2026 Ram 1500 Express Is For Shoppers Tried Of High Pickup Prices
Ram has reintroduced the Express trim for the 2026 Ram 1500, starting at $44,495—including a $2,095 destination charge—it will target value-conscious full-size buyers left behind by MSRP creep.
Key Points
- Aimed at value-conscious buyers, the new Ram 1500 Express slots between the Tradesman and Big Horn trims with a starting price of $44,495.
- Standard features include 20-inch wheels, body-colored bumpers, and a 305-hp V6, with a 420-hp turbo inline-six upgrade available for $1,695.
- A $995 upgrade brings black wheels, sport hood, side steps, and upgraded interior details, exclusive to 4WD models.
The Express 1500 will slot in above the base Tradesman and below the Big Horn, offering shoppers three different trim levels below $45,000.
For 2026, the Ram 1500 Express will be available in five monochromatic colors—Diamond Black, Bright White, Granite Crystal, Forged Blue, and Hydro Blue—with body-colored front and rear bumpers, a gloss black grille surround, and minimal badging for a clean and modern aesthetic. It rides on standard 20-inch wheels.
Under the hood, the Express shows up with the company's tried and true 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, good for 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. The uprated, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six can be optioned for an additional $1,695.
The Hurricane is a must for those looking to tow, with 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque, it ups towing capacity to 11,550 pounds in Quad Cab 2WD config.
Standard equipment includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian emergency braking, and LED headlights.
For an additional $995, buyers can opt for the Black Express Package, which adds a sport performance hood, black badging, 20-inch black aluminum wheels, side steps, LED fog lamps, and interior changes like black cloth bucket seats and a 7-inch TFT gauge cluster. The Black Express Package will only be available on 4WD models.
The 2026 Ram 1500 Express will be available in both Quad Cab and Crew Cab configurations, with 2WD and 4WD options. Adding four-wheel drive adds about four grand to the ticket, and opting for a crew cab ups the cost of entry to $47,245, with the four-wheel-drive version checking in at $51,095.
Orders are open now, with deliveries expected to begin in the third quarter of 2025.
Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
More by Michael Accardi
Comments
Join the conversation
I own a 2002 Jeep TJ 4x4 with the 4 liter straight 6 and manual trans. No anti lock brakes, no electric windows, no electric door locks or remote start,no attention grabbing center screen to take your mind off what you should be doing as a driver. Just a straight forward reliable truck, and I'm quite happy with it and I wish the manufacturer's would come to their senses and start making the same thing now.
If I want a glitzed up A&W cruiser I can buy a Lincoln.
Absolutely NO RAM trucks. They are nothing but works of disaster. They are the Glocks of the truck world, broken down and useless.