What I can share is that RAM’s new RHO, an alpha designation I assume stands for Ram High Output, is the newest member of RAM’s robust lineup of off-road offerings. The sand, mud and rock-crawling family includes RHO, Rebel and Warlock in the 1500 series along with the even more robust 2500 Power Wagon, a beast born in 1946 from a military heritage. Some might look at this lineup and assume we’ve run out of paved roads in America.

Back to our rambunctious RHO, it kind of replaces RAM’s TRX, an alpha designation I’m sure originated from Tyrannosaurus rex. That dinosaur-labeled truck packed a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI under the hood that produced 702-horsepower and like our new RAM, could leap for joy if the opportunity arose. It also packed an eye-watering six-figure pricetag.

RAM’s RHO seems to be a nice balance in vivacious off-roading combined with quick acceleration on paved roads. They’ve tuned their willing 3.0-liter inline six to produce 540 HP along with 521 pound-feet of torque. That’s enough to lunge this big guy to 60 in 4.4-seconds in the event that the need arises. Not quite as quick as the former TRX, but close enough for most adults. And the styling is appropriately butch with a prominent hood scoop along with flat black detailing where chrome might have lived. 

When you travel off-road, there’s no stopping this fella, beginning with its 11.8-inch ground clearance and up to 14-inches of rear axle travel. Robust 35-inch tires make ground contact and are anchored by Bilstein’s Black Hawk e2 adaptive shocks And this is nicely managed by RAM’s Active Terrain Dynamics suspension system. It laughed at our drive out to the beach in deep soft sand.

Inside our cabin we were treated to a Level 1 Equipment Group that heated or cooled the massaging leather seats and added a wealth of luxury features to make on or off-road preening a pleasure. Along with other options, the total window sticker was a robust $88-grand. That may seem like a lot, but think of all the vehicles you can replace. Do you need that sports car or luxury sedan? The RHO does both and can haul stuff or tow things as well.

There are a few rivals in this unique category to consider. Ford’s F-150 Raptor and Toyota’s Tundra TRD PRO both now offer turbocharged six-cylinder engines in this niche segment. And RAM is bringing its HEMI back in 2026 so just like Jurassic World, T-Rex might make a comeback.