MotorTrend Names RAM 1500 2025 Truck of the Year

The 2025 Ram 1500 Stood Out Among Competitors for its Elevated and Updated Engineering Excellence as well as Outstanding Interior and Exterior Design

LOS ANGELES, CA – December 11, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – MotorTrend Group, a Warner Bros. Discovery company, today announced the Ram 1500 as its 2025 Truck of the Year award winner. The truck was chosen on the strength of its value, excellent new powertrain, and broad appeal, among other criteria.

Each MotorTrend Truck of the Year competitor is judged against MotorTrend’s six key criteria: safety, value, advancement in design, engineering excellence, efficiency, and performance of intended function. For a more in-depth analysis of why the Ram 1500 was named 2025 Truck of the Year, please visit MotorTrend’s Truck of the Year award story here.

The MotorTrend editorial team put three Ram 1500s to the test, including the value-minded Warlock, the off-road-oriented RHO, and the top-of-the-line Tungsten. The expert testing team noted improvements to the truck’s power output, technology, and handling. The most notable engineering excellence improvements include Ram’s engine update, replacing the venerable Hemi V-8 with the more powerful, efficient, and technologically advanced new twin-turbocharged Hurricane I-6 engine. Improving overall performance, the all-aluminum I-6 weighs less than the iron-block V-8s it replaces, and although it’s longer, clever packaging that locates the turbos aft of the front axle helps make truck feel nimbler.

MotorTrend’s comprehensive testing and evaluation process revealed a place at the table remains for brilliant internal combustion engines, as the Ram 1500 beat notable EV competitors including Tesla’s Cybertruck and the Chevrolet Silverado EV.

“In a year with strong competition, including groundbreaking EVs, Ram’s focus on refinement and practical technology made it the clear choice for Truck of the Year,” said Ed Loh, MotorTrend Group’s Head of Editorial. “We really put the lineup to the test, and it impressed our editorial team with its blend of luxury and innovation. It stands out not only for its performance but also for its ability to deliver both power and comfort.”

Additional engineering advancements include the new Hands-Free Active Driving Assist, an innovative system that helps drivers maintain a set speed and distance from vehicles ahead via sensors, cameras, and radar. It also helps to keep the truck centered within lanes during long highway drives. Other improvements include an increased display screen sizes for the infotainment system, a phone-as-key feature, twin wireless phone chargers, and the Tungsten’s 1,228-watt, 23-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere audio system that provides a top-tier listening experience.

Regarding performance of intended function, another key criterion for MotorTrend’s testing, Ram’s lineup covers all bases regarding truck usage, including towing, hauling, off-roading, daily commuting, and night-on-the-town strutting. For trailering, the new reverse steering aid, along with a Push-to-Center feature, corner radar units, digital camera mirrors, standard side-view mirrors with parabolic inserts, proper trailering mirrors, and the air suspension ease the job for drivers. Max trailer weight ratings range from 6,370 to 11,320 pounds. The Ram truck pulled its load more easily than any other truck tested.

The 2025 Ram 1500’s design adjustments include integrating the Tungsten model’s front bumper beam behind a soft fascia, as on a car, leaving no gap running below the grille. All other variants and competitive models employ a separate painted or chromed metal bumper, and Ram’s approach lends a nicely tailored and price-appropriate look. The Tungsten model delivers next-level opulence for a truck interior. There’s intricately woven carbon-fiber trim and carefully placed stitching on the dash, doors, seats, and console, as well as a stunning center console badge. The 2025 Ram 1500 has a starting MSRP of $40,275 and increases depending on the trim and options.

“This is not an easy segment to rise above because the competition is always increasing at an aggressive rate and the 2025 Ram 1500 has achieved a coveted win by addressing customer demand with luxury, off-road capability and a variety of models,” said Tim Kuniskis, CEO of Ram brand. “MotorTrend Truck of the Year is a motivator to continue pushing boundaries and build on our success in the pickup space.”

Becoming the MotorTrend Truck, Car, SUV, or Performance Vehicle of the Year is a crowning achievement in the automotive world, a testament to the unparalleled prestige and long-standing tradition of these awards. MotorTrend stands alone in its commitment to exhaustively evaluate and track-test vehicles for these coveted honors, a practice it has upheld with dedication since its inception in 1949 for the Car of the Year award. The Truck of the Year award was added in 1978, SUV of the Year in 1999, and Performance Vehicle of the Year in 2022, in recognition of an ever-evolving market. MotorTrend’s iconic Golden Calipers trophy symbolizes excellence and serves as a powerful marketing tool, a testament to the awards’ impact on the automotive industry and consumers alike.

About MotorTrend Group

MotorTrend Group, a Warner Bros. Discovery company, is the world’s largest automotive media group dedicated to introducing, inspiring, and intensifying people’s passions for the motoring world. Comprising more than 50 iconic brands including MOTORTREND, HOT ROD, ROADKILL and more, MotorTrend Group is the ultimate source of entertainment and information for both auto enthusiasts and car shoppers, with a monthly audience over 30 million in addition to over 70 million social followers. Featuring world-class automotive entertainment across the No. 1 television network for automotive fans, digital streaming channels, iconic events, the largest automotive social network, category-leading podcasts, over seven decades of print and digital editorial content, and cutting-edge resources for new car shoppers, MotorTrend embodies every corner of car culture. From electric vehicles to timeless classic customs, MotorTrend Group brings the latest motoring trends to fans of all generations.

About Warner Bros. Discovery 

Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world’s most differentiated and complete portfolio of content and brands across television, film and streaming. Available in more than 220 countries and territories and 50 languages, Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic brands and products including: Discovery Channel, Max, discovery+, CNN, DC, Eurosport, HBO, HBO Max, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Film Group, Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please visit www.wbd.com.

Source: MotorTrend Group

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