The Ram 1500 full-size pickup was up to date earlier this 12 months, and the vary is already increasing.
Becoming a member of the V8-less dual-cab lineup is the Ram 1500 Insurgent, an off-road-focussed variant that has lengthy been touted for Australian launch however has by no means been offered right here by official importer Ram Vans Australia – till now.
As with the remainder of the US-sourced Ram 1500 vary, the Insurgent is subjected to an intensive remanufacturing course of by Walkinshaw Automotive in Melbourne, the place it’s transformed from left- to right-hand drive.
This doesn’t simply contain swapping the steering wheel from one aspect of the cabin to the opposite. As an alternative, a whole bunch of recent parts are designed and engineered for RHD autos by corporations together with those who provide components for the unique pickup, following an intensive Australian growth program.
Meaning you not solely get a factory-backed and warranted car, however a Ram that’s constructed to what are successfully the identical requirements as the unique, and also you received’t be capable of inform that all the pieces’s been taken aside to swap it throughout – together with ‘de-marrying’ the cabin from the chassis fully.
Watch: Paul’s video evaluation of the Ram 1500 Insurgent
Past all that, the Insurgent provides some distinctive gear to the already well-equipped 1500. This features a one-inch (25.4mm) suspension carry, Bilstein shocks, 32-inch all-terrain tyres, and a revised entrance bumper, all of that are supposed to make it extra succesful off-road.
Inside, you’ll discover bespoke crimson upholstery and a plethora of ‘Insurgent’ badges, and only for good measure you additionally get an enormous Insurgent decal on the perimeters of the bathtub. Beneath, there are underbody skid plates for improved safety, and a full vary of 2WD and 4WD drive modes.
Energy comes from the ‘Commonplace Output’ (SO) model of Ram’s new downsized Hurricane petrol engine, a twin-turbo inline-six that changed the long-running 5.7-litre Hemi V8 within the facelifted MY25 Ram 1500 vary. The V8 has since been reintroduced within the US, however there’s no affirmation of that occuring in Australia but.
Is the Insurgent a worthy addition to Australia’s official Ram 1500 lineup?
How a lot does the Ram 1500 value?
Regardless of including a variety of worthwhile off-road {hardware} to the Ram 1500 Laramie Sport on which it’s primarily based, the Insurgent is priced the identical at $141,950 earlier than on-roads. That isn’t low-cost, however it’s practically $20,000 lower than the top-spec Restricted – sufficient change to purchase a Kia Picanto, for instance.
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2025 Ram 1500 Laramie Sport | $141,950 |
| 2025 Ram 1500 Insurgent | $141,950 |
| 2025 Ram 1500 Restricted | $159,950 |
It’s additionally on par with the equally off-road-focussed Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2, which is priced at $141,500 earlier than on-roads and stays the one full-size pickup nonetheless obtainable by way of manufacturing facility channels with a petroleum V8.
Each are dearer than the Ford F-150, which tops out at $140,945 earlier than on-roads for the flagship Lariat LWB, however each are nonetheless extra inexpensive than the Toyota Tundra.
There are two variants of the Tundra: the Restricted at $155,990 earlier than on-roads, and the Platinum at a whopping $172,990 plus on-roads.
Ram Vans Australia is predicted to additional increase its Hurricane-powered Ram 1500 lineup with new variants together with a less expensive Massive Horn range-opener by the tip of this 12 months.
To see how the Ram 1500 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability software
What’s the Ram 1500 like on the within?
It would look even harder on the surface, however the Ram 1500 Insurgent is as luxurious as ever inside.
There’s greater than sufficient room to swing a cat, as one would count on in a car this dimension, which makes for a supremely snug house. It appears like your passenger is sitting in one other postcode, and a few further private house isn’t a foul factor as of late.
After which there’s the tech. The photographs you see right here don’t do justice to it on this expansive cabin. It’s outstanding that any automotive could make an enormous 14.4-inch infotainment show look small, however within the steel you’ll discover the portrait-style touchscreen dominates many of the free house on the big dashboard.
There are a great deal of menus and icons right here, too many to element on this evaluation. Virtually all the automotive’s settings are adjusted right here, when you even have the benefit of wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivety, although the latter solely takes up half of the display.
There’s native satellite tv for pc navigation too, which may be additionally programmed by way of the passenger-side touchscreen. As with most passenger shows, the 1500’s unit is extra of a novelty, and it’s coated in a particular movie that utterly blocks it from the motive force’s view to stop distraction.
It’s disappointing that this display lacks extra performance, because it seems to haven’t any Apple or Android integration. Nonetheless, this and the automotive’s central infotainment system look good and are responsive, and so they’re clearly labelled that can assist you determine all the pieces out.
It’s an analogous story with the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which sports activities distinctive ‘Insurgent’ branding alongside its high border and through its startup animation. It boasts sharp decision, and whereas there isn’t a lot customisation obtainable right here, there’s sufficient happening to maintain you .
The Insurgent’s bespoke inside accents have an analogous impact, with loads of crimson splashed round to distinguish it from the opposite 1500 variants, within the type of metallic bits on the steering wheel and sprint, in addition to crimson seat upholstery with ‘Insurgent’ stitching.
All of it seems to be pretty tasteful, with the correct quantity of crimson highlights to stop it showing cheesy.
Our solely complaints with the cabin relate to ergonomics. For one, the Insurgent misses out on aspect steps, which makes it a good climb to get inside – there are at the very least massive seize handles and beneficiant door openings to provides you loads of house to tug your self in.
Then there’s the huge steering wheel. Though it’s leather-wrapped and feels good within the arms, it’s colossal, making it tough to succeed in the drive mode and kit selector buttons within the center. There are not any paddle shifters both; the buttons behind the wheel are for audio as a substitute.
There’s just one stalk and the local weather system is generally digital, aside from a few shortcut buttons on both aspect. None of those are dealbreakers, just a bit unintuitive. All the pieces feels rock-solid and also you’d by no means understand it’s all been taken aside and swapped from left- to right-hand drive.
You received’t have any points with storage or connectivity both, as there’s an enormous centre console with a great deal of room, together with a sliding and removeable tray. Close by are not any fewers than 10 USB-A and USB-C retailers, an HDMI port, twin wi-fi telephone chargers, and a 12V outlet in a small tray above the infotainment show.
The second row is not any much less palatial. There’s an unbelievable quantity of leg and head room, greater than you’re more likely to discover in most limousines.
You possibly can comfortably match three totally grown adults again right here, nevertheless it’s no much less of a hike to get in than it’s up entrance. The ground is totally flat too, which suggests passengers within the center seat received’t have any points with driveline tunnels robbing room from their toes.
You’ll additionally discover the total impact of the brand new crimson/black upholstery, the huge panoramic sunroof, and the rubber ground overlaying, all included as customary. That rubber hides a pair of storage holes within the ground, that are good for something you wish to preserve secret – more room may be unlocked by lifting the seat bench up too.
The again of the vast centre console homes twin air vents, a further 4 (sure 4) USB-A and USB-C ports, and buttons for the outboard seat heaters. It’s all supremely snug, even with out the rear seat air flow or massaging entrance seats of the 1500 Restricted.
And naturally the bathtub is very large too. To place it within the context of Australia’s hottest dual-cab utes, the Insurgent’s tray is greater than 200mm longer than that of the Ford Ranger’s, and it’s simpler to entry by way of a tailgate that options each energy opening and shutting.
A sprig-in bedliner can also be customary, however Ram’s trademark RamBox storage containers are nowhere to be seen. The American model says it’s because it needed to maximise tub house within the Insurgent for typical weekend actions, which is why you see a full-size grime bike within the press photos right here.
The elimination of these bins permits for such cargo to be loaded with the tailgate closed, which makes all the pieces safer when on the transfer. You get 4 tie-down factors as customary, however a tonneau cowl is barely obtainable as an choice fairly than being customary as it’s with different Ram 1500s.
Rounding all of it off is a heavy-duty tow bar, customary throughout all Ram 1500s, and a full-size metal spare wheel. Oh, and people black ‘Insurgent’ stickers on the again are customary too, even when they’re non-compulsory within the US.
| Dimensions | Ram 1500 Insurgent |
|---|---|
| Size | 5916mm |
| Width | 2474mm |
| Top | 2006mm |
| Wheelbase | 3672mm |
| Tub size | 1702mm |
| Tub width | 1295mm |
| Tub depth | 543mm |
| Tub quantity (SAE) | 1.5m³ |
To see how the Ram 1500 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability software
What’s underneath the bonnet?
The Insurgent will get the ‘Commonplace Output’ tune of Ram’s new 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six Hurricane engine, which suggests it produces 313kW of energy and 635Nm of torque. Solely the Restricted will get the circa-400kW ‘Excessive Output’ model.
| Specs | Ram 1500 Insurgent |
|---|---|
| Engine | ‘Commonplace Output’ 3.0L twin-turbo petrol inline-6cyl |
| Energy | 313kW |
| Torque | 635Nm |
| Transmission | 8-speed torque-converter automated |
| Drive kind | Switchable 4-wheel drive |
| Gasoline financial system (claimed) | 10.74L/100km |
| Gasoline tank capability | 98L |
| Kerb weight | 2612kg |
| Payload | 893kg |
| Braked towing capability | 4500kg (70mm tow ball), 3500kg (50mm tow ball) |
| Gross car mass (GVM) | 3505kg |
| Gross mixture mass (GCM) | 7711kg |
| Emissions customary | Euro 5 |
We didn’t get sufficient time in anybody Insurgent to report a consultant gasoline financial system determine, however after a 30-minute drive we noticed a determine of 13.3L/100km on one car’s journey laptop.
To see how the Ram 1500 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability software
How does the Ram 1500 drive?
A lot of the Insurgent’s mechanical enhancements relate to trip and dealing with, which suggests it’s simply as fast as earlier than.
It could solely be obtainable with the low-output Hurricane turbo-six, however the Insurgent can actually nonetheless boogie. We didn’t get the possibility to conduct efficiency testing on the Insurgent launch, however we did handle a greatest 0-100km/h time of 5.8 seconds with the SO engine on the launch of the MY25 Ram 1500 Laramie Sport and Restricted earlier this 12 months.
That stated, it was a really moist day on the proving floor, so getting energy to the bottom was tough. We’re assured the Insurgent would handle a 0-100 dash time of round six seconds, which might be a lot faster than the outdated 5.7-litre V8-powered Ram 1500s however slower than the most recent HO Restricted and barely off the tempo of the SO Laramie Sport because of its much less grippy all-terrain rubber.
This must be executed within the car’s 4WD Auto setting, which manages front-rear energy supply based on highway circumstances. Attempting to speed up onerous from a standing begin and even onto a soggy freeway in 2WD mode may be sketchy, and a bootful of throttle noticed the Insurgent wheel-spinning all the way in which to 100km/h on the launch drive.
That exposed a reasonably primitive traction management system, which waits for the tyres to utterly lose traction fairly than pre-emptively dulling energy. It’s not the tip of the world although, and it lets you’ve some enjoyable amid the comparatively bland be aware of the Hurricane.
It’s simply unattainable for a turbo six to match the brutal roar of a naturally aspirated V8, and anybody with some caveman of their DNA will agree the SO Hurricane engine particularly falls effectively in need of the Hemi V8 in the case of aural rewards. The Hurricane-powered Ram 1500s are quicker – albeit not that rather more economical – than their Hemi predecessors, however in addition they lack the soul of the Silverado 1500’s V8.
All that stated, the efficiency of the SO engine is greater than you’ll ever want, particularly when you’re going to be taking your Ram 1500 off-road. The HO could also be an much more brash American pickup, nevertheless it’d be far an excessive amount of to deal with on the paths.
Earlier than we delve into that, we’ll contact on the Insurgent’s on-road behaviour. The Insurgent options off-road-focused Bilstein dampers and a raised trip top, however is in any other case much like the Laramie Sport’s all-coil suspension association.
It feels composed on the highway, as a 2600kg car ought to. There’s some minor chatter and harshness over abrupt holes and bumps, however the trip is fairly plush and doubtless much more snug than the Ram 1500 Restricted with its four-corner air suspension.
Its steering is appropriately heavy but direct, which makes it straightforward to put the 1500 on the highway regardless of its width of greater than two metres. It can nonetheless take some getting used to when you haven’t spent a lot time driving massive pickups, particularly in tight areas, however physique management is saved effectively in examine round turns and the Insurgent shrinks round you on the open highway.
Outward visibility can also be good, although the Insurgent’s bonnet bulge dominates the view out of the windscreen. The mirrors are massive, and there’s a considerable array of parking sensors, nevertheless, a surround-view digicam is a disappointing omission given the worth.
However the Insurgent begins to make extra sense when you hit the paths. It’ll at all times really feel mistaken bush-bashing a circa-$150k automotive, however that isn’t actually the purpose right here.
Positive, it’ll take loads of hardcore off-road abuse if want be, however the Insurgent is extra supposed for the outback trek or to get you to a distant campsite or the beginning of a dust bike, mountain bike or climbing path, for instance. Suppose Ooodnanatta Monitor fairly than Rubicon Path.
And for these functions will probably be good, with all of the enhancements you want for loads of all-terrain functionality.
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A full 4.5-tonne towing capability (with a 70mm tow ball) ought to make hauling massive caravans, boats or horse floats a breeze, whereas the elevated floor clearance and under-body safety ought to cease you damaging an excessive amount of over massive rocks and ruts.
In actual fact, a tough and muddy path at Lang Lang didn’t trigger any critical issues for the Insurgent, although there have been a couple of minor front-end scrapes when tackling notably deep holes. We averted getting caught at the very least, thanks partly to the additional off-road traction from the all-terrain tyres.
The one downside is the large bonnet can block your imaginative and prescient on the path, making car placement tougher. Nonetheless, it’s going to take a pretty big boghole or a really snotty hillclimb to cease the Insurgent in its broad tracks – take a look at the CarExpert YouTube channel for an in depth have a look at the Insurgent’s off-road efficiency.
By way of security gear we had no points, with solely the passive lane-keep system flaring up once we obtained too near the sting of our lane.
| Off-road dimensions | Ram 1500 Insurgent |
|---|---|
| Monitor entrance and rear | 1741mm entrance, 1729mm rear |
| Floor clearance | 240mm (entrance axle), 221.5mm (rear axle) |
| Strategy angle | 20.9º |
| Departure angle | 22.2º |
| Ramp breakover angle | 19.2º |
To see how the Ram 1500 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability software
What do you get?
There are at the moment three variants within the MY25 Ram 1500 lineup, although extra are anticipated to observe.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie Sport tools highlights:
- Commonplace Output Hurricane engine
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- 275/55R20 tyres
- Full-size alloy spare
- Reflector LED headlights
- LED entrance fog lights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Panoramic sunroof
- Proximity entry with push-button begin
- Energy tailgate with one-touch shut perform
- Energy sliding rear window
- Rear privateness glass
- Lockable, drainable and illuminated RamBox storage compartments
- Spray-in tub liner
- Digital parking brake
- Trailer brake controller
- Computerized decreasing and retracting aspect steps
- 5 drive modes (Auto, Sport, Tow, Snow, Off-Street)
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 14.4-inch infotainment display
- 10.25-inch entrance passenger infotainment touchscreen
- Wired and wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Twin wi-fi smartphone chargers
- 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
- 5 x USB-C retailers
- 1 x HDMI port
- Energy-adjustable pedals
- Electrochromatic rear-view mirror
- Energy-adjustable entrance seats
- 8-way adjustment
- Driver’s reminiscence
- 2-way energy lumbar
- Heating
- Air flow
- Heated outboard rear seats
- Second-row in-floor storage bins with detachable liners
- Twin-zone local weather management
The Insurgent provides:
- 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels
- 32-inch Falken Wildpeak 275/65/18 all-terrain tyres
- Bilstein off-road dampers
- Underbody skid plates
- Distinctive grille
- Insurgent decals
- Powder-coated entrance and rear metal bumpers
- Pink and black inside
It misses out on RamBox cargo items, energy aspect steps, fold-down rear centre console and ventilated entrance seats.
Over the Laramie Sport, the Restricted provides:
- Excessive Output Hurricane engine
- 22-inch alloy wheels
- Air suspension with three modes (Regular, Aero and Off-Street)
- Projector LED headlights and tail-lights with unlock animation
- Daytime operating lights
- Proximity lighting with Ram brand projection
- Massaging entrance seats
- Ventilated outboard rear seats
- Digital rear-view mirror
To see how the Ram 1500 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability software
Is the Ram 1500 protected?
The Ram 1500 hasn’t been examined by ANCAP.
Commonplace security tools highlights:
- Entrance, front-side and curtain airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Junction help
- Pedestrian and bicycle owner detection
- Adaptive cruise management
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Driver fatigue monitoring
- Evasive steering help
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Lane departure warning
- Lane-keep help
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Reversing digicam
- Tyre stress monitoring
The 1500 Restricted provides:
- Driver fatigue detection
- Evasive steering help
- Intersection help
- Site visitors signal recognition
- Encompass-view digicam
- Entrance parking sensors
To see how the Ram 1500 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability software
How a lot does the Ram 1500 value to run?
All Ram autos offered in Australia are backed by a three-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee. Servicing for the 1500 is required each 12 months or 12,000km – whichever comes first.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Ram 1500 |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 3 years, 100,000km |
| Roadside help | 3 years, 100,000km |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 12,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | – |
Ram Vans Australia doesn’t provide capped-price servicing.
To see how the Ram 1500 stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability software
CarExpert’s Tackle the Ram 1500 Insurgent
It’s straightforward to see why the Ram 1500 is Australia’s favorite full-size American pickup, and the Insurgent delivers one other degree of all-terrain functionality for many who need it.
However the very best half concerning the Insurgent is that it’s no costlier than the Laramie Sport, the entry-level variant of the facelifted, Hurricane-powered vary (thus far). We’re used to harder off-road variations of smaller dual-cab 4×4 utes just like the Isuzu D-Max and Toyota HiLux sitting on the high of their respective lineups, usually commanding significantly greater value premiums than appears affordable.
In fact it’s a bit totally different right here, the place the MY25 Ram 1500 is already priced from greater than $140,000, however the reality you may have an ordinary Ram or this off-road model with out paying any extra sits effectively with us, given the gorgeous helpful equipment it brings to the desk. And the one actual trade-off is barely much less grip on sealed roads.
No, there’s not rather a lot to dislike concerning the Insurgent, and we’re to see the place Ram takes the up to date 1500 lineup subsequent. We nonetheless miss the Hemi V8, although.
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