After more than a decade in the shadows, the Ram 1500 Express is making a bold return for the 2026 model year—and it’s arriving with a mission. Positioned just above the bare-bones Tradesman and comfortably below the Big Horn in both price and flash, the new Express is a calculated value play that adds a welcome dose of style to Ram’s full-size pickup lineup.
Originally launched in 2011 under the codename “Adventurer,” the 1500 Express was designed as an affordable, stylish alternative for first-time buyers looking to personalize their trucks. Fast forward nearly fifteen years, and Ram is reviving the nameplate with the same goal in mind: deliver performance and aesthetics without breaking the bank.
With full-size truck sales under pressure and stiff competition from the Ford F-Series and Chevy Silverado, Ram needs something fresh to stay in the fight. According to CEO Tim Kuniskis, the brand is planning to introduce 25 new models over 18 months, and the 2026 Express is leading the charge.
Starting at $44,495 (including a $2,095 destination fee), the 2026 Ram 1500 Express significantly undercuts the Big Horn, which starts at $47,030, while offering more visual flair than the Tradesman. The Express wears a clean, monochromatic look with body-colored bumpers, gloss-black grille surrounds, and most of the external badging deleted for a sleeker appearance. It rides on stylish 20-inch alloy wheels and comes in five colors: Diamond Black, Bright White, Granite Crystal, Forged Blue, and Hydro Blue.
Buyers can choose between Crew or Quad Cab configurations and opt for either 2WD or 4WD. Power comes standard from the 305-hp 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 mated to an eight-speed automatic. But for those seeking more grunt, a 420-hp twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six is available for an additional $1,695—boosting performance and towing capacity up to 11,550 pounds on certain trims.
For even more visual punch, Ram offers the $995 Black Express package (available on 4WD Quad and Crew Cabs), which adds black 20-inch wheels, a sport hood, black-bezel LED headlamps, LED fog lights, black badging, side steps, and other premium accents. Inside, the Express features black cloth seats, a center console, and a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster—simple, but not stripped.
The 2026 Ram 1500 Express may not be the cheapest truck in the lineup, but it delivers style, performance, and value in a package that feels anything but entry-level. For buyers priced out of higher trims or turned off by the stripped-down Tradesman, the Express offers a much-needed middle ground—and it’s just what Ram needs to stay competitive in a cutthroat truck market.
