Cars

Full Review: 2025 Ram 1500 Test Drive and Towing Capacity

JH
John H
Senior Cars Expert
8 min read

Full Review: 2025 Ram 1500 Test Drive and Towing Capacity

The 2025 Ram 1500 continues its legacy as one of the most capable, comfortable, and technologically advanced full-size pickup trucks on the market. With a blend of refined interior features, powerful engine options, and best-in-class towing capacity, the latest iteration of the Ram 1500 is engineered to meet the demands of modern truck buyers—whether they're commuting through city streets, hauling trailers across states, or heading off-road for adventure.

After spending several days behind the wheel of the 2025 Ram 1500 across a variety of terrains and driving conditions, we’ve gathered firsthand insight into its performance, comfort, towing capability, and cutting-edge technology. This full review dives deep into every aspect of the truck, with a special focus on what makes the 2025 model a top contender in the competitive half-ton pickup segment.

Design and Exterior Features

The 2025 Ram 1500 maintains the bold, confident styling that has become a signature of the Ram brand. The front fascia features the iconic split grille, flanked by striking LED headlights and available matrix-style lighting that enhances visibility and aesthetics. The sculpted hood, muscular fenders, and available 22-inch alloy wheels contribute to a commanding road presence.

Ram has made subtle refinements to the aerodynamics for 2025, helping improve fuel efficiency without sacrificing the truck’s rugged appearance. Available finishes include new paint options like Flame Red, Bright Silver, and Black Onyx, giving buyers more ways to personalize their vehicle.

One of the standout design features is the available RamBox® Cargo Management System. Integrated into the bed rails, these lockable, weatherproof compartments provide secure storage for tools, gear, or even coolers—perfect for job sites or weekend getaways.

2025 Ram 1500 towing capacity on rugged terrain

Interior Comfort and Technology

Step inside the 2025 Ram 1500, and you’ll find an interior that rivals luxury SUVs. Available in configurations from the work-ready Tradesman to the opulent Limited trim, the cabin is designed for maximum comfort and functionality. Premium materials like real wood, brushed aluminum, and soft-touch surfaces dominate the dashboard and door panels.

The centerpiece of the interior is the available 12-inch dual-touchscreen infotainment system. This Uconnect® 5 setup features split-screen functionality, allowing drivers to access navigation, audio, phone, and vehicle settings simultaneously. The system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air software updates, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot.

For audiophiles, the Ram 1500 offers an available Harman Kardon premium audio system with 19 speakers and active noise cancellation. The result is a quiet, immersive cabin experience even at highway speeds. Additional tech highlights include:

Front passengers enjoy generous legroom and headroom, while the rear seats can comfortably accommodate three adults. Crew Cab and Quad Cab configurations offer ample space, making the Ram 1500 a viable family vehicle as well as a workhorse.

Powertrain and Performance

The 2025 Ram 1500 offers a range of engine options designed to balance power, efficiency, and towing performance. The standard engine is a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with eTorque mild hybrid assistance, delivering 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain is ideal for daily driving and light hauling, with improved fuel economy thanks to eTorque’s regenerative braking and torque assist capabilities.

For those who need more muscle, the 5.7-liter HEMI® V8 with eTorque remains a popular choice. It produces 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, offering smooth acceleration and strong low-end torque. The eTorque system enhances responsiveness and helps the engine start-stop system operate seamlessly.

Topping the lineup is the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with the eTorque mild hybrid system in the Rebel and TRX trims, though the TRX now features a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI Hellcat V8 producing 702 horsepower—making it the most powerful production pickup ever built.

All engines are paired with an 8-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission that delivers crisp, responsive shifts. Rear-wheel drive is standard, with four-wheel drive available across most trims. The available Air Suspension with five height settings allows drivers to raise or lower the truck for off-roading, improved aerodynamics, or easier entry and exit.

Test Drive Experience: On-Road Performance

Our test drive of the 2025 Ram 1500 began on city streets, where we quickly noticed its refined ride quality. Thanks to the coil-spring independent front suspension and standard rear damping, the Ram 1500 absorbs bumps and road imperfections with ease. Even on rough pavement, the cabin remains quiet and composed, a testament to Ram’s focus on ride comfort.

Steering is light and precise, making the truck surprisingly easy to maneuver in tight urban environments. Despite its large footprint, the Ram 1500 feels more like a crossover than a traditional truck when navigating parking garages or loading zones.

On the highway, the Ram excels with minimal wind and road noise. At cruising speeds, the engine hums quietly, and adaptive cruise control—part of the available Safety Sense package—maintains a set distance from traffic ahead. Lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring work in harmony to reduce driver fatigue on long trips.

The available 48-volt eTorque system contributes to fuel efficiency, especially in start-stop traffic. While official EPA ratings vary by configuration, we observed around 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway with the V8 engine—a respectable figure for a full-size truck.

Off-Road Capability: Rebel and TRX Trims

For off-road enthusiasts, the Ram 1500 Rebel and TRX trims deliver exceptional capability. The Rebel trim is designed for rugged adventures, featuring:

During our off-road test, the Rebel handled rocky trails, steep inclines, and muddy terrain with confidence. The available Off-Road Pages in the digital gauge cluster provide real-time data on pitch, roll, and articulation, helping drivers navigate tough conditions.

The TRX, meanwhile, is a high-performance beast. With its supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8, it rockets from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds—faster than most sports cars. While the TRX sacrifices some fuel economy and daily drivability, it dominates off-road courses with its 13 inches of ground clearance, adaptive damping, and performance-tuned all-terrain tires.

Both trims offer selectable drive modes, including Mud, Sand, Snow, and Rock, allowing drivers to optimize traction and throttle response for the terrain.

Towing Capacity: What Can the 2025 Ram 1500 Handle?

One of the most critical metrics for truck buyers is towing capacity. The 2025 Ram 1500 delivers impressively, with a maximum towing capacity of up to 12,750 pounds when properly equipped.

This figure is achieved with the 5.7L HEMI V8 engine, eTorque system, 3.92 axle ratio, and the Max Tow Package, which includes:

Towing capacity varies by cab configuration and bed length, so it's important to check specific trim details. For example:

The Ram 1500 also supports up to 3,880 pounds of payload, making it a strong choice for contractors, farmers, and outdoor adventurers who need to haul heavy loads.

Towing Technology and Safety Features

Ram understands that towing isn’t just about brute strength—it’s about control, confidence, and safety. The 2025 Ram 1500 comes equipped with a suite of towing-assist technologies that make hauling trailers easier than ever.

The available Trailer 360 View Camera system provides a bird’s-eye view of the truck and trailer, making hitching and maneuvering in tight spaces much simpler. Dynamic Hitch Assist guides the driver to align the hitch perfectly, while Trailer Reverse Steering Control allows the driver to steer the trailer using a knob on the dashboard—revolutionizing trailer backing.

Other notable towing features include:

The truck’s advanced sensors monitor trailer sway and automatically apply brakes or reduce engine power to stabilize the vehicle. This feature, combined with electronic stability control, gives drivers peace of mind on long hauls or in windy conditions.

Fuel Efficiency and Real-World Economy

Fuel economy in the 2025 Ram 1500 varies based on engine, drivetrain, and configuration. Here’s a breakdown of the estimated EPA figures:

Engine Drivetrain City MPG Highway MPG Combined
3.6L V6 eTorque RWD 20 25 22
3.6L V6 eTorque 4WD 19 23 21
5.7L V8 eTorque RWD 17 23 19
5.7L V8 eTorque 4WD 16 22 18
6.2L Supercharged V8 (TRX) 4WD 12 15 13

In real-world driving, we found these estimates to be largely accurate. During a long-distance towing test—hauling a 9,000-pound travel trailer—we averaged 16 mpg with the 5.7L V8 and 4WD. While not class-leading for fuel economy, the Ram’s strong engine and smooth transmission make the trade-off worthwhile for those prioritizing towing performance.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The 2025 Ram 1500 comes standard with a suite of advanced safety features, many of which are part of the Ram Safety Sense package. These include: