Ram 1500 2025 Review

Entry into the 2025 Ram 1500 range has increased by $22,000, with pricing for the updated range now starting from $141,950 plus on-road costs (ORCs).

That’s because the US car-maker has ditched the entry-level Big Horn variant (at least for now – word is it’s set to return) to offer two highly specified variants: the Laramie Sport in Standard Output (SO) guise, and the Limited in High Output (HO) form, the latter priced from $159,950 plus ORCs.

And, in case you missed it, there’s no more V8. The MY25 Ram 1500 comes powered exclusively by a twin-turbo ‘Hurricane’ straight six petrol engine, producing 313kW and 635Nm (SO) or 403kW and 707Nm (HO).

That means even in SO form the Hurricane is more powerful than the outgoing V8, which produced 291kW and 556Nm.

In some good news for V8 lovers, Ram says there are still examples of the outgoing HEMI-powered 1500 still available in dealerships, with enough stock to last until the third quarter of 2025.

And there’s still no official word on the Ramcharger, a petrol-electric range-extender version of the big truck offered in the US. However, the brand’s local boss, Jeff Barber, says it’s “under consideration” for Oz.

Ram says sales will likely be split 50/50 between the two variants offered from launch, which come equipped with loads of premium features. The list includes leather seats with heating and ventilation, a dual-pane sunroof, a 19-speaker sound system, new 14.4-inch portrait-style infotainment screen, and a new 10.25-inch entertainment screen for the passenger.

It doesn’t look a world away from the last 1500, but the facelifted version can be identified by its revised headlights, fascia, and front grille, as well its as more scalloped taillights and fresh wheel designs.

Speaking of, the Laramie Sport rides on 20-inch alloys, while the Limited sizes up to black 22s, to match its darkened exterior (the Limited comes standard with a black pack that is optional in the US).

You also get power-operated side steps and a new power-assisted tail gate.

Both come with RamBox storage in either side of the tub, but while the Laramie Sport gets LED reflector headlamps, the Limited gets LED projectors, a headlight animation, and proximity-sensing puddle lamps that extend several metres. Go big or go home!

More safety kit has been added in the form of evasive steer assist, intersection collision assist, drowsy driver detection, and traffic sign recognition.

Ram continues to cover the 1500 with a three-year/100,000km warranty, with services due every 12 months or 12,000km.

If you want a heavy hauler that feels more like a luxury SUV (but is far bigger and can do things most premium SUVs can’t) then you’ll like the 2025 Ram 1500.

It’s got everything you’d expect for your $140K-plus outlay: grunt, the latest gadgets, and loads of tech. And while it might be quieter than before, we doubt anyone will miss the V8 once they get behind the wheel.

The new Hurricane straight six has some brutal pulling power, which we experienced on the local launch during some zero to 100km/h acceleration tests. Our best run in the more potent HO was an incredible 5.01 seconds according to the VBOX timing equipment in our stock-standard machine, which was shod with regular Pirelli rubber.

That’s the kind of speed rivals like the Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-150 can’t match, but it’s not all about pace. The new 1500 can also carry more with increased payloads across both grades, while it can tackle the rough stuff thanks to a 4x4 system with dual-range transfer case (on-demand 4x4 in the Laramie Sport, full-time 4x4 in the Limited). We look forward to testing both aspects a little down the track.

Fuel economy is another one of the updated pick-up’s strong suits and we saw an incredibly low figure of 6.0L/100km on test after some more relaxed laps of Lang Lang’s ride and handling track.

That was down from the circa-19L/100km figure we saw early in the day after extensive acceleration testing, and is well under Ram’s claims of 10.74L (Laramie Sport) and 11.79L (Limited) per 100km.

If convenience features tickle your fancy, you’ll be glad to know the tailgate is now power assisted, so you can electronically open or close it at the press of a button.

The cabin is next level. There are only five seats but it feels like you could comfortably fit seven people in the cab. If you fancy a nap, there’s enough room for an average-sized adult to lay down on the floor in the second row, even without lifting the second-row seat bench out of the way.

Hidden storage in the floor, along with a plethora of cubbies and bins, means you’ll never be without storage options, and for those who like the finer things, even the Laramie Sport feels luxurious, with leather seats, dual wireless smartphone mirroring, and a massive central touchscreen that’s responsive and intuitive.

The new 10.25-inch passenger entertainment screen is a nice addition but I’m unsure how useful it’d be in day-to-day life. It would prove handy on longer roads trips when the passenger might prefer to watch a movie on the screen rather than on a hand-held device, but the fact that everyone else in the car must listen to the same thing could get annoying.

But there’s a lot to like from the driver’s seat, particularly in the top-spec Limited with its cushy air suspension that makes for super-supple ride, ironing out road imperfections so well you’d barely know they were even there.

Quiet and smooth, it doesn’t feel quite as big as you’d think, although out on public roads, it’d be a different story – we were lucky enough to have our own private test track.

For many, the axing of the iconic HEMI V8 will be the biggest drawback but, in all honesty, the 2025 Ram 1500 does a very convincing job without it.

The Hurricane is around 50kg lighter than the outgoing HEMI and is said to be the strongest motor Ram has ever produced, all while sharing less than five per cent of its components with other Stellantis engines.

But be prepared to continue spending big at the fuel pump, even if the new six is slightly more efficient. The Laramie Sport gets a 98-litre tank but can take regular 91 RON fuel, but the Limited has a 125L tank – and requires pricier premium fuel.

Towing capacity has also taken a hit. In the Limited you can now only tow a maximum of 4.2 tonnes (with a 70mm tow ball), down from the 4.5-tonne capacity of the previous V8.

Ram says that’s because the 1500 is pitched as a luxury vehicle.

If you need the full 4500kg, you’ll have to go for the Laramie Sport.

It’s worth noting there are a few differences in the Hurricane between the Standard Output and High Output formats. The former is fitted with a single fuel pump and runs 22psi of boost, while the latter gets two fuel pumps and runs 26psi. There are also different fuel and ignition calibrations between the pair.

Elsewhere, safety features aren’t uniform across the range. Only the Limited comes fully equipped with ADAS features like traffic sign recognition and a 360-degree camera. And there’s also no digital radio or head-up display – items you’d usually expect at this price point.

Downsized engines are fast becoming the norm in the auto world and even the big American pick-up segment isn’t safe.

But the 2025 Ram 1500 proves that sometimes less is more – and anyone who laments the loss of V8 power will require little convincing after getting behind the wheel of the updated truck.

2025 Ram 1500 Laramie Sport at a glance:

Price: $141,950 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder twin-turbo petrol
Output: 313kW/635Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 10.74L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: N/A
Safety rating: Not tested

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