The 2022 Ram 1500 TRX flat-bottomed steering wheel is a blatant giveaway that performance is your top priority—first, second, and perhaps even fifth—before you ever turn on the ignition. If you press the start button, your neighbors will be awakened—the Ram’s five-inch dual-piped exhaust puffs out its “muscle truck” chest even at idle.
Although we know that 99 percent of purchasers would never let their bruiser play in a sandbox, the TRX is dirt-ready. Select the Baja mode to modify the suspension, traction control settings, and gearbox shifts to suit soaring across the desert. Alternatively, you may manually choose a four-wheel-low for rock crawling, which locks the rear differential and distributes power equally between the front and back axles. Short of a cliff wall, very little can stand in its way thanks to its 11.8 inches of ground clearance and fully adjustable Bilstein dampers.
But let’s face it: If you have the money, you’re purchasing this beast for blistering speed, and even at half power, the Hemi drives it at a very rapid pace. The eight-speed gearbox can be flicked through thanks to paddle shifters, and the 450-horsepower Ford Raptor—the closest gas competitor—cannot match this vehicle’s performance from zero to sixty mph. The Ford cabin is also not quite as stylish.
The Ford has ratings of 8,200 and 1,400 pounds, respectively, while the TRX has an 8,100-pound towing capacity and 1,310 pounds of payload, slightly less than the Ford. Therefore, if you are paying for carting, this is not your vehicle or the Raptor—get a Ram 2500 with its 4,010-pound payload instead.
However, unlike a Hellcat, the TRX is rather comfortable to drive daily. Although that statement is ridiculous given the fuel efficiency, it is also preposterous to see someone going a Mercedes G-Wagen to work in Manhattan or Los Angeles; this is a common occurrence. Except that, even those do not weigh an incredible 6,781 pounds. Oh no!
You’re paying for performance in terms of value. At the same time, the interior space of 132.4 cubic feet is more than that of an S-Class Mercedes; key safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, that may be included at this low price point are an additional $995. Another problem? The new generation of electric supertrucks, which consists of the Hummer EV and Rivian R1T, can outperform the TRX in almost every on-road performance metric.
The 2022 Ram TRX stands out in high-performance pickup trucks, blending raw power with off-road prowess. Often described as “bad to the bone,” this truck is designed for those who demand exceptional performance and capability.
Key Features of the 2022 Ram TRX:
- Exceptional Powertrain: The heart of the TRX is its supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 engine, delivering a staggering 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the most powerful production trucks available.
- Off-Road Ready: The TRX is equipped with advanced off-road features, including a sophisticated suspension system, high ground clearance, and specialized driving modes that allow it to tackle a variety of terrains with ease.
- Aggressive Styling: The exterior design of the TRX is both aggressive and functional, with a wide stance, bold lines, and features like a functional hood scoop, adding to its intimidating presence.
- Advanced Technology: Inside, the TRX boasts a high-tech cabin with features like a large touchscreen infotainment system, a customizable digital gauge cluster, and various driver-assist technologies.
- Luxurious Interior: Despite its rugged nature, the TRX doesn’t skimp on luxury, offering a comfortable and well-appointed interior with premium materials and ample space.
- Towing and Hauling: Besides its off-road capabilities, the TRX is also proficient in towing and hauling, making it a versatile choice for work and play.
- Limited Availability: As the automotive industry shifts towards electrification and stricter emissions standards, models like the TRX could be on borrowed time, making them highly coveted among enthusiasts.
The 2022 Ram TRX is more than just a high-performance truck; it’s a statement piece that combines unparalleled power with luxury and off-road capability, making it a unique offering in the pickup market.
Performance:2022 Ram 1500 TRX
The 4×4-only TRX would have been the world’s quickest pickup before the electric truck craze arrived. But that was 2020, a long time ago. The F-150 Lightning reaches 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, whereas the Rivian R1T reaches 60 mph in less than 3 seconds. Although some reports suggest the Ram can get that mark in less than four seconds, the official claim for the TRX is 4.5 seconds as well.
Stated differently, the data doesn’t lie. The combusting Hemi requires 4,800 rpm to produce 650 pound-feet of torque, but the Rivian’s R1T produces 908 pound-feet of torque instantaneously at 0 rpm. The R1T’s 835 horsepower dwarfs the Ram’s 702 horsepower.
Even so, the Lightning’s 2,235-pound payload should make the TRX blush at its meager 1,310-pound capacity. You could, and perhaps should, argue that the TRX’s ability to burn gas is an advantage in the off-road world because finding a DC Fast charger in the middle of nowhere will remain a challenge. The Lightning’s 10,000-pound towing capacity also dwarfs its comparatively impressive 8,100-pound maximum.
In terms of off-road performance, the 11.8-inch ground clearance of the TRX surpasses that of the Lightning (8.9 inches) and the R1T (14.5 inches). Ram designed this truck to outperform the Ford Raptor on dirt, matching or approaching that truck’s approach and departure angles and equipping it with substantial undercarriage armoring and off-road-specific cladding.
Fuel Efficiency:2022 Ram 1500 TRX
You may get the V6 diesel (26 combined mpg) or the gas V6 (22 combined mpg) Ram 1500 models if you desire better fuel efficiency than the pathetic 12 mpg combined of the TRX. You could even haul more with the diesel than with the TRX. However, none of these engines could match the loud, exhilarating feeling that these would.
If there’s a “class” for the TRX, it’s the only Ford Raptor, which gets a little better 15 mpg. Numerous choices exist that are more fuel-efficient, such as the Toyota Tundra hybrid (22 combined), but you were already aware of that.
Tech for Safety and Driver Assistance:
The Ram 1500 Crew Cab received a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), one spot behind Top Safety Pick Plus, the IIHS’s top rating, and five stars from the NHTSA during its most recent testing in 2019.
While some standard features, like electronic roll mitigation and forward collision warning, are included in the base sticker price, the Advanced Safety Group (which costs $995 more) adds blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-changing assistance, pedestrian sensing emergency braking, and stop and go traffic control. It would be best if you upgraded to the $7,750 Level 2 Equipment Group to get several useful features, such as the around-view camera and parking assistance with automated brakes.
Coziness & Space:
The Ram catches up with 45.2 inches of rear legroom, compared to 43.6 inches for second-row passengers in the Ford, and Ford’s SuperCrew trucks match the Ram in front seat legroom, beating it by three inches (though only an exceptionally long femur would fill pinched driving the TRX).
It is advantageous to ride in the rear when there is enough space to stretch out and cross your legs and when there is no one riding ahead, providing ample capacity for transporting heavy items like the bicycle we managed to cram into the back. Both the front and rear seats provide excellent support. The $7,750 Level 2 Equipment Group repays the favor with leather-trimmed seats with heating and cooling capabilities on the front and heating on the back.
Infotainment:2022 Ram 1500 TRX
With a 12-inch touchscreen the size of a tablet, the Ram’s new Uconnect 5 system is stunning and requires some understanding. It’s easy and fast to pair with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (albeit it requires a wired connection).
The large display’s split-screen capability lets you see the applications and the climate controls.on your phone, The next onramp or left turn appears right before the driver when you ask Siri for turn-by-turn instructions since Plus Ram uses Apple Maps inside the instrument cluster. Fortunately, Ram keeps providing tactile controls for the driver and front passenger, including large volume and tuning dials so large you could operate them while wearing gloves.
There are four USB-C ports in the front and two traditional USB plugs in the back for electricity. With a four-way pad on the steering wheel, the driver can effortlessly choose between entertainment sources, such as Apple Music or satellite radio, without going to the central display, thanks to a customized digital gauge cluster.
Storage & Cargo Space:
The 67-inch cargo box’s capacity is 53.9 cubic feet, marginally greater than the Ford Raptor’s 52.8 cubic feet, and 51 inches between the wheelhouses, which is half an inch more. Sadly, the RamBox storage devices from the Ram 1500 are incompatible with the TRX.
As previously established, the Ram has more backseat knee space than the F-150 SuperCrew. This level of practicality is also evident in the large armrest bin, which can fit an iPad Pro, and the rear seat bench, which can be flipped upright and divided to create a flat cargo floor.
The design team neglected to consider the front seat position, making it difficult to park a water bottle on the door while cramming into the TRX and then extract that cylinder once the door is closed. That is fairly handy, as are multiple cupholders, with dual front slots in the center console and more outboard. Oh no.
Design:2022 Ram 1500 TRX
Turn heads when you drive the TRX. People in trucks give you the thumbs-up or honk without asking.
When you return, some man with a ballcap and beard will be buttonholing you with questions if you park it in the big-box shop lot. The 35-inch tires, visible Bilstein dampers, LEDs protruding from the hood scoop, a blacked-out grille, an integrated front skid plate, and armored fender flares make this vehicle stand out even if you choose not to order it in red. Whether you live in truck country or not, the TRX is a unique machine that will make heads turn.
Is it worth Buying a 2022 Ram 1500 TRX?
If the new Hummer EV, the Raptor, the Rivian R1T, and the TRX all faced off head-to-head, choosing a victor could be difficult based on performance and ignoring fuel costs. Then, where was the performance? Off-road? or on a sidewalk? Dragging the family into a campsite? Towing a boat behind? Traveling and traveling? The image is somewhat muddled by all those questions.
When compared to the $110,295 Hummer, the TRX is rather “affordable,” yet the Ford F-150 Lightning XLT is almost as fast as 60 mph and costs just $54,669 instead.
The TRX is more expensive than the Rivian at $72,390, and it will simply result in higher fuel expenditures. Suppose you plan to spend more money on gas. In that case, we recommend that you get the $995 Advanced Safety Group, the $1,195 Better Audio System, and maybe (but probably) the $7,750 Level 2 Equipment Group, which comes with a ton of goodies, including ambient LED lighting, bling leather seats, and trim.
How Much Does the 2022 Ram 1500 TRX Insurance Cost?
Remarkably little. The TRX is a pricey, high-performance vehicle meant for frequent usage, so its insurance is not too expensive. Our analysis indicates that, on average, a 30-year-old female driver with a spotless record should pay an annual premium of just $2,028 in all 50 states. Although individual drivers’ figures may differ, they are much more than the $1,970 for the Rivian R1T, $3,091 for the F-150 Raptor, or $2,020 for the Jeep Gladiator.
Ram 1500 TRX Generations
First Generation
2021 to Present
The Ram 1500 TRX, which debuted in 2021 and was inspired by a 2016 concept, is the brand’s response to the Ford F-150 Raptor, an exceptionally powerful off-road pickup for use in the desert. Meanwhile, Ram wasn’t satisfied following Raptor’s ten-year structure. With a 702-horsepower hellcat V8 that can accelerate from zero to sixty miles per hour in less than four seconds and a terrifying growl from its performance exhausts, the TRX is a formidable weapon in the off-road artillery arena. With a significantly altered off-road suspension, it can rock crawl like a Wrangler and jump dunes quickly. The only drawback? 12 mpg of desire for high-quality fuel.
Verdict
When the TRX made its debut in 2020, petrol was inexpensive. Fans of fast cars in a truck-obsessed state may (perhaps) defend their desire for a $72,390 Ram loaded with the 702 horsepower supercharged V8 engine from the Dodge Hellcat. It may seem practical, but why not build a Hellcat that can pull your boat, seat six people in luxury, and reach 100 mph in under 10.5 seconds? However, the TRX consumes a gallon of petrol at $5 every 12 miles. The Ford Lightning and the latest electric supertrucks, such as the Rivian R1T, signal the end of the road for the TRX and this generation of dinosaur-powered vehicles.
