Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Ram 1500 RHO
Specs
Class: Full-Dimension Pickup Truck
Nation of Manufacture: U.S.
Shade: Billet Silver Metallic
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 137
Actual-world gasoline financial system: 14.9 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A |
| Energy and Efficiency | A |
| Match and End | A |
| Gas Economic system | C |
| Worth | B- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and should not mirror Client Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Huge & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 540-horsepower 3.0liter |
| Engine Sort | Turbocharged six |
| Transmission | 8-speed computerized |
| Drive Wheels | 4WD |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 15/21/17 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas kind: Premium fuel
Base value: $69,995 (not together with $1995 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: Tri-Fold Tonneau Cowl ($695), exterior graphics ($495), rock rails ($995)
Worth as examined: $87,900
Execs and Cons
The nice: Promise of maximum off-road functionality, roomy and comfy cabin
The nice: Higher than anticipated gasoline financial system
The not so good: Agency experience could restrict time within the tough stuff
Evaluate
It’s attainable that publicity to the Cybertruck has given the truck-shopping public purpose to rethink going utterly loopy when making a truck buy. And whereas the Cybertruck introduced with it to market a bag stuffed with issues, many of which had been unrelated to its hanging design or huge horsepower numbers, not less than 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 unbelievable doing so. The brawny “Hemi” engine was so spectacular, at occasions it appeared as if the TRX’s different qualities had been being ignored.
Supplied between 2021 and 2025, the Ram TRX was completely spectacular, it was additionally utterly excessive. It was costly, extremely gasoline thirsty, and its payload and towing numbers a little bit 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 outdated tech—V8 engines in its 1500 sequence 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 gasoline 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 hanging distance of the outdated supercharged V8, this per instrumented testing by Automobile and Driver. Extra importantly, the RHO drivetrain feels robust 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 finest within the class.
RHO Gas Economic system
And right here’s the large engine information: In Client Information testing, a 2021 Ram 1500 TRX returned simply 10.9 mpg in routine driving. Our check 2025 RHO, in roughly comparable driving, posted 14.9 mpg, a virtually 40-percent mileage enchancment. Each vehicles, nonetheless, do require dear premium-grade gasoline.
Worth Comparability
Aside from the engines, the TRX and RHO usually are not fairly equivalent, however they’re fairly shut. Chassis upgrades—over lesser Ram 1500 trim ranges—are comparable, as is the final stage of cabin refinement. As such, costs usually are not too totally different. Our check ’21 truck got here to $91,205, with a couple of choices added to the underside line. 4 years later, our check 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 check drive, the RHO is a couple of hundred kilos lighter than the TRX. And whereas the load financial savings could 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 vehicles really feel just about the identical, not less than in addition to we will bear in mind. What’s spectacular is how strong and tight the RHO feels, extra like a sports activities automobile than an off-roader. There isn’t any sloppiness to the dealing with, and the steering feels agency and direct. Likewise, the brakes have a strong, reassuring really feel. Trip high quality, although, is a little bit agency. Although not harsh, the RHO suspension does transmit a good quantity of road-surface irregularities into the cabin, a attribute which will develop tiresome over longer drives on unimproved roadways. The RHO does settle in properly at freeway speeds, nonetheless, although the tires to kick up extra noise than could be heard in different Ram 1500 variants.
Cabin and Connectivity
The Ram RHO cabin is one may count on of a modern-era Ram; posh to an virtually embarrassing stage. The massive, vertically oriented touch-screen dominates the sprint, and is simple to learn. The display itself is flanked on either 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 a little bit 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 check truck managed to look each rugged and comparatively inconspicuous, save for the extra-cost ($495) RHO decals, which we’d move on had been the truck ours.
Worth
All informed, we don’t miss the additional energy of the TRX’s supercharged V8, and somewhat welcome the refinement of the Hurricane six. We definitely applaud the vastly improved gasoline financial system, and to the extent we’d ever have to tow or haul with our RHO, the padded efficiency rankings are good, as properly.
The RHO is probably 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 rather a lot to love concerning the RHO. And we doubt very many Ram intenders will miss the V8 very a lot.
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2025 Ram 1500 RHO Footage
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