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The 2022 Ram TRX is the ultimate Ram truck. It has the monster supercharged Hemi V8 that has 702 horsepower and can run a quarter-mile quicker than most sports cars. It also has a unique suspension system with 13-inches of travel that was inspired by desert off-road racers and some cool off-road goodies that are too much to list. But the 2022 Ram Rebel brings the goods, too, including a big V8 and off-road shocks that make the Rebel an attractive option. But is the TRX worth the $27,505 premium over a Rebel?

These are off-road trucks and they get special packages

Front view of red 2022 Ram 1500 Rebel. Is it a better buy than the TRX?
2022 Ram 1500 Rebel | Ram

Both trucks get Bilstein suspensions. But, other than the name on the shocks, there’s not a lot the same. The TRX gets those special quick-acting long-travel suspenders that allow it to perform some amazing off-road antics. The Rebel’s boosted shocks allow almost 10-inches of travel and a lift over other standard Ram 1500s. Four-corner air suspension is an $1,805 option on the Rebel. The air-ride is often cited as one of the most comfortable suspension setups in a truck and contributes to the Rebel’s long term comfort.  It also gives the truck an impressive 10.8 inches of clearance.

The TRX, of course, has those giant 35-inch tires and bulbous fender flares. The Rebel has a vented hood with a power bulge in the center, too. It also has flares but they’re of the black plastic variety. It has 18-inch rims with 33-inch off-road tires.

The Rebel gets some special off-road goodies no other 1500 gets

A Ram Rebel with the black G/T Package.
2022 Ram 1500 Rebel G/T rear 3/4

Interestingly, the Rebel doesn’t get the same 4×4 transfer case as other Ram trucks. Instead, it gets one that omits the “4auto” and instead offers two, four-high and four-low only.

One of the special goodies the Rebel gets is the 3.92 axle ratio, which means it can accelerate a bit quicker than your standard Ram 1500. But, that does come with a fuel economy penalty. To help with offroad situations, the steering ratio was changed up slightly, as well.

The TRX may be a monster, but the Rebel is no slouch

Ken Block in the desert in a Ram TRX Sandblast Edition. Could the Ram Rebel be a better truck?
The 2022 Ram TRX Sandblast Edition | Youtube

The Rebel has four engine options. It comes standard with the 3.6-liter V6 that makes a healthy 305 horsepower. But, you can order the 5.7-liter Hemi, the 5.7-liter with the eTorque mild hybrid system, and even a 3-liter turbo diesel V6 that makes 480 lb-ft of torque. The eTorque is an electric-assist that helps the truck make an additional 130 lb-ft of torque and helps fuel economy.

The TRX, famously, has one engine option: the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 702 horsepower. It is, at least until the expected Ford Raptor R comes out, the most powerful mass-produced truck you can buy.

One of the special goodies the Rebel gets is the 3.92 axle ratio, which means it can accelerate a bit quicker than your standard Ram 1500 at about 6.4 seconds. But, that does come with a fuel economy penalty. To help with offroad situations, the steering ratio was changed up slightly, as well.

If you’re considering a Ram Rebel vs. a Ram TRX, they’re both expensive

The Rebel starts at $51,385. The Rebel is a nice place to be, indeed. It has optional two-tone, eight-way, power-heated seats The G/T package swaps out the transmission dial on the dash for a more traditional console-mounted shifter. The Rebel 12 package adds a 19-speaker stereo, luxury leather seats, a 12-inch touch screen, and more. With the Technology Group, you get a heads-up display and a digital rearview mirror. But, those options add up and a Rebel can quickly approach $65,000.

The TRX is more of an all-inclusive package. The one big option is the Level 2 group. At $10,295 it adds everything you’d expect from a heated steering wheel and drivers-seat memory to a surround-view camera, power-adjustable pedals, a flat-bottomed wheel, and a lot more. The advanced safety group is another $995. Sure it’s expensive but there’s no other truck that can get to 60 miles per hour in 3.7 seconds.

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Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Dan Mayfield

Dan joined MotorBiscuit in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in journalism and a lifelong passion for anything related to the automotive industry. He grew up wrenching a 1949 Ford pickup truck and an MGB with his dad, learning how not to wire a fuel pump (he inadvertently set the MGB on fire).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of New Mexico, Dan has contributed his expertise to a range of local outlets, including the City of Albuquerque, US Eagle, and the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity.

On weekends, Dan spends Saturdays enjoying “cars and coffee” chats and, on Sundays, he’s watching the Route 66 Cruise roll through town. He also races motorcycles, and it’s not unusual to find him elbows-deep in his latest cafe racer build.

Taking advantage of the local desert terrain, Dan also enjoys exploring and driving off-road in his trusty Ram Rebel pickup truck, which provides personal insights into his contributions to our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers coverage. Dan strives to give our readers unique information about the dynamic automotive market, reading anything that has to do with cars, trucks, bikes, 4X4s, and, in his words, “everything with a motor.”

Dan has earned a number of accolades from the Public Relations Society of America, and is a University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism Fellow.