When Ram launched the updated 1500 for the 2025 model year, things didn't go according to plan. Lower-spec trims were hard to come by, leaving buyers to choose between $70,000 trucks or something on the used market. As a result, Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis said the company got its ass kicked.
Now there's a new trim for 2026 aimed at buyers on a tighter budget. The Ram 1500 Express isn't the cheapest trim in the lineup—the 1500 Tradesman still checks in as the entry-level model. But the Express is barely more expensive, slotting well under Big Horn while bringing a dash of style with 20-inch wheels and a clean, monochromatic exterior. The bumpers are painted body color, most of the badges are removed, and the grille gets a black surround. It's available in five colors: Bright White, Granite Crystal, Forged Blue, Hydro Blue, and Diamond Black.
And it starts at $44,495, including Ram's $2,095 destination charge. For the record, a 2025 Big Horn starts at $47,030.
What do you get for that price? The zero-option 1500 Express is a Quad-Cab truck with two-wheel drive and the aforementioned 20-inch wheels. It has a 305-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 under the hood, though you can add the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six for an extra $1,695. That works out to $46,190 for a 420-hp Ram 1500 on 20s, equipped with a plethora of driver-assist systems including Adaptive Cruise Control and Automatic Emergency Braking. Not bad.
For those seeking a bit more style, Ram also brings back the Black Express package. Last seen in 2019, it's a $995 upgrade that paints the wheels and existing badges black. You also get side steps, LED driving lamps, a sport hood, and a tweaked interior with cloth bucket seats and a floor console, among other things.
Here's a complete price breakdown for the 2026 Ram 1500 Express, including destination.
“The sunset of our Ram 1500 Classic makes the Express a natural front-runner," said Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis. "We have 25 more product announcements planned within the next 18 months, ranging from mild to wild with something for every truck buyer."
Order banks for the 2026 Ram 1500 Express are open now. First deliveries are expected later in the summer.
