Ram Returns to Affordable Territory with 2026 Ram 1500 Express
Pickup truck prices in the United States have been on the rise, but Ram is now offering a more affordable option with the new 2026 Ram 1500 Express trim. This move comes as other manufacturers, such as the Jeff Bezos-backed Slate truck and Ford Maverick, have introduced more budget-friendly options in recent years.
The new Express trim revives a nameplate previously used by Ram from 1939 to 1947 on its T, V, and W series trucks. According to Tim Kuniskis, CEO of the Ram Brand, “The Express is the latest drop in Ram’s product offensive. 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 2026 Ram 1500 Express starts at $44,495 for a quad-cab, rear-wheel-drive model, making it one of the most affordable entry points into the Ram 1500 lineup. Standard features include 20-inch wheels, a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine producing 305 hp, and various advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). The twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six engine is available as an upgrade for $1,695, boosting the towing capacity to 11,550 pounds.
A Black Express package is available for $995, adding features such as black badging, black 20-inch wheels, side steps, a sport hood, and an interior upgrade with black cloth bucket seats and a 7.0-inch gauge cluster.
Pricing varies based on configuration: the two-wheel-drive Crew Cab starts at $47,245, while four-wheel-drive versions of the quad and crew cab are priced at $48,345 and $51,095, respectively. These prices are competitive with the current national average car price of $48,461.
Ram enthusiasts can order the new 2026 Ram 1500 Express now, with deliveries expected around September this year. The company has also teased 25 additional product announcements in the next 18 months, indicating more exciting developments on the horizon.
