Cargazing
By Derek Price
The 2025 Ram 2500 Rebel is not subtle. Nearly 20 feet long, more than 80 inches wide, and closing in on 100 grand as tested, this is a truck that fills every lane it enters.
Behind that bulk sits the heart of the matter: a 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel with 430 horsepower and 1,075 pound-feet of torque. The numbers almost don’t sound real until you hitch a trailer and feel the Rebel shrug off 10,000 pounds like it’s a lawn chair.
What makes the Rebel distinct is where it sits in Ram’s heavy-duty hierarchy.
It’s meant to blend the everyday use of a 2500 with a dose of off-road flavor, without going full Power Wagon. That means you get 33-inch all-terrain tires, Bilstein shocks and skid plates, but not the trick disconnecting sway bar or front locker. It’s plenty capable on dirt and gravel roads, but the serious rock-crawling crowd will still gravitate to the Power Wagon.
The 2025 Ram 2500 Rebel pairs heavy-duty proportions with off-road-inspired styling touches and a bold Rebel-specific grille.
On the pavement, the Rebel is exactly what you’d expect from a three-quarter-ton truck. The ride is stiff, the steering vague at highway speeds, and the Goodyear Wranglers hum noticeably at 75 mph.
Ram’s optional rear air suspension helps tame bounce when unloaded, and it’s a blessing when hitching a trailer, but it doesn’t make the Rebel ride like a half-ton.
Buyers looking for cushy cruising will want a Ram 1500 instead.
The diesel engine is the clear highlight. It feels stronger and smoother than before, and the new eight-speed automatic makes the most of that torque.
Inside, the Rebel feels surprisingly plush. Soft-touch materials, thoughtful storage and the latest Uconnect 5 system make it a pleasant place to spend time. The 14.5-inch touchscreen is enormous but quick to respond, and the optional Harman Kardon audio system has the muscle to match the truck.
Ram’s camera tech deserves a shoutout too. With multiple angles and trailer-guidance views, it takes much of the stress out of maneuvering such a massive rig.
Practicality is strong, as expected. RamBox storage adds lockable, weatherproof bins in the bed rails, perfect for tools or muddy gear.
Inside, the Rebel balances work-ready durability with premium materials, advanced technology and generous passenger space.
The Rebel with the Cummins diesel is rated to pull more than 30,000 pounds with the right setup, a figure most owners will never approach but one that underscores the capability baked into the truck.
Not everything is perfect. Nearly $100,000 is a staggering as-tested price, and while the Rebel is luxurious, it’s still fundamentally a work truck with a stiff ride and compromises in everyday drivability.
And while the styling is bold, it’s also polarizing. Some buyers will love the aggressive Rebel grille, others may prefer the subtler look of a Laramie or Limited.
Still, the 2025 Ram 2500 Rebel hits a sweet spot for a certain buyer. It’s for the person who tows big trailers, wants a refined cabin, and likes their truck to look the part of an off-road bruiser without needing the full arsenal of Power Wagon hardware.
In that role, it delivers, with the Cummins engine making it one of the most capable heavy-duty pickups you can buy.
At A Glance
WHAT WAS TESTED?
2025 Ram 2500 Rebel Crew Cab 4×4 ($68,645). Options: Towing technology group ($1,595), safety group ($1,995), tow technology plus group ($1,490), Rebel Level 2 equipment group ($6,495), Cummins diesel engine ($12,595), power sunroof ($1,195), automatic leveling rear air suspension ($1,705), RamBox ($1,295). Price as tested (including $2,095 destination charge): $99,105
BY THE NUMBERS
Wheelbase: 149 in.
Length: 238.8 in.
Width: 83.5 in.
Height: 80.2 in.
Engine: 6.7-liter Cummins inline six cylinder turbo diesel (430 hp, 1,075 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
MPG: Not rated
RATINGS
Style: 9
Performance: 8
Price: 7
Handling: 8
Ride: 5
Comfort: 4
Quality: 5
Overall: 6
WHY BUY IT?
It offers heavy-duty towing strength, a surprisingly refined interior and rugged styling for buyers who want both capability and presence.