I have been driving sensible cars and crossovers with electric power for some of the driving duties lately. This week is a HUGE departure from that with the six-figure Ram 1500 TRX.
The Ram 1500 TRX is a gas-swilling 6.2L supercharged Hemi V-8 ready to wake your neighbors when you hit the start button. This truck sounds mean, and the large supercharger whines away when you mash the gas. The acceleration is very brisk since all that power is funneled to all four wheels. First-time riders will really not expect just how quickly this huge ride will move.
The Ram 1500 TRX has an impressive suspension that is ready to tackle off-roads. With front and rear active shock absorbers and active damping, the ride is smooth. It seems to iron out all but the larger bumps and craters on the road. The TRX is wider than normal Ram 1500 models, so it takes time to get used to taking up the entire lane. The narrow portion of Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase is eye opening the first time you drive in the middle lane.
Styling can make or break a super truck like the Ram TRX. Luckily, this truck looks the part with style shared with the Baja 1000 trophy truck. It looks ready to race in the desert. The Ram TRX is wide and the fenders jut out far to try to contain massive off-road ready 35-inch tires. A blacked-out grill looks mean, the hood has vented louvers and an air scoop with lights help the truck convey racy styling.
There are even optional graphics so you don’t forget that it’s a special TRX model, though I’m not sure how you could forget with large exhaust pipes that act as megaphones for the supercharged V-8. Bright red paint makes this large truck stand out anywhere.
The Ram 1500 TRX carries that sporty theme throughout the inside, too. A leather and carbon fiber flat bottom steering wheel with aluminum paddle shifters sets the tone. You are not roughing it with the Ram 1500 TRX, leather covered seats are heated and ventilated for front and rear seat passengers. The cabin is large with a lot of space and some clever storage areas. Choose the pricey TRX level two package and the interior is even more luxurious with plenty of leather and premium materials on the dash, the center console and door panels. Ram is ahead of the competition with well-designed and luxurious surroundings. And the updated Uconnect 5 system is easy to use.
The large 12-inch screen provides better graphics for the NAV system and the 19-speaker sound system is not so shabby either.
Cost: $83,790; as tested $103,880
MPG: 10 MPG City; and 14 MPG Highway. I managed 10.1 mpg in 203 miles of driving.
Options: $395 trailer tow group; $995 advanced safety group; $945 bed utility group; $250 lower two-tone paint; $10,295 TRX level 2 equipment group; $695 tri-fold tonneau cover; $1,295 TRX carbon-fiber package; $445 black power-fold trailer tow mirrors; $TRX exterior graphics by Mopar; $995 rock rail by Mopar; $895 TRX hood graphics by Mopar; $495 trailer reverse steering control; $ 1,895 destination charge
Safety: Ready-alert braking; full speed forward collision warn plus; adaptive cruise control with stop & go; lane departure alert warning plus; automatic high beams; parallel & perpendicular park assist with stop; ParkSense front and rear with stop; advanced brake assist; lane keep assist; blind spot and cross path detection
Things to know: The Ram 1500 TRX crew cab turns up the crazy with over 700hp and is ready for some serious off-roading.
Pros:
- It looks ready to take on the world with tough looks
- Interior is more like a luxury car than a hard working pickup
- Supercharged V-8 power and sound will have you breaking the law
Cons:
- A six figure truck with added options
- Feels big and heavy in the corners
- Laughable fuel economy and a huge thirst for premium gas
