Text by Tom Appel
2025 Ram 1500 RHO
Specs
Class: Full-Size Pickup Truck
Country of Manufacture: U.S.
Color: Billet Silver Metallic
Seating Capacity: 5
Miles driven: 137
Real-world fuel economy: 14.9 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | A |
| Fit and Finish | A |
| Fuel Economy | C |
| Value | B- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 540-horsepower 3.0liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged six |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | 4WD |
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 15/21/17 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Premium gas
Base price: $69,995 (not including $1995 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover ($695), exterior graphics ($495), rock rails ($995)
Price as tested: $87,900
Pros and Cons
The great: Promise of extreme off-road capability, roomy and comfortable cabin
The good: Better than expected fuel economy
The not so good: Firm ride may limit time in the rough stuff
Review
It’s possible that exposure to the Cybertruck has given the truck-shopping public reason to reconsider going completely crazy when making a truck purchase. And while the Cybertruck brought with it to market a bag full of problems, many of which were unrelated to its striking design or big horsepower numbers, at least some compromises were made to achieve those bragging rights.
Hemi Power
But let’s reel the example here in a bit: Consider the 1500 TRX. Ram’s giant-killing, all-terrain pickup boasted among its many selling points a monstrous 702-horsepower supercharged engine. The big V8 hustled the thundering Ram to 60 mph from a stop is sports-car like time, and sounded fantastic doing so. The brawny “Hemi” engine was so impressive, at times it seemed as if the TRX’s other qualities were being ignored.
Offered between 2021 and 2025, the Ram TRX was absolutely impressive, it was also completely over the top. It was expensive, incredibly fuel thirsty, and its payload and towing numbers a little disappointing, all things considered.
So, we ask, what if the folks were to build a truck similar to the TRX. A better-balanced truck, perhaps with a little less muscle, that cost a little less to buy, but was still a blast to drive?
Enter the Ram 1500 RHO.
TRX versus RHO
As Ram replaced the old-school—and old tech—V8 engines in its 1500 series pickups, diehard V8 loyalists decried the break with tradition. Never mind that the new turbocharged inline 6-cylinder powerplants were smoother, quieter, more powerful, and more fuel efficient than the V8s.
At 540 horsepower, the high-output version of Ram’s new six is no slouch, serving up performance numbers within striking distance of the old supercharged V8, this per instrumented testing by Car and Driver. More importantly, the RHO drivetrain feels strong pulling away from a stop, or when executing merging and passing maneuvers. While down 162 horsepower from the TRX, the RHO powertrain still ranks as one of the best in the class.
RHO Fuel Economy
And here’s the big engine news: In Consumer Guide testing, a 2021 Ram 1500 TRX returned just 10.9 mpg in routine driving. Our test 2025 RHO, in roughly similar driving, posted 14.9 mpg, a nearly 40-percent mileage improvement. Both trucks, however, do require pricey premium-grade gasoline.
Price Comparison
Apart from the engines, the TRX and RHO are not quite identical, but they are pretty close. Chassis upgrades—over lesser Ram 1500 trim levels—are similar, as is the general level of cabin refinement. As such, prices are not too different. Our test ’21 truck came to $91,205, with a few options added to the bottom line. Four years later, our test 2025 RHO listed for $87,900. Interestingly, both started at $69,995.
RHO Advantages
Not seen on the window sticker, or easily ascertained from a test drive, the RHO is a few hundred pounds lighter than the TRX. And while the weight savings may help the RHO feel somewhat nimbler than the TRX, it does boast more impressive specs. Compared to the TRX, the RHO tows more (8380 pounds versus 8100), and boasts a greater payload rating (1520/1310).
Ride and Handling
One the road, the two trucks feel pretty much the same, at least as well as we can remember. What’s impressive is how solid and tight the RHO feels, more like a sports car than an off-roader. There is no sloppiness to the handling, and the steering feels firm and direct. Likewise, the brakes have a solid, reassuring feel. Ride quality, though, is a little firm. Though not harsh, the RHO suspension does transmit a fair amount of road-surface irregularities into the cabin, a characteristic that may grow tiresome over longer drives on unimproved roadways. The RHO does settle in nicely at highway speeds, however, though the tires to kick up more noise than can be heard in other Ram 1500 variants.
Cabin and Connectivity
The Ram RHO cabin is one might expect of a modern-era Ram; posh to an almost embarrassing level. The large, vertically oriented touch-screen dominates the dash, and is easy to read. The screen itself is flanked on both sides by physical switchgear, most of which is logically placed and reasonably easy to quickly locate.
Getting into and out of the Ram is easy enough, though its 11.8 inches of ground clearance—about 3.0 more than most other Ram 1500 variants—means reaching up a little further to settle in. This 6-foot-tall editor found the reach easy enough, and his daughter enjoyed the adventure of it all.
In Billet Silver, our test truck managed to look both rugged and relatively inconspicuous, save for the extra-cost ($495) RHO decals, which we might pass on were the truck ours.
Value
All told, we don’t miss the extra power of the TRX’s supercharged V8, and rather welcome the refinement of the Hurricane six. We certainly applaud the vastly improved fuel economy, and to the extent we would ever need to tow or haul with our RHO, the padded performance ratings are nice, as well.
The RHO is perhaps most impressive for its docile around-town demeanor. Folks looking for a serious off-road vehicle that can also be driven to church or dinner will find a lot to like about the RHO. And we doubt very many Ram intenders will miss the V8 very much.
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2025 Ram 1500 RHO Pictures
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