One look at the 2024 Ram 1500 TRX dispels any question that we live in a monster era, even if the world of combustion engines may be ending and the world of electric motors is only getting off the ground. The TRX was the most potent and fastest truck in the world when it was introduced four years ago, but it has since lost ground in some important categories. Ford’s 2023 F-150 Raptor R, a megafauna of the same kind, is quicker than the previous model. Still, electron-driven vehicles such as the GMC Hummer EV SUT and Rivian R1T pose a growing challenge to both trucks.
Therefore, the legendary TRX is on the verge of extinction, and 2024 will be its last appearance. A unique “final edition” model is offered as a farewell, but it won’t pass away gracefully. Even while it can go across the desert at speeds most EV trucks wouldn’t want to, this truck is still as practical as the Ram 1500 on which it is built, and it still packs as much fun as a Mötley Crüe concert. Of course, there are some drawbacks. Its 6,700-pound weight consumes premium gasoline at a 12 mpg rate.
Although the F-150 Raptor R and TRX are one another’s primary competitors, consumers have various additional options. Many subdued substitutes have also surfaced to mimic some vibes, such as the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, Chevrolet’s Silverado 1500 ZR2, the Ram 1500 Rebel, and the F-150 Tremor. Although they are all less expensive and competent off-road, none offer the sheer power of the Raptor R or TRX. Although smaller, the Rivian is also less costly. It has the same outrageousness and energy inefficiency as the Hummer EV—it simply runs on a different form of energy.
Even while 90% of TRX purchasers won’t likely ever push the vehicle to its absolute limits, the heavy-duty gear that comes with it makes it possible for them to do so if they so want. There are several off-road driving modes, locking differentials, 11.8 inches of ground clearance, adjustable Bilstein dampers, a strengthened chassis, 15-inch front brake discs, 35-inch all-terrain tires, and much more. Its supercharged V8 engine is borrowed from the Challenger Hellcat. It is content to go at breakneck speed, the only obstacle short of a steep rock face.
But one of the best things about the TRX is that its driving experience isn’t much affected by its immense power. It is remarkably calm in urban settings and, like the standard Ram 1500, rides smoothly and composedly for a large truck. When you press “start,” the V8’s basso profundo rumbling will startle your neighbours, but it’s not unpleasant. Its large crew cab, which it shares with the base 1500, is surprisingly elegant and comfortable for a truck meant for filthy actions carried out in the desert.
Its enormous size, cost, and gas-guzzling appetite are its only actual ks. Every wallet-emptying fill-up serves as a constant reminder of this huge truck’s 12 mpg appetite for luxury. The base price of the TRX is $97,485 (a $10,000 increase over last year’s MSRP), but it also lacks features like adaptive cruise control, which is an additional $995. Even if it’s no longer the leader in bragging rights, the TRX is noteworthy due to its sheer audacity. Now is the perfect moment to act if you like the TRX, as EVs are becoming more popular, and Stellantis is giving up on Hellcat V8s. In a few months, it will go forever.
What’s New
- 2024 marks the TRX’s last release.
- Three colours will be available for the 4,000 Final Edition units that Ram will manufacture: The 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, unique interior badging, and exceptional graphics of the Harvest Sunrise, Night Edge Blue, and Delmonico Red Final Edition cars are features, although they are essentially identical to the standard TRXs.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Everything that makes the standard Ram 1500 great, but with a lot more power
- Stunning to see and feel, cosy to be in,
- and surprisingly opulent inside, considering its size
Cons:
- High cost and voracious fuel use
- Because 35-inch tires are designed for off-roading, they handle ponderously in other situations.
- No longer the quickest vehicle
Performance: Ram 1500 TRX
The TRX was the world’s quickest pickup in 2020, and it continues to seem to defy certain aspects of physics. Despite Stellantis’ official 4.5-second claim, this massive truck can reach 60 mph in less than 4 seconds, even though it weighs more than 3 tons. Its enormous ground clearance, 13 inches of suspension travel, and sturdy hardware further distinguish it as an exceptional dirt trail conqueror. However, there are speedier and more modern computers now.
The Hummer EV SUT can reach 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, although Rivian’s R1T can get that speed in under 3 seconds. At 4.5 seconds, the Ford F-150 Lightning isn’t far behind. Of course, in the middle of the desert, you may not have a DC fast charger on hand, and flooring it in those vehicles would undoubtedly diminish range. The gas-powered TRX, with its 33-gallon tank, does have an edge in that regard. Of course, the F-150 Raptor R, which can reach 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, is also available today.
The 6.2-litre supercharged V8 engine in the TRX, derived from the Charger and Challenger Hellcats, produces 650 pound-feet of torque and 702 horsepower. An eight-speed automatic transmission powers all four wheels. The 5.8-litre V8, slightly smaller, supercharged, and derived from the Shelby GT500, produces 700 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque. However, since the Raptor R is lighter by around 500 pounds, it can accelerate at higher speeds. You can now purchase the Raptor R with 37-inch all-terrain tires instead of the TRX’s 35s, an example of the tit-for-tat battle between these two trucks.
However, the R1T at Rivian has motors for each wheel and produces 908 lb-ft of torque at 0 rpm, providing excellent off-road handling. LeBron James demonstrated that the Hummer’s three electric engines provide 1,000 horsepower and the ability to crab walk. With 1,310- and 1,400-pound payload capacity, the F-150 Lightning’s 2,235-pound payload should make the TRX and Raptor R cringe. Although it surpasses the Hummer’s meagre 7,500-pound maximum, Ram’s robust 8,100-pound towing capacity is nevertheless exceeded by the Lightning and R1T, with their respective 10,000 and 11,000-pound ratings.
The F-150 Raptor R’s 13.1 inches of ground clearance (with optional 37-inch tires) and the R1T’s height-adjusted 14.5-inch maximum are more than the TRX’s 11.8 inches of ground clearance, which is still impressive off-road. Ram includes substantial off-road-specific cladding and undercarriage armouring to deliberately develop this truck to outperform the Ford Raptor on dirt. However, the Raptor R has recently improved in this area as well.
Fuel Efficiency: Ram 1500 TRX
Speed truck purchasers often choose speed above efficiency, but the TRX stands out for its enormous fuel consumption, even among fast vehicles. With an EPA combined rating of barely 12 mpg (10 cities, 14 highways), most owners will be lucky to reach even those pitiful figures, and this vehicle only uses premium fuel. Sure, it has a 33-gallon tank, but filling it up won’t be something even its most incredible supporters would enjoy. Although the Raptor R’s highway rating is just 15 mpg, it seems to have a higher chance of meeting EPA projections.
The Ram 1500 Rebel impersonates the TRX well and gives up to 22 mpg when paired with its standard V6 engine if you’re partial to the TRX’s appearance but not its hardware or its obscene thirst. Sadly, the diesel engine for the Ram 1500 was discontinued earlier in the year. Most mid-grade off-road vehicles perform far better, including the hybrid Toyota Tundra and Chevy’s Silverado ZR2. However, they are unable to match the TRX’s unadulterated performance.
Driver assistance and safety:
One of the safest full-size pickup trucks ever evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is the standard Ram 1500, the basis for the TRX model. The 1500 was rated as a Top Safety Pick by IIHS in 2022; however, stricter criteria caused it to be significantly deducted last year. It receives five stars from the NHTSA.
Though not as much as Toyota, Ram now includes some standard active safety technology. Automatic emergency braking, electronic roll reduction, and forward collision warnings are free, but to get the advanced features, you must pay an additional $995 for the Advanced Safety Group. This option adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-changing assistance, pedestrian detection, emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring—all helpful in such a massive vehicle.
Beyond that, you can get even more capabilities by upgrading to the $10,995 Level 2 Equipment Group, which includes surround-view monitoring and parking assistance with automated brakes.
Coziness & Space:
LeBron James, to speak about him, could be like Hummers, but it’s difficult to see him finding the cabin of the TRX constricting, not even in the rear seat. The Raptor’s unique Recaro seats are as supportive as a good therapist, and the Ford crew cab provides somewhat more frontal space, but the Ram has an excellent rear area and is quite comfortable in all three rows. No other vehicle has as much back legroom as this one, measuring 45.2 inches.
Like the top-of-the-line 1500 models, Ram’s elegant cabin is clad in high-quality materials. Both the front and rear seats provide excellent support. The $10,750 Level 2 Equipment Group repays the favour with leather-trimmed seats with heating and cooling capabilities on the front and heating on the back. It is just as valuable as its slower brethren, yet it seems more abundant than vintage street trucks.
Infotainment: Ram 1500 TRX
Ram’s Uconnect 5 system, which runs on a 12-inch touchscreen like a tablet, is used by TRXs. Although aesthetically striking, learning it takes some time. Standard features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation are also quite responsive. The large display’s split-screen capability lets you see the applications on your phone and the climate controls. It’s helpful to have Apple Maps on the instrument cluster screen if you use your iPhone to get instructions.
Ram keeps providing physical controls for the driver and front passenger, including large volume and tuning knobs so significant you could operate them while wearing gloves. Although the dash seems crowded, it is more straightforward to use than the touchscreen-heavy interfaces of TRX’s competitors, particularly the Rivian, once you get the hang of it.
Furthermore, four USB-C ports are in the front, and two USB-A ports are in the rear. 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 TRX only comes in one configuration: a crew cab with a 5.5-foot bed. Not every mattress is made equal, even if the Raptor is the same. The Ram’s 67-inch cargo box cannot hold more goods than the Ford Raptor’s 52.8 cubic feet. Additionally, there are 51 inches—half an inch more than on the Raptor—between the wheelhouses. Unfortunately, the TRX does not support the ingenious RamBox storage modules seen on the Ram 1500.
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 when piling into the TRX and then remove it later. That is pretty handy, as are multiple cupholders, dual front slots in the centre console, and more outboard.
Design: Ram 1500 TRX
This vehicle is all that it was intended to be. The menacing front end with the skid plate and hood scoop, the massive tires and flared fenders, the available colours, and the snarling exhaust system? Fans of Mopar Madness will find them all ideally on brand, and it’s evident that this is drawing attention—much of it suitable.
When you return, some man with a ballcap and stubble will ask questions if you park it virtually anywhere. The truck is visible from orbit, even if you choose not to paint yours in red. Ram still has one of the most excellent full-size truck interiors available, even if the interior design is slightly less extravagant.
Is the 2024 Ram 1500 TRX Worth it?
The TRX is still fun, even if it’s no longer the quickest truck in the world and uses more gasoline than Bartertown from Beyond Thunderdome. It is, however, beginning at $97,485 (with a $1,995 destination charge), around $10,000 higher than in 2023.
The F-150 Lightning XLT Extended Range ($71,990) and the R1T Adventure ($74,800) from Rivian are quicker and less costly when driven on pavement, but the Rivian provides an alternative off-roading experience. However, unless you get one of the 4,000 “Final Edition” cars ($119,620, featuring practically all the extra equipment), the TRX is still less expensive than the $110,295 Hummer. Lower-spec, less costly Hummer EVs are on the way, but they’re not available yet.
And there’s the Raptor, the F-150. There are, naturally, two. Although it costs somewhat less than the TRX, the 450-horsepower V6 basic version ($78,720) delivers comparable off-road capability at slower speeds but isn’t quite as speedy.
Although the Raptor R costs $109,145, it outperforms the TRX in several aspects. Are sprints to 60 mph in less than a second and an additional 100 pounds of towing and cargo capability worth it? According to the viewer, it depends. However, given that the Raptor R has more standard features, the TRX’s significant price increase in 2024 makes it less of a prediction.
The issue of what you’re doing with the TRX also has to be considered. Given how varied each of these vehicles is, it may be challenging to choose the “best” overall if you compare them all. Who is the top performer? Depending on how you measure it, yes. Unpaved? On a sidewalk? Dragging the family into a campsite? Boat towing? Travelling and travelling? The waters are murky by all those inquiries.
We suggest the $995 Advanced Safety Group to those wanting a TRX. The $10,995 Level 2 Equipment Group includes the best interior features, including ambient LED lighting, bling leather seats, and trim. However, several elements—including leather seats and adjustable pedals—are available in the more affordable $3,995 Level 1 package.
How Much Does the 2024 Ram 1500 TRX Insurance Cost?
Less than you may believe. The TRX is a pricey, high-performance vehicle for frequent usage, so its insurance is inexpensive. 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, a mighty 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. The TRX will be discontinued from the market in 2024.
Verdict
The Ram 1500 TRX was designed to be the quickest and most outrageous pickup available. It still packs a 702-horsepower V8 punch, anarchic thrills, and an enormous personality, but things are changing, and the truck will be discontinued in 2024. Even quicker, completely electric pickups like the Rivian R1T and GMC Hummer pose a challenge to the brawler truck megafauna, which gained modest speed competition in the form of Ford’s F-150 Raptor R last year. If you choose to get one, you’ll still have a great time, and the TRX offers all the elegance and technology of the standard Ram 1500 while still being able to do all the necessary tasks. However, you must put up with loud noises and guzzle a gallon of dinosaur juice every twelve miles. Before they go, smoke them.
