2025 new models: Light-duty vehicles

Oct. 25, 2024
A look at the light-duty vehicles moving the industry forward into 2025 and beyond.

The latest models of light-duty vehicles for 2025 continue to expand the segment’s technological sophistication. The major OEMs’ new work trucks and vans are building an ever-growing suite of safety features and digital capabilities.

Extensive camera coverage allows drivers more insight to the vehicle’s surroundings than ever and support a wide range of driving assistance technologies—from collision detection to trailering guidance.

These light-duty ICE vehicles maintain their rich variety of options: different power configurations, style options, and technology features help fleets find the perfect model for their drivers.

This non-comprehensive look at 2025 light-duty fleet vehicles is the sixth of a six-part series this week highlighting new and updated commercial and fleet vehicles of all sizes. This week, FleetOwner’s 2025 Fleet Vehicle Outlook features details gathered by our editors on dozens of new and updated vehicles, from pickup trucks and vans to work trucks and tractors. Our newsletters and free Members Only section offer the latest innovations from each manufacturer, highlighting key features and benefits to help you make informed decisions about your fleet investments.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The 2025 Chevrolet Silverado has four engine options: the 2.7L Turbo, 3L I-6 Turbo diesel, 5.3L V8, and 6.2L V8. These engines offer a range of 305 to 420 hp and 383 to 495 lb.-ft. of torque (the 6.2L offers up to 623 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,100 rpm). The 2.7L is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and the other engines are paired with a 10-speed. 

The Silverado can tow up to 13,300 lb. and has a maximum payload of 2,260 lb. It is available with tech features such as Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert, a trailering app, up to 14 camera views, Super Cruise hands-free driving, and more. It’s available with Chevrolet’s Multi-Flex Tailgate, and the bed includes 12 standard tie-down points and up to 89.1 cu. ft. of bed cargo space. 

New trim and tech: For 2025, the Chevrolet Silverado gets two new colors, Cypress Gray and Riptide Blue. It also gets new available 20-inch high-gloss black wheels. On the Work Truck trim, cruise control is standard, and the Trailer Brake Controller is standard on the LT trim and above. Also new for 2025, the ZR2 trim gets standard premium audio and standard front and rear park assist. 

Chevrolet Silverado HD

The Class 2 and Class 3 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD are available with two engines: the 6.6L V8, capable of burning gasoline or E85 FlexFuel, and the Duramax 6.6L Turbo Diesel. The V8 offers 401 hp and 464 lb.-ft. of torque, and the Duramax offers 470 hp and 975 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines are paired with an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. 

The Silverado HD series can tow up to 36,000 lb. and features a maximum payload of 7,237 lb. Like the Silverado 1500, the HD series is also available with the Chevrolet Multi-Flex Tailgate. 

The 2025 Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD both get several updates in the new model year. The trucks get an available front and rear park assist for Work Truck, Custom, and LT trims, as well as a standard front and rear park assist on the HD ZR2. Adaptive cruise control is now standard on the High Country, and a Black-Out Package is now available for the HD Custom. The HD Midnight Edition gets new 20-inch wheels. 

Options for a boss: Trail Boss (available for LT and LTZ trims) now includes Z71 shocks and suspension package; blacked-out front and rear bumpers, trim, and badges; Trail Boss bed decals; Red Recovery hooks; and 20-inch black wheels with BF Goodrich K03 tires. 

Ford E-Series

The new 2025 Ford E-Series Cutaway chassis comes in three configurations as Class 3 or Class 4 vehicles: the E-350 Single-Rear-Wheel Cutaway, the E-350 Dual-Rear-Wheel Cutaway, and the E-450 Dual-Rear-Wheel Cutaway. 

All configurations are standard with a 7.3L V8 gas engine. The V8 offers 325 hp and 450 lb.-ft. of torque. The chassis features a towing capacity of up to 10,000 lb., and the E-450 features an available 14,500-lb. GVWR. The 7.3L is paired with the Ford TorqueShift 6-speed automatic transmission with a driver-selectable tow/haul mode. The chassis is available with a variety of technology and safety features. Available technologies include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, post-collision braking, automatic high-beam headlights, distance alert, and automatic emergency braking. 

Making the cab comfortable: Ford touts the 2025 Cutaway’s more ergonomic and convenient cab, which includes a tilt/telescoping steering column, a convenient cluster, Bluetooth capabilities, and USB ports.  

Ford F-150

The 2025 Ford F-150 comes with six powertrain options: the 3.5L PowerBoost full-hybrid V6, the 3.5L EcoBoost V6, the 2.7L EcoBoost V6, the 5L Ti-VCT V8, the 3.5L High Output EcoBoost V8, or the 5.2L Supercharged V8. This gives the new F-150 a range of 325 to 720 hp and 400 to 640 lb.-ft. of torque. The pickup can tow up to 13,500 lb. and has a payload capacity of up to 3,310 lb.

With the 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid, owners can also take advantage of up to 7.2 kW of available electrical power from the Pro Power Onboard. Other powertrain options offer 2 kW and 2.4 kW power options. Owners can access that power in the tailgate using the available Pro Access Tailgate, a swing gate that allows bed access even when connected to a trailer. 

The pickup is offered in eight trim levels, from the more basic XL to the luxurious Platinum to the high-performance Raptor. 

More tech inside and out: The 2025 F-150 is available with technology features such as BlueCruise hands-free driving, a head-up display, Ford Co-Pilot360, 5G Wi-Fi connectivity, and more. The 2025 F-150 is available with other technology features that optimize productivity, such as Pro Trailer Backup Assist, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, and BLIS (blind spot information system) with Trailer Coverage. 

Ford Maverick

Ford’s smallest pickup, the Ford Maverick, gets upgrades for 2025, which include a new trim level and an all-wheel drive option with Ford’s 2.5L hybrid engine. 

The 2025 Maverick now comes in five different trims, including the new Lobo trim, a “street-performance” version of the Maverick, which features a lower ride height, on-road tuned suspension, and a 2.0L EcoBoost engine. Ford's 2.5L hybrid engine is standard on XL, XLT, and Lariat trims, and customers now have the option to add a package that doubles the Maverick’s towing capacity on all trims. 

The 2025 Maverick will also be equipped with new technology, such as Ford’s Sync 4, displayed on a 13.2-inch infotainment screen, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 360-degree camera, and an available Pro Trailer Hitch Assist helps drivers align with the trailer as well as back up their trailer using a knob to indicate the direction with the Pro Trailer Backup Assist.

About those powertrains: The 2.5L hybrid engine offers 191 hp and 155 lb.-ft. of torque. The 2.0L EcoBoost engine offers 238 hp and 275 lb.-ft. of torque. Maverick trucks with both engines have a max towing capacity of 2,000 lb. or 4,000 lb. with the 4K Towing Package. 

Ford Super Duty

Ford’s F-Series Super Duty trucks received multiple updates for 2025 including new styling options, more advanced technology features, and updates to its standard powertrain offerings. The 6.8L V8 is now standard with the XL, XLT, and Lariat trims; the 7.3L V8 is now standard with the King Ranch and Platinum trims; and the 6.7L PowerStroke diesel remains an option across the lineup.

Trailer Technology bundles offer options for multiple auxiliary cameras, individual trailer tire pressure monitoring systems, and blind spot monitoring with trailer coverage. Additionally, the Ford Pro Vehicle Integration System 2.0 allows for a more streamlined upfit process, granting third-party upfitters access to user controls. The 2025 Super Duty lineup is available with the Ford Co-Pilot360 Technology, 360-Degree Cameras, customizable Digital Information Cluster and Head-Up Display5, and SYNC 4.

Don't forget the trimmings: New for Super Duty trims are an updated Platinum trim and a new Platinum Plus Package, which offers a satin finish grille, chrome details, an exclusive “Smoked Truffle” interior color, and more. The Lariat trim gets an ActiveX seat cover option–a high-end synthetic material–and two new color options, Avalanche and Ruby Red, are available across the lineup.

Ford Transit

The 2025 Ford Transit is now available with factory-integrated upfit options and interior accessory kits. A total of four factory-installed upfit trade packages are now available.

The general contractor package includes a mix of multipurpose shelves, drawers, hooks, and bins. The HVAC package includes large shelves and storage bins along with specialized refrigerant storage racks and restraints. The electrician package includes drawers and bins for parts storage as well as reels for wire storage. The foldable shelving package features deep, large-capacity folding shelves designed for delivery applications. Ford partnered with Ranger Design to offer these upfit kits, which will help the OEM deliver vehicles in a more timely manner. The upfits have a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty.

Other new options include a large grab handles kit to be placed on the two D pillars to support easier accessibility as well as a wall liner kit available for Transit walls, the floor, and the ceiling.

Cargo configuration features: For the cargo van configuration, Ford offers the Smart Acceleration Truncation as a standalone option for fleet customers. This limits acceleration based on an auto-calculation of payload to enable a smooth start after every stop, which could help improve driver behavior.

GMC Sierra HD

The GMC Sierra work truck lineup includes the Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD. The trucks are available in seven trims, from the Pro trim to the Denali Ultimate trim. In 2025, the GM Duramax 6.6L turbo diesel V8 powers the Denali Ultimate as standard equipment, but it’s also available with the other trims. 

Both the GMC 2500HD and 3500HD (aside from the Denali Ultimate) are powered by a standard 6.6L V8 gas engine. The standard gas engine and the available Duramax are paired with an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. With the Duramax, the powertrain offers up to 470 hp and 975 lb.-ft. of torque. 

The 2025 2500HD Crew Cab can tow up to 21,870 lb., and GMC offers trailering-assistance technologies to help ensure a safe haul. These technologies include ProGrade Trailering Tech, up to 14 available camera views, and Adaptive Cruise Control with Trailering. Safety and driver assistance technologies are also standard with every GMC HD truck, including forward collision alert, following distance indicator, front pedestrian braking, lane departure warning, and more. 

Infotainment focus: Interior technology includes a 13.4-inch infotainment screen, a 15-inch head-up display, and a 12.3-inch instrument cluster. 

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van models include a variety of new features, including an information system that can display a 360-degree camera view outside the van. The vans are available in four configurations designed for cargo delivery, work crews, people moving, and chassis cab upfits. 

The light-duty cargo vans from the Daimler Truck subsidiary can be spec’d as Class 2 or Class 3 vehicles. All models are equipped with the 9G-Tronic automatic transmission and can be combined with all-wheel drive on select models. More than 75% of all commercial Sprinters sold are converted into industry-specific vans by upfitters, according to the OEM. Use cases range from courier, express, and parcel vehicles to buses for passenger transport to special vehicles such as refrigerated vans, ambulances, construction site vehicles, and camper vans.

The new 2025 Sprinter offers a significant increase in safety, comfort, and digital networking while still offering a high degree of flexibility. The optional intelligent multimedia system MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) includes a 10.25-inch touch display and instrument cluster with color display. Both screens can be operated intuitively via touch control panels on the new multi-function steering wheel. 

Safety from Daimler: Mercedes also added a lot of new safety systems from Daimler Truck, such as sideguard assist, blind spot assist, tire-pressure monitoring, rain sensor, and new option packages focused on winter, comfort, and advanced driver assistance systems. 

Nissan Frontier

Nissan refreshed its Frontier pickup truck for 2025 with a revised front fascia, grille, and bumper design, along with a new tailgate finisher for pro models, a redesigned dashboard, a new wheel design, and color options. 

The light-duty truck features a direct-injected 3.8L V6 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission, featuring 310 hp and 281 lb.-ft. of torque.

The 2025 Frontier also increased its maximum trailering capacity up to 7,150 lb. Towing capacities increased by around 500 lb. on all grades and configurations compared to the 2024 Frontier. The new Frontier also expands the Crew Cab’s long-wheelbase configuration from SV to SV, PRO-4X, and SL grades. A longer 6-foot bed allows more cargo.

Wireless infotainment: SV grades and higher get a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which adds wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Ram 1500

Ram redesigned its 1500 pickup for 2025, including a new design for the exterior, a more luxurious interior, and a new powertrain. 

The Ram 1500 is offered with three different engines: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 with eTorque, the 3L Hurricane, and the 3L Hurricane High Output. Equipped with the 3.6L Pentastar, the Ram 1500 boasts 305 hp, 269 lb.-ft. of torque, payload capacity of 2,370 lb., and towing capacity of 8,110 lb. The 3L Hurricane offers 420 hp, 469 lb.-ft. of torque, maximum payload of 1,980 lb., and towing capacity of 11,550 lb. The High-Output Hurricane boasts 540 hp, 521 lb.-ft. of torque, maximum payload of 1,520 lb., and maximum towing capacity of 9,920 lb. 

Safety and security features include hands-free driving assistance, Parksense automated parking, lane departure technology, and more. The 2025 Ram 1500 also features onboard power with a 2 kW inverter and two available 110V power outlets in the bed.  

More tech than ever before: The new Ram has the most available towing technology features ever offered on the 1500, along with more than 100 standard and available security and safety features, Ram touts. These include Trailer Auto Hitch Assist, Telescopic trailer tow mirrors, Trailer Reverse Guidance, digital rearview mirror, and integrated trailer monitor. 

Ram ProMaster

The 2025 Ram ProMaster cargo van is powered by a Pentastar 3.6L V6 engine paired with a TorqueFlite 9-speed transmission. The powertrain offers 276 hp and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. The new ProMaster is capable of a 4,820-lb. payload and has a maximum towing capacity of 6,910 lb. 

It’s available in three different cargo height options and four different cargo lengths. The maximum cargo space is 524 cu. ft. The 2025 Ram ProMaster is also offered in three different trim levels: Tradesman, SLT, and SLT+. 

The Tradesman offers Ram’s standard equipment package with Uconnect 5, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and 19 standard safety and security features. The SLT upgrades the Tradesman package by adding a four-way adjustable passenger seat, power folding and heated mirrors, chrome grille, and more safety features. The SLT+ is an even bigger upgrade that offers Uconnect 5 NAV, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and even more safety and security features. 

Standard safety features include forward collision warning with active braking, pedestrian emergency braking, drowsy driver detection, and ParkView rear backup camera. 

Leveling up driver assistance: The Active Driving Assist system is available in the ProMaster, which features Level 2 Autonomous Driving.

About the Author

FleetOwner Staff

Our Editorial Team

Kevin Jones, Editorial Director, Commercial Vehicle Group

Josh Fisher, Editor-in-Chief

Jade Brasher, Senior Editor

Jeremy Wolfe, Editor

Jenna Hume, Digital Editor

Eric Van Egeren, Art Director

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