2025 Ram 1500 First Drive: bring on the Hurricane

Being behind the wheel of the new 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten trim with the high-output 3.0-liter inline-6 Hurricane engine is like driving a luxury car with a temper.

It is also unlike anything I’ve experienced in a truck — even with driving the higher-trim levels from competitors. Like the famous Scorpion song, it will rock you like a Hurricane.

What’s new on the 2025 Ram 1500?

Let’s step back and discuss the key highlights for the 2025 Ram 1500.

First, the beloved 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 is gone, thanks to emissions and advancements in engine design. How so? Alan Falkowski, the director for the Propulsion Component Product Release Center, told the media gathered in Austin, Texas, the new Hurricane engine out performs the Hemi in every measurable test they have for engines.

It is also worth noting Falkowski was in charge of the Hemi design nearly 20 years ago.

No V-8, but still a true dual exhaust setup. (Photo by Tim Esterdahl)

Next, the new Tungsten trim is now the highest trim level for the Ram 1500. It offers an incredibly comfortable seat with 24-way power adjustments, which includes heated-and-cooled seats as well as a massage feature for both the driver and front passenger. The headrest has four different adjustments by itself.

Look around the cabin, and it is on par or even better than many luxury sedans.

Speaking of the cabin, each trim now has different materials making them stand out separately and climbing into a Limited or a Laramie is like being in two completely different trucks.

Lastly, there is a ton of standard safety equipment thanks to a new electrical architecture with more processing speed. Plus, you’ll see a newly redone 14.2-inch infotainment screen, a 10.2-inch passenger screen (yep, a passenger screen) and a digital dash on higher trims.

Adding to that list is a new Level 2 active driving assist with hands-free driving available on 125,000 U.S. and Canada roads.

Rock you like a Hurricane?

OK, so no Hemi. That sucks, but it also means the new Hurricane better not just be good, but damn good. Well, it is — especially in the high-output version.

My first taste of this engine was the standard output in a Ram 1500 Big Horn like the one I ordered. I specifically wanted to get behind the wheel of this truck to see if I made a good decision to buy one.

The Hurricane is 90 lbs less than the Hemi and seems a lot smaller in person. (Photo by Tim Esterdahl)

The engine produces 420 horsepower at 5,200 RPM and 469 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 RPM mated to an 8-speed transmission. It is the up-level engine for the Big Horn with the 3.6-liter V-6 Pentastar engine being the base engine, and it adds about $2,000 to the price.

Is it worth the money? Yup. It is impressive how smooth the power delivery is, and you’d be hard pressed to feel the transmission shifting. I tested out the off-the-line power, passing power and just cruising around at various speeds. The powertrain felt great in all these areas and the lack of turbo lag was pretty impressive. Does it have some turbo lag? A bit, but nowhere what I’d expect from a twin-turbocharged engine.

Next, I towed with the high-output Hurricane, 540 horsepower at 5,700 RPM and 521 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 RPM, in a Laramie trim. The truck was already hitched up to a nearly 7,000 pound Airstream camper with more than 20 feet in length. They used a weight-distributing hitch as well.

I expected the Hurricane engine not to pull as well as the Hemi V-8 due to lack of cylinders and engine displacement. Well, I was wrong. It pulled the trailer very well, and I didn’t feel like I needed more power. I’d put it on par with the excellent 3.0-liter inline-6 Duramax diesel from last year’s 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 review truck

Keep in mind, this is on premium fuel. The standard output engine recommends 91 octane or above, while the high-output engine requires 91 octane for maximum performance.

Talking with Falkowski about the octane recommendations, he said you can run lower octane fuel, and the engine has knock sensors that detect the octane level. However, you won’t get the same performance.

The new Ram 1500 pulled this camper with ease. (Photo by Tim Esterdahl)

I pressed him on actual horsepower and torque numbers on lower fuel levels, and he said it is too hard to answer with the environment being a big factor. For example, if you use lower octane fuel in Arizona you might not experience a big drop as compared to say where I live in Nebraska due to elevation and climate.

Finally, I drove the new Tungsten trim Ram 1500 back to the hotel with the high-output Hurricane engine. This is an impressive, albeit expensive truck that I wager will easily be $100,000 with taxes, title and fees.

On the road, I I squealed the tires coming off a dead stop without even trying. Twice! Yup, not even trying, and I squealed the tires. I actually had to alter my driving a bit to not squeal the tires since that’s how much low-end power is delivered.

Driving through the Texas countryside and turning onto the highway, the Tungsten trim is like a luxury sports car. Everywhere you look inside the cabin there are luxury materials like suede on the headliner and door pillars. The unique VIN specific badge rests on the center console with inlaid Tungsten metal, one of the toughest and rarest metals, with a clear glass cover.

The multi-link coil suspension with available air suspension really does improve the ride quality. (Photo by Tim Esterdahl)

The suspension mutes every road vibration, the massaging seats get a big thumbs up from me, and the Level 2 active driver assist works well, but it’s not as good as General Motor’s Super Cruise.

My only issue on the road was the lack of visibility when turning thanks to the large towing mirrors Ram decided to equip on many of the trucks. These mirrors are from their HD trucks and have the same extendable and folding features, they block a lot of view, and I found them unnecessary especially with the sideview cameras showing the trailer quite well on the 14.2-inch infotainment screen.

The vertical touchscreen is bright, and the front and rear cameras show a sharp image. (Photo by Tim Esterdahl)

The bottom line

Heading to this event, my brain couldn’t help but wonder if I made the right decision in ordering a new 2025 Ram 1500. What if I didn’t like it? Could I change my order?

The time I spent filming each truck, driving the Big Horn and sitting through the presentations all confirmed I made the right choice.

While I would have liked the rumble of the Hemi V-8, I’ll take the performance offered by the standard output Hurricane. And I’ll probably kick myself for not getting the high-output Hurricane.

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