Looking to drive more sales volume, the 2026 Ram 1500 Express is a cheaper version of the full-size truck with less features.
What is the 2026 Ram 1500 Express?
The Ram 1500 Express, the name is a nod to a heritage truck from the 1930-1940s, is essentially a consumer-focused version of the Tradesman work truck.
It is available in quad or crew cab and 2WD or 4WD drivetrains.
2026 Ram 1500 Express includes:
- 20-inch wheels
- Standard – 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 rated at 305 horsepower
- Optional – 3.0-liter Hurricane SO I-6 rated at 420 horsepower ($1,695)
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Pedestrian Emergency Braking
- Tow rating up to 11,550 lbs. (Quad Cab 2wd with 3.0L Hurricane SO engine)
- Black-bezel LED headlamps
- Interior accents in Liquid Graphite laser etched paint and Gridiron colors
“The Express is the latest drop in Ram’s product offensive,” said Tim Kuniskis, CEO, Ram Brand. “We started the 2025 model year with a new Ram 1500 and new Ram Heavy Duty lineup. With the platforms refreshed, we begin rolling out trim level enhancements.
The sunset of our Ram 1500 Classic makes the Express a natural front-runner. We have 25 more product announcements planned within the next 18 months, ranging from mild to wild with something for every truck buyer,” said Kuniskis.
The trucks sports a badge-less single color exterior with gloss-black grille surrounds and body-color matched front and rear bumpers. You can get it in several exterior colors including: Diamond Black, Bright White, Granite Crystal, Forged Blue and Hydro Blue.
You can also add the 2026 Ram 1500 Black Express package ($995, Quad and Crew 4WD only):
- Sport hood
- Black badging
- Black 20-inch wheels
- Side steps
- LED foglamps
- Upgraded interior with black cloth bucket seats, 7-inch gauge cluster, floor console
Ram 1500 Express pricing includes $2,095 destination:
- Quad Cab 2WD – $44,495
- Crew Cab 2WD – $47,245
- Quad Cab 4WD – $48,345
- Crew Cab 4WD – $51,095
The truck will be built at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Michigan and orders open up in the fall of 2025.
Ram Express History
Ram (Dodge) T, V and W series trucks were produced from 1939 to 1947. The T and V variants as light-duty and W series as heavy-duty. Gas engine options included a 217.8-cubic-inch or 230.2-cubic-inch flat-head six-cylinder engine with 78 horsepower. The Express MSRP was $670 in 1939. The average selling price today for the historic pickup is $13,900.
The 2026 Ram 1500 Express package was first offered in the summer of 2013 and it accounted for 20 percent of the trucks coming off the assembly line. It was offered again in 2019 with similar success.
Our take
Can the third time they offer it be the charm? With truck prices causing affordability concerns, it is nice to Kuniskis follow up on his pledge to offer a cheaper truck.
