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The 2023 MSRP of the Ram 1500 TRX is $83,890, but the Ram 2500 starts at just $44,675. And some drivers consider the heavy-duty truck–with its available Cummins I6–to be much cooler. So how much Ram 2500 can you buy for the $84k? Let’s find out.

Cummins-powered Ram 2500 Rebel: $78,910+

Bird's-eye view of a Ram 2500 Rebel pickup truck parked on a dirt lot.
2023 Ram 2500 Rebel | Stellantis

If you were considering a Ram 1500 TRX because you love off-roading, you’ll want to look at the Ram Rebel. This is the first year the off-road Rebel trim is available on the heavy-duty Ram truck. The Ram 2500 Rebel starts at $67,320. That makes it cheaper than the Power Wagon ($68,625).

Adding the $9,695 Cummins to the 2500 Rebel will bump the Ram’s price to $78,910. Adding the Level 1 Equipment Group or Air Suspension and Adaptive Cruise Control will get you close to the TRX’s price. But the result is a heavy-duty diesel truck with a two-inch factory lift, skid plates, a locking rear differential, and 20-inch rims with off-road tires.

The Ram 1500 TRX does have a supercharged Hellcat engine that makes 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. And your Cummins-powered Ram Rebel only makes 410 horsepower. But many truck fans would prefer their power as torque, and this Cummins beats the TRX’s V8 with its 850 lb-ft of torque.

Some folks may prefer the Ram 2500 Rebel to the Power Wagon because the automaker retained much of the heavy-duty truck’s tow rating. The Power Wagon has more ground clearance than any internal combustion truck and relatively soft springs. So it’s probably a good idea that Ram Trucks doesn’t offer this trim with the towing-focused Cummins diesel.

Fully loaded Ram 2500 Power Wagon: $82,560+

The underside of the Ram 2500 Power Wagon off-road supertruck as it climbs a dirt hill.
2023 Ram 2500 Power Wagon | Stellantis

For the price of a Ram 1500 TRX, you can also load up a Ram 2500 Power Wagon. And the TRX might be a quicker desert racer, the Power Wagon will likely embarrass the half-ton truck on more technical off-road trails. The Power Wagon boasts 14.2 inches of ground clearance, two locking differentials, and a winch. It is the king of old-school off-roading.

So how much Power Wagon does $84k get you? A fully loaded off-road monster. You can get the dual-pane sunroof, leather-trimmed bucket seats, the 12-inch touchscreen, the premium Harmon Kardon sound system, auto-dimming lights, folding mirrors, and Sirius radio. But because its a Power Wagon, you also get a 6’4″ bed with Rambox cargo boxes, an electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case, projector headlights, utility lighting, an adjustable tire refill alarm, the off-road towing package, mirror running lights, Ram’s off-road info pages app, and a premium overhead console.

If you want more bells and whistles, you can upgrade with stop/go cruise control, lane-centering adaptive steering, blind spot detection, trailer reverse guidance, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. The result is a lot of heavy-duty truck for less than a TRX.

Mega Cab Ram 2500 Limited Longhorn: $83,885

The interior of Ram's luxurious Limited Longhorn trim pickup truck with brown leather and open pore wood.
2023 Ram Limited Longhorn interior | Stellantis

If you want a completely different flavor of truck from the Ram 1500 TRX, consider the heavy-duty Limited Longhorn. Its country-themed interior is resplendent with open-pore wood and filigree leather. Ram even stamped the floormats with a barbed wire pattern to delight your inner cowboy.

The best part is that even the entry-level Ram 2500 Longhorn comes with the Cummins Turbodiesel. But the Limited Longhorn is not a cheap truck. Adding technological features, an off-road package, or even the sunroof will bump its price to more than the TRX’s MSRP. So if you ever meet a soft-spoken Ram 2500 Longhorn driver, know they probably spent more on their truck than the TRX owner showing off on the sand dunes.

Next, find out how the Power Wagon got its name, or watch a heavy-duty Ram truck buying guide in the video below:

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.