The 2025 Ram 1500 marks a significant shift under the hood, trading its iconic V8 engines for a pair of powerful inline-six Hurricane engines. This move, while potentially controversial for V8 purists, promises enhanced performance and efficiency without sacrificing the Ram 1500’s renowned truck capabilities. This review dives into whether this change, along with other updates, keeps the Ram 1500 competitive in the ever-evolving pickup market.
The heart of the 2025 Ram 1500 story is undoubtedly the engine bay. Say goodbye to the Hemi V8s, and hello to the future with two versions of the 3.0-liter twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six. The base model boasts a standard-output Hurricane, delivering robust power for everyday tasks and towing. For those craving more muscle, the high-output Hurricane cranks up the performance, offering acceleration that rivals, if not surpasses, the outgoing V8. Both engines are paired with a smooth and responsive eight-speed automatic transmission, ensuring a refined driving experience whether you’re cruising on the highway or tackling demanding workloads.
While the V8 rumble will be missed by some, the Hurricane engines bring tangible benefits. The power figures surpass the Hemis, translating to quicker acceleration and confident passing power. Although there’s a slight decrease in maximum towing capacity compared to some V8 configurations, the trade-off for enhanced performance and potentially improved fuel economy is a compelling proposition for many truck buyers. The standard output engine is more than capable for most drivers, providing ample thrust for daily driving and hauling. The high-output variant, however, truly shines, offering a noticeable surge of power that makes merging onto highways or overtaking slower traffic effortless.
Ram has also refreshed the 1500’s trim lineup for 2025, introducing the ultra-luxurious Tungsten trim. This new top-tier option elevates the Ram 1500’s interior to new heights, aiming to compete with the most premium trucks on the market. The Tungsten trim joins a comprehensive lineup that includes the work-oriented Tradesman, popular Bighorn/Lone Star, well-equipped Laramie, rugged Rebel, and the opulent Limited and Limited Longhorn. Ram anticipates the Bighorn, especially in the crew cab and four-wheel-drive configuration, to remain a volume seller, appealing to a broad range of buyers seeking a balance of features and value.
Driving the 2025 Ram 1500 reveals a familiar yet refined truck experience. On paved roads, the Ram 1500 handles predictably, with sufficient composure in corners for a vehicle of its size. Body roll is present, a characteristic of trucks in this class, especially the Rebel trim equipped with all-terrain tires. However, the ride quality remains a strong point, particularly in the Tungsten trim, which manages to be both comfortable and controlled without feeling overly soft. The Rebel trim, designed for off-road adventures, understandably exhibits a bit more road wander due to its tires, but this is a minor trade-off for its enhanced capability when the pavement ends.
Off-road, the 2025 Ram 1500 Rebel demonstrates its prowess. The test course, described as challenging, was navigated with ease, with only a minor scrape to the skid plate reported. Features like a front-facing camera prove invaluable for navigating obstacles, while a speed-limiting downhill control system assists in maintaining a steady crawl. The available adjustable air suspension offers two off-road modes, further enhancing the Rebel’s capability in challenging terrains. The standard suspension setup, featuring a double-wishbone front and five-link solid rear axle, provides a solid foundation for both on and off-road performance.
The Tungsten trim distinguishes itself with unique exterior and interior enhancements. A power tailgate, distinctive RAM badging, and unique LED taillights set it apart visually. Inside, the Tungsten cabin is a sanctuary of luxury, featuring an Indigo and Sea Salt color scheme, genuine metal accents with diamond knurling, and suede accents on the headliner, pillars, and visors. Natura Plus leather-trimmed heated and cooled front seats with massage and lumbar support further elevate the comfort. Exclusive gauges, interior badging including a VIN plate, a crystal shifter knob, a premium 23-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere audio system, dual wireless chargers, and metal pedals complete the Tungsten’s opulent interior. While the Klipsch audio system’s high fidelity is impressive, it’s worth noting that distortion may occur with lower-quality audio sources like satellite radio at high volumes. Streaming services like Spotify deliver a significantly richer audio experience.
Interior appointments vary across the 2025 Ram 1500 trim levels, each offering unique accents and color schemes to cater to different tastes and needs. The 3.6-liter V6 engine with mild-hybrid assist remains available in the Tradesman and Big Horn/Lone Star trims. The standard-output Hurricane engine expands availability to include the Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, and Rebel. For maximum power and towing capacity, the high-output Hurricane is offered in the Limited Longhorn, Limited, and Tungsten trims, enabling a maximum towing capacity of 11,580 pounds.
Tech upgrades in the 2025 Ram 1500 include available 12-inch or 14.5-inch infotainment screens, both running the significantly faster Uconnect 5 system with customizable split-screen functionality. Other available technology features include a digital camera rearview mirror with a towing mode, a digital key, an onboard power inverter, and a head-up display. Two levels of semi-autonomous driving assistance are offered: Active Driving Assist, a hands-on system, and Hands-Free Driving Assist, a Level 2 autonomous system for designated roadways, similar to Ford’s BlueCruise and GM’s Super Cruise. A comprehensive suite of standard and available safety and driver-assistance features includes automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, park assist, lane management, 360-degree camera, drowsiness detection, traffic sign recognition, trailer reverse steering control, adaptive cornering fog lamps, and more.
Comfort and convenience features abound, with options like a dual-pane sunroof, heated seats and steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, RamBox storage system, bed extender, spray-in bedliner, skid plates, tow hooks, hill descent control, all-terrain tires, tow-specific navigation, and a rear electronic locking axle. Cab and bed configurations include quad cab with a 6’4″ box, crew cab with a 5’7″ box, and crew cab with a 6’4″ box, catering to various needs for passenger and cargo space.
Pricing for the 2025 Ram 1500 starts at $40,275 for the Tradesman, escalating to $44,935 for the Big Horn/Lone Star, $60,030 for the Laramie, $64,195 for the Rebel, $75,155 for the Limited, $75,605 for the Limited Longhorn, and reaching $87,155 for the luxurious Tungsten trim. A destination charge of $1,995 is additional. As tested, a pre-production Tungsten model reached $90,535, while a Rebel trim came in at $81,835. Fuel economy figures are still pending official EPA ratings, but initial observations during testing indicated around 15.5 mpg in mixed driving conditions for both Tungsten and Rebel models.
The 2025 Ram 1500 represents a significant evolution for this popular pickup. While the departure of the V8 engine marks the end of an era, the new Hurricane inline-six engines deliver enhanced power and refinement. Combined with an updated interior, especially in the new Tungsten trim, and a comprehensive suite of technology and convenience features, the 2025 Ram 1500 maintains its position as a top contender in the full-size truck segment. For buyers prioritizing modern performance, luxurious amenities, and advanced technology, the 2025 Ram 1500 offers a compelling package that proves sometimes, fewer cylinders can indeed deliver more.
[Images © 2024 Tim Healey/TTAC.com, Ram/Stellantis]
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