- The 2025 Ram 1500 RHO fills the void left by the outgoing Ram 1500 TRX and gives customers another desert-ripping Ram.
- The new Ram uses the high-output 3.0-liter I6 Hurricane for power and sends 540 hp and 521 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed transmission.
- The RHO starts at $71,990 and is on sale now, with deliveries scheduled for the third quarter of 2024.
The Ram TRX is dead, and along with it the 702 hp from its supercharged 6.2-liter V8. Well, it’s hard to argue that these desert-racing-inspired rigs aren’t popular. Taking what the company learned from the snarling Ram TRX, meet the 2025 Ram 1500 RHO.
While there isn’t a Hemi under the hood, there is plenty of power from the high-output version of the 3.0-liter Hurricane I6. There are also adaptive Bilstein dampers, plenty of suspension travel, and more hardcore hardware stuffed underneath this Ram’s skin.
While we talked about the two Hurricane powerplants heading to the Ram in our first drive of this latest generation Ram 1500 pickup, here’s a slight refresher for the RHO. Only one version of the 3.0-liter turbocharged I6 is available in RHO trim, and it sends 540 hp and 521 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic.
From there the power travels through a BorgWarner 48-13 full-time transfer case, the wheels, and eventually the pavement, gravel, or sand. Even though this is basically the same power unit found in other high-output Hurricane-equipped trucks, there is a unique exhaust system.
If you’re wondering how this stacks up against the turbocharged V6 under the hood of its crosstown rival, it’s favorable. The V6-powered Ford F-150 Raptor squeezes out 460 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque.
That puts the base Ram 1500 RHO ahead of the V6-powered Raptor. However, Ford is still stuffing 5.2 liters of supercharged V8 under the hood of the Raptor R for those missing the snarl of a V8-powered sand cruiser.
Considering the final edition of the Ram 1500 TRX crested six figures, this seems like a bargain.
Of course, an off-road truck, especially one that’s looking at Baja’s desert, is more than just what’s under the hood. Helping give the Ram 1500 RHO its chops is a long-travel suspension that relies on Bilstein Black Hawk e2 adaptive dampers to handle the workload.
These dampers continuously adjust and work with the retuned springs and longer control arms to give you a better footing. This revised hardware gives the Ram 1500 RHO 13 inches worth of suspension travel in the front. At the rear, the five-link suspension helps the full floating Dana 60 axle move 14 inches.
Compared to the standard Ram 1500, the RHO is a staggering six inches wider, and two inches taller. Now covering the 35 inches of Goodyear Wrangler Territory A/T tires is a set of wider fenders and flares at the front. Making the Ram 1500 RHO legal is a set of clearance marker lights in the front bumper tucked away inside the hood scoop.
Joining the wider fenders and flares, a unique grille and hood are heading to the 1500 RHO. Tucked inside the grille is a unique, flow-through Ram logo to give as much air as possible to the heat exchangers. The RHO also comes with skid plates, but you can add on full-length rock rails to protect the RHO’s sheetmetal. You can also add on RHO body graphics to let those unfamiliar know what’s in front of them.
On the inside, the Ram 1500 RHO comes with just about all the amenities from the latest Ram rig. Sitting in the dash is a 14.5-inch touchscreen display, with a 10.25-inch passenger screen also available. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster comes standard, which can bring the grand total of screen space over 50 inches. Oh yeah, and there’s also a head-up display.
VIEW PHOTOS
2025 Ram 1500 RHO interior.
The Ram RHO comes with 12-way power and massaging seats. Covering those seats is a variety of leather and microsuede options. For those who wanted a traditional shifter on your ’25 Ram pickup, you’re also in luck: a performance shifter is coming to the RHO’s center console. You’ll also get a special VIN badge affixed to the top of the center console that’s emblazoned with the RHO’s rhino mascot.
While this isn’t a TRX, and doesn’t have a Hemi, there is a massive upside. Ram says the ’25 1500 RHO is on sale now for $71,990, with deliveries expected to start in the third quarter of 2024. That’s expensive, but considering the final edition of the Ram 1500 TRX crested six figures, this almost seems like a bargain.
Do you think the Ram 1500 RHO can fill the void left by the TRX? Tell us your thoughts below.
Wesley Wren
Wesley Wren has spent his entire life around cars, whether it’s dressing up as his father’s 1954 Ford for Halloween as a child, repairing cars in college or collecting frustrating pieces of history—and most things in between. Wesley is the current steward of a 1954 Ford Crestline Victoria, a 1975 Harley-Davidson FXE and a 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Galaxie. Oh yeah, and a 2005 Kia Sedona.
FAQs
With more torque and horsepower than the Ford F-150 Raptor R, the Ram 1500 TRX proves it is still the king of the high-performance truck segment, claiming the better engine specs out of these two leading pickups. The 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R utilizes a smaller supercharged V-8 engine to deliver impressive performance.
What is the Ram rho? ›
LIKE NOTHING ELSE OUT THERE. Roaring in with new power behind the horns, the 2025 Ram 1500 RHO pushes the limits of off-road trucks further than ever before. The 2025 Ram 1500 is The Strongest Ram 1500 Ever 1, and it offers more horsepower per dollar than any other premium off-road full-size pickup 2.
What is the towing capacity of the 2025 Ram 1500? ›
2025 Ram 1500 Towing Capacity
Boasting ample towing power, this full-size pickup truck offers a maximum towing capacity of up to 11,560 pounds when equipped with the new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane I6 engine, generating 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque.
What is the Ram equivalent to the Raptor? ›
Both trucks use supercharged V-8s, with the Ram 1500 TRX making 702 horsepower to the Ford F-150 Raptor R's 700. Both trucks bound over desert washes and crawl up boulder-strewn trails with 13 and 14 inches of front and rear suspension travel. And both trucks in this test cost six figures.
What's faster, Ram TRX or Raptor R? ›
Despite having similar horsepower, the F-150 Raptor R has a superior weight-to-power ratio. The F-150 Raptor R is much lighter, at 6,100 pounds, compared to the 6,800 pounds the TRX weighs. Furthermore, the Ford accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in a much faster 3.8 seconds than the Ram TRX, which takes 4.5 seconds.
How much will the RAM Rho cost? ›
The price of the 2025 Ram 1500 RHO starts at $71,990. The 1500 RHO's price tag is significantly lower than the outgoing TRX model's nearly six-figure ask, putting the performance truck within reach for more prospective buyers.
What is the towing capacity of the RAM Rho? ›
Ram also says the 1500 RHO offers more than 40% additional rear wheel travel when compared to the rest of the Ram 1500 lineup. Its max towing capacity is 8,380 pounds, and it has a max payload of 1,520 lbs. along with up to 32 inches of water fording.
What Ram 1500 can tow 10000 lbs? ›
You bet it can! The RAM 1500 isn't the biggest hauler of the bunch, but it has some impressive numbers. It passes that 10k mark with ease, maxing out at 12,750 lbs. for the 2021 model if you opt for the V8 HEMI engine.
Can a Ram 1500 pull 5000 lbs? ›
Even with its base-level engine, the Ram 1500 towing capacity is an impressive 7,730 pounds when properly equipped. The maximum of 12,750 pounds1 – the greatest in the lineup – comes with the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with eTorque. However, choosing the Ram 1500 TRX gets you the most horsepower and torque.
What size camper can a Ram 1500 pull? ›
Here's a quick selection of Ram 1500 towing possibilities: 32-foot camper: Average weight of 8,000 pounds. 30-foot sailboat on a boat trailer: Average weight of 11,000 pounds. Loaded 12-foot utility trailer: Average weight of 6,500 pounds.
RAM 1500 TRX HAS THE MOST POWERFUL. FACTORY INSTALLED ENGINE IN ITS CLASS 1. The Legendary Supercharged 6.2L HEMI® V8 engine is only available on the 2024 Ram TRX and makes it possible for this beast to launch from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.
How many miles per gallon does a Ram Raptor get? ›
Both trucks are estimated to get an abysmal 10 mpg in the city, but the Ram's 14-mpg highway figure is 1 mpg worse than the Ford's. They also have the same 12 mpg combined. This content is imported from Third party.
What is the most powerful Raptor truck? ›
The 2024 Ford F-150 Raptor R Is the Most Powerful Truck
Amidst the dust of desert trails and the adrenaline of high-speed off-road racing, there breathes a legacy — a thumping roar that signifies more than horsepower. It signifies an uncompromising spirit.
Is the Ford Raptor the best truck? ›
It should come as no surprise, but if you're looking for the most well-rounded off-road pickup the market has to offer, look no further than the Ford F-150 Raptor. The Raptor is comfortable and quiet, it tows and hauls with the best, and it looks darn good, too.
Is the TRX the fastest pickup truck? ›
With 702 horsepower from a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, the new Ram 1500 TRX is the fastest gas-powered production truck on our list. This Hellcat-powered behemoth takes just 4.5 seconds to hit 60, and flat out, the TRX will sprint all the way to 118 miles per hour – even with stock 35-inch off-road tires.
What Chevy competes with the Raptor and TRX? ›
Today's ultimate Silverado off-roader is dubbed the ZR2 (ditto the smaller Colorado's), while maximal Corvettes in the past have carried the ZR1 name. So, back to that Project Meteor connection—this ZRX name would be perfect for just such a truck, a high-speed, desert-bombing Raptor and TRX competitor.
What truck is faster than a Ford Raptor? ›
The GMC's 0.8-second lead at 60 mph grows to nearly two seconds at 100 mph, although the Ford has started clawing back time when the Hummer crosses the quarter-mile mark in 11.6 seconds at 111.9 mph. The Raptor R follows in 12.3 seconds at 111.5 mph.
