MotorTrend has named the Ram 1500 its 2025 Truck of the Year, marking the seventh time since 2009 the full-size pickup has captured the honor.
The award comes as the brand introduced its new 3.0-liter Hurricane Straight-Six Turbo as the base engine for its trucks. The new six cylinder puts out 420 horsepower, although the High Output version produces 540 hp.
The new models are more powerful and more fuel efficient than the engines they replace, according to the automaker. They are capable of a maximum towing capacity of 11,580 pounds, a maximum payload of 2,300 pounds, and up to 24 inches of water fording.
“Full-size pickups play in the most brutally competitive segment in the auto industry and the 2025 Ram 1500 has achieved a solid win with benchmark luxury, off-road capability and a breadth of trim levels previously not available in pickup truck segments,” says Tim Kuniskis, CEO of Ram brand. “The entire Ram team, from design and engineering to our dealers are proud MotorTrend recognizes the Ram 1500 as its 2025 Truck of the Year.”
Built in Sterling Heights, the truck previously won the award in 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2025. The magazine tests the trucks against six criteria: advancement in design, engineering excellence, efficiency, safety, value, and performance of intended function.
The Ram 1500 beat out 18 other trucks in evaluations conducted at a professional automotive test center, then on real-world roads loaded, unloaded and while towing. The trucks are tested at a “premiere off-road facility” before the winner is determined.
In Other Ram 1500 News: Stellantis announced today that it has made the decision to pull launch timing of its range-extended Ram 1500 Ramcharger ahead of Ram 1500 REV, the company’s first battery-electric light duty pickup truck. Ram brand originally planned to launch the Ram 1500 REV in the first half of 2025.
The decision to launch Ramcharger first was driven by overwhelming consumer interest, maintaining a competitive advantage in the technology and slowing industry demand for half-ton BEV pickups, the automaker says.
Ramcharger will be open for consumer orders in the first half of 2025 followed by the Ram 1500 REV launch in 2026.
