Because of their generous towing and payload capacities, many drivers like to use trucks primarily as work vehicles. However, a truck can also be a blast to drive off-road, as demonstrated by the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX. According to CNET, drivers can even get their trucks airborne with little effort.

The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX has been highly anticipated ever since its teaser concept model dropped in 2016. However, all this fun off the beaten path comes with a hefty price tag. Is the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX really worth it when more affordable options are available?

How much does a 2021 Ram 1500 TRX cost?

The new Ram 1500 TRX starts at $70,095 and almost $95,000 with all the extras equipped. That’s more than double the price of a standard Ram 1500, which costs little more than $30,000. Ram’s other off-roader, the Rebel trim, is also significantly cheaper at around $45,000.

Its direct competitor, the 2021 F-150 Raptor, has yet to be revealed, but many already suspect that it will have a more powerful engine. Here’s what CNET tells us about the Ram 1500 TRX and why it might be a worthy adversary for the Raptor.

The new Ram 1500 TRX’s off-roading performance

CNET’s favorite thing about the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX is that it can actually achieve some impressive airtime. The TRX has eight drive modes, but Baja is the one you want to engage to go airborne. After cresting a big ramp at 55 miles per hour, the Ram 1500 TRX launched itself upward flawlessly.

According to CNET, the truck felt secure with all its wheels off the road, and it had a smooth landing. The tester estimated that their test truck managed to go two feet off the ground. Bottoming out is always a concern when doing these kinds of stunts, but the TRX’s fine-tuned suspension makes things safer.

The adaptive dampers distribute a generous allowance of one ton of force to each corner of the truck. The suspension itself is barely recognizable from the one equipped on the standard Ram 1500. The Ram 1500 TRX is two inches taller, eight inches wider, and has almost 12 inches of ground clearance. 

15-inch tires come standard, but massive 35-inch all-terrain tires are also available. The independent suspension gives the TRX 14 inches of wheel travel in the rear and 13 inches up front. Besides Baja mode, drivers can also utilize drive modes for rock-crawling, snow, and mud.

Sport, Auto, and Custom settings are also useful when the Ram 1500 TRX is driving on smooth pavement. The Performance Pages feature is exclusive to the TRX truck, allowing drivers to easily configure and monitor off-road settings. Plenty of standard convenience technology is also present, as well as a large suite of available safety features. 

Ram added a truly beastly powertrain

The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX owes its tremendous power to its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine. It’s not quite as powerful as the SRT Hellcat, but it’s pretty darn close with 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The automaker also boasts that the TRX has the biggest airbox at 29 liters.

The Hemi V8 is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel-drive. As you can imagine, it’s exceedingly quick by truck standards, clocking in a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds.

At its price, the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX definitely isn’t the most practical truck. However, judging by CNET’s high praise, that high-flying experience might be worth it.