The TRX is back. The truck of all trucks returns after a short one-year hiatus due to initial emissions rules and a short-lived corporate mandate to ditch the big HEMI V8. As we argued when Ram announced its return, killing the TRX was a mistake from the start. But let’s be honest: Ram’s 777-horsepower, supercharged 1500 TRX SRT is incredibly expensive, not easy to get your hands on, and, above all, more truck than most truck shoppers will ever need. Sure, it’s a sweet flex against your neighbor’s Raptor R, but unless a sub-four-second 0–60 mph sprint and desert-running suspension will meaningfully improve your suburban life, you don’t need a TRX.
The 2027 Ram 1500 RHO might be the better buy here, ironically, first released for 2025 to fill the TRX gap. Today, it’s about $30K cheaper, rides on the same high-performance chassis with the same beefed-up frame and widebody stance, and has the same Bilstein Black Hawk e2 suspension as the TRX. No V8, but if you can get past that (and you should), you’re getting a lighter engine by about 150 pounds, which makes the RHO handle even better and, for what it’s worth, saves you a few extra dollars at the pump over the TRX. The RHO’s 540-horsepower twin-turbo ‘Hurricane’ inline-six still hits 0-60 mph in just 4.6 seconds – enough to get to soccer practice on time and maybe a coffee stop along the way.
Less Weight, Better Balance, Plenty of Power
- Engine: 3.0L twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six
- Horsepower: 540 hp
- Torque: 521 lb-ft
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: 4WD
- 0–60 mph: 4.6 seconds
- Top speed: 118 mph
I had the chance to drive both trucks back-to-back on a short off-road oval, complete with a jump to put those Bilstein shocks to work. Not exactly the Baja 1000, but enough to get a feel for how these two performance full-size pickups behave when pushed. The TRX is predictably outrageous, with its supercharged V8 delivering instant power and plenty of noise. But the RHO is no slouch. With less weight up front, it feels more balanced and manageable through the corners, without sacrificing the off-road capability that makes these trucks so entertaining and badass to begin with.
“Let’s not pretend the RHO is some kind of budget-friendly alternative. The 2027 model I drove carried a Canadian window sticker of $133,240, including options and destination.”
Here’s the thing: 540 horsepower is still an absurd amount of power for a pickup truck. The RHO doesn’t have the TRX’s thunderous V8 soundtrack or quite the same shove when you put your foot down, but it hardly lacks in speed or excitement. Both trucks handled the course and jump without fuss, and unless you’re chasing lap times or planning to spend your weekends launching your truck across the desert, the RHO delivers plenty of performance to keep you entertained. Frankly, more than you probably need anyway.
Is the TRX Really Worth Another $30,000?
| Model | USD | CAD |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Ram 1500 RHO | $74,995 | $129,028 |
| 2027 Ram 1500 TRX SRT | $99,995 | $159,028 |
Absolutely, the TRX is worth the extra cash, likely worth even more in the future. But that’s not the point here. The supercharged V8 is an event all on its own, and the noise, outrageous acceleration, and sheer excess give the TRX a character the RHO simply can’t replicate. If you want the wildest Ram in the showroom, the TRX is your truck. Nobody’s going to talk you out of it, and they shouldn’t. But that privilege comes at a premium of $25,000 USD or $30,000 CAD before you even start ticking the options boxes. And Ram isn’t alone in recognizing that performance trucks are getting expensive. Ford recently introduced a more affordable 2027 F-150 Raptor, cutting roughly $4,000 by dropping the fancier features while keeping the juicier off-road hardware intact.
Takeaway
Let’s not pretend the RHO is some kind of budget-friendly alternative. The 2027 model I drove carried a Canadian window sticker of $133,240, including options and destination. That’s serious money for any pickup. But it’s also a seriously well-equipped truck, with premium leather seats, front-seat massage functions, a massive 14.5-inch touchscreen, 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and a panoramic sunroof. You’re not exactly roughing it here. And while the TRX delivers another level of performance and V8 goodness, it’s hard to argue that most buyers are missing much with the RHO. Except perhaps the bragging rights.
