2021 RAM 3500 diesel Regular Cab

The RAM 3500 heavy-duty pickup trucks are known for their interior quality which is better than most of its rivals in the segment. That thing is still there and it retains its domination in the interior quality department. The 2021 RAM 3500 comes in multiple configurations and powertrain options. You can get the truck in either RWD or AWD drivetrain depending on your needs. The 2021 RAM 3500 Diesel competes against the likes of the GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab Diesel, Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Regular Cab Diesel, and the Ford F-350 SuperDuty Regular Cab Diesel.

The 2021 RAM 3500 Diesel is offered in five trim levels namely Tradesman, Big Horn, Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited. The base trim Tradesman comes standard with 18-inch steel wheels, a locking tailgate, vinyl floors, air conditioning, cruise control, a 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and Bluetooth hands-free calling. The Big Horn trim adds chrome exterior trim, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, and a trailer brake controller. The mid-trim Laramie adds 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED headlights and taillights, power-folding chrome tow mirrors, Power-sliding rear window, dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

The Longhorn trim gets LED cargo bed lighting, a spray-in Bedliner, remote tailgate release, rain-sensing wipers, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a navigation system, and Connected services including 4G LTE Wi-Fi. The Limited trim adds 20-inch wheels, power running boards, exclusive leather seats, real wood interior trim, a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless smartphone charger, and blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage.

We recommend

It is hard to recommend a single trim of the RAM 3500 Diesel for all. But for the masses, we recommend going with the Big Horn trim. It offers many of the modern technologies and creature comforts as standard with the car. It also gives you access to a bigger infotainment system and connected car technology. Although the optional packages can make the RAM 3500 expensive, you can customize your truck to give it your personal touch. You can go with the standard 3500 if you do not want to customize it as it gets most of the required features as standard. 

The 2021 RAM 3500 Diesel Regular Cab is powered by a 6.7-liter Cummins turbocharged diesel inline six-cylinder diesel engine. The same engine is available in two different power output options. The standard turbo diesel produces 370 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque. You can upgrade to a higher output 420 horsepower and 1075 lb-ft torque variant of the same engine. The engine comes mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. You can get the truck in rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive drivetrain options. 

The 2021 RAM 3500 gets higher output from its diesel engine. The extra power of 20 horsepower and extra torque of 75 pound-feet makes a difference in the towing capacity of the truck. This year you can two some extra weight with the diesel engine. The performance is not a strong point for diesel-powered trucks. However, the RAM 3500 manages to offer decent performance figures. The RAM 3500 takes 8.3 seconds to complete the 0 to 60 mph sprint while the quarter-mile run takes a complete 18 seconds. 

The 2021 RAM 3500 has the highest torque output from its diesel engine in the segment. The towing capacity has increased than the previous year model, still, the competitors offer better towing capacity. The GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab Diesel and the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Regular Cab Diesel are powered by the same diesel engine and are the fastest to reach 0 to 60 mph. The quarter-mile timing is also almost similar. The RAM 3500 Diesel remains the slowest truck in the segment in terms of acceleration. 

How well does the 2021 RAM 3500 Diesel Regular Cab handle?

The handling is always one of the most boring parts when it comes to a heavy-duty pickup truck. Well, with the RAM 3500 Regular Cab, it is not as boring. The RAM 3500 does a good job when it comes to handling on the roads. RAM 3500 surely faces criticism as it does not come with any off-road-centric model. But the road behaviors of the RAM 3500 are surprisingly good. It is not a sporty handling vehicle for sure but provides a good level of confidence while driving. 

The steering wheel is fairly light which makes it easier to change lanes in the city. The response from the steering wheel is also pretty good. You should not expect much feedback from the wheels. The ride quality is surprisingly good and the highway stability is also pretty impressive for the class. It is one of the most effortless driving trucks in the segment that helps you reach your destination without being tired. However, the bigger dimensions can make it a little difficult to maneuver in the city traffic. 

How good is the braking performance of the 2021 RAM 3500 Regular Cab?

The braking performance of the RAM 3500 Regular Cab can be termed as decent for its class. The 2021 RAM 3500 Regular Cab gets 14.2-inch brake rotors for the front wheels and 14.1-inch brake rotors for the rear wheels. The braking hardware is on par with the other trucks in the segment. The truck takes 140 feet of distance to come to a complete stop from a speed of 60 miles per hour. The feedback from the brakes is pretty decent and it also gets automatic emergency braking in case of an emergency.

The Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Regular Cab Diesel takes the least stopping distance when you apply brakes at a speed of 60 mph. The GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab Diesel comes right next to the Chevy. The RAM 3500 Diesel Regular Cab performs better than the Ford F-350 SuperDuty Regular Cab Diesel in terms of braking distance. Ford takes 7 feet more to come to a halt at the same speed. 

Fuel economy is one of the other reasons why people prefer buying diesel trucks over gasoline ones. The RAM 3500 Diesel Regular Cab manages to deliver 11 mpg in the city, 16 mpg on the highway, and 13 mpg of combined fuel efficiency. The fuel economy is not bad in itself but the competition takes an edge in the fuel economy department for sure. The 36.8-gallon fuel tank capacity helps it achieve an acceptable mileage for the class. The RAM 3500 Diesel Regular Cab can deliver a maximum highway range of 589 miles with a full tank. 

The RAM 3500 Diesel Regular Cab offers the worst fuel efficiency for its class. The highway range is also inferior to any of the rivals. The Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Regular Cab Diesel offers the best fuel efficiency for the segment followed by the GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab Diesel. The GMC Sierra 3500 is the only diesel truck in the comparison that offers a highway range of more than 700 miles in a full tank.

The complete series of pickup trucks in RAM’s lineup starting all the way from RAM 1500 to RAM 3500 have made a good image when it comes to interior quality in the truck. RAM does not make trucks for off-road purposes and they understand that they can not compromise with the cabin quality in an urban truck. The 2021 RAM 3500 Regular Cab follows the same interior design philosophy. It gets a comfortable and spacious cabin for all the three passengers it can accommodate including the driver. 

If you want a truck just for the sake of seating comfort and space, you can look for the RAM 3500 Mega Cab as it offers one of the most spacious seating spaces in its class. The Regular Cab also offers a good experience for three passengers. The quality of the cabin will also impress the buyers. The switch gears to all the cabin controls feel of good quality. The cabin controls are user-friendly and the ergonomics is also well taken care of inside the cabin.

The RAM 3500 Regular Cab does not offer the most spacious cabin for the passengers but it is not bad in real life. All the other rivals are ahead of RAM in terms of interior dimensions. The GM brothers offer the best in class space for all three passengers and there is a significant upgrade in the legroom compared to RAM 3500. The Ford F-350 SuperDuty Regular Cab Diesel comes right behind the GM brothers in terms of interior space. Standout interior features in the 2021 RAM 3500 Diesel Regular Cab are:

• Vinyl seats and floors
• Manual tilt/telescopic steering wheel
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Remote keyless entry
• Cruise control
• Ventilated front seats

What is there to keep you entertained inside the 2021 RAM 3500 Diesel Regular Cab?

The infotainment system in the RAM 3500 depends on the trim level that you select. The base trim gets a 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system. As you climb up the trim level, you get an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The top-of-the-line trim gets an even bigger 12-inch infotainment system. Except for the 5-inch infotainment system that becomes too small, all the infotainment systems will impress you with the quality. The 12-inch touchscreen is placed horizontally which makes it look even bigger and more practical to use on the go. 

The infotainment comes loaded with a host of connectivity and other features. The infotainment screen supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless integration with your smartphone. It also gets support for SiriusXM satellite radio. The audio is managed via a 10-speaker Alpine audio system. You can upgrade it to a 17-speaker premium Harman Kardon sound system for an even better music experience inside the cabin. Standout infotainment features in the 2021 RAM 3500 Diesel Regular Cab are:

• A 12-inch touchscreen infotainment display
• Aux audio input jack
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• HD radio
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• 10-speaker Alpine audio system

The 2021 RAM 3500 comes with a masculine look that is expected from a heavy-duty pickup truck. The design of a truck should be more practical and muscular than sleek and attractive design language. RAM seems to acknowledge the concept pretty well and there is no complaint about the exterior styling of the RAM 3500 lineup. It gets a massive presence on the road and you will not have to ask for a way on the highway. 

The bold front bonnet design helps it look aggressive from the front. The twin LED daytime running lights to go well with the front design and also get the RAM badging in the center of the front grille which is surrounded by chrome from both ends. The side gets 18-inch steel or aluminum wheels depending on the trim that you select. The side step is tough-built and helps you climb in or get out of the truck. The rear styling remains simple and sober. 

The Ford SuperDuty Regular Cab Diesel is the shortest truck in the segment followed by the RAM 3500 Diesel Regular Cab with a slight margin. The Ford SuperDuty manages a longer wheelbase than the RAM 3500 even with a shorter overall length. The Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Regular Cab Diesel is significantly longer than the RAM and Ford counterparts. The dimensions of the GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab Diesel remain similar to the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Regular Cab Diesel. Standout exterior features in the 2021 RAM 3500 Diesel Regular Cab are:

• 18-inch wheels
• Spray-in Bedliner
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Power running boards
• Automatic high-beam headlights
• LED Brakelights

The RAM 3500 is never crash-tested by either of the safety rating agencies. However, the youngest sibling in the RAM pickup trucks lineup, the RAM 1500 was tested by both agencies. The RAM 1500 received an impressive 5 out of 5 stars in the crash-test rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It also became the only pickup truck to get picked in the top safety pick + award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). 

The RAM 3500 can easily find its place in one of the safest trucks in its segment as it comes with a host of driver assistance features as standard with the truck. The optional driver aids are also pretty impressive and safety should not be a big concern for the buyers of the RAM 3500 trucks. The safety features include:

• Electronic stability control
• Traction control
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Blind-spot detection
• Cross-traffic detection
• Tire pressure monitoring
•  Digital rearview mirror

RAM 3500 Diesel Regular Cab vs. GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab Diesel

The prime reason why people prefer GMC Sierra over the Chevy trucks is the upscale interior quality and tech inside the cabin. The RAM 3500 is for sure better than the GMC Sierra better in that game. The comfortable and quiet cabin of the RAM 3500 makes it a better choice for cruising on the highway with an impressive payload capacity. The RAM 3500 Diesel Regular Cab comes out as a better option between the two.

RAM 3500 Diesel Regular Cab vs. Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Regular Cab Diesel

The Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD is a real heavy-duty truck in the literal sense. The Chevy Silverado comes with a better payload capacity and better powertrain options. The Silverado can also be available in off-road-oriented variants which is not the case with the RAM 3500. RAM 3500 is a better choice for people who are looking for an upscale interior and better comfort inside the cabin. Both these trucks target completely different sets of audiences. 

RAM 3500 Diesel Regular Cab vs. Ford F-350 SuperDuty Regular Cab Diesel 

The sales figures of the Ford F-350 are more than enough to show the trust of Americans in this truck. The Ford F-350 is one of the most practical and versatile trucks in the segment. It is available with five different engine options and all of them are impressive in some way. RAM 3500 on the other hand focuses more on being an urban truck with a better interior and ride quality. 

The 2021 RAM 3500 Diesel Regular Cab has improved the power output from the diesel engine to give tough competition to the rivals. The 1075 pound-feet of torque is a crazy number and more than any other truck in the entire segment. The upscale interior quality and comfortable cabin quality make the experience even better. You get a tech-loaded infotainment system inside the cabin to keep you entertained. The safety tech in the truck is also impressive. The RAM 3500 Diesel makes an excellent package for those looking for a luxurious truck that can tow some impressive weight.