~ A DriveWays Review ~
by Matthew P. Aukofer

The 2022 RAM 1500 TRX Crew Cab 4×4 will force you to make one tough decision. Would you be willing to possibly trash something so beautiful – and expensive – simply to use it in the way that it was intended?

It’s a question many truck owners would love the opportunity answer.

On the one hand, the RAM TRX is a 702-horsepower beast of a truck with a robust four-wheel-drive system, active performance shock absorbers with a body lift, and an electronic locking rear differential—all markers of a serious off-roader.

On the other hand, it boasts a surprisingly upscale interior, with a bevy of safety features and creature comforts—all markers of a luxury sedan. Much of the fancy stuff comes from the option packages added to our test vehicle.

But many TRXs will be configured in this way. Then the question becomes: Is this truck too nice to bash around in the boonies? It’s hard to imagine climbing into it covered in mud and spreading grime all over the ventilated leather and suede bucket seats, brushed aluminum trim and carbon fiber interior accents.


It’s a nice problem to have. It means you have the best of both worlds: a powerful brute of a truck designed to tackle both off-road trails and urban roads with ease.

The exterior design of the RAM 1500 TRX is striking. With its aggressive front grille, menacing hood scoop, and massive fender flares, it demands attention wherever it goes. The Crew Cab configuration not only adds to the truck’s versatility but also ensures there’s plenty of room for passengers and cargo.

Under the hood, the TRX boasts a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 engine, borrowed from the Dodge Challenger Hellcat, delivering a jaw-dropping 702 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque, the twisting force you feel when you step on the gas. It’s a shame this beauty is mostly obscured by a large plastic engine cover under the hood. This powertrain is matched to an efficient eight-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth shifts and quick response times.

When it comes to performance, the RAM 1500 TRX truly shines. The truck’s off-road capabilities are remarkable, allowing it to conquer challenging terrains like sand, rocks and mud while remaining composed while doing so.

On-road performance is equally impressive. The TRX accelerates with authority, making highway merging and passing a breeze. The exhaust note is music to any truck enthusiast’s ears, emitting a satisfying growl that leaves no doubts about its power. Despite its size and performance-oriented nature, the TRX handles surprisingly well, offering precise steering and minimal body roll.

Inside the cabin, the RAM 1500 TRX, as optionally equipped, exudes comfort and luxury. The Crew Cab layout provides ample legroom and headspace for both front and rear passengers, making it suitable for long journeys with a full crew on board. The rear seat is positively cavernous, and the mix of premium materials (if so equipped) doesn’t stop in the front row. Option packages also provide plenty of mobile-device charging ports, rear climate control, and 115-volt standard household outlet.

The technology suite in the TRX is equally impressive, featuring a large infotainment touchscreen with crisp graphics and user-friendly controls. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration ensure seamless smartphone connectivity. Safety-wise, the truck can be equipped with advanced driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist.

However, all this performance and luxury come at a price, and the RAM 1500 TRX is not a budget-friendly truck. Its thirst for fuel is also quite substantial, but given the power it packs, it’s a tradeoff many enthusiasts are willing to accept.

With a base price of $83,790, the 2022 RAM 1500 TRX Crew Cab 4X4 is a lot of truck. It comes standard with full-speed forward-collision warning, electronic full-time 4WD, high-performance brakes, a 3.55 rear axle ratio, electronic locking rear axle, a rear back-up camera, remote start system, Class IV receiver-hitch and a 33-gallon fuel tank. It also has both front and rear active performance shock absorbers with adaptive damping.

Base interior features include the Ram clean air cabin filter, a 12-inch touch screen display, a 7-inch gauge cluster display, a leather flat-Bottom steering wheel, and steering-wheel-mounted shift controls.

You can go crazy on options, and the test vehicle showed it with about $20,000 in extras, bringing the total sticker price to $103,880, including destination fees. Options ranged from comforts like power-adjustable ventilated bucket seats, a 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and ambient lighting, to safety features such as pedestrian emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.

Although the TRX can’t tow as much as some Ram models, which are currently rated at up to 12,750 pounds, it can still pull a substantial amount. It has a maximum towing capability of 8,100 pounds (100 less than the F-150 Raptor), and it’s able to carry up to 1,310 pounds of payload (80 lbs. less than the Ford).

A minor gripe is that the bed cover is made of canvas, as opposed to the hard covers offered by other manufacturers. It is fairly easy to fold and unfold, but it flaps around in the breeze, even at low speeds.

Fuel economy is expectedly atrocious for a vehicle of this size, weight, and configuration. It gets just around 10 mpg in the city and 14 on the highway, for just 12 mpg combined. The EPA estimates annual fuel costs at $3,700.

As many car and truck manufacturers turn their eyes toward an electric vehicle future, the writing is on the wall for vehicles equipped with such large V-8 engines. It won’t be long before it will be impossible to find a 6.2-liter HEMI in a dealer showroom, so the TRX is among the last of a dying breed. If a truck like the TRX is on your bucket list, get it while you can.

Specifications

  • Model: 2022 RAM 1500 TRX Crew Cab 4×4, four-door, full-size pickup truck.
  • Engine: 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 SRT engine; 702 hp, 650 lb-ft torque.
  • Transmission: Eight-speed automatic.
  • Overall length: 19 feet 5 inches.
  • Height: 6 feet 9 inches.
  • Passenger volume: 132 cubic feet.
  • Weight: 6,868 pounds.
  • Towing capability: 8,100 pounds.
  • EPA city/highway/combined fuel consumption: 10/14/12 mpg.
  • Base price/destination charge: $83,790/$1,895.
  • Price as tested: $103,880.

Disclaimer: The manufacturer provided the vehicle used to conduct this test drive and review. Photos © Matt Aukofer