2026 Ram 2500 Warlock: Back-to-Basics Heavy Duty Off-Roader

Earlier this week, I had the chance to get behind the wheel of the all-new 2026 Ram 2500 Warlock at the Stellantis Chelsea Proving Grounds in Michigan. While the Ram Heavy Duty lineup has always offered something for everyone—whether it’s the upscale Limited or the trail-conquering Power Wagon—the Warlock finds its niche as a no-nonsense, budget-friendly off-road truck. Think of it as a Rebel wrapped in Tradesman clothing, but without losing the off-road grit that makes Ram stand out in the heavy-duty segment.

A Simpler Recipe for Off-Road Strength – 

The Warlock is offered exclusively in a Crew Cab configuration with a 6-foot, 4-inch bed. Priced from $57,165 (including destination) with the 6.4-liter HEMI® BGE V8, it undercuts the Ram 2500 Rebel by roughly $10,000, making it one of the most affordable off-road heavy-duty pickups on the market. And while “affordable” and “heavy-duty truck” don’t usually appear in the same sentence these days, the Warlock pulls it off without feeling like a stripped-down compromise.

Ram packages the Warlock with serious off-road gear, including a set of 20-inch diamond-cut wheels wrapped in 34-inch Goodyear Duratrac A/T tires, Bilstein™ shocks tuned for both on- and off-road performance, an anti-spin rear differential, a transfer case skid plate, and Hill Descent Control. It also includes a class-exclusive set of power convex trailer tow mirrors—something ranchers, farmers, and tower operators will immediately appreciate.

Style That Speaks the Part – 

Visually, the Warlock borrows heavily from the Rebel, with black grille surrounds, black bumpers, fender flares, and a bold “Warlock” decal running down the box. Available in eight exterior colors—including Ceramic Grey, Flame Red, and Molten Red—it certainly looks the part of an off-road bruiser.

That said, there are some subtle differences. The Warlock sticks with the standard Tradesman grille design and uses LED reflective headlights instead of the Rebel’s projector-style units. The Rebel’s Sport Performance Hood is also missing here, with the Warlock wearing a standard hood instead. Around back, you won’t find a Rebel badge either—just simple sticker-style graphics on the bed sides. Even the taillights are basic incandescent units rather than LEDs. These cost-cutting measures might bother buyers who crave premium styling, but for many, they’re part of the Warlock’s back-to-basics charm.

Inside the Cabin – 

Step inside, and it’s clear this truck was built for utility. Cloth bench seating is standard, and I was glad to see Ram stick with the 6-passenger configuration—something that’s increasingly rare in modern pickups. That center seat folds down into a console with cupholders and a handy storage compartment, giving you the best of both worlds: seating for six when you need it, and extra comfort when you don’t.

Creature comforts are limited compared to the Rebel, but not nonexistent. A 12-inch Uconnect 5 system with built-in navigation comes standard, along with Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay®, and Ram’s Off-Road Pages. While the cab is based on Ram’s fourth-generation design, there’s still plenty of space in the rear seats for full-size adults. The interior plastics lean work-truck simple, but the functionality is exactly what buyers in this segment want: durable, easy to clean, and ready for hard use.

Powertrain Choices – 

Buyers get two solid engine options. The standard 6.4-liter HEMI BGE V8 delivers 405 horsepower and 429 lb.-ft. of torque through an 8-speed 8HP75-LCV automatic. For those needing massive pulling power, the optional turbocharged 6.7-liter Cummins High-Output (H/O) I6 diesel cranks out 430 horsepower and a class-leading 1,075 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to the new ZF-sourced PowerLine™ 8-speed automatic.

My test truck came with the Cummins H/O paired with Ceramic Grey paint—a combination that looked sharp on the proving grounds. At $12,595 more than the HEMI, it’s not a small upcharge, but the diesel’s endless low-end torque makes easy work of steep climbs, rock obstacles, and even the Proving Grounds’ technical East Off-Road Test Track. With just a touch of throttle, the Warlock clawed its way over logs, through deep ruts, and across water crossings without breaking a sweat.

The Warlock is more about confidence than speed. Unlike half-ton sport trucks that chase performance numbers, the 2500 Warlock is built to crawl, climb, and tow without hesitation. Its off-road suspension and traction systems made short work of the Proving Grounds’ articulation course, even clearing the same concrete humps used to test the Ram 1500 RHO. While not as flashy or plush as the Rebel or Power Wagon, the Warlock feels more authentic as an off-road workhorse.

Who’s It For? – 

The Warlock is the truck for buyers who want serious off-road hardware without the price tag or luxury extras of a Rebel. It feels right at home in the woods, at the farm, or at the worksite—yet it still has enough tech and comfort to handle a road trip or weekend adventure. It’s not trying to be a “mall crawler” or a luxury truck with knobby tires. Instead, it sticks to its roots: a heavy-duty pickup that looks tough, works hard, and won’t break the bank.

Final Thoughts – 

The 2026 Ram 2500 Warlock is one of those rare trucks that delivers exactly what it promises. It doesn’t pretend to be upscale, and it doesn’t need to. Instead, it offers buyers a cost-effective way to get into a capable off-road heavy-duty without sacrificing the essentials. For around $57,000, you’re getting Rebel-level toughness wrapped in a Tradesman wrapper.

Ram now offers four distinct Heavy Duty off-roaders: the Warlock, Tradesman Power Wagon, Rebel, and Power Wagon. With the Warlock anchoring the lineup as the budget-friendly choice, buyers now have more ways than ever to find the right truck for their needs. Personally, after spending time with it, I think the Warlock might just be the sweet spot in the lineup.

2026 Ram 2500 Warlock Crew Cab 4×4 Image Gallery:

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