2025 RAM 1500 vs 2025 Jeep Gladiator

The 2025 RAM 1500 underwent a subtle refresh, with a revised front fascia, a higher-positioned “RAM” badge, and a larger, more contoured grille. The lineup offered eight different grille treatments, with the Tungsten trim standing out due to its chrome trim and body-colored bumpers, giving it a premium appearance. The Tungsten and Limited trims introduced a walk-up animation feature, and LED headlights became standard across the lineup. Inside, each trim had its unique character, with the Tungsten featuring a two-tone Indigo and Sea Salt interior, suede headliner, Natura Plus leather, and carbon fiber accents. The luxurious interior was complemented by a dual-pane panoramic moonroof, making it feel akin to a high-end vehicle.

The 2025 Jeep Gladiator, while often seen as a Wrangler with a cargo bed, offered more with its 31-inch longer truck frame and exclusive five-link rear suspension. The Mojave trim, designed for desert running, featured a one-inch front suspension lift and 33-inch tires. The Gladiator lineup included various trims like the Sport, Nighthawk, Willys, and Rubicon, with special editions like High Tide and Big Bear. The Mojave X trim added leather seats and standard equipment, with a base price ranging from $38,695 to $61,695. The Gladiator offered a convertible top and removable doors, enhancing its open-air driving experience. Our Mojave X test truck, in the new ’41 paint color, came with a Black and Green leather interior and additional features, bringing its MSRP to $68,425.

The 2025 RAM 1500 replaced the iconic HEMI V8 with a new 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six engine, offering 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque in its base form, and 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft in its high-output version. The truck's maximum towing capacity reached 11,580 pounds with the standard-output Hurricane I6, and a max payload of 2,300 pounds with the Pentastar engine. The eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and the air suspension, standard from the Longhorn trim, offered a comfortable ride with five settings for various purposes. The Rebel trim, equipped with 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler tires and Bilstein shocks, excelled in off-road conditions.

The 2025 Jeep Gladiator featured a single powertrain: the Chrysler Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Mojave trim, with its Fox suspension upgrades, was designed for desert terrain but proved effective on rough roads. Despite its “Desert Rated” status, the Mojave had a stiffer ride and struggled with directional stability in headwinds. The V6 engine lacked punch at higher speeds, and panic braking was challenging. However, the Gladiator offered a unique driving experience, emphasizing a relaxed pace and adventure.

The 2025 RAM 1500 introduced 24-way power adjustable front seats, with controls on the door and infotainment screen. The Crew Cab Tungsten offered heated and ventilated seats with 44.8 inches of rear-seat legroom, while the Quad Cab provided 35.3 inches. The Tungsten trim featured the RamBox cargo management system and a power open/close tailgate with a 5-foot-7-inch bed. The onboard power inverter could produce up to 2 kilowatts, but only when the vehicle was stationary.

The 2025 Jeep Gladiator improved on the Wrangler with more front legroom, thanks to power-adjustable front seats. The rear seat was tight, with hard plastic front seat-back panels, but offered air conditioning vents, USB ports, and cupholders. The Gladiator lacked small-item storage but had an optional locking compartment under the back seat. The cargo bed featured a spray-in bedliner and rails, but lacked a step for easy access.

The 2025 RAM 1500 introduced a 10.25-inch passenger screen, available from the Laramie trim, allowing access to navigation, cameras, and entertainment. The cabin featured an 8.4-inch flush screen as standard, with a new 12-inch screen available. The Tungsten trim boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5, dual wireless charging pad, digital rearview mirror, head-up display, and a 12.3-inch digital driver-information display. The 23-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere audio system replaced the previous Harmon Kardon system.

The 2025 Jeep Gladiator came with a Uconnect 5 infotainment system and a 12.3-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The Mojave X trim included navigation with Jeep Connect services, a WiFi hotspot, and Alexa Built-in technology. The Alpine premium sound system was a worthwhile upgrade, with intuitive steering wheel controls. However, the voice recognition system struggled with noise, and the display collected dust, affecting visibility.

The 2025 RAM 1500 introduced a Hands-Free Driving Assist system, a Level 2+ semi-autonomous driving system, capable of maintaining speed, distance, and lane centering. The system required driver activation for lane changes and mirrored human behaviors for a comfortable experience. Enhanced automatic emergency braking included evasive steering assist, and cameras could detect cyclists or motorcycles in blind spots. However, features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were not standard.

The 2025 Jeep Gladiator was light on safety systems, with six airbags and optional features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring was unavailable on some trims and optional on others. The Gladiator received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from NHTSA. Our test truck had all available driver assistance systems, but the adaptive cruise control reacted abruptly in certain situations.