2027 Ram 2500 Power Wagon Cummins Diesel First Drive: The Big Boy Plays Rougher

Power Wagon fans have been asking for a Cummins Turbodiesel under the hood for years, and now they finally have it. The result is the 2027 Ram 2500 Power Wagon Cummins, a diesel-powered off-road workhorse buyers have wanted for a long time.

Pros

• Exceptional power output
• Outstanding off-road capability
• High-quality interior finish

Cons

• Questionable long-term reliability
• High cost of ownership
• Heavy fuel consumption

Still a Beast: Power Wagon Styling and Design

From a styling standpoint, this new diesel variant looks identical to the gas-powered Power Wagon. The truck remains the most visually distinctive model in the Ram 2500 lineup, and nothing makes that clearer than the bold vertical POWER WAGON decal stamped on the rear fenders. There’s no mistaking what you’re looking at.

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The Power Wagon also gets its own black grille with a distinctive, intricate inner pattern. To keep that menacing look, the front and rear bumpers are painted black, and the fender flares are wider, just like on the Rebel. Our test truck rode on 20-inch wheels wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler tires with an aggressive tread pattern well suited to the truck’s off-road ambitions.

There is one significant trade-off with the Cummins Turbodiesel engine option, though: the front WARN winch is gone. Why? The inline-six is bigger, takes up more space, and needs a larger cooling system, leaving no room left for a winch behind the front bumper.

An Interior That Still Impresses

Even though this cabin architecture dates back to 2018, it still feels pleasant and well designed. In Power Wagon trim, there’s no real departure from the other Ram 2500 variants. Drivers get a digital instrument cluster that ranks among the best in the industry for graphic quality and clarity, along with a wide range of display layouts packed with useful information. It’s genuinely well executed.

Our test truck came equipped with the new-generation 14.5-inch center touchscreen. The display quality earns the same praise, though the Uconnect 5 infotainment system still shows some persistent glitches — I ran into a few during my short time behind the wheel.

The good news is that physical controls remain in place for essential functions like climate control, so a software hiccup won’t leave you fumbling through menus. In front of the passenger seat, our tester also had a third 10.25-inch display dedicated to passenger entertainment.

As always, the center console strikes a near-perfect balance between size and storage capacity. Everything is genuinely functional, though it’s still worth asking why Stellantis insists on including coin-holder push buttons. Material quality and overall fit and finish are beyond reproach, and the cabin remains highly practical, with impressive rear-seat legroom and headroom.

You Asked For It, You Got It: Cummins Diesel Power Arrives

The 2027 Ram 2500 Power Wagon marks a milestone for the model with the arrival of the Cummins turbodiesel engine for the first time. Long requested by buyers and enthusiasts, this new configuration pairs the Power Wagon’s off-road prowess with the massive torque of the 6.7-liter diesel inline-six.

Under the hood, the 6.7-liter Cummins High Output engine produces 430 horsepower at 2,800 rpm and 1,075 lb-ft of torque starting at just 1,800 rpm. It’s paired with an eight-speed TorqueFlite HD automatic transmission and a 3.42:1 axle ratio. For comparison, the Power Wagon’s other available engine, the 6.4-liter HEMI V8, makes 405 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. The gap is mainly in torque output, where the diesel more than doubles the gas engine’s figure — and torque is what matters most when towing.

Despite the Cummins engine’s added weight, Ram keeps the core hardware that sets the Power Wagon apart from other Ram 2500 trims. That includes electronically locking front and rear differentials, an electronic front sway-bar disconnect, Bilstein shocks, a five-link rear suspension with coil springs, skid plates, and Goodyear all-terrain tires.

The Cummins engine significantly boosts the Power Wagon’s capability as a work truck and tow rig. The 2027 Ram 2500 diesel lineup can tow up to 20,000 pounds, though the Power Wagon’s exact towing capacity depends on configuration. A gooseneck hitch prep package is also offered for the first time on this trim, an important new addition.

With a roughly 31-gallon fuel tank, Ram is quoting a driving range approaching 600 miles under certain conditions. That kind of range could be especially appealing for overlanding trips and the long-haul driving that diesel buyers often have in mind.

Driving Impressions: A Real Work Truck

On the road unloaded, this Ram isn’t particularly enjoyable to drive. The steering offers little feedback, and the suspension bounces over rough pavement. Since this is a truck built for work, it settles down and finds its composure once you add a trailer or payload in the bed. Overall braking performance matches its towing capability — it’s genuinely strong. We weren’t able to log an average fuel-consumption figure during our test drive, but with a truck like this, there are simply too many variables to draw firm conclusions either way.

Freedom of Choice: Regulatory Rollback Opens the Door

Across the Stellantis lineup, the brand is taking full advantage of the regulatory rollbacks under the Trump administration to bring back options that stricter environmental rules had previously blocked. The Cummins is a good news for buyers, since it’s exactly the configuration many of them had been asking for.

As of this writing, pricing for the 2027 Ram 2500 Power Wagon with the Cummins diesel engine hasn’t been announced. However, the Cummins option typically runs around $11,000. The Power Wagon’s base price in the 2026 Ram 2500 lineup sat just under $98,000, so expect a starting price for the diesel version in the neighborhood of $110,000 before options.