In 2024 the world lost a legend as we bid farewell to the bonkers 702 hp Ram TRX. Sliding in to fill the void was the new 2025 Ram RHO. As a successor to the TRX’s legacy, the RHO arrived engineered for high-speed desert runs and general hardcore off-roading. The RHO continues to offer a unique blend of advanced suspension tech combined with a stout drivetrain and rugged hardware. From the outside it’s the same serious package that Ram ushered in with TRX. However, there’s a grownup feeling that comes along with the 2025 Ram RHO. It’s more refined and civil, packed with the latest technology and abounding in comfort.

Because it had been a while since we’ve slid behind the wheel of Ram’s flagship high-speed off-roader, we queued up a well-equipped 2025 Ram RHO bathed in the company’s Forged Blue Metallic hue and spent a week ripping the deserts of Southern California.

Hurricane Under The Hood

The biggest difference between the Ram RHO and its predecessor is what lives under the hood. Instead of a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, the RHO comes fit with the company’s new Hurricane twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine. The high-output version. This engine produces 540 hp at 5,700 RPM with 521 lb-ft of torque at 1,700 RPM. Backing the engine is a ZF-sourced 8HP75 8-speed automatic. Power is routed through a BorgWarner 38-14 fulltime active transfer case. Independent testing puts the Ram RHO’s 0-60 time at about 4.6 seconds with the quarter-mile happening in 13.2 seconds. In other words, for a 6,000-pound truck on 35-inch tires, it’s quick.

In the real world this translates into a truck that is an absolute riot to drive. We’ve found the high-output Hurricane engine to put down power quickly, with almost no perceivable turbo lag. The 8-speed transmission fires of shifts quickly and smoothly. And despite dropping two cylinders the exhaust still offers a distinct and pleasing sound while accelerating through the gears. It may not offer quite the same visceral experience as the TRX, but the RHO is still darn fun to drive.

If there were a downside, however, it comes in the form of fuel economy. On paper, the Ram RHO’s 14 mpg city, 16 highway, and 15 combined bests the former TRX’s 10/14/12 by a fair margin. In reality, we’ve found the RHO to still return combined fuel economy figures in the low teens. Maybe if it was less fun to drive we could muster something closer to the EPA rating.

Hardcore Off-Road Hardware

When it comes to rugged off-road hardware, the 2025 Ram RHO nearly mirrors the TRX. The truck rolls on 35-inch (LT325/65R18) Goodyear Wrangler Territory AT all-terrain tires wrapped on unique 18-inch wheels (beaklock capable wheels are an option.) The truck rides 2 inches taller than a standard Ram 1500 4×4 and offers 11.8 inches of ground clearance with an approach angle of 31.0 degrees, departure of 25.2, and breakover of 21.8 degrees. Water fording is an impressive 32 inches.

When it comes to suspension, we see the return of the high-tech Bilstein Blackhawk e2 dampers. However, the units have been reworked for use on the RHO with new internals, a new adaptive damping strategy, and updated mounting hardware. Bilstein’s hydraulic jounce control works to prevent the dampers from harsh bottoming. Wheel travel checks in at 13.0 inches in the front with 14.0 inches at the rear. Track width increases by six inches over the standard Ram 1500, while the necessary widened fenders and flares add eight inches. The truck’s rear axle is a robust Dana 60 unit that comes fit with an electronic locking differential.

High-Tech And High-Class

The 2025 Ram RHO is built on the company’s new sixth-generation platform, which underpins all the refreshed 2025 1500 pickups. With that comes the latest tech and comfort features. Our RHO came fit with the RHO Level 1 Equipment Group, which essentially checks all the boxes. The truck features more than 50 inches of digital displays divided between four areas. The instrument cluster specs out to 12.3 inches and is fully customizable. A 12.0-inch infotainment display is standard, however, ours came with the optional 14.0-inch unit. Also part of the optional package are a 10.0-inch head-up display and 10.3-inch passenger media screen.

Leather-trimmed massaging bucket seats are included for the driver and front passenger. Rear-seat passengers aren’t left out, either, as the RHO offers Ram’s class-exclusive reclining rear seats that are also heated and ventilated. Tunes are provided by Ram’s premium 19-speaker audio system from Harman Kardon.

Also included in the RHO Level 1 Equipment Group is Ram’s new Hands-Free Active Drive Assist System. This is a Level 2 autonomous driving system that allows the driver to remove his hands from the wheel when driving on approved roadways. Using the system over the course of a 200-mile drive we found it to be quite good. While the system isn’t able to predictively make lane changes like GM’s Super Cruise, with a quick flick of the turn signal stalk the truck will move lanes without driver input. Throughout out testing we noticed the system creeping wide on turns and had to intervene just a couple times. Overall, it’s quite impressive tech for a truck of this stature.

How Does The Ram RHO Work Off-Road?

Much like it’s TRX predecessor, the Ram RHO is best suited for wide-open desert terrain. Don’t get us wrong, it’s plenty capable on tight and twisty trails and on the rocks. However, the truck’s sheer size is detrimental to the activities. As soon as tires touch dirt it’s clear that this truck is a weapon. Where the TRX was good, the RHO is now great. Anyone who has driven both will immediately notice the improved suspension damping and new weight distribution. The front of the truck is noticeably lighter, which equates to less harsh bottoming on large humps and bumps. We were easily able to rip across rough and rutted terrain in comfort and small to medium-sized desert whoops were no challenge for the truck. When the dips get really large the truck’s limited wheel travel does require a bit more finesse while driving to avoid smashing the bash plate into the earth, but this is expected.

Ram has the RHO’s off-road drive modes dialed, with Baja being our favorite. Switching into Baja not only increases throttle sensitivity and alters the transmission shift points, it also changes the damping strategy for the Bilstein shocks and diverts power through the transfer case to a 25/75 split, with the majority going to the rear. This leads to the ability to whip wicked donuts until you’re green in the face. The rear locking differential is also able to remain active in high range through the entire speed range, which allows the truck to get through deep sand, silt, and mud with no issue.

The bottom line really is this: As long as the Ram RHO physically fits on the trail, it’s going to be difficult to stop.

Why Ram RHO?

When Ford debuted the Raptor way back in 2010 it made no effort to hide the fact that the name was in fact themed to the small and fast dinosaur with which it shared a namesake. So, when Ram introduced the TRX some years later it was assumed that it was a reference to the much larger Tyrannosaurus Rex. While Ram leaned into this with an imprint of the lizard under the hood, the real answer was much less exciting.

Digging deep into its archives of already-owned property, Ram simply dusted off the TRX4 off-road package moniker instead of spending the time and resources vetting something new. And a similar story exists when it comes to the Ram RHO. While enthusiasts would like to generate a fanciful tale, it simply stands for “Ram High-Output,” a nod to the high-output 3.0-liter engine.

Do We Miss The TRX?

Over the years we’ve spent a copious amount of time with Ram trucks, including both the TRX and RHO. Admittedly, part of the allure of the TRX was the visceral experience that it brought. That said, the 2025 Ram RHO is still every bit the wicked off-road truck that the TRX was, it’s just matured a bit. Sure, it’s lost a bit of the flash and noise. However, what’s been revealed is a truck packed with the most premium comforts and technology that is equal parts soothing and exciting.

And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the price. The 2024 Ram TRX Final Edition arrived with an MSRP that started at an eye-popping $112,000. By contrast, the 2025 Ram RHO starts at $71,190, including $1,195 for delivery. Our tester, which arrived fully optioned, checked in at $84,420. While still a lot of coin, it’s a substantially better value for only 120 fewer horsepower.