How We'd Spec It: 2025 Ram 1500 with the New Inline-Six
There's a lot that's new under the hood of the updated 2025 Ram 1500 pickup. The electric Ram REV and plug-in-hybrid Ramcharger models haven't even arrived yet, but we're already excited about the new twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six that's code-named "Hurricane" and produces up to 540 horsepower in certain versions of the truck. It replaces the legendary old Hemi V-8, but in our first drive of the new model we found this engine to be more than up to the task. So it's no surprise that our ideal versions of the truck all come with this new powerplant, although we all made very different choices otherwise on our specs while using the online configurator tool.
Ezra Dyer's $91,555 Ram 1500 Tungsten
Because Ram now has eight trim levels and engines are mostly delegated according to trim, I need to step to one of the higher trims to get the tasty 540-hp twin-turbo six. And if I’m going to the top of the food chain anyway, may as well go for the Tungsten, the new flagship. Thing is, once you go Tungsten, your decision tree loses a lot of branches because that one comes with almost everything Ram can throw at it. And it’s solely available as a 4x4 crew cab with the 5'7'' bed. Even the colors are subdued—no fun Rebel hues here.
So I’ll go with Delmonico Red Pearl-Coat exterior with the mandatory Indigo and Sea Salt (read: greyish and blue) interior. Other than that, I’m checking the box for the $1245 Off-Road group, which brings a full-size 20-inch spare on an aluminum wheel, all-terrain tires, skid plate and the electronically locking rear axle. You know what? I’ll also grab the onboard power system that puts AC power outlets in the bed, good for 2000 watts. That’s another $995, bringing the grand total to $91,555.
The Tungsten isn’t that much fun to spec, but that’s what you get when the 23-speaker Klipsch stereo, hands-free driving assist and 24-way massaging seats are all standard. And yes, I have expensive taste. –Ezra Dyer
Eric Stafford's $72,655 Ram 1500 Rebel
A Ram without a Hemi is semi-disappointing. However, I'm not someone who judges a pickup truck solely by the number of cylinders under its hood. Truthfully, I care more about how much power its engine makes, and the Hurricane twin-turbo straight-six that's standard on the 2025 Ram 1500 Rebel has a lot more muscle than both the previously standard Pentastar V-6 or the optional Hemi 5.7-liter V-8. The standard-output Hurricane makes 420 horsepower and 469 pound-feet of torque, which exceeds the Hemi's 395 horses and 410 pound-feet. Plus, the newest Rebel only costs $1850 more than last year's V-8 version. Consider the 2025 model also benefits from a fresh face and better standard features and the price hike is worth every penny. I'd save up to 29,500 pennies by skipping the extra-cost paint colors and choosing monotone Bright White, which I think looks good in contrast with the truck's black bumpers, the "Rebel" bedside decals, and the black wheels mounted on 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tires. The latter are part of the Rebel's standard off-road hardware, and I'd get the $1995 adjustable air suspension that provides higher ground clearance and improves the ride. Inside, I'd keep the cloth seats but spring for the loaded Level 2 Equipment package. The $2945 upgrade feels like an absolute steal as it adds a 19-speaker Harmon/Kardon stereo, a larger vertical 14.4-inch touchscreen, dual wireless charging pads, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and memory settings for the driver's seat and power-adjustable pedals. Those are all fancy features, so to add a little more functionality, I'd opt for the bed-mounted generator ($995) that produces 2.0 kW of power and spend another $545 for a spray-in bedliner and the accompanying tie-down system. Finally, the 33.0-gallon fuel tank feels like a smart way to spend $445 as its additional seven gallons means fewer pit stops on road trips. –Eric Stafford
Joey Capparella’s $51,570 Ram 1500 Tradesman
I went for the cheapest truck I could get with the big motor, the new twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six that produces 420 hp in its standard-output configuration (it’s a $2695 option). That meant a Tradesman Quad Cab model. I opted for four-wheel drive and the $570 electronic locking rear axle, but left the 18-inch steel wheels for that base-model aesthetic. I’m not that cheap, though, so I upgraded the six-passenger interior (with a front bench seat!) from vinyl to cloth thanks to the $1695 Level 1 equipment group that also includes floor mats, SiriusXM, and a power-sliding rear window. The $295 Forged Blue Metallic exterior paint rounded out my relatively light list of extras. Still, my truck ended up over $50,000, but that doesn’t seem too crazy considering a Tungsten is nearly $90,000. –Joey Capparella
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