I test drove a 2025 3500 Cummins this morning and I put a little over 35 miles on it. Did the same with a 2024 HO Cummins. It was nice, the salesman pretty much threw me the keys and let me go drive them. Did a cold start and drove it good, and got it all nice and warmed up. The transmission shifts are crisper and more defined than on my EcoD, but way smoother than the Aisin. Comparing it to the 68RFE, it's better shifting, but felt slightly smoother transition between gears 2-6, 7 and 8th are extremely smooth shifts is about how I can explain it. It was 35F outside, and the truck warmed up about the same as my EcoD, and almost (but not quite) twice as quick as the 2020 Cummins I drive for work, which I thought was fascinating. Noise-wise, it is quieter, almost about the same cabin noise as the EcoD. Cummins/RAM did quiet it down slightly, but you still get that wonderful clatter, especially when cold and when you step on it. Equating it to the 2020 Cummins, it is marginally quieter. The gear shifter being electronic is effortless and less clunky due to it not being cable driven, but still has that nice kerchunk. Engine braking is slightly improved, and it seems like the engine takes advantage of the gearing when in auto mode, better than the previous transmissions. In the short drive I did, although I did get on it a little bit, I averaged 18.7 mpg on the EVIC.
Is it an upgrade to the Aisin/68RFE? Yes, absolutely. I feel as if it was a smart move and has the right amount of gears with logical gear step spacing for the new era Cummins.
Under the hood, I'm not sure if I like the fuel filter placement. Engine oil filter placement is phenomenal, almost like they copied the EcoD, but moved it to the passenger side. My only "scare" about having those upside down filters is cleanliness before removal. Like on my EcoD, I clean the area very well with compressed air and brake cleaner before doing any work to avoid having sand/dirt potentially falling in. I could see where folks/shops in a hurry and not take their time to clean it, and potentially getting debris in the system. I would've preferred conventional can-style filters across the board.
Would I upgrade from my EcoD right away? Man, it is hard pressed. Biggest complaint is the cab at this point. So reminded me of when I get out of my 2020 work truck and head into my 2020 EcoD cab to go home, I just feel like the extra few inches matter in terms of comfort that I get in the half ton cab, especially after a hard days work. Otherwise, gee golly, no improvements inside other that the feeling of the shifter and the transmission shift improvement. Blind fold me, and the only thing I'd notice is the transmission shifts.
I think at the end of the day, if you really needed to get a truck right now, and you want to stay with a RAM, personally, I'd just see if you could get a HO with a Aisin if you aren't willing to want to chance it if you plan on keeping it long term. If you are a leasee or one that swaps trucks every three years or so, then heck, I'd go for a 2025 and see how it works out.