2021 Ram 1500 TRX Review
2021 Ram 1500 TRX Review
Posted on October 8, 2020
In recent years, the roster of full-size, full-power trucks with true off-road ability was limited to the Ford F-150 Raptor. That's now changed with the release of the eagerly awaited Ram TRX. Why has this new pickup made such an impact among off-road devotees? Read our 2021 Ram 1500 TRX review to find out.
All-New TRX Powertrain
The TRX is firmly aimed at the off-road performance market, and that shows from the first glance at its powertrain specs. As widely predicted, Ram has included the famed Hellcat engine in the TRX, and it offers all the performance you'd expect.
The 6.2L supercharged V8 delivers 702 horsepower and 650lb-ft of torque, making the TRX a match for any task you throw at it. The mammoth output is passed through a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission to all-wheel drive, resulting in some seriously impressive performance figures.
The TRX can zoom from 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds, and can cover a 0.4km distance in 12.9 seconds racking up 174km/h as it does so. And remember, these figures are for a full-size truck, not a hyped-up sports coupe.
Off-Road Features
Pre-release, Ram promised that the same level of performance would be available anywhere, from highway to dirt to mountainside. They've equipped the TRX to manage exactly that. The off-road feature list is huge, but highlights include:
- Independent front suspension, with active damping using Bilstein Black Hawk e2 shocks.
- Dana 60 solid rear axle with 3.55 ratio gears.
- Locking rear differential.
- Borg-Warner transfer case with a low range of 2.64:1 for crawling over rocks.
- 12" ground clearance, and 13" wheel travel at all four corners.
- 18" wheels with 35" Goodyear Wrangler Territory all-terrain tires.
The list could continue indefinitely: nearly any off-road feature you could think of has been included as standard or is available as an option.
Towing and Payload
And while the TRX is perfect for weekend wilderness adventuring, it can still put in a hard day's work between off-road sessions. With a payload capacity of 594kg and towing ability of up to 3,674kg, the TRX is a capable beast.
Interior and Technology
The TRX is available in three trim levels. The base is the TR, which can be thought of as a Ram 1500 Rebel TRX under a new name. At this level, the interior is decked out in cloth and vinyl, while moving up to the TR1 or TR2 trims offers leather, suede, and carbon fibre throughout.
Infotainment options are covered by a 12" touchscreen, impressive in itself, but the biggest draw is perhaps the head-up display, making its first appearance in a Ram vehicle.
One notable change to traditional Ram 1500s is the switch to a console-mounted shifter using a lever, rather than the previous dash-mounted dial shifter. The space freed up on the dash is now occupied by the drive mode selector offering options for Normal, Wet/Snow, Off-Road, and Baja.
2021 Ram 1500 TRX Pricing
With this level of performance, capability, and off-road readiness, it's no surprise that the TRX occupies the higher end of the price spectrum. Nonetheless, with Canadian prices starting at $93,995 the truck offers exceptional value for what's certain to become a full-size icon.