2016 RAM 3500

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Rating7.4
Write Review
$32,285 - $61,860
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on September 26, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Strong engine output and towing capabilities

Infotainment system is basic and in need of an upgrade

Remains unchanged for 2016

Premium cabin design with excellent material quality

Huge size and dull handling makes it difficult to maneuver in the city

Roomy, silent as well as comfy cabin and impressively smooth ride quality

Options can bump up the price significantly

Specs & Features

$39,675

price

383 hp @ 5600 rpm

horsepower

400 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

5.7L 8cyl 4WD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2016 RAM 3500 Regular Cab is a prominent contender in the fullsize pickup truck segment, competing primarily with the Ford F-350 SuperDuty Regular Cab, the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Regular Cab, and the GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab. Prices start off at MSRP of $32,285 with the base Tradesman trim and reach all the way to the top SLT trim carrying an MSRP of $39,565, for a total of 2 trims being offered. With multiple powertrain and cab options available across multiple trims, there is a RAM 3500 for everyone. The RAM 3500 Regular Cab offers 4 exciting powertrains, each offered as both RWD and 4WD. The base engine is a 5.7L V8 engine capable of making 383 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. This engine is rated for a towing capacity of 13,910 pounds. The second engine is a larger 6.4L V8 making 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque and carrying a towing capacity of 16,520 pounds. All engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. You can also equip the RAM 3500 Regular Cab with a diesel engine available with three transmission options which have engine outputs of 350, 370, or 385 horsepower depending on the transmission. The RAM 3500 Regular Cab only comes with an 8’2” bed. All in all, the RAM 3500 Regular Cab delivers an exciting package, both in terms of performance and looks. The rugged and masculine exteriors are offered in 31 attractive colors.

Buying Advice

The 2016 RAM 3500 Regular Cab is a capable and powerful truck in its segment. There are two trims on offer and we recommend getting the higher SLT trim that offers a better feature-set over the base model.

Trims

    Tradesman
    $32,285 onwards
    • AM/FM/Satellite-Prep
    • Manual front air conditioning
    • Vinyl Seat trim
    Laramie
    $35,615 onwards
    • Engine: 5.7L 8cyl 4WD 6A
    • Horsepower: 383 hp @ 5600 rpm hp
    • Torque: 400 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 9.6 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: -
    SLT
    $36,595 onwards
    • 20-inch black-painted alloy wheels
    • Body-color bumpers and grille
    • Cloth-upholstered seats
    • ParkView rearview camera
    Big Horn
    $42,485 onwards
    • Engine: 5.7L 8cyl 4WD 6A
    • Horsepower: 383 hp @ 5600 rpm hp
    • Torque: 400 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.4 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: -
    Lone Star
    $42,485 onwards
    • Engine: 5.7L 8cyl 4WD 6A
    • Horsepower: 383 hp @ 5600 rpm hp
    • Torque: 400 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.4 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: -
    Longhorn
    $53,390 onwards
    • Engine: 5.7L 8cyl 4WD 6A
    • Horsepower: 383 hp @ 5600 rpm hp
    • Torque: 400 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 9.6 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: -
    Longhorn Limited
    $53,390 onwards
    • Engine: 5.7L 8cyl RWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 383 hp @ 5600 rpm hp
    • Torque: 400 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 9.3 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: -
    Limited
    $56,675 onwards
    • Engine: 5.7L 8cyl 4WD 6A
    • Horsepower: 383 hp @ 5600 rpm hp
    • Torque: 400 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.4 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: -

Compare to similar cars

Price

$32,285- $61,860

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.42

Horsepower

383 hp @ 5600 rpm

Torque

800 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

Capacity

6

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$34,055- $57,840

Gasoline

8.75

360 hp @ 5400 rpm

380 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm

3

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$32,955- $56,935

Gasoline

8.22

360 hp @ 5400 rpm

380 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm

3

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$27,095- $53,315

Gasoline

7.44

285 hp @ 5300 rpm

305 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm

3

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$33,280- $59,340

Gasoline

8.14

385 hp @ 5500 rpm

405 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

3

Read Review

$32,385- $57,240

Gasoline

8.26

440 hp @ 2800 rpm

405 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

3

Read Review

$34,635- $58,125

Gasoline

9

360 hp @ 5400 rpm

380 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm

3

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$33,535- $57,790

Gasoline

9.03

360 hp @ 5400 rpm

380 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm

3

Read Review

$27,715- $54,540

Gasoline

8.07

285 hp @ 5300 rpm

305 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm

3

Read Review

$31,780- $60,870

Gasoline

7.34

383 hp @ 5600 rpm

400 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

3

Read Review

2016 RAM 3500 vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    2016 RAM 3500

    Ranked #8

    8.4 sec--
    5.8 sec--
    7 sec-165 mph
    7 sec--
    7 sec--
    7.1 sec-173 mph

    2016 RAM 3500 vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      2016 RAM 3500

      Ranked #2

      12 mpg18 mpg15 mpg32 gal.-
      16 mpg24 mpg20 mpg26 gal.468/624 mi.
      16 mpg24 mpg20 mpg26 gal.468/624 mi.
      ---35 gal.-
      ---36 gal.-
      ---36 gal.-

      2016 RAM 3500 vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        2016 RAM 3500

        Ranked #2

        230.4 in.79.4 in.77.7 in.6.5 in.140 in.
        2016 RAM 2500

        Ranked #1

        231 in.78.9 in.73.3 in.7.4 in.140.5 in.
        227.6 in.79.9 in.76.6 in.8.5 in.137 in.
        227.6 in.79.9 in.76.5 in.8.5 in.137 in.
        224.4 in.80.1 in.77.8 in.8.4 in.133.6 in.
        224.4 in.80.1 in.77.8 in.8.8 in.133.6 in.

        2016 RAM 3500 vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          2016 RAM 3500

          Ranked #7

          74.7 cu.ft.93.9 cu.ft.16.5 cu.ft.
          76.3 cu.ft.98 cu.ft.136.5 cu.ft.
          10 cu.ft.52 cu.ft.10 cu.ft.
          --77.3 cu.ft.
          2016 RAM 2500

          Ranked #4

          -99 cu.ft.13.1 cu.ft.
          76.3 cu.ft.105.8 cu.ft.70 cu.ft.

          2016 RAM 3500 vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            2016 RAM 3500

            Ranked #1

            16.5 cu.ft.74.7 cu.ft.16.5 cu.ft.98 ft.
            100.7 cu.ft.10 cu.ft.10 cu.ft.98 ft.
            2016 RAM 2500

            Ranked #3

            79 cu.ft.-13.1 cu.ft.98 ft.
            53.4 cu.ft.76.3 cu.ft.53.4 cu.ft.98 ft.
            136.5 cu.ft.76.3 cu.ft.136.5 cu.ft.98 ft.
            70 cu.ft.76.3 cu.ft.70 cu.ft.98 ft.

            2016 RAM 3500 vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Gooseneck/5th Wheel Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              2016 RAM 3500

              Ranked #3

              17910 lbs.14450 lbs.4080 lbs.6022 lbs.
              18000 lbs.14800 lbs.3558 lbs.5742 lbs.
              18000 lbs.14800 lbs.3583 lbs.5717 lbs.
              2016 RAM 2500

              Ranked #2

              17980 lbs.-3060 lbs.5939 lbs.
              16600 lbs.12900 lbs.4040 lbs.5941 lbs.
              16500 lbs.12900 lbs.3920 lbs.6010 lbs.

              Top RAM Cars

              2016 RAM 3500

              Horsepower : 383 hp @ 5600 rpm

              MPG Combined : 15 mpg

              0-60 : 8.4 sec

              #1

              2016 RAM 1500

              Horsepower : 305 hp @ 6400 rpm

              MPG Combined : 20 mpg

              0-60 : 7.1 sec

              #2