Diesel Muscle, Rebel Style

Posted on by Derek Price
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.

Posted in Ram

Road-Trip Ready Family Hauler

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

The 2025 Subaru Ascent is not the flashiest three-row SUV on the market, but it might be one of the most confidence-inspiring.

After a week behind the wheel, it’s clear that Subaru’s biggest vehicle leans into what the brand does best: all-weather grip, smart packaging and safety features that make family duty a little easier.

The Ascent’s defining trait is its sure-footedness. Subaru’s standard all-wheel drive and well-tuned chassis give it a planted, predictable feel on the road.

In corners, it hangs on better than most rivals this size, with body motions kept in check without making the ride too stiff. It feels closer to the expensive German crossovers than mainstream competitors when it comes to handling composure, which is high praise for a vehicle starting under $40,000.

Under the hood, every Ascent comes with a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four rated at 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. On paper, that might look small compared to the V6 engines many competitors still offer, but in practice it’s plenty. The Ascent doesn’t struggle to get up to speed even when fully loaded.

The 2025 Subaru Ascent offers standard all-wheel drive and a sleek, upright SUV profile with blacked-out accents on Onyx trims.

The continuously variable transmission (CVT) is a mixed bag. It helps fuel economy, rated at 19 mpg city and 25 highway, but it also makes the Ascent feel a little more lethargic than it really is. That rubber-band sensation is less bothersome in a family SUV than it is in a sporty car, but it still dulls driver engagement.

Practicality is where the Ascent shines. Thanks to a relatively low beltline and generous glass, visibility is excellent to the front and sides. It’s easier to place in tight parking lots than many rivals, despite being nearly 197 inches long.

Standard driver-assist tech — including Subaru’s latest EyeSight system, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping, and even automatic emergency steering — adds another layer of reassurance.

Inside, the Ascent makes good use of space. Second-row passengers get USB-A, USB-C, and also a household outlet, so devices stay charged on long trips.

Inside, the Ascent features generous passenger space, modern tech and available Nappa leather for an upscale feel.

There’s an available Cabin Connect intercom system that projects the driver’s voice to the third row, a small but clever feature for families with chatty kids.

The Onyx Edition Touring trim adds blacked-out styling cues, ventilated front seats, Nappa leather with green stitching, and Harman Kardon audio. It’s an upscale take on the family hauler formula, though its $53,802 as-tested price edges close to premium-brand territory.

That said, you get a long list of standard equipment that rivals often charge extra for, including a panoramic moonroof, heated steering wheel and power liftgate.

Not everything is perfect. Fuel economy is only average for the class, and the CVT’s feel will turn off some buyers. While Subaru’s cabin materials are generally solid, a few surfaces don’t match the near-luxury price tag of the Onyx Touring. And though the Ascent can tow up to 5,000 pounds, buyers needing frequent heavy towing might still prefer a body-on-frame SUV.

Overall, the Ascent is one of the more balanced and thoughtfully executed three-row crossovers. It doesn’t try to overwhelm with size or brute force but instead focuses on being easy to drive, safe and accommodating.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition Touring ($52,050). Options: All weather floor mats ($176), cargo tray ($156). Price as tested (including $1,420 destination charge): $53,802

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 113.8 in.
Length: 196.8 in.
Width: 76 in.
Height: 71.6 in.
Engine: 2.4-liter four cylinder (260 hp, 277 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: Continuously variable
MPG: 19 city, 25 highway

RATINGS

Style: 8
Performance: 7
Price: 6
Handling: 7
Ride: 7
Comfort: 7
Quality: 8
Overall: 7

WHY BUY IT?

The Ascent combines Subaru’s trademark all-wheel-drive confidence with space, safety and family-friendly tech in a practical three-row SUV.

Posted in Subaru

Italian Flair, Compact Size

Posted on by Derek Price
Cargazing
By Derek Price

Alfa Romeo doesn’t sell many cars in the United States, but every one of them tries to stand out. The 2025 Tonale is no exception.

This is a small crossover, a category most automakers churn out in anonymous, cookie-cutter form, yet Alfa’s version feels like it has a pulse. After a week behind the wheel, I can say it’s one of the few compact SUVs that rewards you for taking the long way home.

The defining trait of the Tonale is firmness. The seats are firm, the steering is firm, and the suspension is firm. Not punishing, but purposeful.

Where many competitors float and isolate, the Alfa engages. On winding roads, the Tonale feels buttoned-down and quick to respond, more like a hot hatch than a small SUV. That’s not an easy trick to pull off in a tall, all-wheel-drive package.

Performance is stronger than expected at this price. The 2.0-liter turbo four makes 268 horsepower and gets the Tonale moving with real urgency, especially in the midrange.

The 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale’s exterior design delivers sharp Italian flair in a crowded compact SUV market.

The nine-speed automatic isn’t quite as polished as the best German gearboxes, sometimes hesitating when you’re creeping in traffic or lurching on a quick downshift, but once you’re up to speed it mostly fades into the background. Fuel economy is reasonable at 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

Alfa also offers a plug-in hybrid version of the Tonale, with usable electric-only range, but my test car was the gas model. For enthusiasts, the turbo motor feels like the right match. For commuters, the hybrid might make more sense, especially if you can plug in at home.

Inside, the Tonale doesn’t quite deliver the luxury polish its badge suggests.

The layout is driver-centric, with big round gauges and a sporty seating position, but materials are more Dodge than Alfa.

That’s not just a figure of speech. The Tonale shares its bones, drivetrain and much of its interior with the Dodge Hornet, which sells for thousands less. The Alfa does look and feel a bit sharper, and the driving feel is more communicative than in the Dodge, but it’s hard to ignore the value gap.

Inside, the cabin emphasizes a driver-focused layout, though materials feel more mainstream than premium.

Technology is mostly a bright spot. The 10.25-inch touchscreen runs a modern system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It isn’t the quickest interface on the market, but it’s straightforward to use.

Driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise and lane-keeping are included, though Alfa’s calibration still leans toward sporty driving rather than intrusive corrections.

The Tonale’s personality is its best feature. In a segment where many buyers treat their SUV as an appliance, this one feels alive.

That also means it won’t be for everyone. The ride is firmer than some shoppers will want, interior space is only average, and for nearly $40,000 as tested, it doesn’t offer the interior polish of a Volvo XC40 or the sheer brand pull of a Mercedes GLA.

But for the buyer who values design, character and a sense of connection behind the wheel, the Tonale makes a strong case. It’s proof that not every crossover has to feel the same.

At A Glance

WHAT WAS TESTED?

2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale ($36,495). Options: Customer Preferred Package 23M ($1,400), additional key fob ($40). Price as tested (including $1,995 destination charge): $39,930

BY THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 103.8 in.
Length: 178.3 in.
Width: 82 in.
Height: 63.2 in.
Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder (268 hp, 295 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
MPG: 21 city, 29 highway

RATINGS

Style: 9
Performance: 8
Price: 7
Handling: 8
Ride: 5
Comfort: 4
Quality: 5
Overall: 6

WHY BUY IT?

The Tonale stands out in style and driving feel, not just another practical box on wheels.

Posted in Alfa Romeo

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