What is the most powerful Dodge Ram?
In today’s Ram lineup, the Ram 1500 TRX is the most powerful Ram truck in production, delivering 702 horsepower from its 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8. If you’re looking at torque and towing capability, Ram’s heavy-duty lineup can exceed in those areas, with the 6.7-liter Cummins diesel delivering well over 1,000 lb-ft of torque. This article explains who leads in power today and places it in historical context for the Dodge Ram name.
Current power leaders in Ram's lineup
Below is a quick look at the top Ram models by horsepower and torque, illustrating how power is distributed across the current range. Figures can vary by model year and configuration, but these represent the key outputs most buyers encounter in 2024–2025 models.
- Ram 1500 TRX — 702 horsepower; approximately 650 lb-ft of torque from the supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8
- Ram 3500 Heavy Duty (High Output Cummins) — about 420 horsepower; up to 1,075 lb-ft of torque from the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel
- Ram 1500 (gas lineup, e.g., 5.7-liter Hemi with eTorque) — around 395 horsepower; about 410 lb-ft of torque
- Ram 1500 (eco-diesel option, 3.0-liter EcoDiesel) — about 260 horsepower; around 480 lb-ft of torque
These figures highlight the split in Ram’s strategy: the TRX focuses on peak horsepower for speed and off-road performance, while the Heavy Duty diesels emphasize torque and towing capability. Note that exact outputs vary by year and trim, and limited editions or regional options can alter specs slightly.
What “power” means for Ram buyers
Power can be defined in several ways: horsepower (how fast a vehicle can accelerate and how high its top speed can be), torque (the pulling power available at low speeds), and overall capability (like maximum towing and payload). The Ram 1500 TRX prioritizes horsepower for rapid acceleration and off-road performance, whereas the Ram 3500 Heavy Duty diesel prioritizes torque for maximum towing and heavy payloads. For daily driving, most buyers will find the standard Ram 1500 configurations adequate, while those who need to tow or haul heavy loads may prefer the diesel-heavy options in the HD lineup. The distinction is especially important when comparing a light-duty pickup to a heavy-duty workhorse.
Historical context: the most powerful Dodge Ram ever
If you’re looking at the brand’s Dodge-era peak in horsepower, the Dodge Ram SRT-10 stands out. Produced briefly from 2004 to 2006, the SRT-10 used a Viper-based 8.3-liter V10 engine and produced 500 horsepower, making it the most powerful Dodge-branded Ram pickup in history in terms of raw horsepower.
- Dodge Ram SRT-10 (2004–2006) — 500 horsepower; 525 lb-ft of torque from a 8.3-liter V10
That model remains the benchmark for Dodge-era Ram horsepower, but it is no longer in production. Modern Ram trucks, particularly the Ram 1500 TRX and Ram 3500 HD diesel, define today’s power landscape in different ways.
Summary
Across today’s Ram lineup, the Ram 1500 TRX is the crownholder for horsepower at 702 hp, delivering blistering acceleration and off-road capability. The Ram 3500 Heavy Duty’s 6.7-liter Cummins diesel tops torque—and towing capacity—thanks to about 1,075 lb-ft of torque. Historically, the Dodge Ram SRT-10 was the era’s most powerful Dodge-branded Ram with 500 hp. For buyers, the “most powerful” title depends on whether you value straight-line speed (horsepower) or pulling power (torque and towing). As of 2025, Ram continues to separate its performance goals into these two tracks: TRX for speed, and HD diesel for heavy lifting.
