Ram’s TRX Was Too Loud, Too Heavy. That’s Why It’s Coming Again.

With a Ram TRX 2.0 arriving as quickly as subsequent 12 months, we thought it could be a great time to check the unique Hellcat-powered TRX to its six-cylinder compatriot, the RHO. Conveniently, we’ve pushed each vans to their limits—and previous them generally—at Rausch Creek Off-Road Park.

Power to Weight

A fast have a look at the RHO’s press launch exhibits that placing the all-new Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six engine below the hood was all about maximizing “horsepower per dollar.” And they have been proper. The RHO’s essential competitor, Ford’s F-150 Raptor, produced 450 horsepower, beginning at $78,540 MSRP; examine that to the RHO cranking out 540 horsepower at $69,995 MSRP, and also you get the concept.

Maximizing efficiency per greenback is all effectively and good, however Ram’s resolution to go together with an inline-six went a lot additional than simply the economics. Despite sacrificing 162 horsepower and 129 pound-feet of torque over the outgoing V8, the Hurricane powertrain is 150 kilos lighter. That allowed the massive foreheads within the engineering division to maneuver the engine additional again, bettering weight stability on the entrance axle, saving an estimated 180 kilos. Looking on the curb weights of each automobiles, the RHO weighs in at 6,283 lbs—160 lbs lighter than the TRX.

I can say with absolute confidence from my extremely calibrated rear finish that there’s nothing between the 2 vans in straight-line efficiency. And fortunately, our associates at MotorTrend have confirmed this of their testing, with the TRX sprinting to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and the RHO reaching the identical pace in 4.6. But let’s be trustworthy, no person is shopping for these vans to race on the drag strip. These machines are all concerning the expertise.

Sound

At our core, automotive fanatics love the sensations of driving. Many would possibly see it as a chore, however to us, it’s typically a sensory-rich expertise; you’re balancing the usage of your fingers and ft to function the pedals and the steering wheel, feeling what the automotive is doing via the seat of your pants, and listening to the engine as you roll onto the fuel pedal. Consider it the petrolhead’s model of tune and dance.

Sound is integral in crafting the driving expertise, and the TRX is an ideal instance. Right from the time it was delivered at our workplace, it was probably the most imposing vans we’ve had on take a look at. Our specific instance was the largest, the loudest, the tallest, and (in our case) the reddest pickup vans I’ve ever pushed. Rather amusingly, the keyfob permits you to remotely begin the TRX as you stroll as much as it, and the noise it made was simply addicting from the beginning.

For context, the engine was loud sufficient at idle to drown out the whole lot else within the storage at our workplace. Volume is all effectively and good, however the noise that’s delivered into the cabin was surprisingly complicated for such a easy system. At idle it bellows similar to some other V8, however once you stand on the fuel pedal, the supercharger involves life with its high-pitched whine, including to the shock and awe that’s already coming from the tailpipe.

If I have been to personify the sounds of the 2 automobiles, the TRX feels such as you’re inside a miter noticed at a lumber yard. The RHO continues to be on the identical lumberyard, simply subsequent to the noticed. That’s to not low cost that the Hurricane inline six isn’t an unimaginable engine—because it is. We’re merely suggesting that the TRX’s soundtrack is so spectacular that perhaps even Ram themselves can’t replicate it.

Airtime/ High-Speed

Let’s be trustworthy, these Supertrucks from Ford and Ram are Frankenstein workout routines of kinds, constructing an off-road monster that’s additionally highway authorized. Unfortunately, only a few of them will ever see the filth, however that didn’t cease us from discovering out how effectively each of Ram’s Baja beasts fly via the air—amongst different issues. Our associates at Rausch Creek have a superb high-speed course on their property with bowl turns, a set of whoops, and a tabletop soar to ship you into the air.

The 150-pound weight financial savings on the entrance may not sound like lots, however it was very obvious that the TRX landed simply barely nose-heavy. It’s simply easy physics {that a} large V8 lump below the hood would have the truck behaving that manner within the air. Compare that to the RHO, which landed a lot flatter with each entrance and rear wheels touching down nearly concurrently.

For context, we went snow-wheeling with the RHO, so we’d desire to come back again and do our flight testing once more in additional managed circumstances. We’re considering that the snow that accrued on the soar face might have performed a job within the truck touchdown flatter. Everywhere else, I used to be blown away how effectively the truck attached in deep snow—particularly with ice hiding beneath in some spots. Regardless of the circumstances, it’s clear that getting both of those Baja beasts to slip round is an extremely particular expertise.

At The End of The Day

It’s troublesome to categorically say if the RHO is a “better” truck than the TRX. We typically get carried away on this enterprise with placing labels on automobiles, and that merely wouldn’t be honest for these two vans. Instead, it seems that Ram is following Ford’s strategy with the Raptor and Raptor R, providing an entry-level truck that’s preceded by an absolute beast. For context, the 2025 Raptor begins at $79,005 with the Raptor R a fairly important soar as much as $111,550 MSRP.

It’s unclear what sort of horsepower the brand new TRX can be packing below the hood, however we’d be stunned if it delivered lower than the outgoing 702-horsepower truck. We’ve seen the identical Hellcat motor simply make 1,000 horsepower, however we’d wager the TRX 2.0 can be nearer to the excessive 700 mark.

If you’re fortunate sufficient to be available in the market for both truck, it seems you may need a troublesome resolution in your fingers. As is at all times the case, evaluating these two large rigs is far more complicated than a case of “same truck, different engine.” We’ll possible be taught extra concerning the TRX 2.0 very quickly, as many say manufacturing is about to start in early 2026.

Matt Crisara is a local Austinite who has an unbridled ardour for automobiles and motorsports, each overseas and home. He was beforehand a contributing author for Motor1 following internships at Circuit Of The Americas F1 Track and Speed City, an Austin radio broadcaster centered on the world of motor racing. He earned a bachelor’s diploma from the University of Arizona School of Journalism, the place he raced mountain bikes with the University Club Team. When he isn’t working, he enjoys sim-racing, FPV drones, and the good outdoor.