Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram · Ram 2500 Research
The 2027 Ram 2500 comes with two engines: the 6.4L HEMI V8 gas engine and the 6.7L Cummins High Output diesel. Here is how they compare and which one fits the way you'll use the truck.
| 6.4L HEMI V8 | 6.7L Cummins HO I-6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 405 hp / 429 lb-ft | 430 hp / 1,075 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | TorqueFlite HD 8-speed automatic |
| Max towing | 17,740 lb | 20,000 lb |
| Max payload | 4,580 lb (Payload Upgrade Pkg) | 3,990 lb |
| Fuel | Gasoline | Diesel plus diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) |
| Exhaust brake | No | Available |
Preliminary 2027 maximums. Your truck's rating depends on cab, bed, axle ratio, drivetrain and hitch type.
Horsepower is close: 405 for the HEMI, 430 for the Cummins. The difference is torque. The Cummins makes 1,075 lb-ft at low engine speeds, so it pulls a heavy trailer up a grade without revving hard, and its exhaust brake helps hold speed on the way down. That matters on the climbs Sacramento-area owners know well, like I-80 over Donner Summit and US-50 over Echo Summit. Read about towing the Sierra in a Ram 2500.
The Cummins is a heavier engine, and that weight comes off the payload. The HEMI also gets an option the diesel doesn't: the new Payload Upgrade Package, which adds a 3500-spec frame, rear leaf springs and an anti-spin rear differential. It raises the truck's gross vehicle weight rating from 10,000 to 11,040 lb and payload to 4,580 lb, which Ram calls best in class. It's offered on Tradesman, Big Horn, Laramie, Limited and Limited Longhorn.
| If you mostly... | Consider |
|---|---|
| Tow a fifth-wheel, gooseneck or large travel trailer often | Cummins |
| Tow long distances or over mountain passes | Cummins |
| Carry heavy loads in the bed, like a slide-in camper or materials | HEMI with Payload Upgrade Package |
| Tow occasionally and drive empty most of the time | HEMI |
| Want a winch on a Power Wagon | HEMI |
One more note: Ram no longer offers a standard-output Cummins. Since the 2025 model year, the 430-hp High Output version is the only diesel in the Ram 2500.
It depends on the job. The Cummins is better for frequent heavy towing, with 1,075 lb-ft and up to 20,000 lb of towing. The HEMI is better for hauling heavy loads in the bed, with up to 4,580 lb of payload, and costs less up front.
Based on Ram's preliminary 2027 ratings, up to 20,000 lb with the Cummins versus up to 17,740 lb with the HEMI, a difference of about 2,260 lb at the maximums.
The gas engine weighs less than the diesel, and only the HEMI can get the Payload Upgrade Package, which adds a 3500-spec frame and rear leaf springs. That raises payload to 4,580 lb, versus 3,990 lb for the Cummins.
It's usually worth it if you tow heavy trailers often or over mountain passes. If you tow a few times a year, the HEMI saves money up front and avoids diesel exhaust fluid.
No. Ram dropped the standard-output Cummins for the 2025 model year. The 430-hp, 1,075-lb-ft High Output engine is the only diesel offered on the 2027 Ram 2500.
Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram · 8575 Laguna Grove Dr, Elk Grove, CA 95757 · Sales 916-892-0515
*Specifications are based on Ram's preliminary 2027 information and may change. Max towing and payload require proper equipment; actual capacity varies by cab, bed, axle and drivetrain, and passengers and cargo reduce towing capacity. Pricing on in-stock vehicles excludes government fees and taxes, any finance charges, dealer document processing charge and emission testing charge. Contact Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram for current pricing and availability.