2026 Ram 3500 vs 2025 Ram 3500

• Ram introduces the Warlock and Black Express models to the 3500 range for 2026.
• Standard power comes from a 6.4-liter HEMI V8, with the 6.7-liter Cummins diesel available as an upgrade.
• Cabin tech gets a boost with an available 14.5-inch screen and digital rearview mirror option.

Ram pulled some inspiration from the 1500 lineup this time around, giving the 3500 more style while keeping its work-focused DNA intact. What you get are the debut Black Express and Warlock editions of this heavy-duty powerhouse.

The 3500 Warlock goes all-in on sporty off-road capability. This trim only comes in Crew Cab 4WD configuration with the short bed, but you get Bilstein dampers, a rear limited-slip differential, hill descent control, and a transfer case skid plate for off-road adventures. The look is bold--blacked-out grille surround, dark flares and bumpers, and a Warlock decal on the bedside. It rolls on 20-inch diamond-cut wheels with beefy 34-inch Goodyear Duratrac all-terrain tires, and paint options range from Diamond Black to Flame Red. Inside, you'll find a cloth bench seat, carpeted flooring, and all-weather floor mats.

The 3500 Black Express brings a more polished, sophisticated appearance. It's offered as a Crew Cab in RWD or 4WD with your pick of short or long bed, featuring a sport performance hood, body-matched bumpers and grille, 20-inch black wheels, and black side steps that run the cab's length. Front and rear parking sensors make tight spots less stressful. Inside, you'll find the same cloth-and-carpet setup as the Warlock, and both share the same broad palette of paint options.

Last year saw Ram expand Cummins 6.7-liter inline-six High-Output Turbo Diesel availability across the Heavy Duty lineup. (The one exception remains the Ram 2500 Power Wagon, which sticks with the 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 exclusively.)

For 2025, Ram updated the grille design and made LED headlights standard. You could also opt for projection-style lights, while the taillights still use incandescent bulbs.

All Ram 3500 models start with a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 making 405 horses and 429 lb-ft of grunt, working through an eight-speed automatic. (Power Wagon buyers get this engine exclusively, and that trim only comes with four-wheel drive.) Want serious torque? The optional 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel cranks out 430 horsepower and a massive 1,075 lb-ft of twist.

Spec the diesel and you'll access the 3500's jaw-dropping 36,610-pound towing capability. The V8 version still pulls a respectable 18,150 pounds. Payload capacity maxes out at 7,590 pounds on the Ram 3500.