There are some big changes coming to one of America’s favorite full-size pickups for the 2025 model year. Visit your local Ram dealer, and you’ll notice a new contender in the spot once occupied by the luxurious Limited trim in the 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten. The full-size pickup has been treated to a luxury makeover in the form of the new Tungsten trim, which jumps the Longhorn and Limited to become Ram’s new range-topping option.
The Tungsten’s brother trim, the RHO—a careful mix of muscle and refinement—puts the Ram 1500 into immediate contention as one of the segment’s best luxury pickups. Eagle-eyed drivers will notice that the off-road-ready Ram 1500 TRX is nowhere to be found for 2025, but don’t fret, Four-Wheel Fans, because Ram drivers looking for a little backwoods fun will welcome the addition of the new RHO trim. Intended as a larger, more heavy-duty version of the already-capable Ram 1500, the RHO is sure to delight those who have a passion for the off-road lifestyle.
But the Tungsten and the RHO aren’t the only additions to the Ram 1500 lineup for 2025. Ram is also looking towards the future with two alternative fuel options for 2025 as it brings the Ramcharger hybrid and the all-electric Ram 1500 REV to market. The Ramcharger offers the best of both worlds with a 663 hp engine that boasts an estimated 145 miles of all-electric range, but the Ram 1500 REV is the real showstopper. With a 14,000-pound towing capacity and estimated range of 500 miles, the Ram 1500 REV manages to not only match but surpass many of its gas-powered rivals while saving drivers large sums of money at the pump.
New Hurricane Engine
It’s time to say goodbye to the pickup’s Hemi V8 engine, which will now be replaced by a 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbocharged inline-six engine. Those fearing a downgrade in power will be happy to learn that the Hurricane inline-six actually bests the Hemi in a few important categories, all while delivering improved efficiency and reducing the pickup’s carbon footprint.
While V8 purists might balk at the decision to drop the Hemi V8, most drivers will agree that the switch marks a notable upgrade in a few important ways. First, and most importantly, there’s the power. The 3.0L twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six might lose two cylinders compared to its predecessor, but a little forced induction goes a long way, with the 2025 model’s beefiest engine besting the Hemi by 25 ponies for a total output of 420 hp. In fact, the Hurricane engine is the most powerful six-cylinder setup in the full-size class, giving the Ram 1500 an immediate edge over its longtime Ford and Chevy rivals.
Those seeking an even more powerful Ram 1500 have the option of upgrading to a High Output version of the Hurricane inline-six, which offers a whopping 540 hp along with 521 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough power to give the 2025 Ram 1500 11,560 lbs of towing capacity and a max payload of 2,300 lbs. The Hurricane lineup has brought an overhaul for Ram powertrains across the board, with new technologies, a deep-skirt cast-aluminum block with structural alloy oil pan, and cross-bolted steel main bearing caps that allow the brand to produce one of the most well-rounded power plants to date.
The Hurricane inline-six should also improve on the Hemi’s fuel efficiency, though Ram has yet to release specific figures. With the relatively thirsty Hemi drawing an EPA-estimated 18 MPG city/22 highway for a combined fuel economy rating of 19 MPG, the turbocharged Hurricane could go a long way toward reducing the Ram 1500’s overall ownership cost. This economical upgrade is thanks in part to the engine’s honed deck plate, which improves fuel economy with a precisely shaped cylinder bore.
Tungsten
Ram certainly has a way with names when it comes to trims for its flagship pickup. The prehistorically-inspired TRX is probably the most notable in recent memory, but the new, ultra-luxe Tungsten trim gives it a run for its money. Last seen in 2018 as the Ram Limited Tungsten Edition, the trim is named after the metallic element that’s both stronger and rarer than steel, reflecting the trim level’s mindful synthesis of power and opulence.
Exterior upgrades are limited to trim-specific front styling with a unique front fascia, a body-colored bumper, and 22-inch wheels with a machined finish, but the interior is where the Tungsten really shines. Ram has deployed all of the premium materials it could muster to design the Tungsten’s interior, giving the pickup a sumptuous makeover that includes 24-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, new surface textures, materials, and a noticeable upgrade in craftsmanship.
The truck’s Nappa Plus leather is based on an Indigo/Sea Salt color scheme that’s offset by the Tungsten-inspired stitching, while artificial suede and diamond-stitched surfaces set the trim apart from the rest of the Ram 1500 lineup. The Ram remains appropriately sporty thanks to the inclusion of knurled metal, chrome trim, carbon fiber, and etched stainless steel, but it’s the small details that make all the difference. The Tungsten’s VIN badge set within the armrest and crystal-effect shifter center cap are two such details, marking the Tungsten as a one-of-a-kind trim level.
Premium audio systems have become par for the course on the upper end of the trim ladder, but the Ram 1500 Tungsten still manages to impress with a best-in-class Klipsch Reference Premiere Audio System powered by a 24-channel, 1,228-watt amplifier. The Klipsch system sees 23 speakers set throughout the cabin, including some inventive new placements that go a long way in improving the mobile listening experience.
Four full-range speakers mounted in the headliner leverage Panasonic’s DJX 3D Surround algorithm to deliver unparalleled fidelity while a 12-inch DualPower high-excursion subwoofer allows you to feel the bass on every track, but it’s the Tungsten’s Coaxial Centerback speakers that mark the most novel addition. Sized at 3.5 in, these two speakers are mounted on the rear of the driver and front passenger seats, allowing rear-seat passengers to enjoy a level of audio quality that’s usually reserved for the front of the cabin. Panasonic’s active noise canceling (ANC) technology filters out intrusive sounds while the system’s diamond-shaped metal speaker grilles blend in with the interior’s prevailing aesthetic.
Ram 1500 RHO
Ram’s new full-size off-road pickup might lack the TRX’s 702 hp, supercharged Hemi V8, but it has the High Output version of the new Hurricane engine, which delivers an ample 540 hp to play with. That makes the RHO the most powerful trim in the 2025 Ram 1500 lineup, which can bring all sorts of advantages both on-road and off.
Besides, horsepower isn’t always the most crucial factor when choosing an off-road pickup. Sure, there’s something to be said for the sort of high-speed antics enabled by the TRX’s Hemi V8, but experienced drivers know that the off-road formula is a little more nuanced. The RHO still packs plenty of off-road tricks up its sleeve and, refreshingly, should cost less than the $96,000 TRX we saw in 2024. We’re not saying Ram’s previous off-road warrior didn’t live up to its price tag, but with an estimated cost of around $85,000, the RHO will be more within reach for the average driver.[a] That $10,000 in savings can be put towards outfitting the pickup with any aftermarket equipment you might need for your own off-road niche, whether it be a new winch, snorkel, light bar, or rooftop tent.
The RHO isn’t set to hit the market until the latter half of the year, so details are still a little hard to come by, but we do know one thing: this isn’t going to be one of those pared-down “soft-roaders” that look the part without packing the necessary components. If the price and specs of the outgoing TRX are any indication, the RHO will likely be outfitted with the same wide body and heavy-duty frame as the Ram 1500’s previous off-road iteration. The 2024 TRX also sported a long-travel suspension that could compress by as much as 13 in, along with Bilstein remote-reservoir dampers, an electronic-locking rear differential, and 15-inch front brakes. Only time will tell if the RHO will manage to replicate that setup, but in an era where off-road trucks are all the rage, we’re counting on a versatile off-roader that does the Ram name proud.
If you’re the type of driver who won’t settle for anything less than the TRX, you could be waiting a while. RAM is putting the nameplate out to pasture for the time being, though we have a hard time believing that the dino-inspired off-roader is going extinct for good. In all likelihood, Ram will revive the TRX when it finds a powertrain worthy of the name, with the march towards electrification holding all sorts of promise for the storied trim.
It’s a Good Year to Get Behind the Wheel of a Ram 1500
With the 2025 Ram 1500, the automaker once again proves that the full-size segment is no two-horse race. Ram has doubled down on everything there is to love about the iconic pickup, giving drivers some enticing new options when it comes to luxury, efficiency, and off-road performance. The RHO is a welcome addition to the lineup, enhancing the Ram 1500’s go-anywhere reputation and improving on the base trim without breaking the bank. The Tungsten trim holds the potential to elevate your daily driving experience, turning those long commutes and road trips into something you might actually look forward to with its convenient, stylish, and well-appointed cabin. Sure, no one likes being stuck in a traffic jam, but it’ll be a little easier to deal with when you’re enjoying a heated massage and listening to your favorite album on a sound system that would make most audiophiles jealous. The Hurricane twin-turbocharged V6 might be the Ram 1500’s most notable upgrade for 2025, allowing drivers to enjoy one of the most powerful Ram 1500s to date without paying the price at the pump. No matter what you’re looking for, one thing is for sure: it’s a good year to get behind the wheel of a Ram 1500.
[a] MSRP may change without notice. See dealer for complete details.
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