Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A red 2021 Ram 1500 TRX is shown angled right while off roading in the desert kicking up sand.

Is the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX the New Standard for Half-Ton Trucks?

Many have seen Ram 1500’s out on the road and were impressed by their bold aesthetic, but haven’t known much more than that. Those who have got behind the wheel of one are often entranced by the trucks because of their spaciousness, impressive fuel economy, and strong towing metrics. The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX flips everything on its head, though.

Based on horsepower, it’s the most powerful production street-legal half-ton pickup ever built. It boasts an incredible 4.5 second 0-60 mph time as well. There is so much more to this truck than meets the eye. Whether you are simply hoping to learn more about the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX or are considering buying one, consider yourself lucky, as we will be delving into the details in this piece and Ram trucks as a whole.

A Brief Overview of Ram Trucks

Ram trucks have a reputation for reliability and consistency. The brand’s ancestors date back to the first half of the 20th century as Dodge work trucks. Over time, Dodge crafted its Ram to be a powerful truck that would be able to do more work than the competition, but Ram trucks really hit their stride with the introduction of the Cummins diesel engine. When that beast of an engine was implemented in 1989, it instantaneously became the most powerful truck on the market. With this new engine, no other truck company could come close to Ram’s power and torque.

The next evolution of the engine came in 2003 when the HEMI gasoline engine joined the Cummins diesel. Today, a supercharged Hellcat HEMI engine is what allows the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX to be the most powerful production half-ton pickup out there. Since 2003, Ram trucks have been optimized for comfort, efficiency, and aesthetics. At this point, the truck line is a top competitor in the industry.

A grey 2021 Ram 1500 TRX is parked in thick fog with its headlight illuminated.

Why the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX is Worth Your Time

If you haven’t caught our drift by now, this truck is extremely powerful. The supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 that you get with this truck pumps out 702 hp and 605 lb-ft of torque. Have you ever seen a half-ton pickup reach 60 mph in 4.5 seconds? If not, you should check this vehicle out. The twin-screw supercharger gives nearly instantaneous torque, has a maximum speed of 14,700 rpm, and can regulate boost pressure up to a ridiculous 11.0 psi. In short, this engine is ready to give all its got at the drop of a hat.

If you plan on pulling some large payloads, rest assured that the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX is able to tow 8,100 lbs and carry 1,310 lbs of payload. All that power comes with great responsibility, but Ram has handily provided multiple selectable drive modes to help you tame the beast. These modes consist of normal, sport, snow, custom, mud/sand, rock, and Baja.

As previously mentioned, Ram trucks are renowned for their interiors. This is especially so in the latest editions of their half-ton pickups. The materials are luxurious and rich and provide top of the line insulation from outside noises. This is the case for the TRX as well.

Its cloth and upholstery are based on the Ram 1500 Rebel, which is the same for its standard equipment as well. If you are looking to jazz things up a bit, you could opt for the TR1 or TR2 packages. These add more leather to the interior as well as a mix of microsuede and carbon-fiber accenting. For those who want even more upscale features, the vehicle’s top options consist of a heads-up display, a digital rearview mirror, and heated and ventilated front seats.

Aesthetically, the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX is a sight to behold. The TRX also sports unique bumpers, skid plates, and oversized tow hooks. Of course, it has that bold front-end that all Ram trucks sport, but it also has a functional hood scoop with LED lights that give it more character than other trucks we have seen in the past. The hood scoop is able to deliver half the air that is consumed by the engine. That, combined with the deep grooves of the hood, makes for an unmistakable look that will surely become iconic in the years to come.

A red 2021 Ram 1500 TRX is shown from behind while off roading in the desert kicking up sand.

Pricing and Financing

The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX starts at $70,095. If you are seeking to finance the vehicle, feel free to peruse this section as it will detail the information necessary to get you from point A to Z. Financing a vehicle is a big deal, and doing it the right way is going to save you a lot of money and time in the long run.

Financing a car can be broken into three basic parts: the amount borrowed, the interest rate, and the length of the loan. These numbers will determine how feasible the loan will be for you. The amount borrowed will be the entire amount you will need from the bank to purchase the car, while the interest rate is the amount of money to pay the bank for the car loan.

To have a good interest rate, you should have good credit or use a co-signer to solidify the loan. If you choose to go with a co-signer, make sure that you actually make the payments; otherwise, you will hurt the co-signer’s credit. You will also need a downpayment of 10-20% of the vehicle value to obtain a good interest rate. If you have an existing car that you are looking to sell, you could use the profits to fund the downpayment on the new vehicle.

Dealers are often able to give you a great rate on the purchase while only pulling your credit once. If you can find a dealership that can find you a great rate on good terms, you may be best going with the dealer for financing. Finally, the length of the loan is important to consider. The longer the loan, the more you will pay on interest. Typically, 60-month car loans are the longest you will see with reasonable rates. The shorter the loan, the more you will pay each month, but with less money going towards interest on the loan.

End of the Road

It’s taken a lot of work to create a masterpiece like the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX. What once was a budding truck company became a top competitor in the space, and for good reason. Innovations made for Ram trucks have allowed the brand to be a household name and recognized as a standard-setter in the truck industry. The TRX is able to achieve performance metrics the likes of which we have never seen before from a street-legal half-ton pickup.

If you are looking for power, you have it with the TRX. If you want to lift heavy loads, you can rest assured the TRX is able to pull through for you. All this is on top of the fact that it is extremely comfortable and user-friendly. If nothing else, hopefully, you have a better understanding of financing a vehicle and how the overall system works. Overall, the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX is a noteworthy truck, and you will surely be seeing many more on the road going forward.