Ram is set to elevate its legacy of high-performance pickups with the introduction of the new 1500-series RHO. This new model aims to spread the acclaim of the formidable 702-hp Ram 1500 TRX to a broader audience. The 2025 RHO promises similar thrills, albeit with notable modifications—two fewer cylinders and the absence of a supercharger. Can a more refined and responsible approach enhance the TRX’s charm? The answer is complex. Let’s delve into the details.
Impressive Value and Performance
The 540-hp RHO enters the market with a base price of $71,990, presenting a compelling offer in today’s inflation-driven economy. Ram emphasizes the RHO’s value, pricing its horsepower at approximately $133 each, compared to the Ford F-150 Raptor’s $180 and the Ranger Raptor’s $142 per horse. Even the $98,335 TRX, with its recent price surge, equates to $140 per horsepower for its final production year. The RHO, based on the refreshed 2025 Ram 1500, includes a high-output twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six engine. This powerhouse produces 540 horsepower and 521 pound-feet of torque, propelling a four-wheel-drive Limited model to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds. The RHO, weighing around 6500 pounds, is expected to achieve a similar sprint in 4.5 seconds, outpacing the non-R F-150 Raptor while trailing slightly behind the TRX.
Efficiency and Practicality
In terms of fuel efficiency, the RHO surpasses the TRX, boasting a 15-mpg combined rating compared to the TRX’s 12 mpg. Additionally, the RHO can handle up to 1520 pounds in its cargo bed and tow up to 8380 pounds, surpassing the TRX by 210 and 280 pounds, respectively. The RHO features a functional cold-air hood intake and a dual exhaust system, along with subtle design tweaks to its bumpers, grille, and LED lights. It retains key highlights from the TRX, including an 88.0-inch-wide body, a sport-tuned ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, a full-time four-wheel-drive system with an electronically locking rear differential, and advanced drivetrain and chassis electronics.
Enhanced Driving Dynamics
The RHO benefits from Stellantis’s predominantly aluminum inline-six engine, which is 150 pounds lighter than the TRX’s iron-block V-8. This weight reduction improves the RHO’s front-to-rear weight distribution, necessitating a retuned suspension. The truck’s front end feels lighter, more responsive, and better balanced over rough terrain. On the street, the RHO exhibits sharper responses, particularly in Sport mode, which maintains the engine’s boost and tightens the dampers for superior body control. Off-road, the Baja mode optimizes engine and drivetrain performance, stability control, and damper flexibility.
Luxurious Interior
Ram continues to set the standard for interior quality in the segment, offering thoughtful design, high-quality materials, and ergonomic controls. The RHO features a 12.3-inch instrument display, a 12.0-inch touchscreen, and a crew-cab-only all-black interior with model-specific trim, sport seats, and RHO badging. The optional $9995 Level 1 Equipment Group adds a 14.5-inch center display, a 10.3-inch passenger touchscreen, a 10.0-inch head-up display, massaging front seats, and carbon-fiber accents. Ram’s latest hands-free driving assistant is also included, offering reliable lane-centering on highways.
The Experience
Despite its many virtues, the RHO lacks the dramatic flair of the TRX. The six-cylinder engine, while potent, doesn’t match the V-8’s thunderous presence. Inside, the engine’s growl is subdued, as Ram avoids artificial sound augmentation—a commendable choice, albeit at the expense of auditory excitement. The passive exhaust system, effective at high speeds, could benefit from an adjustable volume for a more engaging experience.
