It wasn’t that long ago that the world was in shock by the brute force packed into the Dodge Challenger and Charger Hellcat models. With over 700 horsepower available right off the showroom floor, how could anyone top that? Give it a few years and the Ram 1500 has entered the high-powered truck wars. No longer is the Ford F-150 Raptor the only show in town. Make way for the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX.
Turo host Sean’s Ram truck is anything but sedate. While MoPar fans will be familiar with the 1500 model, the addition of the TRX name cranks up the extreme factor to 11… and then some. Under the hood of the Ram TRX is the familiar 6.2L Hemi V8 engine. However, unlike the “standard” Hemi, the TRX is supercharged like its Dodge Hellcat brethren. That means the TRX pumps out a monstrous 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque good for a sub-four second 60 mph sprint — in a pickup truck! To put that into perspective, the Ford Raptor is anything but a slouch, but its 450-horse twin-turbo 3.5L V6 is going to have a lot of ground to make up when pitted against the Ram TRX.
While the TRX can impress with numbers alone, there’s more to this pickup’s story. The power is sent through an eight-speed automatic, but more importantly, the TRX is a full-time 4×4. So whether it’s dry pavement, fresh powder, or maybe loose sand in the desert, the Ram TRX is ready to tear things up (Keep in mind off-roading is prohibited with any vehicle booked on Turo).
A lot of trucks have four-wheel drive, but the TRX takes things a step further in the chassis department with a beefed-up frame and additional ground clearance, and its special Bilstein shock absorbers and 35-inch all-terrain tires are ready to handle the rigors of heavy truck stuff.
A truck with gargantuan muscle like the Ram TRX isn’t going to have a subtle appearance like more pedestrian trucks. To make sure you don’t mistake the TRX for anything else, it comes equipped with bulging fender flares, plus an aggressive hood scoop to feed air into the supercharged power plant. Sean’s TRX looks extra menacing on the road thanks to its black exterior paint.
Despite the drag racer performance, passengers of the Ram TRX don’t have to worry about a spartan interior in the name of all-out speed. Hop inside the five-seater quad cab and you’ll be treated to leather upholstery and special TRX themed red stitching that nicely adds a bright contrast to the otherwise dark interior scheme. For those rare moments when you want to just cruise at a mellow pace and enjoy the scenery, there’s even a panoramic sunroof. The TRX also comes with a 19 speaker Harman Kardon audio system, so you can listen to your favorite tunes wherever your adventures might take you.
In a world shifting to autonomous and electric vehicles, it’s refreshing to know that enthusiasts can still look forward to raw creations with bonkers performance, even at the sacrifice of any semblance of fuel efficiency (12 mpg combined). The Ram 1500 TRX is one of those rare occasions when an automaker sets practicality aside in pursuit of making a statement. A Ram TRX may not be a common sight on the road, but when you’re in the presence of one, everyone will see it, hear it, and a Ford Raptor may want to move over before the TRX eats it.
Author: Joey Crosetti
September 22, 2021
