The last time Ram put a diesel in the 2500 HD Power Wagon was, well, never. For 2027, Ram finally offers one. But it might not be all pluses, because while you gain the intrinsic advantages of a diesel powertrain, there are things you’ll sacrifice.
More Power
To level set, the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 remains the Power Wagon’s standard powertrain. Only now you have the option of the 6.7-liter Cummins High Output inline-6 turbodiesel. It produces 430 horsepower and an obscene 1,075 lb-ft of torque and comes with a no-quit attitude. It pairs with the TorqueFlight HD 8-speed automatic transmission that can handle that kind of twist. Power wise, this engine delivers. You feel it when you put your foot down after a moderate interlude of turbo lag.
The ride on-road feels, well, lively. The Ram Power Wagon makes for a solid driver but its suspension feels sprung as though it would benefit from a load. It has a towing capacity of just under 20,000 pounds and a payload that just misses the 3,000-pound mark. Both of those numbers are improved over the Hemi V8’s capabilities.
The steering feels quite light while highway driving and requires a good deal of babysitting. That lightness feels welcome on dirt or while towing, making the Power Wagon easily maneuverable given its size and duties.
The diesel will certainly save you fuel. While gas mileage numbers are not officially reported, according to Ram, you can achieve up to 600 miles on a full belly. Drivers can select a 2-wheel-drive (2WD) mode while commuting that will help maximize that mileage better than some trucks with full-time 4-wheel drive (4WD).
Dirty Business
The Power Wagon wants a dirt road. It was built for it. And with the grunt of a diesel with four figures of torque, it’s a powerful beast up inclines and barreling over stuff. But even out on the trail, with that diesel, you’re going to be making trades.
Because the engine package weighs more than the 6.4-liter Hemi, you’ve got a different suspension under your diesel Power Wagon — the same one that’s under the Ram Rebel. That’s a front 3-link suspension and a rear 5-link coil suspension both with Bilstein monotube shocks and springs.
As a result of that componentry, you’re sacrificing ground clearance over the gas-powered model by an inch — going from 13.2 inches on the diesel compared to 14.2 inches on the Hemi. For a truck that’s supposed to be a purpose built off-roader that’s a lot. As a result, your approach, departure, and breakover angles are diminished.
More concerning to customers is the lack of a factory winch. The diesel Power Wagon also gets the front bumper of the Rebel. Because of the additional intercooler the diesel engine requires, Ram couldn’t meet the regulations standards for installing a winch. If you want one, you’ll have to acquire aftermarket parts — at your expense.
You get a front locking differential in addition to the rear. When that rear locker isn’t employed, it acts as a limited-slip differential. You also get a front disconnecting sway bar — it gives you increased articulation for crawling and comfort on the trail. In tandem, on dirt, gravel, and rocky terrain, these all serve to get you over instead of needing to go around. These are all great off-road capability enhancers, but with the diminished dimensions you might not be able to go over quite as much and be giving up more than you’re getting.
Interior Tech Highlights
The Power Wagon comes as a 4×4 crew cab and a 6-foot, 4-inch bed, with a plush cabin and tons of amenities. You get a 12-inch touchscreen with Stellantis’s Uconnect5 system. You can upgrade to an almost 15-inch screen as an option. The interface can be easily customized, but the screen lacks a thumb rest or ledge to steady your hand. Therefore, operating quickly while driving proves challenging.
To help with towing, you can get a trailer reverse guidance system, surround 360 camera, and cargo view cameras. However, those require that you purchase additional towing packages. Same for the trailer tire-pressure sensor.
The Ram Power Wagon comes with a suite of safety features, but the more advanced driver assists including adaptive steering, forward collision mitigations, and active lane keeping are add-ons in the Safety Group package.
The 2027 Ram Power Wagon will arrive later this year. Currently the Power Wagon starts around $75,000. For the 2027 model year, the base price on the new diesel comes to $89,560 including destination. The engine alone will add $13,000 to your final tab. Given that and both the strengths and the sacrifices of going diesel, this iteration of Ram’s Power Wagon feels like a decision to be sure about.
