2025 Ram 1500 RHO Review

Ram discontinued its 702-hp TRX at the end of 2024, but it still has something for its hardcore fans.

The all-new 2025 Ram 1500 RHO is a step up from the off-road Rebel, serving as a go-fast desert racer that competes with Ford’s F-150 Raptor and Chevrolet’s Silverado ZR2. It comes only in crew cab configuration and, of course, with four-wheel drive for a hefty starting price of $116,840 before taxes.

Styling 8 / 10

The Ram lineup underwent a handsome redesign for 2025, and the RHO builds on that with a wider body, unique grille and hood, composite flared fenders, and larger tailgate badge. This tester’s tonneau cover, rock rails, and beadlock-capable wheels are all optional.

Apparently meaning “Ram High Output,” according to a company rep, the RHO name is close enough to “Rhino” that the animal adorns a plaque inside. This example features a package called “TRX Equipment” — there’s no forgetting that monster, especially since Ford’s Raptor R still exists — that includes the 14.4-inch centre touchscreen and a separate 10.25-inch screen for the passenger that’s invisible to the driver.

Safety 8 / 10

Standard driver-assist features include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, lane-keep assist, parking sensors with rear braking, and the back-up camera that’s mandatory on all new vehicles. Optional features include surround-view cameras, intersection collision warning, traffic sign recognition, evasive steering assist, and drowsy driver detection.

Features 7 / 10

Much of the RHO’s price appears to be tied up in its performance, as many of its higher-end features are extra-charge items. The basic RHO includes a 12-inch touchscreen and 10-speaker stereo. Other items, including this tester’s dual-phone wireless charger, massaging seats, 14.4-inch screen, passenger-side touchscreen, digital rearview mirror, head-up display, power-adjustable seats, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, and driver’s side memory, among others, are part of that TRX package for $7,095; and out back, the spray-in bedliner, tie-down hooks, and bed step package added $1,495. Because the RHO is wider than other Ram models, it can’t be optioned with the RamBox locking bed-side storage compartments.

User-Friendliness 8 / 10

Stellantis’s Uconnect operating system remains one of the best for simplicity and features, although the RHO’s optional 14.4-inch screen takes some of that away with its dependence on tapping icons; and its large surface washes when the sun peeks in. Fortunately, there are still hard buttons for functions such as cabin temperature and fan speed, along with a dial for stereo volume. The gear selector is a conventional one, and there are intuitive controls on the steering wheel, too.

Practicality 7 / 10

The RHO isn’t meant to be practical; that’s what the Ram 1500 Tradesman work truck is for. The Ram lineup overall has a top towing capacity of 5,261 kg (11,600 lbs), while the RHO can pull a maximum of 3,801 kg (8,380 lb) and has a payload of 689 kg (1,520 lb).

Comfort 9 / 10

This tester’s massaging seats were optional, but overall, the Ram RHO proved extremely comfortable. The seats are well-bolstered and very supportive, and the optional power-adjustable pedals help with finding the right driving position. Off-road-ready trucks often tend to be wallowy, but the RHO’s on-pavement ride is well-balanced and smoother than expected while being equally at home tackling the tough stuff once the asphalt ends.

Power 9 / 10

Ram pretty much surprised everyone by ditching its venerable V8 for a new twin-turbocharged 3.0L inline six-cylinder, but it really works well. The regular inline-six engine makes 420 hp and 469 lb-ft of torque, while the high-output version in the top trims, including the RHO, churns out 540 hp and 521 lb-ft of torque, sent to the wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

You’re not going to miss eight cylinders here. This engine is wicked strong and yet feels smooth and linear, and with a terrific throaty growl out of its true-dual tailpipes. By comparison, the Ford Raptor’s twin-turbo 3.6L V6 makes 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, while Chevrolet’s Silverado ZR2 with its 6.2L V8 makes 420 hp and 460 lb-ft.

Driving Feel 9 / 10

This truck’s too big for tight trails; instead, it’s designed to go fast over rough terrain, desert-racer style. To accomplish that, it features forged aluminum front control arms, adaptive Bilstein Black Hawk e2 aluminum shocks with electronic proportioning valves and remote reservoirs, and a Dana 60 rear axle with high-speed electronic locking differential. It offers 356 mm (14.0 in) of rear-axle travel, and 300 mm (11.8 in) of ground clearance. The RHO can also ford as much as 813 mm (32.0 in) of water.

The truck takes hard off-road knocks with absolute ease and a surprising ability to get over them without seriously shaking up the cabin. And then once you’re on the way home, it’s as smooth as any regular half-ton, with responsive steering in spite of those huge tires. 

Fuel Economy 7 / 10

Run this truck out and you’ll feel the burn. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) gives it an official rating of 15.7 L/100 km in the city, 11.5 on the highway, and 13.8 combined, which isn’t bad for something equipped as it is. The Raptor’s twin-turbo V6 doesn’t make as much power and it’s rated at 15.0 L/100 km combined. Be warned that the RHO demands a minimum of 91-octane gasoline in its tank.

Value 7 / 10

Value pretty much goes out the window when a vehicle tops six figures, and especially when so many creature comforts are extra-charge items, but none of these niche trucks are cheap. The RHO’s starting price of $116,840 including a non-negotiable freight charge of $2,895 tops that of the Ford Raptor at $110,870, and the Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Bison at $102,354, but all three differ slightly on their features. At this price point, it pretty much comes down to personal preference.

The Verdict

The 2025 Ram 1500 RHO isn’t a TRX replacement; Ram has hinted a new version of that might return, but that’s all. Instead, this new RHO carves its own spot in the Ram lineup and does an excellent job of filling it. It’s definitely not for everyone, but those who appreciate a truck like this are going to be pretty impressed.