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Midsize trucks have never been better. They’ve also never been newer at the same time, as three of the best sellers have been completely redesigned within two years of each other (four if you count the Colorado’s GMC Canyon twin). In this comparison of specs and impressions from Autoblog reviews, we look at the 2024 Ford Ranger and 2024 Chevrolet Colorado, including their performance off-road versions, the Ranger Raptor and Colorado ZR2.
EarthCruiser is kaput. Founded in 2008, the Oregon-based builder of overlanding rigs based on medium-duty pickups and box truck chassis' posted a notice on its site on April 24 that it would be shutting down the following day, April 25, with a finality that would end vehicle production and vehicle servicing. The company wrote that the events of the past few years created «changing market dynamics and economic challenges [that] made it increasingly difficult to sustain operations,» hence, «after careful consideration and in-depth strategic analysis the company has made the decision to wind down operations in its current form.»
Nissan just took the wraps off four different concept cars at the Beijing Auto Show, two of them being sedans, and the other two being SUVs. The four cars preview the design and styling of models Nissan is tailoring for the Chinese market, though we wouldn’t be too surprised to see elements of these concepts influence the design of Nissan vehicles sold elsewhere, too.
Defender recently made the leap from a nameplate in the Land Rover portfolio to a standalone brand within the JLR group. The first SUV the company will launch after gaining independence is a high-performance evolution of the Defender named Octa making its debut in July 2024.
Who is the electric G Wagen — the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology — for? Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but it's going to be expensive. Range hasn't been announced yet, but it gets 294 miles on the European test cycle and that means the EPA will likely rate it at around 250. It doesn't look appreciably different than the combustion and hybrid versions either, but as it turns out, that's all by design.
The 2025 Ram 1500 RHO brings TRX off-road capability in a lighter, cheaper package, albeit with significantly less power. And that will be appealing for a lot of people, but its arrival in the wake of the Hellcat-powered TRX surely has fans (and us, admittedly) asking, «Does this mean you guys are done with the really crazy stuff?» Well, Ram's Global Operations Officer Bob Broderdorf told the press at the launch of the RHO that the new truck is not a replacement for the TRX.
The big news in off-road 2025 Ram 1500 pickups is, of course, the new RHO with its TRX body and suspension, but lower price and Hurricane engine. But it's not the only Ram 1500 that has just been revealed with a penchant for dirt. It launched two other trims for two other purposes and price points. Among them is the Rebel X, which adds additional features for comfort and capability for off-road use over the regular Rebel. And then there's the Warlock, which continues from last year, but with the new straight-six.
As Stellantis phases out its line of Hemi V8s, both garden- and hellish-feline-variety, Ram is losing its completely outrageous TRX. But that doesn't mean it's done with intense off-road machines. While it lacks the outright power of the TRX, the 2025 Ram 1500 RHO delivers on virtually everything else. Plus, it gets a couple of big benefits over its big-bore forebear.