It’s time to take the first-ever 2025 Ram RHO off-road truck for a first drive! Is it a worthy Ram TRX successor, or is it a budget Ford F-150 Raptor beater? Let’s dig in!
Ram engineers had their time to tweak the new Ram RHO’s hardware and they did a super job. The RHO is a bit lighter than the outgoing Ram TRX. The RHO has better front-to-rear balance because it does not have a large V8 with a fat supercharger hanging over its nose. The engineers tuned the suspension to match the new weight and balance. They modified the AWD/4WD transfer case tuning to provide more rear-wheel-drive bias in certain modes. The result is a stable and very fun truck. Just put it into Baja mode, and go drifting in the dirt! If you find just the right terrain you can also catch a bit of air.
We caught a lot of air while off-roading the RHO trucks during the first drive event in Michigan, but it was a closed course at Holly Oaks ORV park. The jumping points were specially prepared by the Ram engineering and PR teams. This is an important disclaimer. If you try to jump any truck over any terrain, the result could be disastrous. The truck could land sideways, it could land nose down, etc, etc. While we had a great time hooning these trucks on a closed course, great care was taken to prepare the jumping points.
The truck feels playful in the dirt, and it drives like it’s on rails when on pavement. However, something is missing… The new RHO happens to look a LOT like the outgoing TRX. While Ram is clear that the RHO is not a TRX replacement, it’s impossible not to compare them. Something that is missing is the large Hellcat V8 with a fat supercharger.
The new 3.0L twin-turbo high-output Hurricane I6 has plenty of power. It’s rated at 540 hp and 521 lb-ft of torque. It has a functional hood scoop and a RHO-specific dual exhaust system with valves. However, the H.O. Hurricane engine does not have the deep sound of the Hellcat V8. It does not have the whine of the supercharger. It does not have the bandit-like character of the TRX.
The RHO did produce two quick 5.05 and 5.25 second 0-60 MPH runs in a real-world test. This is a good performance, but it’s not as quick as a TRX. It’s not as quick as most of the new electrified pickup trucks.
The RHO is a fun truck that can be very luxurious and pleasant. It’s a good value when you consider how much you get for the $71,990 starting price (including destination). Several dealers we checked report local discounts on new RHO trucks.
The Ford F-150 Raptor twin-turbo V6 has a lot to worry about here. The RHO has a lower starting price. It has more power. It has the latest technology (including optional hands-free driving).
Our first drive video will publish in several hours on our TFLtruck Youtube channel. Thank you!
