.
- Warranty: both carry 3 years/36,000 miles basic and 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain on gas; Ram covers the Cummins for 5 years/100,000 miles.
Frequently asked questions
Which tows more, the Ram 2500 or the Silverado 2500HD?
Both diesels are rated at 20,000 lb conventional for 2026. Chevy quotes up to 22,420 lb with a gooseneck on a 2WD regular cab; Ram quotes 20,000 lb maximum on the 2500. With gas engines the Ram 2500 (17,840 lb) tows more.
Which has more torque?
The Ram 2500's 6.7-liter high-output Cummins, at 1,075 lb-ft. The Silverado 2500HD's Duramax makes 975 lb-ft but more horsepower (470 vs. 430).
Which has the better gas engine?
They are close: Ram's 6.4-liter HEMI makes 405 hp and 429 lb-ft, Chevy's 6.6-liter makes 401 hp and 464 lb-ft. The Ram tows more with gas; the Chevy has a 10-speed.
What transmissions do they use?
Ram pairs both engines with an eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic. Chevrolet pairs both with a 10-speed Allison-branded automatic.
How much can a 2026 Ram 2500 carry?
Up to 3,930 lb of payload with the 6.4-liter HEMI in a regular cab 4x2; crew cab 4x4 configurations carry less.
Drive the Ram 2500
We stock Ram 2500s in Tradesman through Limited, gas and Cummins, in Streamwood. Bring your trailer specs and we will match a configuration to the weight.
Sources
Ram figures are Ram's (2026 FAQ and powertrain pages, January 2026 buyer's guide); Chevrolet figures are from GM's 2026 trailering ratings as reported by GM Authority. All checked on October 20, 2026. 2022 prices are the original page's figures, shown for history only.
- 2026 Ram 2500 Frequently Asked Questions, Ram Trucks
- Ram 2500 Powertrain, Ram Trucks
- 2026 Ram Heavy Duty Buyer's Guide: 2500 and 3500 trims, towing, powertrains (Jan. 28, 2026), Mopar Insiders
- Here's How Much the 2026 Chevy Silverado HD Can Tow (Nov. 1, 2025), GM Authority
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