The Ram 1500 Express Is Back, and It’s Surprisingly Cheap

When Ram introduced the updated 1500 model for 2025, things didn’t go as planned. Buyers struggled to find lower-spec trims, resulting in having to choose between expensive $70,000 trucks or looking at the used market. Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis admitted that the company faced challenges.
For the 2026 model year, a new trim called the Ram 1500 Express has been introduced to cater to budget-conscious buyers. While not the cheapest in the lineup—the 1500 Tradesman holds that title—the Express is priced just slightly higher, positioned below the Big Horn trim. It offers a touch of style with its 20-inch wheels and sleek, monochromatic exterior featuring body-colored bumpers, removed badges, and a black grille surround. The Express is available in five different colors: Bright White, Granite Crystal, Forged Blue, Hydro Blue, and Diamond Black.
Starting at $44,495, which includes Ram’s $2,095 destination charge, the 2026 Ram 1500 Express is competitively priced when compared to the $47,030 starting price of the 2025 Big Horn. The base model includes a Quad-Cab truck with two-wheel drive and 20-inch wheels, powered by a 305-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 engine. For an additional $1,695, buyers can opt for the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, bringing the total to $46,190 for a 420-hp Ram 1500 with various driver-assist features like Adaptive Cruise Control and Automatic Emergency Braking.
Ram is also reintroducing the Black Express package for those looking for added style. Priced at $995, this package includes black painted wheels and badges, side steps, LED driving lamps, a sport hood, and a modified interior with cloth bucket seats and a floor console, among other enhancements.
Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis stated, “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.” The order banks for the 2026 Ram 1500 Express are now open, with initial deliveries expected in the upcoming summer.