The good folks at RAM tossed me the keys to a 2022 RAM 1500 TRX for the week. This isn’t my first time with the RAM TRX, I have tested one before, which is why I label it as the “Best Stock Truck Money Can Buy”. And these are the reasons I feel that way…
700+ Horsepower V8 Powerplant
Most Prerunner vehicles out there have some 400-500 horsepower V8 strapped to them, but the 2022 RAM 1500 TRX will likely beat them all with its stock 700+ horsepower powerplant. The TRX comes with 702 horsepower from the factory all smashed together by its supercharged 6.2 liter HEMI V8 engine. As if 702 horsepower wasn’t a crazy enough figure it gives you 650 lb-ft of torque.
I think the only negative is the engine bay is a plastic-covered city compared to the TRX’s Hellcat Challenger and Charger cousins. After you put your foot down you forget what you cannot see in the engine bay!
Suspension Some Trophy Trucks Don’t Even Have
The RAM TRX comes with a Bilstein Black Hawk suspension system that RAM literally calls Ford out by saying it is “…more sophisticated than the Ford Raptor shock system…”. It features some Bilstein algorithm wizardry, dual-valve technology, high-pressure stainless steel braided hoses and lines, remote reservoirs, and a unique bottoming-out cutoff.
It is a whole bunch of suspension wizardry you can literally see from inside the wheel wells and feel both on the road and off the road.
Interior Comfort/Tech
Front and center on the interior has to be the 12-inch Uconnect touchscreen that gets you to the pages you want, likely the performance pages giving you drive mode, launch control, and performance information. Also, in the low-key luxury interior is a 12-inch full digital gauge cluster, 8 drive modes, a heads-up display, and more Alcantara than you know what to do with. Did I mention I love Alcantara in performance vehicles?
Insane Amount of Drive Modes
I just touched on them on the interior, but there are so many drive modes it deserves its own call out. There are enough drive modes in the TRX to field an NBA team. You get, from left to right, Sport, Tow, Snow, Auto, Custom, Mud/Sand, Rock, and Baja modes. You will likely live in Sport or Baja mode even if on the road. I know you will, it is okay!
Looks Angry Standing Still
This is the second RAM 1500 TRX I have tested in 3 years. It looks pissed off sitting still in my driveway. My neighbors are likely thinking why I am angry at them with such an angry-looking vehicle.
35-inch all-terrain rubber on 18-inch wheels adds to the overall look of the machine while the hood can barely contain the HEMI which lives under it.
In my opinion, the only thing that makes it look better is the OEM Mopar Rambar. RAM has yet to send me a vehicle with one equipped, but that is okay as you can literally buy one from a RAM dealer on Amazon.
Final Thoughts
They start at $86k, but you will be lucky to find one that isn’t sitting above $100k with enough options checked. You are likely to also live at the gas station, but it doesn’t matter the RAM TRX is an experience. All those features above give you an off-road package that has even Prerunners dreaming.
For more of his automotive exploits, you can follow Danny on Instagram @DKorecki and subscribe to his YouTube channel.
