Some might see the Ram 2500 Rebel as a lesser Power Wagon, but in fact it does a lot more. And it’s more tolerable than most three-quarter-ton pickups.
. Think of the Ram 2500 Rebel as Power Wagon light. But our testing has proven the HD Rebel is no lightweight—literally or figuratively.
There are a few Power Wagon features missing from the 2500 Rebel's standard equipment list, including its 2-inch suspension lift, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, lockable front differential, and the Articulink front suspension with its detachable front anti-roll bar. Also, the Power Wagon's standard 12,000-pound Warn winch is an option on the Rebel.
We had a chance to do some off-roading with both gasoline and diesel versions of the HD Rebel. The chassis setup is fantastic; we tackled some rather severe obstacles, and both trucks walked over them with minimal drama and effort. When it comes to off-roading, there's little substitute for a lot of torque and ground clearance. Did we miss the Power Wagon's front locking diff? Heck, we rarely needed to lock the Rebel's rear diff.
That said, the climb into the Rebel's crew cab is well worth it. As with other Ram models, it's a lovely place to be. Ram offers three trim levels for the Rebel, and the upper two include leather seats and the big tablet-style touchscreen we've come to know and love in other Ram models. For 2023, all Ram HDs get an improved digital instrument cluster that, among other things, features a moving-map display .