Behind The Wheel Of The Hurricane-Powered 2025 Ram 1500 Rebel

The 2025 Ram 1500 is setting the market ablaze and giving truck buyers a fresh set of 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 Hurricane engines and a V6 plug-in hybrid to enjoy. The latest offering, the Ram 1500 Rebel, was recently tested by Forbes Magazine, and the author came away saying, “The Hurricane era promises to be just as fun as the Hemi one, and it’s off to a good (and dirt-splattered) start.”

The 2025 Ram Rebel uses a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-6 called the SST that puts out 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The EPA-estimated fuel economy is rated at 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, with a total range of 494 highway miles for a full tank. The Ram Rebel is offered exclusively as a full crew cab with a 5’7” bed and can tow up to 11,140 lbs when properly equipped. 

Forbes recently took the Ram 1500 Rebel to Mudfest, an annual event for SUVs, crossovers, and trucks to show their stuff at Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington. The event is put on by the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA), and journalists are able to put vehicles through an autocross course, a normal, paved test track, and a specialty off-road course. 

To make the new Rebel one of the best off-road trucks, Ram adds Bilstein off-road dampers, a 17.8:1 steering ratio, a 3.92 rear axle ratio, an electronic locking limited-slip differential (LSD), a one-inch lift, extra skid plates, 33-inch tires, and more. For $1,995, you can add air suspension that allows you to lower the ride height for better handling and raise it to 10.7 inches. 

The author took the Rebel on a special off-road course meant for vehicles with more extreme capabilities. He said, “The extreme track is more challenging, but vehicles like the Rebel have capabilities well beyond it. It didn’t bat an eyelash at foot-deep, muddy ruts, and mid-way up the most challenging hill, the rep had me stop the truck cold. Ordinarily, when cresting a steep, slippery hill, you want to keep your momentum as you might not make it up if you stop. In four-wheel drive low, the Ram just started right up and powered its three-ton heft over the mud with no slippage. After the big hills, it was time for those ruts I mentioned earlier … The Rebel blasted through it like the TRX and F-150 Raptor R did at previous Mudfests. It’s clearly a capable crawler and dune basher.”

In the end, Forbes found the new Ram Rebel to be a compelling package, whether on the main roads or off-road. The Hurricane SST motor makes it a strong vehicle, whether off the line or going through mud. “In some off-road pickups, you can go anywhere, but the truck beats you up all day, transmitting lots of bumps to your body. That’s not the case here; it felt comfy and controlled even on bouncy sections. It’s eager to play, encouraging you to put the tail out and push it hard. More extreme trucks exist, but the Rebel is born for mudding, like a 5,000-pound ATV.”

At Krusen Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we offer our customers some of the best prices and services around. With dozens of new and used vehicles to choose from, our excellent sales team and finance department will work hard to make sure you drive away happy. Our fantastic service department will take care of your new-to-you vehicle as if it were their own.

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