Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Ram’s 700-HP 1500 TRX Super Truck Will Make You Forget All About the Ford Raptor

Extreme off-roading, a.k.a. “overlanding,” has exploded in the last decade. Now, thanks to the latest coronavirus, even more people are looking to venture deep into the great outdoors. But, getting deep into the backcountry requires a worthy rig. For 2022, Ram wants you to know its all-new TRX is that rig. In fact, for hardcore pickup enthusiasts with deep pockets, it might be the only option.

Ram has long been synonymous with heavy-duty hauling, ice-cold Rocky Mountain beers, and Carhartt jackets. It’s the sort of brand Jason Momoa might endorse. The new 2022 Ram 1500 TRX (that’s “T-REX” as in “harder, better, faster, stronger than that other pesky dino-inspired pickup”) epitomizes that rugged, bulletproof image. It’s billed as “the most powerful production street-legal half-ton pickup ever produced.” The official website is full of words like “menacing,” “muscular,” and “imposing.” To put a finer point on it, Ram claims the TRX is “inspired by the competition’s nightmares.” Your move, Ford.

On paper, it’s clear the TRX has the chops to talk that much smack. Under the hood lies a 6.2L Hemi V8 with a twin-screw supercharger for near-instantaneous torque. The powerplant is capable of a maximum 14,600 rpm and boost pressure up to 11.0 psi. The cast-iron engine block features a forged-steel crankshaft and induction-hardened bearings strong enough to withstand a staggering 20,000 pounds of force. When the going gets dirty, the high-performance airbox also filters up to four times as much dust and debris as the Ford Raptor. All this automotive wizardry translates to best-in-class numbers of 702 horsepower and 650 ft-lbs of torque for an eye-popping 0-60 time of just 4.5 seconds.

The 2022 Ram TRX is designed to thrive off-road as well. The premium pickup touts exclusive Bilstein Black Hawk E2 shocks — an all-new system that Ram claims is the most sophisticated ever offered on a production pickup. They provide nearly a foot of ground clearance with 13 inches of front suspension travel and 14 inches at the rear. The TRX also features 18-inch, matte black aluminum wheels wrapped in 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory All Terrain tires with beadlock-capable sidewalls. Dedicated dynamic drive modes, including Snow, Sport, Rock, and Mud/Sand, allow the truck to adapt instantly to changing terrain with the turn of a dial. Bottom line: If you can’t drive through it, simply drive over it.

Inside, Ram wants to ensure buyers are getting their money’s worth. The cabin is awash in premium hardware and the latest tech borrowed straight from the luxury car market. That includes a 19-speaker, 900-watt Harman Kardon Premium Audio system, a heads-up display,  a six-button auxiliary switch bank, and a flat-bottom steering wheel with aluminum paddle shifters. If you’re a fancy man, leather-trimmed seating is even an option.

The desire to get far, far off-pavement isn’t a new concept, but the sky-high demand for it certainly is. Ford rewrote the playbook in 2009 with the debut of the Raptor. With its release, the company proved some people are more than happy to shell out $60K for a well-optioned, off-road-worthy pickup. Other American truck makers have since responded with affordable alternatives like the Jeep Gladiator and the Chevy Colorado ZR-2. Now, Ram wants a piece of the action, too.

Ram is banking on well-heeled truck lovers willing to pay even more. The sticker price for an entry-level 2022 Ram 1500 TRX tops $70,000. That’s already $10,000 more than a Ford Raptor before you even start ticking the option boxes. The kitted-out, flagship Launch Edition runs north of $90,000. But, with only 702 such models available, at least you’ll have bragging rights.

If even a premium stock truck isn’t sexy enough for you and money is no object, check out the world’s most extreme overland vehicles.

Editors' Recommendations

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
This near-perfect replica of the ‘Back to the Future’ DeLorean could be yours
1981 DeLorean replica rebuilt for one lucky 'Back to the Future' auto enthusiast
1981 delorean replica for auction

 

In 1975, the DeLorean Motor Company (DMC) was founded by automaking legend John DeLorean. Although this brand never produced many cars during its short and tumultuous history, it is well remembered for manufacturing the beautiful gull-winged stainless steel 1981 DeLorean DMC12. 

Read more
Why GM is killing a popular (and affordable) EV
GM has big plans for EVs — just not the Chevy Bolt
2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV parked outside a home.

When the Chevy Bolt EV was released in 2017, we took it on a test drive and it exceeded our expectations. Since then, the Chevy Bolt went on to become General Motors’ best-selling EV. According to Kelly Blue Book, GM overtook Ford to become the second best-selling EV brand after Tesla due to the Chevy Bolt’s high demand. Besides that, the Chevy Bolt is one of the most affordable electric cars on the market today.

But despite its success, GM is surprisingly pulling the plug on the Chevy Bolt. “It's now time to plan to end the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV production, which will happen at the very end of the year,” Mary Barra, the CEO of GM, announced the plan during the company’s Q1 earnings call. Why is GM dumping its most popular EV? Well, it has to do with profits.
GM is selling the Chevy Bolt at a loss
When the Chevy Bolt was released in 2017, UBS reported that GM was losing $7,400 for every unit that was sold. As per the report, GM was making a loss because it hadn’t yet ramped up the production of the Chevy Bolt to reduce the cost. Of course, GM was also willing to lose money to make the Chevy Bolt one of the cheapest EVs on the market.

Read more
Pitch up in the best motorcycle tents for camping with your two-wheeler
There's nothing like cruising a backcountry road at sunset, wind in your hair, George Thorogood in your ear, and a few bugs in your teeth.
Wingman-of-the-Road Goose Motorcycle Camping System lake feature

After a few long years of pandemic-fueled "lockup," more and more of us are finally getting back to road-tripping. For some, that means camping across the country in an RV; for others, adventure awaits on the back of a two-wheeler (be it pedal or gas-powered). If you fall into the latter camp, we get it. There's nothing like the excitement of cruising down some backcountry road at sunset with the wind in your hair, George Thorogood in your ear, and a few bugs in your teeth.

If you're planning an extended trip, then you'll be looking to overnight along the way. If an ordinary roadside motel just won’t do, maybe you need a more adventurous alternative. Here are our picks for the best motorcycle tents for camping with your two-wheeler along the way in 2023.
Lone Rider MotoTent V2
Best motorcycle tent overall

Read more