Ram 1500 Review 2025: Power, Performance, and Price
The 2025 Ram 1500 represents a bold step forward for Ram’s flagship pickup, ditching the V-8 dominance in favor of a new era powered by twin-turbo inline-six engines. But does this shift deliver on expectations? In this review, we’ll dive deep into its engine lineups, performance, interior comfort, capabilities, pricing, and real-world considerations. Powertrain &
The 2025 Ram 1500 represents a bold step forward for Ram’s flagship pickup, ditching the V-8 dominance in favor of a new era powered by twin-turbo inline-six engines. But does this shift deliver on expectations? In this review, we’ll dive deep into its engine lineups, performance, interior comfort, capabilities, pricing, and real-world considerations.
Powertrain & Engine Options
One of the biggest changes for 2025 is the full transition away from the classic V-8 in favor of new “Hurricane” twin-turbo 3.0L straight-six engines. (Note: the base V-6 is also retained on entry trims.) Every engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and you can choose RWD (rear-wheel drive) or 4WD (four-wheel drive) depending on the trim. Because of this new engine strategy, Ram has retired its 5.7L Hemi V-8 for the 2025 lineup. In testing, a Ram 1500 Limited 4×4 equipped with the 540 hp Hurricane achieved 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds — an impressively quick figure for a full-size truck. The version with the 420 hp output reached 0–60 in about 4.9 seconds. Handling and ride quality remain strong points — Ram uses coil springs at the rear instead of traditional leaf springs, which helps with ride smoothness. Air suspension is also an option on higher trims, allowing variable ride height. According to Ram, the maximum towing capacity for the 2025 model reaches 11,580 pounds, while payload tops out around 2,300 pounds in ideal configurations. Some trims, particularly those geared toward off-road or “RHO” spec versions, may have lower ratings due to their setup. Fuel consumption is competitive for its class. The non–high output variants manage roughly 17–20 mpg city and 24–26 mpg highway. The 540 hp version tends to dip: approximately 14–15 mpg city / 16–21 highway. The 2025 Ram 1500 keeps the familiar family proportions — offered in Quad Cab or Crew Cab with different bed lengths. Suspension architecture and overall design cues evolve subtly to accommodate the new powertrain. Inside, Ram continues to deliver one of the most refined cabins in the pickup class. Soft-touch materials, large infotainment screens, and thoughtful ergonomics give it the feel of a premium vehicle. Higher trims include features like adjustable air suspension, multifunction tailgate, advanced driver assists, and more. Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels are well controlled — even with the turbo engines, Ram engineers have done a commendable job tuning for comfort. Base Price Range The 2025 Ram 1500 trades in territory starting around $40,275 for a base Tradesman Quad Cab with RWD. This includes basic features and safety tech like adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance. Mid and High Trims As you move up (Big Horn, Rebel, Laramie, Limited, Tungsten, etc.), options and pricing escalate. The shift in powertrains means some trims mandate the twin-turbo engines. Cost Increase Some trims witnessed noticeable jumps: the Rebel’s price jumped ~$4,845 over the 2024 version, the Laramie ~$3,990, and the Limited Longhorn by ~$14,255. If you’re in the market for a full-size pickup in 2025, the Ram 1500 stands as a compelling option — especially if you’re drawn to strong performance, comfort, and modern engineering. The transition to sophisticated turbocharged inline-six engines shows Ram’s confidence in evolving design direction. However, if you’re someone who values classic V-8 character, fuel frugality, or full EV powertrains, you’ll want to weigh those priorities carefully against what the 1500 offers in this generation.
Performance & Capability
Acceleration & Driving Feel
Towing & Payload
Fuel Economy
Design, Interior & Features
Exterior & Configuration
Cabin & Comfort
Pricing & Trim Options
Pros & Cons of Ram 1500
Strengths
Weaknesses
Should You Consider the 2025 Ram 1500?