Ram 1500 Comparison: Big Horn vs. TRX vs. Limited


Red TRX in Field.jpg

We wondered: Which Ram 1500 is the best Ram 1500, all things considered?

The absurd TRX off-roader gets all the headlines, but that doesn't guarantee victory.

Comfortable, capable and available in a number of different trim levels, the Ram 1500 has a lot to offer full-size truck buyers. While the Ram 1500 is slightly edged out by the Ford F-150 in Edmunds' current truck rankings, it remains an excellent pickup that we'd recommend buyers take a closer look at.

But even if you decide that the Ram is right for you, there are several trim levels to choose from before you drive one home. Let's take a closer look at three Rams across the spectrum to see what they offer and where they fall short.​

Which trucks did they test?​


For our comparison test, we drove three different Ram 1500s, all fitted with four-wheel drive: a Big Horn, a Limited and a TRX. The Big Horn, a relatively mainstream version of the truck, was equipped with Ram's optional 5.7-liter V8 that puts out 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. It's estimated by the EPA to get 19 mpg combined. The Limited is the most luxurious version of the truck, and ours was equipped with the optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 that produces 260 hp and 480 lb-ft. The EPA estimates an impressive 24 mpg combined for this configuration.

Finally, the Ram TRX is just nuts. It's an off-road-focused trim that's powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 pulled from high-performance Dodge cars like the Charger Hellcat and Challenger Hellcat. In TRX spec, the blown V8 puts out 702 hp and 650 lb-ft. The EPA estimates that the TRX will average 12 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

2022 Dodge Limited.jpeg


2022 Black Big Horn Dodge.jpg


2022 Blue TRX.jpg

How did the three Ram 1500s perform?​


All three trucks performed admirably in our test, but they excelled at different tasks. The Big Horn has access to a lot of packaged options, and our test truck came with several of those options equipped. Packages like the Level 2 Equipment group plump up the final price of the Big Horn, but they include desirable features like heated seats, extra USB outlets and parking sensors. Thankfully, at the Big Horn level, you can pick and choose the extra equipment you want and save a bit of money on enjoyable but potentially unnecessary creature comforts.

The Ram Limited is at the opposite end of the spectrum. Our test vehicle came with all the bells and whistles, including items like a 360-degree parking camera, quilted leather seats, adaptive cruise control and a 19-speaker stereo system. The Limited's softly padded seats and air suspension make for a plush ride on the highway, while the upgraded interior panels give it a luxurious vibe. Compared to the Big Horn's work-truck feel, the Limited felt upscale and ultra-refined. It might not be what you're used to in a pickup truck, but it's certainly enjoyable.

Finally, we tested the wild TRX. If you like to get muddy on the weekends or you want to find the most remote camping spot in your state, this could be the truck for you — but only if you want to do so with a ridiculous amount of power underfoot. The supercharged V8 gives the TRX a character all its own, but so do the lifted ride height, all-terrain tires, wide-body fenders and adaptive suspension dampers. Not shockingly, it's one of the least efficient full-size trucks on the road today, but the TRX is hugely capable when the pavement ends and there's no denying the fun you can have behind the wheel.

Edmunds says​

The most user-friendly and budget-friendly truck of the bunch turned out to be our favorite — the Ram 1500 Big Horn. It doesn't load you down with unnecessary options and has more than enough capability for daily use. Notably, we'd recommend the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 instead of the V8 because it provides maximum towing capability along with impressive fuel economy.

 

Attachments

  • TRX Big Horn Limited.jpeg
    TRX Big Horn Limited.jpeg
    12 KB · Views: 5,524
OP
OP
Griffin

Griffin

Active member
Staff member
Administrator
Super Moderator
Joined
Oct 5, 2021
Messages
399
Reaction score
237
the “absurd TRX”. Sounds like the review was written by someone that works at Edmunds but can’t afford the TRX let alone the Limited 🤣
😂😂. Right!
 

OnTheReel

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 27, 2022
Messages
658
Reaction score
490
Location
Wisconsin
Don’t think there’s a lot of cross-shopping between those three models. I certainly never considered a Big Horn instead of the TRX. I did test drive a new Limited in back in 2019, but it wasn’t really speaking to me.
 
OP
OP
Griffin

Griffin

Active member
Staff member
Administrator
Super Moderator
Joined
Oct 5, 2021
Messages
399
Reaction score
237
Don’t think there’s a lot of cross-shopping between those three models. I certainly never considered a Big Horn instead of the TRX. I did test drive a new Limited in back in 2019, but it wasn’t really speaking to me.
The TRX is just visually better. Added bonus that pretty much everything else is better too! 😜
 

wac45

New member
Joined
Oct 27, 2021
Messages
13
Reaction score
9
Location
Florida
Overall not really a bad presentation. Of course the TRX is over the top, that's why I bought it and I'm glad it's not for everyone. Knew the mpg when I bought it and don't plan to do heavy towing with it so all is good.
 
OP
OP
Griffin

Griffin

Active member
Staff member
Administrator
Super Moderator
Joined
Oct 5, 2021
Messages
399
Reaction score
237
@Griffin You really screwed up the attachments on this thread.

@G-Ride990 wants to know if you used your phone to get that picture.
😂. Actually no I used my desktop. Problem was I wasn’t able to save the article picture as a jpeg, but it allowed me to use it as an insert to put on as the headline pic.

Wanted to be a Lottie sneaky this time! 😜
 

G-Ride990

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Oct 11, 2021
Messages
356
Reaction score
313
Location
Chandler
Did you use a potato to take that picture? Back up a page and check what you did lol


200.gif
 

G-Ride990

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Oct 11, 2021
Messages
356
Reaction score
313
Location
Chandler
LOL.jpg

First pic has the resolution of a potato on my screen
 

quietpeen

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 14, 2021
Messages
1,965
Reaction score
1,439
Location
United States
Besides that can we all agree that the big horn and limited can’t be compared to the TRX ever? The trx is in a category of it’s own and shouldn’t be compared to regular 1500’s.
 

OnTheReel

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 27, 2022
Messages
658
Reaction score
490
Location
Wisconsin
Yeah, they really don’t have much in common at all. The cab, glass, some electronics, hardware, and lights. Everything else is TRX specific. And they certainly don’t appeal to the same crowd.
 

quietpeen

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 14, 2021
Messages
1,965
Reaction score
1,439
Location
United States
For me overall the 5th gen ram was a let down on overal looks. The rebel was the only 5th gen that I could actually like which is why I got one, but it still was lacking. The TRX makes up for everything the 5th gens are lacking.

That is just talking looks, and not even getting into the huge jump in performance suspension and engine wise.
 

OnTheReel

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 27, 2022
Messages
658
Reaction score
490
Location
Wisconsin
They definitely didn't take any styling risks on the normal 5th gens. Pretty bland. I also wasn't happy that the powertrain was basically a carryover minus the E-Torque joke. Main things that kept me out of one in 2019. Yes, the GM interior was like sitting in a garbage bag in comparison, but it was way quicker, and actually looked new on the outside.

Side note: seems like Ram is going to get just as many miles out of this platform as they did the 4th gen. Some minor changes so far but no refresh. GM already gutted theirs and the F150 was new for 21.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
577
Messages
9,750
Members
723
Latest member
twawzysko
Top