Name: 2025 Ram 1500
Brand: Ram

Ram 1500

EPA MPG: 19 mpg

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

Ram 1500 First Drive

Summary

Introduction

2025 Ram 1500 and Ramcharger Pickup Trucks Pack High-Tech and Big Power

Ram skips right past a conventional hybrid to offer an extended-range electric truck that can go 690 miles

Overview

Stellantis has two powerful versions of its next-generation, full-sized pickup truck: A conventional Ram 1500 and an electric Ram 1500 Ramcharger equipped with an onboard generator. Combined with the previously announced fully electric Ram 1500 REV, Ram promises to have one of the most diverse truck lineups for the 2025 model year.

The Ford F-150 Lightning led the electric truck movement, beating the Tesla Cybertruck to market by a couple of years. General Motors will soon join the fray with the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 EV and the GMC Sierra 1500 EV. But now Ram is adding another electrification level below the fully electric version. The Ramcharger has motors that drive the wheels. It can be charged like any electric vehicle or charge itself with a V6 engine, reminiscent of how the Chevrolet Volt worked. However, there is no mechanical connection between the engine and drive wheels. When combined—both charged and with a full tank of gas—the Ramcharger promises a range of 690 miles.

In either configuration, the Ram has big power numbers, big screens, creature comfort galore, and all the latest bells and whistles, which we unpack below.

The Ram 1500 kicks off the next generation, going on sale in the first quarter of 2024, joined in the third quarter by a Ram 1500 with a 540-horsepower, 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine. Next up is the pure-electric 1500 REV in late 2024, then the extended-range Ramcharger in 2025. Pricing and detailed specifications will be announced closer to their on-sale dates.

It competes with the Chevrolet Silverado 1500/Silverado EV, Ford F-150/F-150 Hybrid/F-150 Lightning, GMC Sierra 1500/Sierra EV, and the Toyota Tundra.

Ram styling is evolutionary, with a reshaped, forward-leaning grille and LED headlamps being the most overt changes. If there is any doubt about the truck’s identity, the massive “RAM” badge on the front declares its name. A similar lack of subtlety is applied to the tailgate. There is now an available function to allow the tailgate to be lowered via the key fob—a welcomed convenience. The tailgate can open as a single piece or as two, split about two-thirds and one-third. This versatility can make loading the bed much easier in tight quarters or with certain trailers.

The Ramcharger looks very much like the Ram 1500, with distinct taillights and badging. Clearly Ram is borrowing the script from Ford, who made its F-150 Lightning look like its popular F-150, rather than go wild like Tesla’s Cybertruck.

The RamBox continues—lockable storage within the bed walls. This weatherproof space is a convenient way to store tools and emergency equipment. Following tradition, the bed has grooves to allow it to be divided, as well as cleats and a rail system for securing cargo.

The Ram has an onboard power inverter, with two covered outlets in the bed for powering camping equipment and tools.

Drivers can gain access to the trucks using their phone as a key. As available on many new vehicles, an app can control many functions remotely, such as unlocking the doors and starting the engine. This gives owners more flexibility, especially when the key fob is not available. It is easy to imagine that this may have particular applications for commercial users, in case a key is misplaced or someone needs access to a truck at a job site.

Once inside, it is clear that Ram has once again engaged in the infotainment screen wars. There is a digital driver’s instrument screen, naturally.

The center screen houses the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. We have been UConnect fans, as the systems have been quite easy to use. However, UConnect 5 packs more features and customization options than ever, creating more of a learning curve.

Impressions

One-upping the competitors, the Ram can be fitted with a 10.25-inch passenger touchscreen that can display entertainment, navigation, and exterior vehicle cameras. To reduce distraction, this screen is not visible to the driver, but is visible to the front seat passenger. There is an HDMI port for connecting devices, so the passenger can use the screen to surf the internet or watch a video.

So the driver doesn’t feel left out, there is an available color head-up display that can show navigation directions, speed, speed limit, gear, and safety warnings on the windshield.

Available dual wireless phone chargers can keep devices topped off when traveling.

Of course, the Ramcharger adds information screens to advise on energy flow (showing charging and consumption), battery level, and consumption history. Plus that truck can use “one-pedal driving,” a common electric vehicle feature that allows the driver to control acceleration and deceleration with the “gas” pedal, as lifting the pedal causes the regenerative braking to significantly slow the vehicle.

The top Tungsten trim level has a standard 1,228-watt Klipsch stereo with 23 speakers, brushed metal accents, and a suede headliner. To further pamper, the quilted-leather front seats feature 24-way adjustments, memory functions, and massage settings. Plus they are heated and ventilated.

Various other trim levels, like Laramie, Big Horn, Lone Star, and Rebel, feature their own upholstery and accents.

Full-sized trucks have long competed on the boasts of big numbers for horsepower, cargo capacity, and towing capability. The trend continues with the Ram.

The base engine is the familiar 3.6-liter V6 found in the current truck which makes 305 horsepower. This has been a strong, smooth engine in its various applications.

Replacing the former 5.7-liter V8 engine (say goodbye to the Hemi) is a new 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, shared with the Jeep Wagoneer. Here, it will produce 420 horsepower with 469 lb.-ft. of torque. And the top engine will be a 540-horsepower version of that inline-six, with 521 lb.-ft. of torque. All three engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, as before.

Maximum tow capacity is 11,580 pounds, and the maximum payload capacity is 2,300 pounds—numbers that sound like they belong with heavy-duty trucks.

But the big boasts belong to the Ramcharger, with 663 horsepower and 615 lb.-ft. of torque. No doubt, this will be a heavy truck, as it has both a 3.6-liter V6 and a 92-kWh battery pack, yet Ram claims a rapid 0 to 60 mph sprint in 4.4 seconds. More impressive, the automaker targets a range of up to 690 miles. The all-electric Ram REV will also be sold alongside the Ramcharger, which features up to a 229-kWh battery and an estimated 350 to 500 miles of range.

The Ramcharger is an electric vehicle, complete with the ability to use Level 1 (120-volt) and Level 2 (240-volt) AC chargers, as well as DC fast charging. And it can recharge itself with the onboard engine. The truck can be filled up like a regular gasoline-powered vehicle, but rather than the V6 spinning the axles with an electric assist, like in conventional hybrids, it instead just charges the battery. To keep this big truck running, it uses a version of the V6 that has been in Fiat Chrysler and Stellantis large cars and SUVs for more than a dozen years.