The updated 2025 Ram 1500 in new Tungsten premium trim
© 2023 Stellantis
The high-volume, high-profit pickup truck remains a critical product in every domestic automaker’s business plan. This includes global automotive conglomerate Stellantis, whose Ram 1500 is the third best-selling vehicle in the U.S. For the 2025 model year, the Ram 1500 gets a makeover that includes an all-new drivetrain, a new premium trim, a plug-in hybrid, and a full electric model. Ram officials tell us 2024 will be a transformative year for the brand, with product announcements coming almost monthly.
An all-new Hurricane 3.0-liter inline 6 features twin turbos and up to 540 hp
Stellantis
Ram’s All-New 6 Cylinder, More Power Than Hemi V8
For the 2025 Ram 1500, a combination of ever-rising customer expectations and ever-tightening fuel efficiency and CO2 regulations meant dropping the iconic Hemi V8 in favor of an all-new 3.0-liter, 6-cylinder engine. While V6 engines are offered in Ram’s primary competitors (Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500), the new Ram 1500 features an inline 6 topped by two turbochargers. Ram officials tell us the inline 6 layout offers perfect balance with minimal vibration from idle to redline.
The 2025 Ram 1500 has an available air suspension with multiple ride heights
Stellantis
Ram engineers say the two small, lightweight turbochargers, each of them feeding three cylinders, lets them spool quickly and avoid turbo lag. Dubbed the “Hurricane” engine, this inline 6 is offered in two power levels. The standard engine makes 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. The high-output version produces 540 hp and 521 lb-ft of torque. While traditionalists will bemoan the loss of Ram’s iconic Hemi V8, that engine only made 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque.
Top-of-the-line Ram 1500 Tungsten models feature a unique grille
© 2023 Stellantis
A base 3.6-liter V6 engine carries over to the 2025 Ram, offering 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. All three engines send power through an 8-speed automatic transmission (same as last year) to either the rear wheels or all four in 4×4 models. The new inline 6 is engineered to work with the 8-speed auto for smooth, lag-free power delivery, a broad torque band, and an appealing exhaust note, despite the loss of two cylinders. There’s also advanced off-road tech to enhance vehicle control when climbing or descending steep inclines, plus the class-exclusive four-wheel air suspension to raise or lower the truck for both easier entry and increased ground clearance.
Ram’s trademark “RAMbox” storage system returns on the 2025 model
Stellantis
The loss of those cylinders, along with adding high-pressure direct fuel injection, a low-friction coating in the cylinder bores, and an available air suspension that lowers the truck at highway speeds, all contribute to improved fuel efficiency. EPA-rated fuel economy numbers haven’t yet been released, but the outgoing Ram was rated between 19 and 23 mpg, depending on two- or four-wheel-drive and rear axle ratio. The 2025 Ram will be offered with three rear axle ratios — 3.21, 3.55, or 3.92.
Projector LED headlights with adaptive lighting are standard on Tungsten models
Stellantis
Refreshed Styling, Advanced Tech, New Tungsten Trim
If you like the current truck’s look you’ll like the new 2025 Ram 1500. Designers know truck buyers appreciate a distinct identity, which the Ram already offers. The goal of the 2025 model was to offer an even more masculine look, so the grille got a little taller and now dips down into the bumper. The front “RAM” badge also grew, and protrudes a bit further from the grille. New LED headlights and taillights have a sleeker look, and perform a specific sequence when the truck is locked and unlocked.
The 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten features unique 22-inch wheels
© 2023 Stellantis
The other big news for 2025 is a new premium Tungsten trim, featuring a body-colored front bumper, LED projector headlights, unique 22-inch wheels, and body side moldings with inlaid “Tungsten” script. A key-fob-operated power up and power down tailgate, heated and ventilated premium leather front seats, a new 14.5-inch central touchscreen, a segment-first 10.25-inch passenger side touchscreen, and a 23-speaker, 1,228-watt Klipsch audio system headline the Tungsten’s amenities.
The Ram Rebel returns for 2025 with updated exterior styling
© 2023 Stellantis
Below the Tungsten, familiar Ram trim levels return for 2025, including the base Tradesman, the mid-grade Big Horn (Lone Star in Texas) and Laramie, the rugged Rebel, and the premium Limited trims. Each offers specific styling, such as the Rebel’s steel bumpers, matte black grille, and 18-inch black wheels. New features for 2025 include a digital rearview mirror, a digital key that lets owners unlock and drive their Ram with a smartphone, and a full-color head-up display.
The Tungsten offers premium materials and a segment-first passenger-side touchscreen
© 2023 Stellantis
Driver-assist technology is another area where the 2025 Ram 1500 has advanced. Basic functions like smart cruise control and lane-keeping assist have been enhanced by new touch-capacitive technology to sense when the driver’s hand is on the steering wheel, along with cameras to monitor eye position, exterior sensors to determine road conditions, and highly accurate GPS monitoring. These advances allow the 2025 Ram 1500 to operate in a fully hands-free highway driving mode for extended periods.
A 23-speaker Klipsch audio system is powered by 1,228 watts in the Tungsten
© 2023 Stellantis
A Small Price Bump, And More Rams On The Way
Ram officials told us to expect about a $2,500 price bump for each trim compared to the equivalent 2024 model. Given the sweeping improvements to the 2025 Ram 1500 in a world of runaway inflation, that’s not bad. Among the trucks we drove was a Big Horn 4×4 Crew Cab, with the old 3.6-liter V6 and a $51,535 base price, though our test truck priced out at $64,750 with the air suspension, Tech and Tow packages. A well-equipped 4×4 Lone Star 4×4, with the new Hurricane engine, came in at $67,730, and you can expect the premium Tungsten models to easily pass $80,000.
A hood badge calls out the new high-output Hurricane 3.0-liter engine
© 2023 Stellantis
And, as mentioned before, there are more Rams coming, including a performance-oriented RHO with a 540-horsepower version of the Hurricane engine due in the second half of 2024. A plug-in hybrid “Ramcharger” with over 140 miles of electric travel, and nearly 700 miles of range before the gas tank runs dry, could be a game-changer in the world of electrified trucks. And the fully electric REV (Ram Electric Vehicle) is also on the way. Expect the Ramcharger and REV models to arrive in 2025.
