Ram 2500 trim comparison
2024 Ram 2500 Lone Star vs Big Horn
The 2500 Lone Star starts at $48,880 while the Big Horn is $56,340. That $7,460 gap buys 3 meaningful differences.
The Big Horn adds 4WD instead of RWD. If you deal with winter roads or need traction off-pavement, that could be worth $7,460 by itself. If not, the Lone Star saves you the money.
The Lone Star is the cleaner fit if RWD already covers the job. The Big Horn only earns the extra money when 4WD is the reason you are shopping up.
If you are budgeting this move monthly, the jump from the Lone Star to the Big Horn is about $131/month on a 60-month loan at 6.5% APR with 10% down. That works out to roughly $7,860 more by the time interest is counted. The real question is whether 4WD changes your day-to-day use enough to justify paying above RWD.
Lock one trim, change the other side, and move through exact pair pages without resetting back to the full lineup every time.
Who notices the difference
The higher trim starts to make more sense when extra traction matters for your weather, roads, or weekend use.
When both feel the same
The Lone Star and Big Horn are mechanically identical where it counts: the same 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
The upgrade math
You are paying $7,460 for 2 measurable differences, which works out to about $3,730 per change.
Key Differences at a Glance
This is the fast read: price, power, efficiency, and the feature flips most likely to change the answer.
Every Difference, Side by Side
This is the full read behind the quick decision signals above: the complete hardware, comfort, and equipment story. 3 specification differences, 3 shared.
Full Specification Comparison
Specifications reflect available data as of early 2024. Confirm details with an authorized dealer before purchasing.
| Spec | Lone Star | Big Horn |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| MSRP | $48,880 | $56,340 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 6.4L V8 | 6.4L V8 |
| Horsepower | 410 hp | 410 hp |
| Torque | 429 lb-ft | 429 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD | 4WD |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| Fuel Tank | 32.0 gal | 31.0 gal |
| Dimensions | ||
| Curb Weight | No published data | 6,773 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 140.5" | 149.0" |
| Length | 232.0" | 238.8" |
| Width | 79.4" | 79.5" |
| Height | 78.0" | 80.2" |
| Truck Specs | ||
| Cab Type | Regular Cab | Crew Cab |
| Warranty | ||
| Bumper-to-Bumper | 3yr/36k | 3yr/36k |
| Powertrain | 5yr/60k | 5yr/60k |
| Corrosion | 5yr/100k | 5yr/100k |
| Roadside Assistance | 5yr/60k | 5yr/60k |
Data sources: licensed third-party automotive data, EPA fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, and official manufacturer materials. Values marked est. are estimated.
2024 Ram 2500 Lone Star vs Big Horn Questions Shoppers Ask
Use this page for the direct trim answer, then zoom back out to the Ram 2500 lineup, the Ram brand hub, the Full-Size Trucks, the how to pick a trim guide, or our mid-trim value research when you need the bigger shopping path behind this one matchup.
How much more does the 2024 2500 Big Horn cost than the Lone Star?
The Big Horn starts at $56,340 compared to $48,880 for the Lone Star (both Regular Cab RWD). That is a $7,460 difference, or approximately $131/month more on a 60-month loan.
Do the 2024 Ram 2500 Lone Star and Big Horn have the same engine?
Yes. Both use the 6.4L V8 producing 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque. The engine hardware does not change between these trims, so the real differences are in equipment and feature content.
Does the 2024 2500 Lone Star come with 4WD?
No. The Lone Star comes standard with RWD while the Big Horn has 4WD. This affects traction, fuel economy, and curb weight.
What warranty does the 2024 Ram 2500 come with?
All 2024 Ram 2500 trims, including both the Lone Star and Big Horn, come with Ram's standard warranty: 3yr/36k bumper-to-bumper and 5yr/60k powertrain coverage. Warranty does not vary by trim level.
Is the 2024 Ram 2500 Big Horn worth $7,460 more than the Lone Star?
The $7,460 adds 4WD. Worth it if you need the traction. Not worth it if you drive on dry roads year-round.
The Full Story Behind This Price Gap
Use the direct answer above for this exact matchup, then use these guides to understand whether you are really looking at a feature step-up, a package shuffle, or the point where the lineup starts changing in a meaningful way.
What $7,460 Gets You
At $7,460 more, the 2500 Big Horn adds 4WD. This is a situational call. If those features are on your must-have list, the upgrade makes sense. If not, the Lone Star delivers the same core 2500 experience for less.
Lone Star vs. Big Horn: Day-to-Day
Stepping up to the Big Horn gets you 4WD. For truck buyers in northern climates or those who tow regularly, this is a functional upgrade worth considering.
What Both Trims Share
Despite the differences above, the Lone Star and Big Horn share engine and transmission, keeping the core 2500 experience consistent across trims.
Summary
The 2500 Big Horn costs $7,460 more than the Lone Star (about $131/month more on a 60-month loan). That buys 2 meaningful changes at $3,730 per change. Whether that trade-off is worth it depends on which features matter to your daily driving.
Trim-Matched Accessories
These add-ons are split by trim intent so the recommendations follow the actual use case, not just the same repeated product block.
Ram 2500 Lone Star
Value-trim add-onsThese picks fit the Lone Star best when the goal is covering the daily-use gaps without paying up to the next trim.
Ram 2500 Big Horn
Step-up trim add-onsThese picks suit the Big Horn when you want the accessories to match the nicer cabin, broader utility, or more premium use case.
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Specifications shown combine licensed third-party automotive data with official manufacturer, EPA, and NHTSA source material for the 2024 model year. Actual pricing, features, and availability may vary by region and dealer. Always confirm details with an authorized dealer before making a purchase decision. TrimAtlas is not affiliated with Ram or any dealership.
Page updated 2026-03-18. Verify equipment, pricing, and regional availability with the manufacturer or dealer.