The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX Is More Than Just a 702-HP Pickup Truck
The Ram 1500 TRX is the enormous 702-hp pickup truck we didn’t know we wanted. New reviews for the truck suggest that the TRX is a complete package, offering more than just outright power. Motor1 recently tested the new Ram in Nevada and found that the TRX is fast in a straight line, comfortable on the road, and capable of mastering big jumps.
The Ram 1500 TRX is capable on the road and in the air
While the 702-hp output dominates the headlines and marketing material, the Ram 1500 TRX is not a one-trick pony. Aside from the massive engine, the TRX features active Bilstein Blackhawk dampers, a stiffened up chassis, and custom made Goodyear tires.
As Motor1 reports, the TRX almost has a split personality. On the road, the automatic driving mode softens things enough to be comfortable for daily commuting. Throttle response is slightly delayed, and the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 gets a less powerful state of tune. Even the exhaust was noted as being relatively tame, just barely announcing its presence.
Switching the driving mode over to Sport changes almost everything. According to Motor1, the traction control system gets disabled, and the engine pumps out its full 702 hp. The result is that any touch of the throttle rockets the large truck violently. Despite nothing that the TRX remained surprisingly composed in corners, the straight-line speed impressed above all else. When referencing the TRX’s speed, Motor1 said, “what this truck does in a straight line is almost unfathomable.”
If the speed isn’t enough to impress, then perhaps the Ram 1500 TRX’s chassis will. Ram took the standard Rebel’s chassis and stiffened it up by about 74 percent. The TRX also features bespoke reinforced suspension components that add to the overall rigidity and strength. The result is that the Ram 1500 TRX can handle large jumps and remain unfazed.
The interior also exceeds expectations
While most of the Ram 1500 TRX’s shine is outside, its interior also exceeded expectations. Motor1 noted that the interior excels largely because it is based on that of the standard Ram 1500.
However, some unique touches are only available in the TRX, such as a flat-bottom steering wheel. A new set of bucket seats also join the interior to both liven it up and keep the driver in place during spirited driving. There are also tons of materials available for the interior, such as cloth, vinyl, suede, and leather.
The rest of the interior basically carries over from the Ram 1500 like the vertically oriented 12-inch display. The screen utilizes Ram’s Uconnect 4 and is surprisingly easy to use. The combination of all of these interior elements results in a truck capable as an off-roader and a daily driver.
The fire-breathing TRX isn’t cheap though
While the Ram 1500 TRX hosts an abundance of noticeable upgrades and custom parts, it isn’t cheap. Understandably, a 702-hp pickup truck capable of jumping small hill would be a tall task to complete on a shoestring budget.
The Ram 1500 TRX starts at $69,995 without the mandatory $1,695 destination charge. Thankfully, there aren’t a ton of options to individually select for the TRX. Ram grouped all of the available options into equipment packages.
The Level 1 Equipment Group costs $3,420 and adds interior upgrades such as heated power-adjustable seats, a heated steering wheel, and an upgraded floor console. The Level 2 Equipment Group costs $7,920 and adds safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, park assist, and a remote-start system.
If you load up the Ram 1500 TRX’s configurator, the powerful truck tops out at around $97,000. While it may seem like a sizeable sum, there is no other production truck that comes close to its capabilities.