The competition for the title of the premier high-performing pickup truck is fierce and getting fiercer. For a while now, the Ford F-150 Raptor has reigned supreme, but with the introduction of the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX, there might be a new king of the hill. The all-new Ram 1500 TRX combines unbelievable power, an interior that looks and feels like the command module for the Starship Enterprise, and towing and off-roading capabilities that are second to none. In a word, the TRX is stunning. It is also a beast and is set to overwhelm enthusiasts with enough extras and goodies both inside and out to make it the total package. With the TRX set to hit Ram dealers soon, it won’t be long before you will be able to test drive and get your hands on one for yourself. To fully appreciate everything the Ram 1500 TRX has to offer, let’s take a look at the design of this powerful machine.
Engine and Performance
The engine that powers the TRX is nothing short of amazing. The 6.2L Supercharged HEMI V8 engine is billed as the “most powerful factory-installed engine in a half-ton truck” ever and is capable of generating a relentless 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. This amount of power propels the TRX from zero to 60 in an unheard of 4.5 seconds. Ram is so excited about the TRX’s engine that you can actually listen to it roar on the official TRX website, and to be honest, it is music to the ears.
We are still waiting to hear more about the TRX’s fuel efficiency, however, and while it will most likely be in the range you would expect for a half-ton truck that is built for power, it’s not the most important metric TRX buyers will be after.
Towing and Payload Capacity
Even though the TRX is built more for off-road adventures than for towing, it still has the edge over the competition, such as the F-150 Raptor. At 8,100 lbs, the TRX beats out the Raptor by about a hundred pounds in the towing capacity game, and that should be enough to trailer many of the tools and toys TRX drivers want to tow.
On the payload front, the TRX again beats out the competition. In this case, it offers a robust 1,310 lbs payload capacity, which is more than one hundred pounds greater than the Raptor. 1,310 lbs should be plenty of weight for whatever you need to haul.
Off-Road Capabilities
What sets the TRX apart from other half-tons and all of the competition is its design and off-road capabilities. With 11.8” ground clearance and the ability to ford up to 32” of water, the TRX was clearly made for adventure. The rocks, sand, mud, and water you might encounter with the TRX will be no match for its ground clearance, and 13” of travel on its front suspension and 14” on its rear make it an especially proficient ride.
The various driving modes also make it perfect for every condition you might face. Sport Mode, for example, allows for quicker shit times and increased stability and is specifically designed for increased performance on paved surfaces.
In Snow Mode the TRX uses a 45/55 torque split and tweaks horsepower output to maximize performance when things are slippery.
In Mud/Sand Mode the TRX again utilizes split torque technology for optimal traction and to keep the wheels from needlessly spinning.
Rock Mode takes advantage of an ultra-low gear ratio and even has the ability to select a predetermined speed for even more control while descending rocky surfaces.
Baja Mode reduces shift times and sets the suspension on full damping to take on dunes.
Finally, in Custom Mode you can determine which torque split, suspension firmness, and steering feel you prefer and pre-progRam them yourself.
When you combine all of the above with the TRX’s massive 18” wheels surrounded by 35” all-terrain tires, you are left with a truly exhilarating off-roading experience.
Interior
As noted above, the inside of the Ram 1500 TRX feels more like something out of a spaceship than a high-performing truck. The all-black, red-trimmed interior looks stylish and brilliant, and the 12” navigation touchscreen in the center console is massive. It acts as a command center for the TRX and can actually split screens so you can have more than one page up at a time. It also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can stay connected no matter where you are.
The interior also has a variety of options that make it even more luxurious such as a digital rearview mirror, heated front seats, and a heads-up display (HUD). The HUD, in particular, is both user-friendly and highly customizable. You can choose to display your current speed, if you have an incoming call, and information about your destination.
The six auxiliary buttons and center shifter complete the high-functioning package, and the TRX badges found throughout the cabin and aluminum shift paddles make everything pop.
You have truly never seen the inside of a truck (or any vehicle for that matter) that looks as good as the inside of the TRX.
Safety
While we are still waiting on the official scores from safety tests, there is still a great deal we know about some of the standard and available safety features that will make the TRX a very safe ride. For starters, the TRX is wider, longer, and sits up higher than the standard Ram 1500, and the Adaptive Forward Lighting system comes standard and will make sure oncoming traffic is aware of your presence.
There will also be plenty of available driver-assist technologies that will lend a hand to keep you safe while you man the TRX. First, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist warns you if the TRX begins to drift into the other lane and, in some cases, can even nudge it back into the proper lane of traffic. Blind Spot Monitoring will also be available and alerts you if another vehicle is in a hard to see spot. Finally, Adaptive Cruise Control allows you to set a predetermined distance from the car in front of you so the TRX will speed up and slow down when needed.
All of these standard and available safety features (and others not listed above) make the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX not only a thrilling truck, but a safe one too.
Price
With all of the available options and different configurations, the price for the all-new 2021 Ram 1500 TRX will vary greatly. If you go with the base model and no extras, you can expect to spend just north of $70,095. If you want a fully-loaded, stocked TRX, the price could easily climb into the $80,000 and possibly even the $90,000 range.
Find a 2021 Ram 1500 TRX at Your Local Ram Dealer
Reading about the Ram 1500 TRX is all fine and good, and watching videos of its performance and interior are sure to give you a good idea of just how spectacular it is going to be. But there is nothing like the real thing. Like most cars, you really have to experience the TRX for yourself. To do so, stop by your local Ram deal to learn more and test drive the outstanding 2021 Ram 1500 TRX. You won’t regret it.
