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Go Anywhere in the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX Crew Cab 4X4

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Tony Maples Photography

 

The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX, with its supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® V-8 engine producing 702 HP, is “the quickest, fastest and most powerful mass-produced truck in the world,” according to press materials. I wasn’t able to prove the truth of this statement during my week of driving the TRX, since there weren’t any trucks around that offered to race me on busy city streets. Especially at the Ram’s top speed of 118 mph.

Ram 1500 TRX is designed to handle any type of weather or road conditions with ease, assisted by its exclusive link-coil rear suspension system with optional Active-level four-corner air suspension. TRX is also the brand’s first light-duty truck to feature the Know & Go mobile app, offering Ram drivers a totally immersive experience. Safety systems include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, and ready alert braking.

Ram TRX a Fierce Competitor

Go Anywhere in the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX Crew Cab 4X4

Photo: Ram

My test Ram was attired in a bright white clearcoat with black interior that featured leather-trimmed, heated/ventilated bucket seats. Other elegant touches included leather-wrapped driver and passenger assist handles, luxury front door trim panel, and a full-length premium upgraded floor console with wrapped instrument panel. The attractive Bezel instrument panel was complemented by LED ambient light piping, plus front door and rear door accent lighting.

While the TRX looks like the fierce off-road champion it can be when needed, the Ram’s cabin is filled with comfortable touches and has plenty of head- and legroom for the driver and passengers. A handy under-seat storage compartment is located in the rear. My test vehicle had an MSRP of $69,995, but Ram had added options that brought the total price (with destination charges) to $89,860.

Classy-looking Cabin

Go Anywhere in the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX Crew Cab 4X4

Photo: Ram

A Customer Preferred Package ($1,095) added head-up display, rearview auto-dimming digital display mirror, and LED center high mounted stop lamp.
Other options were Tow Group ($195), with trailer light and tire pressure monitoring system (also not features that were tested by this driver). Advanced Safety Group ($995) brought Pedestrian/Cyclist Emergency Braking, and Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go Lane Keep Assist technology to assist the driver.

An added Bed Utility Group ($845) featured deployable bed step by Mopar plus adjustable cargo tie-down hooks and spray in bedliner. I did use these features and found them very helpful when taking a few pieces of furniture to my son’s place. Adding to the truck’s fierce good looks were 18” Beadlock capable aluminum wheels ($1,895), a bed-mounted tire carrier ($995), lower two-tone paint ($250). TRX graphics by Mopar ($495), and Rock Rails by Mopar (995).

Go Anywhere in the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX Crew Cab 4X4

Photo: Ram

TRX Level 2 Equipment Group ($7,920) added the previously mentioned leather trim and other luxury touches inside the cabin, including the ambient lighting A favorite feature for this driver was the ParkSense front and rear park assist.

The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX was named to Car and Driver’s Editors’ Choice list, quite an honor for its first year on the market. The TRX joins Ram 1500 and 2500/3500 on the prestigious list.

Fuel economy is estimated at 10 mpg in town and 14 mpg on the highway, for a combined average of 12 mpg. The TRX helps by featuring a 33-gallon fuel tank.