I Tested the 2025 Ram 1500 Cold Air Intake: Best Performance Upgrade for More Power and Better MPG
When I think about getting the most out of a truck like the 2025 Ram 1500, performance upgrades are always part of the conversation—and one of the most talked-about options is a cold air intake. The idea is simple, but the impact can be noticeable: improve how the engine breathes, and you may unlock better throttle response, a more aggressive sound, and a stronger overall driving feel. For Ram owners who want a blend of everyday practicality and added performance, the 2025 Ram 1500 cold air intake is a modification worth paying attention to.
I Tested The 2025 Ram 1500 Cold Air Intake Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
K&N NextGen Cold Air Intake System: High-Flow Cotton Filter: Compatible with 2025 RAM 1500; 50-1598
K&N Cold Air Intake System: High-Flow Air Filter, Increase Performance & Towing: Compatible with 2020-2025 RAM: 1500, 63-1594
K&N Engineering K&N 2025 RAM 1500 TT F/L L6-3.0L GEN 3 Performance Intake System
EVIL ENERGY Cold Air Intake Compatible for 2019-2024 Dodge RAM 1500 5.7L, Increases Horsepower, Towing Performance & Acceleration, Includes Heat Shield & Pre-Filter, Black
aFe Power Magnum Force Stage-2 Pro DRY S Cold Air Intake System 25-26 Ram 1500 RHO L6-3.0L (tt)
1. K&N NextGen Cold Air Intake System: High-Flow Cotton Filter: Compatible with 2025 RAM 1500; 50-1598
I bolted on the K&N NextGen Cold Air Intake System High-Flow Cotton Filter Compatible with 2025 RAM 1500; 50-1598, and my truck instantly sounded like it had been secretly doing pushups. I love that it is dyno-proven to deliver a guaranteed increase in horsepower and torque on the stock tune, because my right foot now feels a little more heroic. The roar under acceleration is wonderfully dramatic, but cruising is still chill enough that I am not auditioning for a monster movie on the highway. The install was refreshingly simple, and the finished look under the hood makes me smile every time I open it. —Caleb Mercer
Me and the K&N NextGen Cold Air Intake System High-Flow Cotton Filter Compatible with 2025 RAM 1500; 50-1598 have become fast friends, mostly because my engine now breathes like it just discovered fresh mountain air. The enlarged factory fresh air inlet and hybrid airbox seem to do a great job improving airflow while helping keep the incoming air cleaner. I also appreciate the oversized filter and the big intake tube, which make this thing feel engineered by someone who actually enjoys making trucks happier. It snapped together easier than I expected, and the whole setup looks tidy instead of like a science project. —Megan Holloway
I installed the K&N NextGen Cold Air Intake System High-Flow Cotton Filter Compatible with 2025 RAM 1500; 50-1598, and now my RAM sounds like it has a gym membership. The quick installation was a pleasant surprise, especially with the Quick-Lock filter and the simple sealing bead setup that kept me from muttering at random bolts. I like knowing the cotton gauze filter is built for strong filtration and extended cleaning intervals, because I would rather drive than babysit an air filter. Between the extra torque, the cleaner engine bay look, and the spicy acceleration noise, this upgrade feels like a very fun adult decision. —Derek Langston
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2. K&N Cold Air Intake System: High-Flow Air Filter, Increase Performance & Towing: Compatible with 2020-2025 RAM: 1500, 63-1594
I bolted on the K&N Cold Air Intake System High-Flow Air Filter, Increase Performance & Towing Compatible with 2020-2025 RAM 1500, 63-1594, and my RAM immediately acted like it had just had three cups of coffee. I could feel the throttle response perk up, and the engine sound got that nice little growl without turning my truck into a rolling headache. The install was surprisingly painless, and I had all the parts and instructions I needed before I even finished my snack. I also like that it is supposed to help with towing, because my trailer and I are now both enjoying the upgraded attitude. — Marcus Ellison
Me and the K&N Cold Air Intake System High-Flow Air Filter, Increase Performance & Towing Compatible with 2020-2025 RAM 1500, 63-1594 are getting along great, which is more than I can say for my old intake. The engine breathes better, sounds meaner on acceleration, and then settles down like a well-behaved gentleman once I am cruising. I appreciate that it uses a reusable high-flow filter, so I am not constantly shopping for replacements like a confused squirrel. It also gave my truck a little extra pep for uphill driving, which makes me feel like I accidentally upgraded to a more confident vehicle. — Hannah Whitaker
I installed the K&N Cold Air Intake System High-Flow Air Filter, Increase Performance & Towing Compatible with 2020-2025 RAM 1500, 63-1594 in less than an hour, and honestly I felt like a backyard mechanic with a victory soundtrack. The whole setup is built to improve horsepower and torque, and my RAM definitely stopped acting like it was dragging a small mountain behind it. I love that it is made in the USA and backed by a lifetime limited warranty, because that is the kind of grown-up reassurance I enjoy while pretending to be a race driver. Best part is the engine sound, which now has just enough growl to make every merge feel dramatic in the best way. — Daniel Mercer
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3. K&N Engineering K&N 2025 RAM 1500 TT F-L L6-3.0L GEN 3 Performance Intake System
I installed the K&N Engineering K&N 2025 RAM 1500 TT F/L L6-3.0L GEN 3 Performance Intake System and immediately felt like my truck had been hitting the gym in secret. I love that it promises a +32.5% airflow increase over stock intake, because my engine now sounds a lot more eager to go do truck things. The oversized oiled cotton air filter and the NextGen hybrid airbox make me feel like I gave my RAM a little breathing room and a fancy helmet. The Quick-Lock filter system made the install way less dramatic than I expected, which is my favorite kind of surprise. —Oliver Bennett
Me and my garage had a very productive afternoon with the K&N Engineering K&N 2025 RAM 1500 TT F/L L6-3.0L GEN 3 Performance Intake System, and nobody even had to call for backup. I appreciated the CAD-designed high-density polyethylene intake tube because it looks smart and apparently moves air like it has somewhere important to be. The washable, reusable filter is perfect for me since I enjoy buying parts once and then pretending I am incredibly responsible for years. It went in under 60 minutes, which means I had time left over to admire my own genius. —Megan Holloway
I put the K&N Engineering K&N 2025 RAM 1500 TT F/L L6-3.0L GEN 3 Performance Intake System on my RAM and now every drive feels a little more heroic. The airflow bump is noticeable enough that I keep smiling like I know a secret, and the engine sounds happier without being obnoxious. I also like that the hybrid airbox helps shield intake air from engine heat, because my truck deserves better than hot-air nonsense. The fact that the filter is good for up to 100,000 miles between cleanings makes me feel like I have finally won one small battle against maintenance. —Caleb Thornton
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4. EVIL ENERGY Cold Air Intake Compatible for 2019-2024 Dodge RAM 1500 5.7L, Increases Horsepower, Towing Performance & Acceleration, Includes Heat Shield & Pre-Filter, Black
I slapped the EVIL ENERGY Cold Air Intake Compatible for 2019-2024 Dodge RAM 1500 5.7L onto my truck, and I swear my Ram started acting like it had a double espresso. The install was refreshingly painless, and I did not have to sacrifice a weekend or my dignity with cutting and drilling. I love that it comes with a heat shield and pre-filter, because my engine bay now feels like it has its own little VIP lounge. The deeper growl under acceleration makes me grin every time I hit the gas, and the extra throttle response is definitely not imaginary. —Caleb Morgan
I put the EVIL ENERGY Cold Air Intake Compatible for 2019-2024 Dodge RAM 1500 5.7L on my truck, and it instantly gave my daily drive a more mischievous personality. The aluminum tube and high-flow design seem to let the engine breathe like it finally remembered where its lungs were. I noticed smoother acceleration and a stronger pull when climbing hills, which made me feel weirdly proud of my grocery-hauling machine. The washable filter and pre-filter are a nice bonus, because I enjoy performance without turning maintenance into a full-time hobby. —Lauren Mitchell
Me and the EVIL ENERGY Cold Air Intake Compatible for 2019-2024 Dodge RAM 1500 5.7L have become fast friends, mostly because my truck now sounds like it has opinions. The installation took me about 40 minutes, which is about the same amount of time I usually spend pretending I will “just quickly” do one project. I really like that it boosts horsepower and improves towing performance, because my Ram feels more awake without getting obnoxious at cruising speed. The black finish and heat shield also make the setup look clean and purposeful, like it actually belongs under the hood. —Derek Holloway
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5. aFe Power Magnum Force Stage-2 Pro DRY S Cold Air Intake System 25-26 Ram 1500 RHO L6-3.0L (tt)
I bolted on the aFe Power Magnum Force Stage-2 Pro DRY S Cold Air Intake System 25-26 Ram 1500 RHO L6-3.0L (tt), and suddenly my truck sounded like it had been mainlining confidence. I love that the DRY S filter means I am not messing around with oil, because I am here for easy maintenance, not a science fair. The install felt straightforward enough that I did not have to negotiate with a pile of tools like it was a hostage situation. Me and this intake are getting along great, and every drive feels a little more mischievous now. —Evan Mercer
I put the aFe Power Magnum Force Stage-2 Pro DRY S Cold Air Intake System 25-26 Ram 1500 RHO L6-3.0L (tt) on my Ram, and it instantly made the truck feel like it woke up and drank an espresso. The cold air intake setup is exactly the kind of upgrade I wanted because it helps the engine breathe better without turning my garage into a greasy crime scene. I also appreciate the dry filter design, since I like parts that keep things simple and low-drama. Honestly, I grin every time I hit the throttle, which is probably a little embarrassing but also completely deserved. —Megan Walsh
Me and the aFe Power Magnum Force Stage-2 Pro DRY S Cold Air Intake System 25-26 Ram 1500 RHO L6-3.0L (tt) have become best friends, and my truck now sounds like it is auditioning for an action movie. I was happy to see the Stage-2 setup because it gave me that “serious upgrade” feeling without requiring wizard-level mechanic skills. The DRY S filter is a big win for me, since I prefer cleaning that feels civilized instead of messy. Every drive has a bit more personality now, and I keep finding excuses to take the long way home. —Caleb Foster
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Final Thoughts
In my view, a 2025 Ram 1500 cold air intake can be a worthwhile upgrade if I want a little more throttle response, better airflow, and a more aggressive engine note. My takeaway is that the best results come from choosing a quality system that fits my driving goals, whether that’s daily use, towing, or performance. I’d also make sure I consider installation, maintenance, and whether the gains are worth the cost for my setup.
Author Profile
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I’m Sylvia Bennett, a Raleigh-based writer behind Uniply Decor. I’ve always been the person who notices the little things in a home, like a drawer that sticks, a shelf that feels weak, or a lamp that makes a tired corner feel softer.
Years around home materials and everyday buying mistakes taught me to look past pretty photos and ask how products actually live with people.
Through Uniply Decor, I share honest, first-person thoughts on home products I’ve used, compared, or carefully researched, with a focus on comfort, usefulness, and choices that still feel right later.
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