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Auto review: 2025 Ram 1500: The Joy of Six

Larry Printz, Tribune News Service on

Published in Business News

In light of the sagging battery electric vehicle sales, it’s worth mentioning that the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra and Ram 1500 accounted for 13.1 percent of new vehicles sales in the U.S. in 2023. In comparison, electric vehicles captured 7.6 percent. This may annoy tree-huggers, but wishes are not reality.

This is what makes the revised 2025 Ram 1500 full-size light-duty pickup such big news.

Borrowing much from its platform mates, the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, the 2025 Ram 1500 now comes with their new Hurricane twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engines along with a new wallet-bursting Tungsten model that clearly follows in the Grand Wagoneer’s footsteps.

The rest of the Ram 1500 line consists of the Tradesman, Big Horn/ Lone Star, Rebel, Laramie, Limited Longhorn, and Limited trims. Base 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman and Big Horn/Lone Star models come with a Quad Cab and a long 6-foot, 4-inch bed. Meanwhile, Rebel, Laramie, Limited Longhorn, Limited and Tungsten trims come with a larger Crew Cab and a shorter 5-foot-7-inch bed that’s optional on the Tradesman and Big Horn/Lone Star. A Crew Cab with the long bed is optional on all but the Rebel and Tungsten.

As you might expect, the Tradesman and Big Horn/Lone Star come with last year’s 3.6-liter V-6 mild hybrid driveline rated at 305 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Rebel and Laramies come with the new standard-output Hurricane 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6, generating 420 horsepower and 469 pound-feet of torque. It’s optional on the Tradesman and Big Horn/Lone Star.

Ram 1500 Limited Longhorn, Limited and Tungsten get more muscle, a Hurricane high-output inline six producing 540 horsepower and 521 pound-feet of torque. Expect it to arrive in third quarter of 2024. The new Hurricanes easily outmuscle the current Ram 1500’s 5.7-liter V-8’s 395 horsepower.

EPA estimates aren’t available, but the base hybrid driveline uses regular unleaded gasoline, while Hurricane engines require 91 octane. All engines mate to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard on Tradesman, Big Horn/ Lone Star and Laramie grades. Four-wheel drive is standard on the Rebel, Longhorn, Limited and Tungsten, and optional on the Tradesman, Big Horn/ Lone Star and Laramie.

Depending on model, the 2025 Ram 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of 11,580 pounds, maximum payload of 2,300 pounds and can ford up to 24 inches of water.

The Hurricane’s presence in the 2025 Ram 1500 is a revelation and a true joy. Acceleration is strong with the standard-output six and exceptional with the high output. There’s plenty of grunt on tap. Yet the engines’ strength doesn’t come at the expense of refinement. Its noticeable lack of vibration accompanies a satisfying growl that’s not intrusive.

The Ram 1500 doesn’t drive as large as it is, being far easier to maneuver than its full-size competitors. Its suspension provides satisfying road feel, although its ride about what you’d expect. You’ll feel shuddering and minor rocking. Pricier grades get an air suspension, but at the expense of road feel. And it’s quiet, so quiet. You’d never know you’re in a pickup. It’s overall pleasantness to drive is hard to top.

Take it off-road and you’ll really be convinced. It’s astoundingly easy to make quick work of your favorite trails and mud bogs. The wealth of technology at your disposal makes fast work of the forest primeval once the sidewalk ends. But we could expect no less from the company that builds Jeeps.

In fact, no other full-size light duty pickup tops it.

Of course, all Rams receive a facelift. But to dismiss their updated designs so lightly is to ignore the exquisite care that was taken to give each trim a unique facial identity, including the stunning new Tungsten model, with its chrome-framed grille and an interior to rival the Grand Wagoneer. Speaking of which, the Tungsten’s interior quality is exquisite. However, like the Grand Wagoneer, while material quality is impressive, there’s a very loud visual vocabulary. There’s a plethora of competing textures, seams, metal knurling and quilted leather, all trying too hard to prove their station. It’s almost chav.

The new 14-inch infotainment touchscreen features the company’s new user interface. It’s fairly intuitive, but can be slow to function ad its audio controls frustratingly designed. A rethink is needed here. But the optional Klipsch audio system is outstanding, and worth the extra scratch. But we appreciated the customizable 12.3-inch digital instrument display. That said, buyers of lower-trimmed trucks will be pleased by the handsome analog gauges, which are easy to read, complete and a relief from the onslaught of pixels.

All this goodness comes at a price. While Ram hasn’t officially announced pricing, our test vehicles ranged from a $50,015 Tradesman to a $87,155 Tungsten. And those are base prices; as tested, they’re $54,890 and $90,535 respectively.

 

Yet after spending time with the 2025 Ram 1500 in its many trims, it’s hard to like any other full-size pickup. It’s so nice to drive, so easy to handle and offers a host of personalities that make it the best in class.

Now, if only its price wasn’t so high....

2025 Ram 1500 Rebel Crew Cab 4x4

Base price: $64,195

Engine: 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder

Horsepower/Torque: 420/469 pound-feet

EPA rating: TBA

Fuel required: 91 octane

Length/Width/Height: 232/81/78 inches

Ground clearance: 8.7 inches

Payload: TBA

Bed volume: 53.8 cubic feet

Towing capacity: TBA


©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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