After a quiet exit in recent years, the Ram Express nameplate is back. For 2026, Ram is reviving the Express trim as part of its updated 1500 lineup. This model serves as an entry-level offering for customers who still want a capable full-size pickup, but without the added cost or complexity of higher trims. Orders are now open, with pricing starting at a competitive $44,495, including the destination charge.
The 2026 Ram 1500 Express slots beneath the core trims in the current Ram 1500 product line, offering just enough content to meet daily work or commuting needs. While no longer a bare-bones truck, it still focuses on utility and appearance over luxury. Available in Quad Cab or Crew Cab configurations, and with rear- or four-wheel drive, the Express is built at Ram’s Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Michigan.
Powertrain and Capability
Standard power comes from the long-serving 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, producing 305 horsepower. Buyers seeking more grunt can opt for the 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six, which generates 420 horsepower and boosts the truck’s maximum towing capacity to 11,550 pounds when equipped in 2WD Quad Cab form. That engine upgrade adds $1,695 to the sticker.
Fuel economy ratings are not yet available, but the Pentastar has historically favored efficiency over outright performance. The Hurricane I-6, on the other hand, is new to the Express trim and likely offers a blend of power and refinement more commonly found in upper-tier models. Both engines work with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Standard Features and Appearance
The Express model adopts a simplified, monochromatic exterior appearance. Body-colored bumpers, gloss black grille surrounds, and 20-inch wheels contribute to its intentionally understated design. LED headlamps with black bezels come standard, giving the truck a more modern, aggressive front-end look.
Inside, the cabin avoids flash in favor of clean and functional design. It features Liquid Graphite and Gridiron-colored interior accents, and while it will not be mistaken for a luxury vehicle, it is far from spartan. Standard safety features include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection.
Black Express Package
Returning for 2026 is the popular Black Express Package. Priced at $995 and exclusive to Quad and Crew Cab 4WD models, this package includes a sport hood, black badging, black 20-inch wheels, side steps, and a mild interior upgrade. That setup proved immensely popular when first offered in 2013 and again in 2019, and Ram appears to be leaning into that legacy.
Pricing and Market Placement
Here’s how the pricing breaks down for the 2026 Ram 1500 Express:
- Quad Cab 2WD – $44,495
- Crew Cab 2WD – $47,245
- Quad Cab 4WD – $48,345
- Crew Cab 4WD – $51,095
Available colors include Diamond Black, Bright White, Granite Crystal, Forged Blue, and Hydro Blue.
The Express will compete primarily with budget-oriented trims of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Ford F-150, though both rivals have scaled back on true entry-level models in recent years. With the Ram 1500 Classic officially retired (the previous generation model), the Express now fills that gap as the most affordable path into a new Ram full-size pickup.
A Legacy Model Returns
The Express name dates to 1939, when Dodge’s T, V, and W series trucks served as dependable workhorses during a time of rapid industrial growth. The original Ram Express was a regular cab with a flathead six-cylinder making just 78 horsepower. It sold for $670. While that era is long gone, the essence of a capable, no-frills pickup continues with the new Express.
Production begins in Michigan, with availability set for the third quarter of 2025. For Ram, the Express helps round out its updated truck lineup, offering a point of entry for buyers who still want a full-size truck but without the added cost of luxury features or oversized touchscreens. All in all, this special model targets buyers who have been priced out of a segment dominated by pricey pickup trucks.
See Also — Introducing the 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger
