Our eyes were keenly glued to Mudfest here at Landmark Dodge of Morrow over the past year, where a throng of vehicles descended upon the Pacific Northwest to prove their worth. One of the very excited writers from Forbes magazine was assisting on a test drive of the 2025 Ram 1500 Rebel, and was getting ready to see just how fantastic it is at handling tough obstacles.
The trained media handler leaned in and claimed that the 350-foot stretch the crew was embarking on was so wildly uneven that it was going to require every existing inch of the 4-wheel drive’s capability. Here it was mentioned that the 2025 Ram 1500 Rebel feels very similar to the outgoing TRX, as the group departed the bumpy track and headed toward a gravel road. Here the Ram and 19 other vehicles were taking on the challenges of a fully-fledged autocross course in rapid succession, to see just how the burly off-road additives and other equipment would fare for protection.
When Ram had made the official announcement last year that the beloved 5.7-liter HEMI V8 was going to be replaced by the incoming “Hurricane” family, some very diehard fans were worried. This was a model whose existence hinged on excitement and flex appeal, and many may have wondered if these six-cylinder powertrains could live up to their predecessors. Even though it may need a few more revs out of the gate than the V8 to adequately deliver a punch, it eventually makes its mark as a true steamroller when the boost is heartily dialed to 11.
Just as it does in the Jeep Wrangler, the Hurricane is bound to offer better mileage, and the Rebel this crew got to test the 420-horsepower model. It “laughed off the off-road obstacles remarkably well”, while keeping fully composed both off and on pavement to boot. The first day of Mudfest is all about testing vehicles ON the pavement, with acceleration and brake testing first in line on the agenda. The 232.4-foot long truck felt at first like trying to navigate a vessel such as a city bus on a very tight track space.
Ram had made the decision to ditch the leaf springs and step things up to a multi-link rear suspension back in 2009, with every model since displaying an excellent boost in ridge and handling prowess. Ram has also added an optional 4-corner air suspension in 2013, with yearly tweaks to expertly refine it ever since. This effectively reduces right height to cut down on fuel consumption, along with stabilizing it during challenging handling situations such as abrupt off-road ascent.
It also boasts very valuable ground clearance up to 10.7 inches, with the Rebel’s smoother and more precise handling qualities shining through during each trek. Even with all-terrain tires the finished product isn’t too terribly loud, and it can accomplish the zero to 60 sprint in just under five seconds. The 2025 Rebel boasts an 11,400-lb towing capacity, which is just 200 pounds below the outgoing model. Here the review pro mentions that even though the competing Ford F-150 can tow a bit more, it is not nearly as quick or civilized while digging in firmly and doing the deed!
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Rebel, which includes very cool upgrades such as off-road suspension dampers, 18-inch wheels with 33-inch all-terrain tires, a one-inch lift, tow hooks, a beefy skid plate, and more. The “extreme” grade course here at Mudfest required a company rep along for the ride, and this is where the foot-deep muddy ruts and incredibly steep inclines were no match for the new Rebel. The Rebel offers a very fun means of “splitting the difference” regarding the competition, and is as born for mudding as the heaviest and most capable ATVs in existence.
