In the vast landscape of American highways, no rivalry is more fiercely contested than the battle for full-size truck supremacy. For over four decades, the Ford F-150 has worn the undisputed crown as the best-selling vehicle in the U.S., a titan of industry built on a reputation of capability and innovation. Its challenger, the Ram 1500, has spent the last decade carving out its own kingdom, not by outselling the Ford, but by outclassing it in comfort, luxury, and ride quality.
For years, the choice was relatively clear: Do you want the ultimate workhorse (F-150) or the ultimate road-trip truck (Ram)? But for 2025, Ram has thrown a wrench in the works—a twin-turbocharged, six-cylinder wrench to be exact. The legendary, soul-stirring HEMI V8 is gone, replaced by a powerful and efficient new inline-six engine family dubbed the Hurricane.
This is a seismic shift. Ram is betting its future on a new kind of power, directly challenging Ford’s own successful turbocharged EcoBoost engines. With a refreshed F-150 boasting its own arsenal of powertrains—including a V8 and a potent hybrid—the battle lines have been redrawn. Is Ram’s bold move enough to finally challenge Ford’s dominance across the board? This isn’t just about towing capacity anymore. This is a fight for the heart and soul of the modern American truck.
The Elephant in the Room: Ram Ditches the HEMI for a Hurricane
Let’s address it head-on: the 5.7L HEMI V8, a beloved icon of American muscle and a cornerstone of Ram’s identity, is no longer available in the 2025 Ram 1500. For many loyalists, this is heresy. But Ram is confident its replacement is more than up to the task. Meet the Hurricane.
The 2025 Ram 1500 powertrain lineup is now centered around two new engines:
- 3.0L Hurricane (Standard Output): This twin-turbo inline-six produces an impressive 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque. That’s more horsepower and more torque than the outgoing 5.7L HEMI V8.
- 3.0L Hurricane (High-Output): Found in the new top-tier Tungsten and off-road RHO models, this version is cranked up to a staggering 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torque. These numbers venture deep into high-performance territory.
- 3.6L Pentastar V6 with eTorque: The familiar mild-hybrid V6 remains the base engine, offering solid, efficient performance for entry-level trims.
The goal is simple: provide more power and better fuel economy than the old V8. Inline-six engines are naturally smooth and balanced, and with twin turbos, they can deliver a massive, flat torque curve that’s ideal for truck duties. The biggest question for enthusiasts remains: can it ever replace the soul-stirring rumble of a HEMI?
Ford’s Power of Choice: An Engine for Everyone
Across the field, Ford continues its successful power of choice strategy. Instead of putting all its chips on one engine type, the 2025 F-150 offers a diverse portfolio designed to meet the needs of any truck buyer, from the traditionalist to the tech-adopter.
The key players in the 2025 F-150 lineup include:
- 2.7L EcoBoost V6: The impressive entry-level turbo engine, delivering 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque.
- 5.0L “Coyote” V8: For the purists, Ford still offers a classic, naturally-aspirated V8 with 400 hp, 410 lb-ft of torque, and a sound that can’t be replicated.
- 3.5L EcoBoost V6: The towing champion of the lineup. This workhorse makes 400 hp and a massive 500 lb-ft of torque.
- 3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6: The technological flagship. This system combines the 3.5L EcoBoost with an electric motor to produce a class-leading 430 horsepower and 570 lb-ft of torque, all while offering the best fuel economy of the bunch.
Ford’s strategy is clear: why force a customer to choose when you can give them everything? Want a V8? You got it. Want a proven twin-turbo for towing? Step right up. Want a rolling power station with hybrid torque? The PowerBoost is waiting.
Towing and Payload: The Numbers Game
For many, this is the bottom line. A truck has to do truck things, and that means hauling and towing without breaking a sweat.
Ford F-150: The Reigning Champion
Ford has built its reputation on capability, and the 2025 F-150 continues to lead the pack in raw numbers.
- Maximum Towing: Up to 13,500 pounds (when properly configured with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and Max Trailer Tow Package).
- Maximum Payload: Up to 2,455 pounds.
- Towing Tech: Ford’s suite of towing aids is second to none. Pro Trailer Backup Assist allows you to steer your trailer with a simple knob, while the new-for-2024 Pro Trailer Hitch Assist can automatically line up the hitch ball to the trailer coupler. It’s an incredibly smart system that removes major towing frustrations.
Ram 1500: A Powerful Contender
With the new Hurricane engine, the Ram 1500 sees a significant boost in its capabilities, even if it can’t quite reach Ford’s peak numbers.
- Maximum Towing: Up to 11,580 pounds.
- Maximum Payload: Up to 2,300 pounds.
- Towing Tech: Ram offers its own Trailer Reverse Steering Control, which functions similarly to Ford’s system. The 2025 model also brings a more powerful onboard power inverter, capable of producing up to 2 kilowatts of power—enough to run tools or electronics at a campsite.
Verdict: For pure, maximum capability, the Ford F-150 remains the undisputed king. That extra ~2,000 pounds of towing capacity is a significant advantage for those with very large campers or equipment trailers.
Ride, Handling, and Luxury: The Ram Advantage
This is where Ram has dominated the conversation for the past decade, and the 2025 model doubles down on this strength.
Ram 1500: The King of Comfort
The secret to the Ram’s sublime ride quality is its class-exclusive multi-link coil-spring rear suspension, which comes standard on every trim. Unlike the traditional leaf springs found on the F-150 and other rivals, this more sophisticated setup allows the truck to ride and handle more like a luxury SUV. For 2025, Ram takes it a step further.
- Air Suspension: The optional four-corner air suspension is back, providing an even smoother ride, automatic load-leveling, and the ability to lower the truck for easier entry and exit.
- The Tungsten Trim: New for 2025, the Tungsten model is a full-blown luxury vehicle. It features 24-way power-adjustable, massaging front seats wrapped in quilted leather, a suede headliner, and a world-class 23-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere audio system. It is, without question, the most luxurious interior ever put in a factory pickup truck.
Ford F-150: Capable and Comfortable
The F-150 is by no means a rough ride. Ford has done an excellent job tuning its traditional leaf-spring suspension for daily comfort. Top-tier trims like the King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited are packed with premium leather, massaging seats, and B&O Unleashed sound systems. They are genuinely luxurious trucks.
Verdict: The F-150 is incredibly comfortable for a truck, but the Ram 1500 is still in a class of its own. The fundamental advantage of its coil-spring rear suspension, combined with the new ultra-premium Tungsten trim, allows it to retain the crown as the smoothest-riding and most luxurious truck on the market.
Technology and Interior: A Battle of Screens and Features
Inside the cabin, the technology arms race is in full swing, with both trucks offering massive screens and innovative features.
Ram 1500: More Screens, More Luxury
Ram has completely revamped its interior tech for 2025.
- Uconnect 5: The system is powered by a standard 12-inch or an available, massive 14.5-inch vertical touchscreen.
- Passenger Screen: In a class-first, Ram now offers a 10.25-inch screen for the front passenger, allowing them to co-pilot navigation, manage music, or watch content via an HDMI input.
- Premium Tech: A digital rearview mirror, a Head-Up Display (HUD), and dual wireless phone charging pads round out the high-tech offerings.
Ford F-150: The Smartest Tool in the Box
Ford’s approach is less about pure screen size and more about game-changing practical features.
- SYNC 4: A 12-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12-inch horizontal infotainment screen are now standard across the board.
- Pro Power Onboard: This is Ford’s killer app. It’s an integrated generator system that turns the truck into a mobile power source. While other engines offer a 2.0kW version, the PowerBoost Hybrid model provides a staggering 7.2kW of power through multiple outlets in the bed. It can power a construction site, run a tailgate party, or even power your home during an outage.
- BlueCruise: Ford’s hands-free highway driving system is more advanced than ever, now featuring lane change assist.
Verdict: This is a tough call. Ram offers a more visually stunning and passenger-focused infotainment experience. However, Ford’s Pro Power Onboard is a genuine game-changer that provides a level of utility its rivals can’t match. For those who see their truck as a tool, the F-150 has the decisive edge here.
FAQs
Q1: Is the new Ram Hurricane engine reliable?
A: As a brand-new engine, its long-term reliability is yet to be proven. However, it is based on a global Stellantis architecture that has seen use elsewhere, and inline-six engines are known for their inherent smoothness and durability. Initial signs are promising.
Q2: Which truck gets better gas mileage, the Ram 1500 or F-150?
A: While official EPA figures for the Hurricane engines are still pending, they are expected to be significantly more efficient than the old HEMI V8. However, the Ford F-150’s PowerBoost Hybrid will almost certainly be the overall fuel economy champion, especially in mixed city and highway driving.
Q3: Can I still get a V8 in the 2025 Ram 1500?
A: No. The HEMI V8 has been discontinued for the entire 2025 Ram 1500 lineup. Your only engine choices are the 3.6L Pentastar V6 or the new 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six.
Q4: What is the most luxurious truck in 2025?
A: The new 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten trim sets a new benchmark for factory-installed truck luxury, with features like 24-way power massaging seats and a 23-speaker Klipsch audio system that surpass even Ford’s Platinum and Limited trims.
Q5: Which truck is better for towing a heavy RV?
A: For towing the absolute heaviest loads, the Ford F-150 is the clear winner. When equipped with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and the appropriate package, its maximum towing capacity of 13,500 pounds is significantly higher than the Ram’s 11,580-pound limit.
Q6: What is Pro Power Onboard and does Ram have something similar?
A: Pro Power Onboard is Ford’s integrated generator system. The PowerBoost Hybrid model offers an incredible 7.2kW of exportable power. Ram offers a new onboard power inverter with up to 2kW of power, which is useful for smaller tasks but is not nearly as powerful or versatile as Ford’s top-tier system.
Conclusion
The 2025 model year marks a pivotal moment in the great American truck rivalry. Ram has made a bold, forward-thinking bet by replacing its V8 heart with a powerful and efficient twin-turbo six. The result is a truck that is faster, more powerful, and more luxurious than ever before.
So, which truck wins? It depends entirely on what you’re towing—and we don’t just mean weight.
You should choose the 2025 Ford F-150 if:
- You need the absolute maximum towing and payload capacity.
- Your truck is a tool, and the idea of a 7.2kW mobile generator (Pro Power Onboard) is a game-changer for your work or lifestyle.
- You value the power of choice and want the option of a traditional V8 or a cutting-edge hybrid.
You should choose the 2025 Ram 1500 if:
- You prioritize daily driving comfort and want the smoothest, most car-like ride a truck can offer.
- You want the most luxurious, tech-forward cabin on the market, with features like a passenger-side screen and the ultra-premium Tungsten trim.
- You are excited by the prospect of a high-horsepower, high-torque inline-six engine that delivers thrilling performance.
The F-150 remains the undisputed champion of raw capability and practical innovation. But the Ram 1500 has doubled down on its strengths to become an even more compelling alternative. It tows more than just weight; it tows the line between a workhorse and a full-blown luxury vehicle better than any truck ever has. Your choice depends on which side of that line you want to be on.
