2022 RAM 1500 TRX Review | 702 Horsepower of Pure Chaos
The 2022 Ram TRX - A Fierce Contender Facing Its Final Countdown
The 2022 RAM 1500 TRX arrived with one mission: destroy every expectation people had about what a pickup truck could be. Before the TRX, high-performance trucks already existed, but nothing combined this level of horsepower, off-road capability, luxury, and straight-line speed into one production vehicle. RAM didn’t simply build a faster off-road pickup. It built a full-size super truck powered by a supercharged Hellcat V8.
At the center of the TRX sits a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 producing 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, numbers that sounded almost absurd for a factory pickup truck when the TRX first appeared. The result was a vehicle capable of launching from 0–60 mph in roughly 4 seconds while still riding on massive all-terrain tires and carrying genuine desert-running hardware underneath.
What made the TRX feel even more shocking was how complete the package seemed. RAM engineered the truck specifically to dominate high-speed off-road driving while still preserving much of the comfort and refinement found in the standard RAM 1500. Massive suspension travel, adaptive Bilstein dampers, reinforced chassis components, and aggressive cooling systems transformed the TRX into a legitimate Baja-style machine rather than just a powerful street truck pretending to be off-road capable.
At the same time, the TRX also became one of the most luxurious and comfortable trucks in its segment. The cabin offered premium materials, enormous passenger space, advanced technology, and surprisingly smooth ride quality considering the truck’s aggressive setup. That balance between brutality and refinement became one of the TRX’s defining characteristics.
Of course, excess comes with consequences. The TRX is enormous, expensive, and extremely thirsty for fuel. Its size can feel intimidating in urban areas, and ownership costs quickly climb once fuel, tires, and insurance enter the equation. Yet none of those compromises stopped the TRX from becoming one of the most talked-about performance trucks of the modern era.
More importantly, the 2022 TRX represented something larger than just another pickup. It became a symbol of unapologetic American performance during a period when electrification and efficiency were beginning to dominate the automotive industry. Loud, supercharged, oversized, and wildly excessive, the TRX felt almost rebellious from the moment it arrived.
| 2022 RAM 1500 TRX Specs | Details |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Full-Size Performance Pickup Truck |
| Engine | Supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 |
| Horsepower | 702 hp |
| Torque | 650 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Four-wheel drive |
| 0–60 mph | Approximately 4.0 seconds |
| Ground Clearance | 11.8 inches |
| Maximum Towing Capacity | 8,100 pounds |
| Maximum Payload | 1,310 pounds |
| Fuel Economy | 12 mpg combined |
| Tire Size | 35-inch all-terrain tires |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Starting MSRP | Starts at approximately $72,000 |
Pros
- Massive supercharged V8 delivers explosive acceleration
- Outstanding high-speed off-road capability
- Surprisingly refined ride quality for such an aggressive truck
- Luxurious and spacious cabin with premium materials
- One of the most dramatic truck exhaust notes on the market
- Excellent desert-running suspension setup
- Strong towing capability despite performance focus
- Unique personality unmatched by most competitors
Cons
- Extremely poor fuel economy
- Massive size can feel difficult in tight urban areas
- Ownership costs are significantly higher than standard trucks
- Heavy weight reduces agility on pavement
- Some rivals now offer quicker acceleration
What’s New for 2022?
- The TRX continues largely unchanged following its explosive debut
- RAM expands available equipment packages and customization options
- Additional technology and convenience features become more widely available
- The TRX remains the most powerful production pickup truck on sale during the 2022 model year
- Competition intensifies as Ford prepares more powerful Raptor variants and electric super trucks begin entering the market
2022 RAM 1500 TRX Overview
The 2022 RAM 1500 TRX completely redefined what buyers expected from a high-performance pickup truck. Rather than building a slightly faster off-road version of the standard RAM 1500, RAM created a full-size super truck engineered to deliver extreme desert capability, supercar-level acceleration, and luxury-truck refinement all at the same time.
At the heart of the TRX is a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 producing 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers alone were enough to place the truck in a completely different category from traditional off-road pickups when it first launched. Even years later, the TRX still feels excessive in the best possible way.
RAM designed the TRX specifically to compete with the Ford F-150 Raptor while pushing performance even further. Massive 35-inch all-terrain tires, adaptive Bilstein dampers, reinforced suspension hardware, underbody protection, and over 13 inches of suspension travel allow the TRX to handle rough terrain at speeds that feel genuinely shocking for a vehicle this large.
What separates the TRX from many performance-focused vehicles is how refined it feels during normal driving. Despite its aggressive off-road setup and enormous power output, the truck still delivers impressive ride comfort, excellent cabin insulation, and one of the most upscale interiors available in the full-size pickup segment.
At the same time, the TRX arrived just as the automotive industry began shifting heavily toward electrification. New electric performance trucks such as the Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning quickly introduced even quicker acceleration numbers, changing the performance truck conversation almost immediately after the TRX entered the market.
Even so, the 2022 TRX remains memorable because of its personality. The violent supercharged V8 soundtrack, dramatic styling, massive road presence, and unapologetically excessive character created a truck that felt far more emotional and mechanical than many modern performance vehicles. It wasn’t simply fast for a pickup truck. It felt outrageous by almost any standard.
Competitors to Consider
The 2022 RAM 1500 TRX competes in one of the most unusual segments in the truck market. While traditional full-size pickups focus primarily on towing and utility, the TRX belongs to a smaller category of high-performance off-road trucks built around extreme power and desert-running capability.
Its most direct rival is the Ford F-150 Raptor, which helped establish the modern high-speed off-road truck segment long before the TRX arrived. The Raptor offers impressive suspension tuning, strong off-road capability, and better fuel economy, though its twin-turbo V6 lacks the raw drama and violent acceleration delivered by the TRX’s supercharged V8.
Electric trucks also began changing the market shortly after the TRX debuted. The Rivian R1T introduced shocking acceleration, advanced torque vectoring, and futuristic technology, while the Ford F-150 Lightning brought electric performance into the mainstream truck world with impressive towing capability and rapid straight-line speed.
Buyers wanting a less extreme and more affordable off-road truck may also consider models such as the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro or Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2. Both offer strong off-road capability and improved daily usability, though neither delivers the same level of horsepower or dramatic personality as the TRX.
Compared to all of these competitors, the TRX stands out because of its balance between luxury, brutality, and genuine off-road capability. It feels less like a modified work truck and more like a factory-built off-road super truck designed specifically to shock people every time the engine starts.
2022 RAM 1500 TRX Driving Experience
Driving the 2022 RAM 1500 TRX feels almost absurd the first time you fully press the throttle. Despite weighing nearly 7,000 pounds and riding on oversized all-terrain tires, the TRX launches forward with an aggression that feels closer to a muscle car than a traditional pickup truck. The supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 delivers immediate, violent acceleration accompanied by one of the loudest and most dramatic exhaust notes available in any modern production truck.
Power delivery feels relentless throughout the rev range. The supercharger provides strong low-end torque, highway passing feels effortless, and the eight-speed automatic transmission responds quickly enough to keep the truck feeling constantly eager under hard acceleration. Even years after its debut, the TRX still feels shockingly fast for something this large.
The supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 remains the centerpiece of the TRX experience, delivering 702 horsepower and explosive acceleration that still feels outrageous even by modern performance truck standards. Buyers interested in the official engine specifications and performance technologies can explore the detailed breakdown directly from the official RAM TRX performance page.
RAM engineered the truck specifically for high-speed off-road driving, and that focus becomes obvious once the pavement ends. Adaptive Bilstein dampers, long-travel suspension, reinforced chassis components, and extensive underbody protection allow the TRX to remain composed over rough terrain at speeds that would overwhelm many ordinary pickups. Baja mode sharpens throttle response, adjusts suspension behavior, and transforms the truck into a genuine desert-running machine.
Surprisingly, the TRX remains very civilized on normal roads. Ride quality feels smoother than expected, road imperfections are absorbed well, and the suspension avoids the overly harsh behavior common in many heavily modified off-road vehicles. Highway stability is also impressive considering the truck’s height and aggressive tire setup.
Steering precision naturally cannot match smaller performance vehicles, and the TRX’s enormous size becomes noticeable in tighter corners or crowded urban environments. Fuel economy is predictably terrible as well, especially during spirited driving where the supercharged V8 constantly encourages heavy throttle use.
Still, the driving experience is exactly what makes the TRX memorable. It feels excessive, mechanical, loud, and unapologetically American in a way few modern vehicles still do. Even among today’s increasingly advanced performance trucks, the TRX continues to feel uniquely wild behind the wheel.
2022 RAM 1500 TRX Comfort
One of the most impressive aspects of the 2022 RAM 1500 TRX is how comfortable it remains despite its extreme performance focus. Considering the truck’s massive tires, aggressive suspension setup, and supercharged V8 power, many drivers expect the TRX to feel exhausting during normal daily driving. Instead, RAM engineered the truck to remain surprisingly refined and livable.
The adaptive Bilstein suspension absorbs rough pavement and highway imperfections far better than expected for a high-speed off-road truck. While the TRX never completely hides its size or aggressive setup, ride quality feels smoother and more controlled than many competing off-road pickups.
Front-seat comfort is excellent, especially on higher trims equipped with premium leather upholstery, heating, ventilation, and power-adjustment functions. The seats provide strong support during aggressive driving while still remaining comfortable enough for long highway trips. Rear passengers also benefit from enormous legroom thanks to the Crew Cab layout, making the TRX feel surprisingly spacious for families or road trips.
Cabin insulation is another major strength. Wind and road noise remain reasonably controlled at highway speeds, allowing the truck to feel calmer and more refined than its aggressive appearance may suggest. The supercharged V8 remains clearly audible, of course, but the sound feels intentional and entertaining rather than intrusive.
Visibility is generally strong for a full-size truck, though the TRX’s enormous width and height can still feel intimidating in tighter urban areas or parking garages. Maneuvering such a large vehicle through crowded city streets requires attention and patience.
Even so, the TRX successfully balances two completely different personalities. It can behave like a loud and aggressive desert-running machine one moment, then settle into a comfortable and refined long-distance cruiser the next.
2022 RAM 1500 TRX Interior
The interior of the 2022 RAM 1500 TRX combines luxury-truck refinement with aggressive performance-truck personality surprisingly well. Rather than feeling stripped down or overly focused on off-road image, the cabin feels upscale, spacious, and thoughtfully designed for daily use.
RAM already builds one of the best interiors in the full-size truck segment, and the TRX benefits heavily from that foundation. Soft-touch materials, contrast stitching, suede accents, carbon-fiber-style trim, and premium leather upholstery help the truck feel far more expensive than many traditional pickups.
TRX-specific details also help separate the truck from the standard RAM 1500 lineup. Performance-inspired seats, unique badging, red accents, and a flat-bottom steering wheel create a more aggressive atmosphere without making the cabin feel overly flashy or uncomfortable.
Passenger space remains one of the truck’s strongest qualities. Rear-seat legroom is genuinely impressive, and the Crew Cab layout gives passengers enough room to travel comfortably during long-distance trips. Storage solutions throughout the cabin are equally practical, with a massive center console, large door pockets, and multiple storage compartments improving everyday usability.
What makes the interior especially impressive is the contrast between the truck’s violent exterior personality and the calm, refined environment inside the cabin. From behind the wheel, the TRX often feels closer to a luxury SUV than a stripped-out performance machine.
2022 RAM 1500 TRX In-Cabin Tech
Technology inside the 2022 RAM 1500 TRX remains one of the truck’s strongest areas. RAM’s Uconnect infotainment system continues to be among the most user-friendly setups in the full-size truck segment, combining fast response times with clean menus and excellent everyday usability.
The available 12-inch vertically mounted touchscreen dominates the dashboard and still looks modern even by current standards. Graphics are sharp, touchscreen inputs respond quickly, and the split-screen layout allows drivers to manage navigation, media, and climate settings simultaneously without constantly switching menus.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration work smoothly, while built-in navigation remains easy to follow during highway driving or off-road travel. The customizable digital gauge cluster also helps modernize the cabin by allowing drivers to display performance information, navigation data, and vehicle settings directly in front of the steering wheel.
RAM wisely continues offering physical buttons and knobs for important controls such as volume, tuning, and climate adjustments. That decision becomes especially valuable while driving off-road or operating the truck with gloves, situations where touchscreen-only systems can quickly become frustrating.
The TRX also offers multiple USB and USB-C charging ports, wireless charging capability, premium audio systems, and advanced driver-assistance technologies depending on configuration. Available features such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance, and surround-view cameras improve both convenience and safety during daily driving.
Overall, the TRX succeeds because its technology feels practical and intuitive rather than overly complicated. Even with its outrageous performance personality, the truck remains easy to live with every day thanks to a cabin that prioritizes usability alongside power and capability.
2022 RAM 1500 TRX Storage & Cargo
Despite its extreme performance focus, the 2022 RAM 1500 TRX remains a highly practical full-size pickup truck. RAM avoided turning the TRX into a compromised specialty vehicle, meaning buyers still get much of the everyday usability expected from the standard RAM 1500 lineup.
The TRX comes exclusively as a Crew Cab model paired with a 5-foot-7-inch cargo bed. While some buyers may prefer longer bed configurations for heavier work use, the standard setup still provides enough space for motorcycles, camping equipment, tools, construction materials, or weekend adventure gear.
Inside the cabin, practicality remains excellent. The enormous center console easily stores laptops, charging equipment, cameras, and personal items, while large door pockets and additional storage compartments help keep the cabin organized. Rear-seat storage also adds another layer of versatility, particularly for buyers using the TRX as both a performance truck and family vehicle.
Rear-seat passenger space is genuinely impressive for a pickup truck, and the folding rear seats help create additional cargo flexibility when needed. RAM continues to understand that even buyers purchasing a 702-horsepower super truck still expect real-world usability from a full-size pickup.
The TRX also maintains respectable towing and hauling capability despite its aggressive off-road setup. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 8,100 pounds and handle payload tasks better than many drivers may expect from such a performance-focused vehicle. While heavy-duty work trucks still outperform it in pure utility, the TRX delivers more than enough real-world capability for recreational towing and everyday truck duties.
2022 RAM 1500 TRX MPG and Fuel Economy
Fuel economy is easily one of the biggest compromises of owning the 2022 RAM 1500 TRX. With a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 producing 702 horsepower and powering a truck weighing nearly 7,000 pounds, efficiency was never going to be part of the TRX experience.
The EPA rates the truck at just 12 mpg combined, including 10 mpg in the city and 14 mpg on the highway. Real-world fuel economy can often be even worse when drivers regularly explore the truck’s massive power reserves, something the supercharged V8 constantly encourages.
Premium fuel is also required, making ownership costs significantly higher than most standard full-size pickups. The large 33-gallon fuel tank helps improve driving range somewhat, but filling it remains an expensive experience, especially during periods of higher fuel prices.
Buyers focused on efficiency will naturally find far better alternatives elsewhere, including hybrid trucks and smaller turbocharged pickups. Even RAM’s own standard 1500 lineup offers dramatically more economical engine options.
Still, most TRX buyers understand exactly what they are purchasing. The truck exists to deliver outrageous performance, aggressive sound, and high-speed off-road capability rather than fuel savings. In many ways, the terrible fuel economy almost feels like part of the TRX’s larger-than-life personality.
Is the 2022 RAM 1500 TRX Worth the Price?
The 2022 RAM 1500 TRX occupies a very unusual position in the truck market. On paper, it can seem difficult to justify financially. It is expensive, inefficient, oversized, and costly to maintain compared to traditional full-size pickups.
But evaluating the TRX purely through logic misses the entire point of the vehicle.
Buyers are not simply paying for towing numbers or daily practicality. They are paying for one of the most outrageous factory-built pickup trucks ever created, a vehicle that combines supercharged Hellcat power, luxury-level comfort, genuine desert-running capability, and dramatic road presence into one package.
Compared to rivals, the TRX still delivers a unique experience. The Ford F-150 Raptor offers excellent off-road capability and slightly better efficiency, while electric trucks such as the Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning deliver quicker acceleration and newer technology. Yet none replicate the emotional impact of the TRX’s supercharged V8 soundtrack and raw mechanical personality.
For rational truck buyers, there are far better choices available. But for enthusiasts seeking one of the wildest performance trucks ever produced, the TRX delivers an experience few modern vehicles can truly match.
What Makes the 2022 RAM 1500 TRX Special?
The 2022 RAM 1500 TRX stands out because it arrived at a moment when the automotive industry was rapidly moving toward electrification, downsized engines, and efficiency-focused engineering. Instead of following that trend, RAM introduced a supercharged 702-horsepower V8 pickup truck designed to dominate deserts at high speed while sounding like a muscle car.
Everything about the TRX feels excessive in the best possible way. The massive tires, wide-body stance, aggressive suspension, violent acceleration, and thunderous exhaust note create an experience that feels intentionally outrageous from the moment the engine starts.
Yet what truly makes the TRX memorable is how complete the package feels. Despite its brutal personality, the truck still delivers impressive comfort, a luxurious cabin, advanced technology, and genuine everyday usability. It can handle commuting, family road trips, towing, and off-road adventures without constantly reminding drivers that it was built purely for performance.
The TRX also helped redefine the modern performance truck market. Before it arrived, vehicles like the Raptor already proved that off-road performance trucks could succeed commercially. But the TRX pushed the concept into a completely different level of power and drama, forcing competitors to respond with even more extreme machines.
Even years later, the TRX still feels special because it represents something increasingly rare in the modern automotive world: unapologetic mechanical excess.
2022 RAM 1500 TRX Trim Level Differences
Unlike the standard RAM 1500 lineup, the 2022 RAM 1500 TRX keeps its structure relatively simple. Rather than offering dozens of dramatically different trims, RAM focuses on one core high-performance configuration while allowing buyers to customize the truck through optional equipment packages and appearance upgrades.
Even the standard TRX arrives heavily equipped with performance hardware, including the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8, adaptive Bilstein suspension, reinforced chassis components, aggressive off-road tires, and a premium interior packed with modern technology. In standard form alone, the TRX already feels far more specialized and capable than most full-size pickups on the road.
RAM also offers several optional packages that significantly change the truck’s luxury and technology experience. The Advanced Safety Group adds features such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance, and pedestrian emergency braking. Meanwhile, the popular Level 2 Equipment Group introduces upgraded leather seating, premium interior trim, ambient lighting, additional technology features, and enhanced comfort equipment.
Appearance-focused options also allow buyers to personalize the TRX further with unique graphics, wheel designs, exterior colors, carbon-fiber accents, and beadlock-capable wheel packages. While the mechanical foundation remains largely unchanged, these packages help create noticeably different personalities depending on configuration.
Which 2022 RAM 1500 TRX Version Does CarDrav Recommend?
For most buyers, the standard 2022 RAM 1500 TRX already delivers everything that makes the truck special. The supercharged V8, aggressive suspension setup, luxurious cabin, and outrageous personality are all included without needing to spend heavily on every optional package.
However, the Advanced Safety Group is highly recommended because it adds several driver-assistance features that feel especially valuable in a truck this large and powerful. Features such as adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring significantly improve everyday usability during highway driving and city traffic.
Buyers planning to use the TRX regularly as a daily vehicle should also strongly consider the Level 2 Equipment Group. The upgraded leather seats, additional comfort features, ambient lighting, and premium cabin touches help elevate the truck from a high-performance off-road machine into something that genuinely feels luxurious during long-distance driving.
For enthusiasts primarily interested in raw performance and desert capability, the standard TRX remains more than enough. But for buyers seeking the full luxury-supertruck experience, the optional equipment packages transform the TRX into one of the most complete and dramatic performance pickups ever built.
Verdict
The 2022 RAM 1500 TRX remains one of the boldest and most outrageous pickup trucks ever produced. Its supercharged 702-horsepower V8, aggressive off-road capability, dramatic styling, and surprisingly refined daily driving manners create an experience that still feels excessive even by modern performance standards.
What makes the TRX memorable is not simply its horsepower figures or straight-line speed. It is the way RAM combined luxury-truck comfort, Baja-style off-road engineering, muscle-car aggression, and full-size pickup practicality into one machine without compromising its personality.
Yes, it is expensive. Fuel economy is terrible, ownership costs are high, and newer electric trucks now challenge it in outright acceleration. Yet none of those competitors fully replicate the emotional experience of driving a supercharged Hellcat-powered pickup truck built during the final years of the high-horsepower V8 era.
The TRX represented more than just another fast truck when it debuted. It became a symbol of unapologetic American excess at a time when the automotive world was beginning to move in a completely different direction.
For enthusiasts who still value noise, drama, mechanical character, and outrageous performance, the 2022 RAM 1500 TRX remains one of the most unforgettable modern pickup trucks ever built.
FAQ
How much horsepower does the 2022 RAM 1500 TRX have?
The 2022 RAM 1500 TRX produces 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque from its supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 engine.
How fast is the 2022 RAM 1500 TRX?
The TRX can accelerate from 0–60 mph in approximately 4 seconds, making it one of the quickest production pickup trucks of its era.
What trucks compete with the 2022 RAM 1500 TRX?
Major competitors include the Ford F-150 Raptor, Rivian R1T, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Toyota Tundra TRD Pro.
Is the 2022 RAM 1500 TRX good for daily driving?
Surprisingly, yes. Despite its aggressive off-road setup and massive power, the TRX remains comfortable and refined enough for commuting and long-distance travel.
How much can the 2022 RAM 1500 TRX tow?
When properly equipped, the TRX can tow up to 8,100 pounds.
Is the 2022 RAM 1500 TRX worth buying?
For enthusiasts seeking one of the wildest supercharged performance trucks ever built, the TRX delivers a unique mix of power, luxury, off-road capability, and personality that few vehicles can match.
