The intersection of Ram 1500 enthusiasts and devotees of the classic Hemi V-8 engine may as well be a single, unified circle. Regrettably, for these fans, the brand has made an announcement today that the 2025 Ram 1500 will roll into the scene without the V-8 option. As the new model year approaches, significant changes are in store for the engine bay, accompanied by some minor tweaks to the interior and exterior.
We must acknowledge that the automotive landscape is evolving rapidly, and Ram, much like numerous other automakers, is embracing this transformation. In practical terms, this translates to the impending obsolescence of half-ton pickup trucks powered by thunderous V-8s. For the Ram 1500, it means bidding farewell to the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 that once roared beneath its hood. As the truck advances into its next chapter, the Pentastar V-6 stands as the base engine, complemented by two optional inline-six powerplants.
These inline-six engines, known as “Hurricane,” mirror the engines found in the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, boasting power outputs ranging from 420 to 540 horsepower. The new Ram lineup retains its eight-speed automatic transmission across all engine options. The maximum towing capacity has now reached 11,580 pounds, while the maximum payload capacity has increased to 2,300 pounds.
The 2025 models flaunt subtle changes to their front fascia, including a slightly larger grille and the elimination of some older trim elements. The Limited trim and above now feature standard LED headlamps, and there’s an optional headlight package named the “Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS),” incorporating twin projector headlamps with up to 15 degrees of movement that respond to steering input. At the rear of the truck, the power tailgate, operable via a key fob, has been equipped with obstacle-detection capabilities.
Interior updates are predominantly cosmetic and vary according to the trim level. The Big Horn and Lone Star trims have received new laser etching on the dashboard, doors, and console, along with seat embossing. The Rebel trim now features a red-and-black mesh insert for its standard cloth and vinyl seats, while the Limited Longhorn trim has been enriched with a new open-pore real wood veneer.
On the technology front, the 2025 Ram 1500 will be equipped with the new Uconnect 5 system, available on either a revamped 12.0-inch or a brand-new 14.5-inch central touchscreen. Additionally, a new 10.3-inch passenger screen offers features such as navigation, device management, and the display of exterior camera angles.
In addition to the standard 1500 lineup, Ram has exciting plans for a new truck called the Ram 1500 RHO, set to debut in the third quarter of 2024. This truck is essentially the successor to the TRX, albeit without the roaring 6.2-liter Hemi V-8 from a Hellcat. Instead, it will be powered by the high-output Hurricane engine, delivering 540 horsepower. Nevertheless, it will retain all the hardcore off-road hardware that made its V-8 predecessor such a formidable off-roader.
The majority of the 2025 lineup is expected to hit the market in the middle of the upcoming year, with pricing details to follow as the launch date approaches. Beyond that, the electric Ram REV is scheduled to go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2024, and the final piece of the 2025 Ram puzzle, the 663-horsepower Ramcharger plug-in hybrid, will make its entrance thereafter.