2025 RAM 1500 RHO Crew Cab

The Ram 1500 RHO Crew Cab is one of those new breed of pickem-up trucks that bridges the gap between performance and utility. You can tell by its bulging fenders, taller-than-tall tires and Bilstein off-road shocks. But is it all that? The gang here at Napleton News love weird things like hot station wagons and performance pickups. Here’s our drive impression of the new Ram RHO.

The TRX is extinct, for now.

Like all the famous dinosaurs of the past, such as the Brontosaurus, Triceratops and Tyranosaurus Rex, the RAM 1500 TRX is extinct for now. That doesn’t mean it’s gone for good, just gone for the moment. In its place, RAM has brought the 1500 RHO. What does RHO stand for? Parent company Stellantis won’t cop to it but speculation is that since there is a Rhino on the interior badge, it stands for Rhino High Output. Or Ram High Output. Or even Rebel High Output. Whatever.

Previous RAM 1500 trucks commonly featured 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 or HEMI V8 engines. Following Stellantis’s animal naming protocols, the V8 engine was known as the Elephant. The new RAM 1500 RHO goes further with a twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with 48-volt mild hybrid system. While the base RAM 1500 receives its power from the Pentastar V6 with 48-volt mild hybrid system, the new RHO has gone high-zoot.

Under the hood is the new Hurricane engine! Here  it pumps out 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torque. In the bed, this RHO can haul 1,520 pounds. On the hitch, you can load it up to 9,920 pounds.

What makes Hurricane engines so appealing is their smooth inline-six configuration, a marked improvement in smoothness over the HEMI V8s they’ve replaced. All three engines are mated to the Torqueflite 8-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive is an available option, and as a standard offering on higher trim models like the Rebel, Limited, Longhorn and Tungsten.

How does the RAM 1500 RHO Crew Cab look?

The RAM 1500 RHO has the imposing grille found on other RAM trucks that has made it a crowd favorite. On the hood is a stinger-style scoop that includes running lights that help give a distinctive lighting signature after dark.  This time, though, the grille is more massive and imposing than before. It stretches down further giving more surface area to keep the internals cooler. But RAM doesn’t stop there.

The front fenders are over-stuffed to cover the LT325/65 all-terrain tires. The same with the rear. In the process they give you the ability to go almost everywhere. The bed includes a spray-in coating that will offer protection for at least a little while

Inside the Crew Cab.

We’ve commented before about the interior of the RAM 1500 and this RHO version is its equal in almost every way. Five passengers fit easily inside and you can almost squeeze a sixth, if they are child size. Backseat drivers can almost fully extend their legs without ever touching the seatbacks in front of them.

Infotainment systems are constantly improving! The system’s size has increased dramatically; it’s evolved from the size of an iPhone to that of a modern iPad. Its size is considerable, but it can appear daunting once many apps are added. Measurements are 12 inches for standard units and 14.5 inches for premium models. Two Qi wireless chargers add a finishing touch.

Behind the wheel of the RAM 1500 RHO CREW CAB 4X4.

The new 3.0-liter twin turbocharged Hurricane engine is available in two output levels. The first is tuned to provide 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque. Our Hurricane 3.0-liter high-output twin turbo provides an other-worldly 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torque. That’s nothing to sneeze at, especially when your right foot applies maximum pressure to the skinny pedal. The best part of all is the interior is surprisingly quiet regardless of whether you are cruising at full-roar or at a more responsible speed. The fuel consumption is somewhat relaxed, too. It is definitely not as thirsty as its big V8, but the gas gauge has been holding steady for most of the week.

The thing that impressed us most was the overall smoothness of the RHO inside and out. Could this off-roading brute actually be a bit of a luxury ride, as well? We thought so while slicing and dicing through slow-moving traffic or keeping up with the heavy-duty trucks tearing up the highway. Credit goes to the Bilstein off-road shocks and the tweaking of the suspension for this stellar ride quality.

Either way, our It was almost as though we were in a luxury car rather than a high-zoot pickup truck. A high-performance luxury pickup truck.

RAM 1500 RHO Crew Cab 4×4 Specifications

Engine Type	3.0-liter twin turbocharged “Hurricane High-Output Inline-6
Horsepower	540 hp
Torque	521 lb-ft
Transmission	8-speed automatic
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined/City/Hwy)	17/15/21 MPG
Suspension F/R	Short and Long Arm / Multi-Link
Turning Circle	46.2 ft.
Also Available	various trim levels, V6 mild-hybrid
Specs
Warranty	3 years/36,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty	5 years/60,000 miles
NHTSA Safety Rating	5-stars
Max Seating Capacity	5 passengers
Wheelbase	145.1 inches
Overall Length	233.7 inches
Width	88.0 inches
Height	81.9 inches
Cargo Bed Length	5-feet 7 inches
Headroom, Front	40.9 inches
Headroom, 2nd	39.8 inches
Legroom, 1st	40.9 inches
Legroom, 2nd	45.2 inches
Shoulder room, 1st row	66.00 inches
Shoulder room, 2nd row	65.7 inches