Review: The 2025 Ram 1500 is a seriously impressive truck

So much has been said about the new Ram 1500 trucks losing their V8 options — so much. And we admit, we had concerns. (Read our first driving impressions here.) We have loved the Ram V8s for a long time, even as recently as two years ago when we reviewed the 2023 Ram 1500 Limited with the 5.7-liter motor. But for a brand so built on machismo and American grunt, we were wary of how the new engine would carry on the brand’s image and reputation.

Well, after a week with the 2025 Ram 1500 and its standard-output twin-turbo inline 6-cylinder engine, we can confidently say we love it — like, really love it. And we’re confident you will, too, if you’re willing to give it a shot. Here are five reasons why the new Ram 1500 is the best it’s ever been. 

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Photo courtesy Stellantis

Engine performance

We were skeptical of the new inline-6 engine that Ram was switching to, but holy cow, this is a great motor. The first thing you should know is that it’s quiet. Serene, even.

Now, we know just as well as any V8 lover that quietness isn’t something all truck buyers are looking for, but you know what? It’s hard not to be charmed by it. There’s something so incredibly smooth and still about this motor that you can’t help but be won over by it, especially on highway commutes. 

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The next thing you need to know about the new motor is that it produces power very smoothly and progressively, without any drama — and it absolutely rips. The two turbos work so well with this inline-6 setup that the power is always on tap, and the motor delivers it without asking questions.

Photo courtesy Stellantis

With its standard output engine, our tester produced 420 horsepower and 469 pound-feet of torque; you’ll swear it makes more than that. This thing moves. Motor Trend clocked the standard output 1500 from 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds, while Car and Driver reported 4.2 seconds for the high output version. Either way, this is a seriously quick truck.

But speed aside, the true standout is just how well-balanced and buttery smooth this motor is. Time will tell how reliable it proves to be. Historically, inline-6 motors have performed well, so fingers crossed. We just wish it had a bit more sound from the engine and the exhaust. Muted is a good way to describe it.

Fuel economy

The fuel economy was surprisingly good for something that weighs more than 5,600 pounds, has two turbos and produces almost 500 pound-feet of torque — especially on longer drives. The 2025 Ram 1500, with its standard-output motor, is rated at 17 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in combined driving. During our week of testing, we averaged just over 15 mpg, but much of that was around town. A friend drove his on a 500-mile road trip and averaged just over 23 mpg. Not bad for a full-size truck. 

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Photo courtesy Stellantis

Handling, ride quality and driving dynamics

We’ve driven all the trucks and, at the time of this writing, owned one of Ram’s main competitor trucks. We cannot stop thinking about how good the Ram is to drive, even in our tester’s somewhat basic Big Horn trim. 

Starting with the suspension, Ram’s ride quality is superb — even without the upper trim’s available adaptive air suspension or the RHO’s adaptive Bilstein Blackhawks. If comfort is your priority, then the Ram dealer should be your first stop.

It’s as good as some of the most expensive luxury sedans we’ve driven, and we would happily drive one daily. The way this Ram and its independent rear suspension soaks up bumps is on another level. 

The same goes for the exceptional handling and driving dynamics. One thing we could not get over was just how easy and almost effortless this truck is to drive. Most of the time, it felt like we were driving a luxury sedan, not some beast we had to constantly wrangle around town. It’s so easy and so smooth that the new Ram 1500 is one of the best riding and driving vehicles on the market, truck or not.

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Photo courtesy Stellantis

Interior comfort, space and storage

Ram’s interiors have been top of the market for a while now, and that tradition continues in the 2025 models. However, after owning one of its main competitors, we can say that the Ram interior is more comfortable, spacious and better built than its rivals. The seats are wide, supportive and feel like they’ll retain their shape for a long time.

The rear seat is hands down the most spacious in the market and can easily accommodate three adults or children across the back, even in child seats. The same goes for legroom. Besides a Rolls Royce, the Ram 1500 has the most rear-seat legroom we’ve ever experienced.

Additionally, there are storage compartments and cubbies everywhere you look. The door panels have multiple nooks and pockets and are super useful. The center armrest console was a massive hit with its cavernous space and adjustability, and can swallow just about anything you would want to store in it.

Need more room? Fold the rear set-up, and you’re treated to an enormously accommodating flat-load floor that you could sleep on, if need be.

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Photo courtesy Stellantis

Final thoughts

The 2025 Ram 1500 is excellent. Its new engine is superbly smooth and powerful. The interior is one of the best in the business. It’s also easy and pleasant to drive, no matter your driving scenario. The rest of the truck is so good you might not even care. We know we didn’t.

While it’s easy to pile on the praise for this truck, it’s not perfect. The engine and exhaust notes are almost non-existent, which is too bad. Surely, something can be done to drum up a little more in the drama department here.

The biggest downside to the new Ram is the price. Our tester, replete with cloth seats and other pretty basic options, priced out at just over $67,000, which is a pretty big stretch. If this same truck were $10,000 less or so, then yeah, we could get behind that. But as it is, Ram’s pricing is currently a little out of control, and we hope they come back to earth in the near future.

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Photo courtesy Stellantis

Highs

• Three new smooth and powerful inline 6-cylinder engines

• Exceptional ride quality 

• Best in the business interior space, comfort and quality

• Easy and supremely pleasant to drive

Lows

• Fuel economy is a bit of a letdown

• It costs how much? 

FAQs

Is the Ram 1500 good for families? 

Definitely. It’s spacious and comfortable with plenty of storage. It’s also easy to drive and not intimidating, even for novice drivers.

What are the towing and hauling specs for the 2025 Ram 1500? 

The 2025 Ram 1500 has a maximum tow rating of 11,550 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 2,370 pounds.

*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.