Text by Tom Appel
2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten 4WD
Specs
Class: Large Pickup Truck
Color: Billet Silver
Seating Capacity: 5
Miles driven: 171
Real-world fuel economy: 15.8 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | A |
| Fit and Finish | A |
| Fuel Economy | B- |
| Value | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 540-horsepower |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged 3.0-liter six |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | 4WD |
Driving mix: 60% city, 40% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 15/21/17 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Premium gasoline
Base price: $87,155 (not including $1995 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: N/A
Price as tested: $90,585
Pros and Cons
The great: Luxury-car refinement, Plenty of smooth power
The good: Spacious, comfortable, expected pickup-truck utility
The not so good: The price is the price, requires premium-grade gasoline
Overview
Dodge began using the Ram name for its full-size pickups way back in 1981. The brand was still Dodge—the brand switch to Ram came in 2010—but the Ram model name gave company marketers something to work with in ads and commercials.
While considering the updated 2025 Ram 1500, it’s interesting to contemplate this historic fun fact: There were no trim levels in 1981. Yes, there were trim packages, and décor groups, but, as we know them today, there were no trim levels to speak of.
This is important because it underscores the Ram 1500’s—and indeed, all full-size pickup truck’s —role in the U.S. market place. Between 2016 and 2022, the full-size pickup’s share of the U.S. market rose from about 17 percent to about 21 percent. And, guess what? That share growth did not come from commercial-use customers. Increasingly, American’s are buying big pickups for personal use, a trend the product-development folks Ram understand very well.
While there were no Ram 1500 trim levels in 1981, there ten for 2025, with two new models positioned atop the Ram price/equipment hierarchy, both of which are inarguably luxury vehicles.
Prices and Trim Levels
Here’s a breakdown of the 2025 Ram lineup: (prices include destination charge)
- Tradesman ($40,270)
- Tradesman HFE ($43,055)
- Big Horn ($47,225)
- Warlock ($56,600)
- Laramie ($62,025)
- Rebel ($66,435)
- RHO ($71,990)
- Limited ($77,440)
- Limited Longhorn ($78,440)
- Tungsten ($89,315)
New for 2024 are the Warlock, RHO, Limited Longhorn, and Tungsten. The Warlock is essentially a value-price version of the off-road capable Rebel. Similarly, the RHO is, to some extent, a price-friendly version of the now-discontinued TRX high-performance trail runner. And, now topping the lineup are the luxury-themed Limited Longhorn, and the ultra-premium Tungsten.
Changes
In addition to the new trim levels, as well as updates to the grille, bumpers, and exterior, the ’25 Ram also enjoys an updated infotainment system and a pair of new engines. The Ram’s “Uconnect” digital interface features a vertically oriented touchscreen that grows from 12 inches to 13.5 inches on upper trim levels, and boasts improved resolution and increased brightness.
Engines
The big news for 2025 involves replacing the Rams tried-and-true “Hemi” V8 engines with a pair of turbocharged 6-cylinder mills dubbed “Hurricane.” The turbocharged Hurricane 3.0-liter engines are rated at 420 or 540 horsepower depending on application. The outgoing 5.7-liter Hemi V8 was rated at 395 horsepower.
Returning is Ram’s 3.6-liter “eTorque” mild-hybrid V6. Tweaked for optimal fuel economy, the 2025 Tradesman HFE—equipped with the V6—returns an EPA estimated 25 mpg on the highway. The Warlock, Rebel, RHO, Limited, Limited Longhorn, and Tungsten come standard with 4WD, while the Tradesman HFE comes only with 2WD. All other trim levels come with standard 2WD but are available with 4WD. All 2025 Ram 1500 models come with Ram’s “TorqueFlite” 8-speed automatic transmission.
Test Drive
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten, in the only body configuration offered: crew cab, short bed, with standard 4WD. In extra-cost Billet Silver ($295) our test truck came to $90,585. Oddly, the Tungsten is not the most-expensive half-ton pickup we’ve tested–but it’s close.
At first glance, the 2025 Ram doesn’t look very different from the truck it replaces. Those in the know will be able to pick it out of a lineup, but we doubt most consumers will take immediate notice. That said, the new truck is certainly handsome—and the Tungsten does boast a unique front-end treatment.
Design
Look closely at the Tungsten from the front, and take note of the bumper, or more correctly, the lack thereof. Unlike other Ram models, or other larges pickups of any brand, the Tungsten’s front bumper isn’t a separate design element, but is, instead, integrated into the front end. It’s a classy look, and one that suggests that owners of the most-luxurious Ram are unlikely to put their rigs to serious work.
Cabin
The Tungsten cabin is frankly over the top, and features luxury appointments that one might expect to find in a Bentley, were Bentley to produce a half-ton pickup. Most cows aren’t appointed with this much leather, much less leather this nice. We especially appreciate the patterned seats, and cushy armrest. And, should you forget that you are in a Tungsten, there are plenty of badges and embossments to remind you.
Room and Comfort
There is plenty of adult space in the Ram crew cab, as well as excellent outward visibility. Some shorter passengers complained of the long step-up to enter the truck, but this isn’t problem unique to the Ram 1500. If you’re thinking about buying a large pickup, make sure all of your regular crew can get in and out of it. One complaint: We are surprised to learn that our $90,000 pickup truck does not include power steering wheel adjustment. The manual system works fine, but for this much money, we were prepared to be extra lazy.
Connectivity
We mentioned the touchscreen earlier, and it works are advertised. On-screen icons are easy to read at a glance, and generally logical in function. We also appreciate that Ram included physical switches on the frame of the touchscreen for functions including temperature control.
And on the topic of connectivity and infotainment, the standard-on-Tungsten Klipsch-brand audio system is over-the-top excellent. Words cannot describe how clean and strong the system is, nor how clearly defined each instrument is. Quite possibly the best automotive sounds system we’re encountered.
Power and Performance
Underway the new Hurricane engine shines. Tungsten models enjoy the higher-output 540-horsepower version of the engine, and it is exceptionally strong and smooth, and pairs very well with the Ram’s tried-and-true 8-speed automatic. Power comes on immediately from a stop, and there’s ample reserve muscle for passing and merging. The engine sounds great, too, coming off more as a high-end European engine than a truck mill. While the passing of the Hemi V8 is an event to take note of, the Hurricane engines are superior truck engines in every way.
Fuel Economy
And while the last V8-pwered Ram 1500 we evaluated returned 14.6 mpg, our 2025 Ram with the Hurricane engine traveled 15.8 miles on a gallon of gas, this with 145 additional horsepower on tap.
Ride and Handling
Thanks in part to its coil-spring rear suspension, the Ram has long been the class leader in ride and handling, and it retains that rank for 2025. There is nothing trucky about the 2025 Ram, save for its size. Especially in Tungsten trim, the Ram 1500 rides with sophisticated composure over even deeply flawed surface streets.
Handling is excellent, too, with the Ram displaying surprising control in quick corners, and on highway cloverleaf exchanges.
The cabin is quiet, too, making highway-speed conversations easy to engage in, providing everyone’s not busy listening to music via the Klipsch system.
Utility
Folks fond of tidy storage features will be glad to know that the Tungsten comes standard with the brand’s RamBox bedside storage bins. Equipped with drain holes, the RamBoxes are famously popular with tailgaters, as they can be used as beverage coolers.
Review
The Ram 1500 Tungsten is the realization of the sort of truck auto writers once joked about in concept. But the Tungsten isn’t a joke, and it will certainly find an audience among monied shoppers trading in their cars and crossovers for pickups.
The shocking thing here is not that Ram now sells a light-duty pickup truck that retails for close to $100,000, it’s that Ram now sells a light-duty pickup truck that is worth close to $100,000. And, if you can’t wrap your head around a luxury pickup truck, that’s okay. The U.S. market is jam-packed with excellent luxury crossovers that sell for similar money. But if you want—or actually need—a pickup, and you have the means to indulge in a truck as feature and luxury laden as the Tungsten, we say have at it. You will not be disappointed. The Tungsten is everything a nearly 6-figure pickup truck should be.
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2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten Pictures
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