Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Ram 1500 RHO
Specs
Class: Full-Measurement Pickup Truck
Nation of Manufacture: U.S.
Colour: Billet Silver Metallic
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 137
Actual-world gas financial system: 14.9 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A |
| Energy and Efficiency | A |
| Match and End | A |
| Gasoline Financial system | C |
| Worth | B- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of your complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 540-horsepower 3.0liter |
| Engine Kind | Turbocharged six |
| Transmission | 8-speed automated |
| Drive Wheels | 4WD |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas financial system: 15/21/17 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline sort: Premium fuel
Base worth: $69,995 (not together with $1995 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Tri-Fold Tonneau Cowl ($695), exterior graphics ($495), rock rails ($995)
Value as examined: $87,900
Professionals and Cons
The nice: Promise of utmost off-road functionality, roomy and comfy cabin
The great: Higher than anticipated gas financial system
The not so good: Agency experience might restrict time within the tough stuff
Overview
It’s attainable that publicity to the Cybertruck has given the truck-shopping public purpose to rethink going fully loopy when making a truck buy. And whereas the Cybertruck introduced with it to market a bag filled with issues, many of which had been unrelated to its placing design or massive horsepower numbers, at the very least some compromises had been made to realize these bragging rights.
Hemi Energy
However let’s reel the instance right here in a bit: Contemplate the 1500 TRX. Ram’s giant-killing, all-terrain pickup boasted amongst its many promoting factors a monstrous 702-horsepower supercharged engine. The massive V8 hustled the thundering Ram to 60 mph from a cease is sports-car like time, and sounded improbable doing so. The brawny “Hemi” engine was so spectacular, at occasions it appeared as if the TRX’s different qualities had been being ignored.
Provided between 2021 and 2025, the Ram TRX was completely spectacular, it was additionally fully excessive. It was costly, extremely gas thirsty, and its payload and towing numbers somewhat disappointing, all issues thought of.
So, we ask, what if the parents had been to construct a truck much like the TRX. A greater-balanced truck, maybe with rather less muscle, that value rather less to purchase, however was nonetheless a blast to drive?
Enter the Ram 1500 RHO.
TRX versus RHO
As Ram changed the old-school—and previous tech—V8 engines in its 1500 collection pickups, diehard V8 loyalists decried the break with custom. By no means thoughts that the brand new turbocharged inline 6-cylinder powerplants had been smoother, quieter, extra highly effective, and extra gas environment friendly than the V8s.
At 540 horsepower, the high-output model of Ram’s new six isn’t any slouch, serving up efficiency numbers inside placing distance of the previous supercharged V8, this per instrumented testing by Automobile and Driver. Extra importantly, the RHO drivetrain feels sturdy pulling away from a cease, or when executing merging and passing maneuvers. Whereas down 162 horsepower from the TRX, the RHO powertrain nonetheless ranks as among the best within the class.
RHO Gasoline Financial system
And right here’s the large engine information: In Shopper Information testing, a 2021 Ram 1500 TRX returned simply 10.9 mpg in routine driving. Our take a look at 2025 RHO, in roughly related driving, posted 14.9 mpg, an almost 40-percent mileage enchancment. Each vans, nevertheless, do require expensive premium-grade gasoline.
Value Comparability
Other than the engines, the TRX and RHO should not fairly equivalent, however they’re fairly shut. Chassis upgrades—over lesser Ram 1500 trim ranges—are related, as is the overall stage of cabin refinement. As such, costs should not too completely different. Our take a look at ’21 truck got here to $91,205, with a couple of choices added to the underside line. 4 years later, our take a look at 2025 RHO listed for $87,900. Apparently, each began at $69,995.
RHO Benefits
Not seen on the window sticker, or simply ascertained from a take a look at drive, the RHO is a couple of hundred kilos lighter than the TRX. And whereas the burden financial savings might assist the RHO really feel considerably nimbler than the TRX, it does boast extra spectacular specs. In comparison with the TRX, the RHO tows extra (8380 kilos versus 8100), and boasts a better payload ranking (1520/1310).
Trip and Dealing with
One the highway, the 2 vans really feel just about the identical, at the very least in addition to we are able to bear in mind. What’s spectacular is how stable and tight the RHO feels, extra like a sports activities automobile than an off-roader. There isn’t a sloppiness to the dealing with, and the steering feels agency and direct. Likewise, the brakes have a stable, reassuring really feel. Trip high quality, although, is somewhat agency. Although not harsh, the RHO suspension does transmit a good quantity of road-surface irregularities into the cabin, a attribute that will develop tiresome over longer drives on unimproved roadways. The RHO does settle in properly at freeway speeds, nevertheless, although the tires to kick up extra noise than will be heard in different Ram 1500 variants.
Cabin and Connectivity
The Ram RHO cabin is one would possibly anticipate of a modern-era Ram; posh to an nearly embarrassing stage. The big, vertically oriented touch-screen dominates the sprint, and is simple to learn. The display screen itself is flanked on each side by bodily switchgear, most of which is logically positioned and fairly straightforward to rapidly find.
Moving into and out of the Ram is simple sufficient, although its 11.8 inches of floor clearance—about 3.0 greater than most different Ram 1500 variants—means reaching up somewhat additional to settle in. This 6-foot-tall editor discovered the attain straightforward sufficient, and his daughter loved the journey of all of it.
In Billet Silver, our take a look at truck managed to look each rugged and comparatively inconspicuous, save for the extra-cost ($495) RHO decals, which we’d go on had been the truck ours.
Worth
All instructed, we don’t miss the additional energy of the TRX’s supercharged V8, and relatively welcome the refinement of the Hurricane six. We actually applaud the vastly improved gas financial system, and to the extent we’d ever must tow or haul with our RHO, the padded efficiency scores are good, as effectively.
The RHO is maybe most spectacular for its docile around-town demeanor. Of us in search of a critical off-road automobile that may also be pushed to church or dinner will discover so much to love in regards to the RHO. And we doubt very many Ram intenders will miss the V8 very a lot.
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2025 Ram 1500 RHO Photos
Click on beneath for enlarged pictures