2026 Ram 1500 TRX Review: Expert Insights, Pricing, and Trims

Motor Trend

a day ago

Reviewed by Bob Hernandez
The outrageous Ram 1500 TRX owes its existence in part to competitive gamesmanship. Without the challenge posed by the Ford F-150 Raptor, Ram might never have conceived such a bold off-roader—or made such a dramatic impact with it.
The flagship model has helped the current 1500 earn MotorTrend's Truck of the Year title an impressive three times and now we hear a 2026 Ram 1500 TRX may be on the way.
Off-road full-size truck competitors include the F-150 Raptor, Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, and Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. With the kind of power the 2026 TRX will be packing, however, it's really just the F-150 Raptor and Ram's own 1500 RHO. The photo above is a concept.
What's New
We expect the Ram 1500 TRX will come out of retirement for 2026 or 2027, this time making more power than the 702 hp it made before. The TRX debuted for 2021 and was discontinued after the 2024 model year.
This page will be updated with more insights and photos as information becomes available.
What We Think
It's back—the Ram 1500 TRX returns as a high-powered, off-road monster packed with a supercharged V-8 engine, advanced suspension, and exceptional all-terrain capability. Despite its rugged nature, the TRX is expected to deliver a smooth, composed ride on pavement as well.
Aside from its poor fuel economy and steep price, the new 2026 Ram 1500 TRX has few drawbacks. We easily overlooked these in the previous model, naming it the 2021 Truck of the Year—a strong vote of confidence for Ram's revived powerhouse.
Perhaps the only obstacles in the 2026 TRX's way are the solid F-150 Raptor and the Ram 1500 RHO. Less expensive than the TRX, the RHO delivers 540 hp, off-road capability, and a MotorTrend-tested 4.6-second 0-60 mph time. Impressive, but the RHO lacks one thing the TRX has: A bellowing V-8.
Top-Ranked Competitors:
Ram 1500 RHO
MotorTrend Tested
Enthusiasts will rejoice that the Hemi V-8 is not dead after all, and a 5.7-liter version of the engine is returning to the Ram 1500 lineup. It's not yet known if the last TRX's supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi is coming back, but it does look like engineers are targeting output more than the old TRX's 702 hp. It's not a stretch to think more displacement and a supercharger are the only ways to reach that goal.
The TRX's new heart will also make a lot more than the Hurricane High Output inline-6, last year's top engine, which produces only 540 hp. Sprints to 60 mph in the new TRX should take less than the last model's 4.1 seconds.
MPGs and Range
V-8s have to drink, and the TRX's last one was especially thirsty. Fuel economy ratings for the 2024 came in at 10/14 mpg city/highway. With that truck's massive 33-gallon fuel tank, it is capable of 396 miles of total range.
The Ford Raptor R features a smaller 5.2-liter blown V-8 but still returns roughly the same fuel economy. The only difference is the Ford gets 1 mpg more on the highway.
Safety Features
All 1500 models include a basic set of driver-assist features.
Automatic emergency braking
Lane keeping
Adaptive cruise control
Front and rear parking sensors
Trailer sway control
The TRX will also receive standard:
Blind-spot monitoring
Rear cross-traffic alert
How Much Space?
Every TRX is equipped with a crew cab, short bed, and 4WD. Forward legroom in the 1500 crew cab comes in at 40.9 inches, while in back there's 45.2 inches. The rear measurement is 1.6 inches greater than what comes in a similarly configured F-150. Both trucks come with a 67-inch bed.
Technology
Infotainment
TRXs should feature a 12.3-inch driver display and 12.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, though we have our fingers crossed the 14.5-inch upgrade becomes standard this year. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, as is a color head-up display.
Sound System
A 10-speaker sound system may be standard, and Ram offers a 19-speaker Harman Kardon upgrade.
Available Upgrades
The burliest of 1500s can level up further with manufacturer upgrades like a light bar, bed-mounted tire carrier, tie downs, and bed lighting. Cabin options include a phone charging pad and ventilated front seats.
Value
Standard Features
The 1500 TRX's primary appeal lies in its immense capability thanks to a stout powertrain and plenty of off-road hardware. It also features a lot of the latest tech, like huge cabin screens. The pickup comes with an equally huge price tag, though, a sting exacerbated by some admittedly terrible fuel economy.
What's Happening With the 1500 RHO?
For 2025, the Ram 1500 TRX was effectively succeeded by the Ram 1500 RHO, which swaps the supercharged V-8 for a 540-hp twin-turbo inline-six. Although not as fast as the TRX, the RHO remains impressively quick, and its lighter engine significantly enhances handling and overall driving dynamics.
Look for Ram to either elevate TRX performance way above the RHO, as it doesn't make sense for the company to sell two capable off-roaders with about the same power. Either way, the lineup retains more accessible rugged trims like the mid-grade 1500 Warlock and Rebel models.