Before you flip out over the Ram 1500 TRX, take a deep breath and learn the facts. It might be a slightly overhyped off-roading truck compared to the competition. Ram could have tried a little harder before coming after the Ford Raptor, especially since people suggest waiting for the 2021 Ford Raptor to come out before settling on the Ram 1500 TRX. 

Is the Ram 1500 TRX a good truck? 

We’re sure that the Ram 1500 TRX is a perfectly fine option for daily driving and off-roading, but it may not be as great as it seems. There seem to be better off-roading options available, and the base model is super expensive, even though it doesn’t come with much.

Sure, the Ram 1500 TRX has a 6.2-liter V8 Hellcat engine that produces 704 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, but is that all really necessary? 

The Ford Raptor ‘only’ has 450 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque but can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. Ram touts the Ram 1500 TRX can reach 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, but that’s not even a whole second faster. Also, the Ram SRT10, which was built in 2005, is still the fastest Ram truck. 

Despite having all this extra torque and horsepower, the Ram 1500 TRX can only haul 8,100 lb and carry a payload of 1,310 lb. This is pretty much equivalent to the Ford Raptor, which can tow 8,000 lb and carry a payload of 1,366 lb. 

Ram 1500 TRX performance 

The Ram 1500 TRX doesn’t offer a manual transmission, which is the optimal choice for off-roaders. However, the Ford Raptor doesn’t have a manual transmission either. It looks like you’ll have to choose the Jeep Gladiator for a manual off-roading truck. Although, the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco offer a manual transmission too. 

Also, there isn’t a diesel engine, which is better for off-roading and towing. Once again, you can choose the Jeep Gladiator for a diesel engine. And while we’re on the note about engines, where is the Ram hybrid? 

The Ram 1500 TRX is six inches wider than the Ram 1500. This is one massive off-roading truck. It could be too big for off-roading trails and challenging to park. Remember to measure your garage; it might not fit. 

It has a special RAM air intake system to filter out rock and debris, which is usually how snorkels keep the engine clean. It will be interesting to see how that system works. Also, The Ram 1500 TRX has new Bilstein Black Hawk shocks. Usually, Fox shocks are seen as the best for off-roading. 

RAM 1500 TRX features 

The inside of the Ram 1500 TRX starts at $70k, but the interior doesn’t look like you spent that much. The seats look flat and uncomfortable. There are red tones throughout the interior to provide a sporty look and feel, but it comes off as a little cheap. You can upgrade from the cloth seats to solid black leather seats. 

Not much comes with the base model either. For wireless charging, a heated steering wheel, power liftgate, and more, you’ll have to spend more. Heck, blind-spot detection only comes on the highest trim level. At $70k, you’re just paying for a larger engine and TRX badges.