Ram replaced all the V-8s in the 2025 1500 line-up with two twin-turbocharged inline-six engines, both of which deliver big power in the smoothest possible way. 

What’s Good The naturally balanced inline-six delivers power smoothly, two turbochargers attached makes it abundant. Interior updates work well. UConnect 5 infotainment software delivers lag free use.

What Could Improve Ram lettering on the front grille is HUGE! Do not see the point of the Tungsten trim. Mainly its nearly 90K base price!

My Conclusion Engine downsizing enveloped the entire industry, even trucks can’t avoid the tireless march. Ram chose wisely to use an inline-six configuration. The 1500 is a great truck.

OVERVIEW

Ram updated its fifth generation 1500 full-size pickup truck for the 2025 model year. The biggest change—by far—Ram ditched all of its V-8s for a six-cylinder only powertrain line-up. But, of course, they tweaked the styling and updated the interior as well, larger screens and the rest. Ram offers several trims for the 2025 1500: Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Rebel, RHO (coming later in the year), Longhorn, Limited, and Tungsten, which is a new trim for 2025 and very expensive!

Powertrain

The 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 remains as the base engine of the Ram 1500. It produces 305 horsepower and 271 lb.-ft of torque on its own. Engineers installed a 48-volt mild hybrid system and electric motor that contributes 12 horsepower and 90 lb.-ft of torque at low engine speeds to help things along. You’ll find it in the Tradesman and Big Horn 1500s.

From there, Ram swapped hybrid systems for turbochargers. Two versions of the same twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six debut in the 1500. You can option the standard “Hurricane” engine with the Tradesman and Big Horn and will see it as standard equipment in the Laramie and Rebel trims. It produces 420 horsepower and 486 lb.-ft of torque.

The top trims come standard with the Hurricane High Output engine, which uses a few tricks (explained in the video below) to make 540 horsepower and 521 lb.-ft of torque. I drove a Ram 1500 Limited and came away impressed with the hustle. But the lower cost Hurricane engine almost impresses more, 468 lb.-ft of torque makes any freeway entrance effortless.

All engines bolt up to an eight-speed automatic. And, among the various trims and options, you choose between, rear- and four-wheel-drive. Though, Rebel and higher trims come standard with four-wheel-drive.

Chassis

The chassis largerly stays the same for the 2025 model year. And that includes the optional air-suspension, which offers various ride heights. And a loading level drops the truck to the floor, which I demonstrate in the video below.

The same air-suspension delivers a nice and comfortable ride while traveling down the road and reasonable body control when driving gets a bit spirited on some curvy country roads.

Updates Inside

Top trim 1500s get a slew of screens. It starts off with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a big head-up display above that. Moving over to the 14.5-in, portrait mounted center display. Then, to top it off, front passengers get their own 10.3-in display to play around with as well.

My Lone Star test truck included a center screen sandwiched in between two analog gauges, which I actually prefer (I still got the HUD, too). And a still large, 12.0-inch portrait mounted center display. No screen for the passenger, but the center display included plenty of gadgets and a nice compromise between real buttons and touchscreen. You also get two wireless smartphone chargers side-by-side.

OFf roading

I got a chance to run through a quick off-road course in the Ram Rebel. It proved plenty capable, as it has done. The chassis didn’t change much for the update, the difference came in the standard Hurricane powertrain coping with the drivetrain set in four-low and delivering enough power to keep the party moving. Frankly, I found it superior to the V-8 Rebel.

in conclusion

Losing V-8s in our modern trucks sting. If nothing else, I love the baritone rumble of a V-8 equipped truck as you cruise. Not to mention the seemingly unstressed power delivery, even when tasked with a heavy load in the bed or attached to its hitch. But, aside from the rumble, these new inline-sixes deliver a fantastic driving experience.

Their smoothness brings its own version of unstressed feeling when going down the road. And the torque figures speak for themselves. We see displacement reduction happening across the industry, even in our trucks. I think Ram’s execution is the best yet. You still get three-liters to work with. You get a naturally balanced engine configuration. And you get torque outputs for others to envy.

Want to go bigger? The Ford Super Duty offers quite a lot.

COMPETITORS
Chevrolet Silverado
Ford F-150
Toyota Tundra

SPECIFICATIONS
2025 Ram 1500 Lone Star Crew Cab 4×4: 4-door, 5-seat, truck

Base price: $46,930
Price as tested: $67,485

Powertrain:
Engine: Twin-Turbocharged 3.0-liter I-6
Power: 420 horsepower at 5200 rpm
Torque: 468 lb.-ft at 3500 rpm
Transmissions: Eight-speed automatic transmission
Drive: four-wheel-drive

Dimensions
Length: 232.4 inches
Width: 81.2 inches
Height: 77.4 inches
Wheelbase: 144.6 inches

Weights and Capacities
Curb weight: NA lbs.
Interior volume: 132 cu ft
Trunk volume: NA cu ft

Performance
Calculated weight to power (lbs./HP): NA
Mfr’s claimed 0-60 mph: NA seconds
Mfr’s claimed Top Speed: NA

Test Car Options:
Crew Cab, SST I-6, 4×4, Tech Group, Trailer Tow Group, Bed Utility Group, Big Horn Level 2, Air suspension, Tonneau cover