Ram is attempting to bring value back to its lineup of Ram 1500 pickups. This used to be fulfilled by the Classic trim but Ram axed the model and its Hemi V8. Customers responded to this move by axing the brand from their purchase list with the brand watching as Ram 1500 sales tanked due to high pricing.
The company is now attempting to lure some of these customers back with the return of the Ram 1500 Express which will be the new value-focused model in the Ram 1500 lineup
Ram taking the express lane to sales
This latest iteration of the Express is meant to bridge the gap between the Tradesman and the Big Horn with the model getting monochromatic accents with a large set of 20-inch wheels rounding out the look. The model also brings back the Black Express package which Ram claims was a popular choice for consumers in 2013 and 2019 respectively. The cabin gets “Liquid Graphite” and “Gridiron” accents to work with the exterior and the truck even comes with features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian emergency braking.
Buyers can also go for the $995 “Black Express” package which adds an upgraded interior, reworked exterior styling, a 7-inch gauge cluster, and a separate floor console. A prominent catch here is that the Black Express treatment is only available for 4×4 equipped models so 2WD buyers will miss out on this particular package.
Still no V8
Ram made it clear that smaller powerplants will continue to be a crucial part of the buying experience and this is reflected in the newly revived Express. The Hemi V8 that once powered the Classic is gone and is instead replaced with a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that makes 305 hp and is equipped with the eTorque system to boost fuel economy. Buyers looking for more power will be able to upgrade to the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter “Hurricane” inline-six but buyers will have to shell out $1,695 for the upgrade.
The inline-six also boosts towing capability with Ram claiming the truck can pull up to 11,550 when properly equipped. While this Express is a far cry from its V8-powered ancestors in some areas, seeing the nameplate return will be a welcome slice of good news for Stellantis dealerships who have had to struggle with inventory issues and slumping demand.
When can I buy one?
Ram revealed it has opened up the order books for the Express with a base model starting at $42,400 for a 4×2 Quad Cab with the Crew Cab raising the price to $45,150. The optional 4×4 system adds a bigger chunk of change to the price with the prices for these models being $46,250 and $49,000 respectively before taxes and fees.
This pricing ladder makes the Express a bit higher in price than the Tradesman HFE but while this Express is pricier than past models, the value here is still very strong with the Express being a potent alternative to some other Ram trims that have much higher price tags with the Express also pairing nicely with similar rivals from Ford and Chevrolet.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.