Table of contents
Introduction
Over the last decade and a half, Dodge has been synonymous with roaring V8 engines and adrenaline-focused driving experiences. Previously, Dodge introduced us to the Ram TRX pickup with the highly respected Hellcat supercharged V8. The success of the TRX can’t be stated enough as it took the sport truck market by storm. Fast forward to today, Stellantis is coming out with its newest lineup of cars and pickups. Today, we now have information on the newest sport pickup to come out of Dodge, the Ram RHO.
When Stellantis announced it was discontinuing production of V8s in their performance cars and trucks, the world was shocked. How do we go from having some of the largest V8s and highest horsepower numbers to an EV focused lineup? Personally, I was disappointed as I thought Dodge’s biggest factor in its success was sticking to its American Muscle Car roots. Dodge is known for having created some of the fastest muscle cars of all time. Why take the “muscle” out of the brand?
In my opinion, Dodge’s lackluster reveal of the Dodge Charger stems from the company going too far away from their brand identity. But how does the Ram RHO stand up to the truck market? In this article, we’re going to cover the performance truck market and how the Ram RHO may be able to stand its ground.
What Is The Ram RHO?
With the TRX being discontinued, the Ram RHO’s goal is to fill that void. The Ram RHO is a full-size 1500 sport pickup truck. Dodge developed the Ram RHO to be a fast off-road truck capable of taking on the competition, such as the Ford Raptor. To go along with the performance, the Ram RHO has off-road suspension, 35-inch tires, and off-road necessities such as tow hooks and auxiliary lighting. Overall, the Ram RHO promises big performance at an MSRP of $69,995. Check out their reveal of the Ram RHO featuring Glenn Powell and some epic dune shots.
Ram RHO Performance: How Does It Match Up To The Competition?
Similarly to the Ford Raptor, the Ram RHO features a twin turbocharged six cylinder motor, known as The Hurricane. This implementation of the Hurricane Inline 6 is a 3.0 Liter engine pushing 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torque. Currently, the Ram RHO beats the turbocharged Ford Raptor by 90 horsepower. While the 4.6 second 0-60 MPH time is awesome, fans of the TRX may be disappointed with the reduced horsepower, but this truck does come in at a lower price point.
Ram RHO Off-Road Capabilities
The Ram RHO comes standard with 18-inch beadlock capable wheels and a beefy set of 35 inch tires. To accommodate more suspension travel and the larger tires, Dodge installed fender flares that push the body out about six inches wider than the standard Ram 1500. Underbody skid plates are standard to protect your truck from the elements. Lastly, the Bilstein suspension setup is sure to provide a great ride quality and durability when taking on a trail. Altogether, the Ram RHO has the tools to match up with some of the best off-road vehicles out there.
Interior And Tech
Dodge is making a huge focal shift to improving its interiors. I have driven many Dodges in the last decade and I will tell you those interiors do not hold up well. Fortunately, Stellantis’ addresses this with new interior amenities. The new interior features carbon fiber or metal accents, a center console shifter, leather seats, reclining rear seats, and a Harmon Kardon sound system.
On the tech side, Dodge not only includes a huge iPad-like center display, but also includes a 10.25 inch display for your copilot. The digital gauge cluster is interactive and customizable as well. To tie it all together, there is custom RHO badging throughout the cabin.
Price Point
Dodge advertises the Ram RHO at a $69,995 MSRP, excluding the destination fee. Compared to the Ford Raptor, the Ram RHO comes in about $8,000 less. While this doesn’t account for dealer markups, it is good to see Dodge is trying to get the most value for their customers. Dodge has not released price numbers for the available options, but pre-orders are currently open should you want to get on the list.
What’s My Opinion?
For me, I view the RHO as a more comparable competitor to the Ford Raptor than the TRX. However, with the Raptor R coming out with a V8, I can see Dodge needing to find a way to compete with it. The Ram RHO has good performance numbers from the information we have, but I have one glaring issue. While the performance seems to be there, I worry that the Hurricane Inline Six is not going to keep up over the long run.
Historically, inline six motors have been awesome for performance. Just look at the 2JZ-GTE and the RB series motors. Unfortunately, Dodge isn’t necessarily known for its turbocharged vehicles outside of the old SRT4s. I love a good turbocharged setup, but this is a huge diversion from their brand identity. Now you may say the same about Ford, but there is one key difference. When Ford started releasing the Ecoboost motors, they kept the 5.0 V8 around the whole time. With the Raptor continuing the twin turbo 6 cylinder and the Raptor R bringing in the 5.2 liter V8, Dodge might not be able to keep up. I could be wrong though. Dodge owners are very loyal to the brand.
Conclusion
The Dodge Ram RHO is their promise to keep performance a part of the Dodge identity. Fortunately, I see the Dodge Ram RHO selling well with its lower price point. The performance and styling make up for many of my concerns. While I won’t be purchasing one myself, I will enjoy seeing the aftermarket for this truck. Aftermarket car modifications will absolutely boost this truck’s credibility. With the Hurricane Inline 6 being so new, it will be interesting to see what tuners can do with it.
Overall, the Ram RHO is no TRX replacement, but it does give the base Ford Raptor a run for its money. With the release scheduled for the end of 2024, we must wait for any other info prior to release. When more information becomes available, come back to Powershift Auto for the update!
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