This week we are taking a look at the very large 2023 Ram 2500 Rebel Crew Cab 4x4, a serious off-roader and a truck that will tow 16,800 pounds if needed. 2023 brings the first Rebel entry in a ¾ ton truck, having been reserved for ½ ton trucks in year’s past.
Exterior
While this truck is outwardly very good looking with its factory lift kit, Bilstein shocks, 33-inch tires and 20” wheels, the raised, cowled hood with air vents and a functional hood scoop tells you this truck is tough and capable.
You’ll also see huge tow hooks in the front and rear, LED lighting (including fog lights) and the grill is unique to the Rebel.
Performance
Under the hood we find the big 6.4-liter Hemi V8 that is putting out 410-horses and 429-pound feet of torque. It is hooked to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The power and torque will pin you to the seat when you stick your foot in the accelerator. If you prefer, you can also get the Rebel with the famous 6.7-liter Cummins diesel that will take your towing capacity past 20,000 pounds if needed.
Interior
As you move to the inside, you see a huge interior that will comfortably seat five adults. There is a large center console between the front seats that slides, and one thing I love about the Ram is the way the back seat folds up to reveal in-floor storage bins that sit under the all-weather floor mats. Everything inside is soft-touch materials, and there is an abundance of stitching throughout the cabin.
The Rebel’s seats are embroidered with the Rebel insignia, they are very comfortable and everything is easy to reach. Large 12” gauges are easy to read and there is the massive 12” Uconnect screen on the dash that looks like a large, vertically placed iPad.
The UConnect system virtually operates everything including the 17-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a cell phone charger, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a host of apps you can personalize.
Safety
On the safety front, you get lane keep assist, full speed collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and warning, and adaptive steering.
Standard Equipment
The Rebel comes with a nice suite of standard equipment, including power windows and locks, power heated and cooled seats, tilt wheel, cruise control, air filtration system, a tonneau cover, and a 360-degree camera. For trailer towing folks, you get power sliding and retractable mirrors, and the terrific trailer reverse steering system.
Verdict
Fuel economy is not rated on ¾ ton and up trucks, but when driving normally it seemed like it was getting pretty good mileage, but that is not what you buy a truck like this for.
MSRP on this Ram as equipped, is $80,065 and nowadays, when heavy-duty trucks are topping out at over $100,000, the price seems in line, considering how this truck is equipped.
- What I liked most: The beastly looks and pure, raw power.
- What I would change: This particular tester needed running boards badly.
- MSRP: As equipped: $80,065.
- Fuel Economy: Not Rated.
- Odometer reading when tested: 8,500 miles.
- Weight: 6,865 pounds.
- Spare Tire: Full-sized spare.
- Length-Width-Height: 238.8” long/79.5" wide/80.7" high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 31 gallons with the filler on the passenger's side.
- Official Color: Billet Silver.
- Towing Capacity: 16,870 pounds.
- 2023 Ram 2500 Rebel in a few words: A heck of a heavy duty truck with amazing capacity and off-road capability.
- Warranty: 3-year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper, and 5-years/100,000 miles power train warranty with roadside assistance.
- Final Assembly Location: Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico.
- Manufacturer's website: Ram Trucks
