2025 Ram 1500 Buyer's Guide for Commuters
Since all three of the top-selling models in the United States are full-size pickup trucks, it stands to reason that all kinds of drivers are interested in the versatility and utility that a truck provides. Many advertisements and buyer's guides focus only on people who are constantly towing and hauling heavy loads, go off-roading every weekend, or are interested in maximum power at the expense of all other factors. As your Ram dealer near Lancaster, we're certainly proud to work with hardworking truck drivers and adventurous off-road warriors, but we're also happy to work with customers who don't fit the "truck driver" stereotype.
If you're a commuter who wants the capability to tow and haul some bulky trailers or cargo now and then (say, when you buy a new refrigerator or go on your annual camping trip) but mainly prioritize fuel economy, comfort, and useful tech, then you've come to the right place. In this guide, we'll be looking at some of the different configurations that you can use to make the 2025 Ram 1500 perfect for your needs. Whether you commute from one side of Lancaster to the other or all the way to Philly and back, there's something for you in this lineup.
Powertrain Options
There are three powertrains available for the 2025 Ram 1500, and each of them has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. The one that commuters looking for decent fuel economy can rule out right away is the high-output version of the Hurricane I-6. It provides plenty of power and is the perfect choice for the rugged, off-road RHO trim, but it only gets an estimated 17 MPG combined. The less exuberant version of the Hurricane may not deliver quite as much horsepower or torque, but it unlocks the truck's highest towing capacity of 11,550 lbs and gets an estimated 21 MPG combined when paired with rear-wheel drive. That goes up to 25 MPG on the highway, so you can enjoy long drives down Route 30 without worrying about the gas bill you're racking up.
If you don't have a particularly heavy trailer that needs to be moved, though, you'll be just fine with the base engine. The Pentastar V6 gets an estimated 23 MPG combined with rear-wheel drive and 22 MPG combined with four-wheel drive, getting you bang for your buck at the gas pump. And it's still quite capable, able to tow up to 8,110 lbs or haul up to 2,370 lbs of payload in a truck that's properly configured. If you're really looking to cut back on gasoline use, you can go beyond the traditional Ram 1500 and consider the Ram 1500 Ramcharger plug-in hybrid or Ram 1500 REV electric truck.
Trim Choices
The 2025 Ram 1500 has a wide range of trim levels for Lancaster drivers to choose from, with starting prices ranging all the way from around $40k to nearly $90k. Each trim has a laundry list of included standard features and available upgrades, and you'll definitely want to make sure you have a thorough understanding of what each one has to offer before you make your final decision. For now, here's a quick overview to help narrow things down and point you in the right direction.
The Tradesman and Tradesman HFE trims are both affordable options for drivers on a budget. They're similar in many regards, but one big difference is that the Tradesman HFE is the only trim in the lineup that only offers the base Pentastar V6 engine. The base Tradesman and every trim above it has the Hurricane as either an available or standard engine. Upgrading to the Big Horn or Warlock mostly gets you unique styling touches, but it also allows you to add optional features like a larger touchscreen and the Multi-Function tailgate, which can either operate as a traditional tailgate or make use of its 60/40 split swing-away doors.
At the Laramie level, you'll get creature comforts that can improve your time behind the wheel, like heated and ventilated 10-way power-adjustable front seats that can keep you comfortable even during the frigid winters and hot summers in Lancaster. You'll also be getting the Hurricane I-6 as the standard engine, giving you more towing capability at the expense of fuel economy. Price-wise, this one is just about in the middle of the pack, with a starting MSRP of around $60k.
Above that, the trims start to get specialized. The Rebel and RHO trims are built to deliver off-road capability, so you can probably count them out if you're sticking to the pavement. If you want some off-road chops but still care about fuel economy, stick with the Rebel. From the RHO on up, every trim comes standard with the high-output Hurricane I-6, so bear in mind that any perks you get come at the expense of efficiency. If you're looking for luxury, though, some of those perks might just be worth it. The Limited and Limited Longhorn trims come standard with decked-out cabins featuring genuine wood trim, heating and ventilation in both rows of seating, and an air suspension system that adapts as road conditions change. The top-tier Tungsten trim justifies its price tag by offering 24-way power-adjustable front seats with a massage function, Hands-Free Active Driving Assist, and a 23-speaker premium audio system by Klipsch.
Cab and Bed Configurations
Beyond engine and trim, there are two other major ways to customize your truck to meet your needs: cab style and bed length. There are two cab styles available, both of which offer two rows of seating. The Quad Cab is the smaller of the two. This means it's more affordable and that your truck will be shorter overall if you choose it, which can come in handy when navigating tight streets, especially if you often drive into Philly. But around Lancaster and more rural areas, you'll probably be just fine upgrading to the Crew Cab, which gives backseat passengers extra legroom so they can stretch out and get comfortable.
The Quad Cab is paired exclusively with the standard 6'4" bed. If you opt for the Crew Cab but still want to be mindful of overall truck length, you can choose the smaller 5'7" cargo bed instead. Of course, when choosing a bed, you should always keep in mind how much room you need for cargo. But for basic needs, the short bed should be just fine and make tight turns a little easier.
You should also bear in mind that not all configurations are available on all trims. The Tradesman and Big Horn let you pick any of the three available options (Crew Cab with either bed length or Quad Cab). The Laramie, Limited, and Limited Longhorn come exclusively with the Crew Cab, but you can choose either bed length. The Tradesman HFE is available exclusively with the Quad Cab, while the Rebel, RHO, and Tungsten can only be had with the Crew Cab and 5'7" bed.
Drivetrain Options
Finally, let's take a quick look at the two available drivetrains. The rear-wheel drive layout is the more fuel-efficient and the more affordable of the two. It's the only option on the Tradesman HFE trim and is standard on the Tradesman, Big Horn, and Laramie trims. All of the top-tier options, from the Rebel up to the Tungsten, come exclusively with four-wheel drive, which is less efficient but provides more traction, giving you extra confidence when driving through Lancaster on a rainy or snowy day.
Have the 2025 Ram 1500 Your Way
The Ram's many available options may seem overwhelming at first, but once you break everything down into simple, understandable choices, it can be freeing instead of daunting. All of these options mean that you can get a truck that's just what you're looking for, with the features you need and at a price you can afford. Now that you have an idea of what this truck has to offer, give us a call or drive over from Lancaster to visit our Quarryville dealership. We'll help you hone in on a trim and configuration that's perfect for you.