Why get a Ram 1500?
The 2025 Ram 1500 is a capable and attractive truck. Top models look luxurious inside and out, thanks to LED walk-up lighting and good interior materials. The Hurricane engines should match the old 5.7L Hemi’s performance with better fuel economy. In time, they may also match its macho appeal.
It’s a shame Ram’s fuel-saving eTorque mild hybrid system is only available with the base 3.6L V6 though.
Hands-free driving makes debut
Stellantis’ first hands-free driving system debuts on the Ram 1500. Modestly called “hands-free driving assist” – GM and Ford named their hands-free systems Super Cruise and Blue Cruise, respectively – the feature worked very well in a brief test on a divided highway. The lane centering feature was confident and subtle, rounding curves with none of the nervous little corrections that marked some other first tries at hands-free driving.
Acceleration and braking are also unremarkable – which is exactly what you want from a hands-free driving system.
The system works on limited access roads. It’s included in the three-year connectivity package on vehicles with all the necessary hardware. Fees to retain the service after that haven’t been revealed.
A 10.25-inch touch screen in front of the front passenger seat is invisible to the driver, but allows the passenger to use apps and music from their devices, suggest changes to navigation destinations and view the truck’s exterior cameras. It’s a handy device making its pickup debut in the Ram.
The Ram’s other controls include a 12- or 14.5-inch touch screen, depending on the model. There are physical dials
Engineers tuned the pickup’s suspension and steering for more refinement. The steering is quick and responsive.
Multiple available camera views come in handy when parking and offroading, particularly since the hood’s power dome can make it hard to be sure where the pickup’s front corners are.
Maximum towing capacity is 11,580 pounds, payload 2,300.
I also took the off-road oriented Rebel trim level on a challenging off-road course. We forded flooded arroyos and navigated mud from recent storms. The locking differentials, low range of gears and electronic engine and traction controls conquered steep inclines up and down and loose sand and gravel.
The Ram is quiet and comfortable on highways and surface roads. Between the new engines and safety and driving assistance features, it was easy and comfortable for driver and passenger.