What is it?
Ram first introduced the TRX extreme off-road pickup truck in 2021, but with plans to kill off the HEMI V8, there was no place for this powerful machine in the Ram lineup, and it was discontinued after just a few years of production. But earlier this year, Ram thrilled its enthusiast fans with the return of the TRX from the relaunched SRT Performance division, boasting a supercharged HEMI V8, a full suite of off-road goodies, and more power than ever before.

Setting a New Bar
“But bringing back the nameplate isn’t enough,” said Tim Kuniskis, head of American Brands, SRT Performance, NA marketing and retail strategy, “Ram set the bar five years ago with 702 horsepower, and that benchmark has been challenged. SRT doesn’t limbo; we high jump and 721 wasn’t going to cut it. 777 horsepower? That’s the mark. And it represents more than power, it signals an awakening and a new path forward.”

Powerful Roots
It’s been more than 20 years since a Ram pickup wore the SRT badge, and that last example was certainly no slouch. The 2006 Ram SRT 10 borrowed its 8.3-liter V10 engine from the Viper, boasting 500 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, and a manual gearbox. That combination was enough to move the half-ton truck to 154.58 miles per hour, setting a Guinness World Record as the fastest production pickup truck at the time. I drove this Ram SRT 10 when it first came out, and it was unlike anything else on the road – it was a beast.

What I Drove
For this review, Ram provided me with a 2027 1500 TRX SRT painted in Bright White Clearcoat. Most everything comes standard on this top-of-the-line pickup, but my truck also included the Bed Utility Group, dual-pane panoramic sunroof, rock rails, and a tri-fold tonneau cover, for a total MSRP of $107,020, including the $2,795 destination charge. Ram builds the 1500 TRX SRT in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Mean Styling
One look at the TRX and it’s clear this isn’t your typical Ram 1500. Wider with more ground clearance than its siblings, the TRX features bold fender flares surrounding the big 35-inch all-terrain tires. Up front is a large black grille, highlighted by RAM outlined in Flame Red. LED clearance lights highlight the functional hood scoop and mark the edges of the front bumper, with the red tow hooks adding a nice splash of color.

Rear View
Darkened LED taillights help to emphasize the large RAM logo in the center of the tailgate, while the red tow hooks draw attention to the massive 5-inch dual exhaust outlets. The new TRX badge, featuring the T-Rex, warns that this beast will devour anything in its path.

Inner Space
It may look tough on the outside, but climb into the spacious cabin and you’ll find surprisingly premium surroundings. High-quality materials are found throughout, with stylish red stitching on the dashboard, steering wheel, and doors for a nice pop.

Hellcat V8
A commemorative plaque on the suede-covered center armrest shows the VIN and calls out the SRT Hellcat 6.2L V8.

Infotainment
The cabin centers on the standard 14.5-inch vertical touchscreen display, which integrates nicely into the dashboard, paired with a 12.3-inch configurable digital driver’s display. Controls and operating are intuitive thanks to the latest Uconnect5 infotainment system. I appreciate the volume and tuning knobs, as well as the physical climate controls.

Front Seats
The big front seats are trimmed in soft leather and suede, standing out with red trim, red seat belts, and the TRX logo embossed into the seatback. With good padding and large bolsters, the seats offer excellent support and comfort, keeping you well planted during enthusiastic off-road excursions. Multiple-function seat massagers, heating, and ventilation add to the comfort, especially for longer road trips.

Rear Seats
Similar styling adorns the rear seats, and while they don’t have the bolstering of those up front, they’re still quite comfortable. Legroom and headroom are plentiful, and the flat floor ensures that even middle-seat passengers won’t be cramped. Outboard seats are heated and ventilated, and dual USB-C ports keep your devices powered.

Under the Hood
Powering the Ram 1500 TRX SRT is a 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 engine pumping out 777 horsepower and 680 lb-ft of torque. According to the company, those figures make the TRX SRT the most powerful production street-legal gas-powered half-ton pickup truck on the market. With launch control engaged (yes, it has launch control), the big truck will reach 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds.

Thirsty Truck
With its powerful V8 engine and outstanding performance, fuel efficiency clearly wasn’t a priority in the TRX’s design. According to the EPA, the Ram 1500 TRX SRT is rated at 10 mpg city / 14 mpg highway / 12 mpg combined. During my time in the TRX, the trip computer indicated 11.3 mpg – not stellar, but not surprising.

Full-time 4WD
The TRX SRT is designed for high performance when the pavement ends – we already know it has the power, so what else has it got? Every TRX SRT comes standard with a BorgWarner full-time transfer case with automatic four-wheel drive, plus 4WD High and 4WD Low.

Managing Rough Terrain
Other features include 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tires, independent front suspension with active performance damping, forged aluminum upper and lower control arms, Bilstein Back Hawk e2 adaptive performance shocks, 14 inches of suspension travel, and a Dana 60 rear axle with a rear electronic locking differential using an axle hop damper to keep the tires on the surface in rough conditions. All of these features come into play with the proprietary Ram Active Terrain Dynamics suspension system that can even adjust the shocks for a stable landing when it detects the truck is mid-flight.

On the Road
I picked up the Ram TRX at the Detroit airport, and just starting it up for the first time put a smile on my face. The V8 rumble sounds lovely at idle, and it only gets better as the revs climb. As I headed down the entrance ramp to I-94, I put my foot down and was immediately pushed back in my seat as the big truck accelerated quicker than something that large should be capable of. Yes, EVs like the Chevrolet Silverado EV or Ford F-150 Lightning also boast this level of acceleration, but the supercharger whine mixed with the V8 roar makes the experience much more exciting.
While it’s not exactly a highway cruiser, the Ram delivered a comfortable, smooth ride at freeway speeds, and it never lacked the power to pass slower vehicles. However, the big truck starts to feel unwieldy if you go much above 70 mph. With tires and suspension designed for off-road excursions, the truck moved around more than I was comfortable with at higher speeds.

Hands-Free Driving
The TRX comes standard with Ram’s latest advanced driver assist systems (ADAS), including Active Drive Assist. The system allows for hands-free driving on selected limited-access multi-lane freeways, and it works quite well. I set the adaptive cruise control at 70 mph on the freeway and activated the Active Drive Assist – the green light surrounding the driver display indicated that it was active, and I could take my hands off the wheel. The system manages the steering, throttle, and brakes, and will even change lanes if you activate the turn signal. However, you still need to keep your eyes on the road, and it will alert you if you don’t.

Off Pavement
Around my home, many of the roads are dirt and gravel, with some in rather poor condition – and the Ram TRX felt right at home. Acceleration is still impressive on loose rock, with the four-wheel drive system and all-terrain tires launching the big truck to 60 quicker than most cars can complete the task on pavement. But most impressive is how stable and controlled the TRX remains, even when hitting potholes or transiting washboard-like surfaces at high speed. Bumps were noticeable but not jarring, and the truck was completely unfazed by changes in the road surface.

Right for You?
The 2027 Ram 1500 TRX SRT is not a truck for an introvert – with its bold styling, screaming supercharger, and roaring exhaust, you are going to get noticed. If you’re looking for on-road performance, the new Ram 1500 Rumble Bee may be a better fit, but if you want aggressive design, a plush cabin, and high-performance off-road capability, the exciting Ram TRX SRT may be the truck for you.