As our truck would be based out of Michigan, a crew-cab, short-box, 4×4 layout strikes the best balance of passenger comfort, manageable parking, and winter traction. We were determined to get a feel for Hands-Free Active Driving Assist, which can only be had on Laramie and up, so that was our starting point. Its line item on the Monroney is a reasonable $2,495, but it forces the Laramie Level 2 equipment group ($2,745 worth of digital cluster, big-screen infotainment, and 19-speaker audio) and the Advanced Safety Group II (evasive steering and intersection collision assist, surround-view cameras, and more for $3,315). Had we stepped back right there, we’d have a super-nice $74,530 truck. But in the interest of science, we felt compelled to report on how Ram’s new trailer-backing system compares with Ford’s, so on went the $1,695 Trailer Tow Group. Is that fancy new 60/40 multifunction tailgate worth $1,095 (plus the mandatory $945 bed utility group’s spray-in liner, 400W 115V outlet, and adjustable tie-downs)? Only one way to find out. The remaining $4,530 is us pampering ourselves with air suspension, power running boards, leather seats, and red paint. And yes, the Limited starts at $75,450 with the high-output engine, but much of the above gear we hope to report would still cost extra.

2025 Ram 1500 Laramie Yearlong Review Arrival: Damage Done, Ready for Fun

Road detritus “christened” our pristine new truck, but it’s all fixed and we’re making ambitious plans for the remainder of its year.Frank MarkusWriter

Jim FetsPhotographerJul 24, 2025

The 2025 Ram 1500 surprised all of us by prevailing as 2025’s Truck of the Year, outshining flashier and newsier (but ultimately flawed) candidates ranging from the Toyota Tacoma to the Tesla Cybertruck and the Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra EVs. A broad 10-model range, a pair of new straight-six turbo engines, a novel tailgate, and new hands-free driving systems compounded traditional Ram strengths—smooth ride quality and luxurious interior trim across the price spectrum—to cinch the title. But which model should we choose for our long-term commitment?

As our truck would be based out of Michigan, a crew-cab, short-box, 4×4 layout strikes the best balance of passenger comfort, manageable parking, and winter traction. We were determined to get a feel for Hands-Free Active Driving Assist, which can only be had on Laramie and up, so that was our starting point. Its line item on the Monroney is a reasonable $2,495, but it forces the Laramie Level 2 equipment group ($2,745 worth of digital cluster, big-screen infotainment, and 19-speaker audio) and the Advanced Safety Group II (evasive steering and intersection collision assist, surround-view cameras, and more for $3,315). Had we stepped back right there, we’d have a super-nice $74,530 truck. But in the interest of science, we felt compelled to report on how Ram’s new trailer-backing system compares with Ford’s, so on went the $1,695 Trailer Tow Group. Is that fancy new 60/40 multifunction tailgate worth $1,095 (plus the mandatory $945 bed utility group’s spray-in liner, 400W 115V outlet, and adjustable tie-downs)? Only one way to find out. The remaining $4,530 is us pampering ourselves with air suspension, power running boards, leather seats, and red paint. And yes, the Limited starts at $75,450 with the high-output engine, but much of the above gear we hope to report would still cost extra.

One beef we had with the ordering system: There are only three paint “colors” offered (the six blacks, whites, grays, and silvers don’t qualify in our opinion): Flame Red, Hydro Blue, and Delmonico Red. The latter costs a reasonable $245, but the first two both force a $3,445 Night Edition package that murders the trim out in black and makes you add the Level 2 group. With Michigan’s frequent cloud cover, we crave a lighter interior like our Bison Brown/Sea Salt combo, which isn’t available with the bright red or blue. Pricier models add a very dark Forged Blue alternative, but it also disallows Bison/Salt. Please up your color game, Ram.

We consciously decided not to assess one pickup novelty making its debut on the 2025 Ram 1500: the Tungsten’s carlike body-color soft fascia. Just 369 miles into our test we were relieved at having made that choice. Driving down a sunny and straight I-94 with our hands in our lap, a slower pickup in the left lane kicked up a square of plywood that struck our chrome bumper with a loud thud, knocking out the plate where a tow hook would go on an off-road model and damaging the lower center grille piece. We were impressed that our local dealer’s website supported a smartphone-photo-based estimate system that predicted a reasonable $645 repair. Clearly the radar unit mounted behind that grille was going to be reused (though calibrating it would incur 2.5 hours of labor at $125 an hour). When they saw it in person, they found the bumper to be slightly dented, as well, but that $575 part probably cost less than replacing and painting that Tungsten fascia would have. The total bill ended up at $1,789.32.

Our truck arrived showing 126 miles on the odometer, and per the owner’s manual recommendation, we largely took it easy, applying brief wide-open throttle bursts during the first 300 miles. We’ve noticed none of the oil consumption the manual suggested could be normal during break-in. After 1,000 miles or so, we took it out to the track, where acceleration times trailed two other standard-output 1500 4×4 crew cabs we’ve tested by a few tenths (a Warlock and another Laramie that each weighed within 22 pounds of ours). Our truck outperformed the others in braking (a truck-impressive 122 feet versus 133 and 139) and matched the other Laramie’s 0.76 g skidpad grip.

We have big plans for accessorizing our Ram with racks and a tonneau, and this time we’re looking to third-party firms like Truck Hero rather than simply prowling the Mopar catalog. Having already hit Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail for photography, we plan to use our Ram for chipping wood, camping, and road-tripping across as many of the 125,000 (and growing) miles of highway that support Active Driving Assist as our vacation schedules permit. Stay tuned.