The 2026 Ram 1500 Express is an economical full-size pickup truck. The Ram 1500 Express fills the value gap left by the 1500 Classic, which was removed from the market. The Ram 1500 Express is a sleek and dependable vehicle, with a starting price of under $45,000. Ram’s CEO, Tim Kuniskis, is not dawdling. Not even three weeks ago, he made the big promise that the truck brand would release 25 new goods in the next 18 months. The 2026 Ram 1500 Express, which we’re showcasing today, marks the first step toward achieving that major goal. He actually said that the general launch of the product would start on June 8, but you can’t blame a man for setting expectations, can you? Ram’s Strategic Advantage Play Part of the Ram 1500 Express’s goal, which is mostly to save money, is to fill the space left by the Ram 1500 Classic. Even though we loved the old model, the new 1500 Express is better because it has the more updated chassis of the current Ram 1500 family. This includes better riding and handling, a more unified interior, and a look on the outside that won’t make you want to get a mullet. It’s just you being yourself unless you’re being funny. The 1500 Express includes the essential pickup truck features that genuine truck owners need, without going overboard. It is available with either a “Quad Cab” or the more spacious “Crew Cab,” and offers a choice between rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The front and back bumpers are the same color as the cars, and the grille surrounds are gloss black. They come in five common one-color shades: bright white, granite crystal, formed blue, hydro blue, and diamond black. It includes 20-inch wheels as standard, along with an advanced cruise control system featuring emergency braking, and the renowned 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine delivering 305 horsepower. The inside looks a lot like the inside of the present line of Ram 1500 cars. Black Express Service and Pricing Details For drivers who want to look a little better after work, the $995 Black Express update comes with black 20-inch wheels, side steps, a sport hood, black-bezel LED headlights, LED fog lamps, and the required black exterior badges. Inside the car, there is a floor console, a 7.0-inch collection of gauges, and black cloth seats. This isn’t the first time the Ram 1500 has gone dark; the Black Express package was originally released in 2013 and returned in 2019. Now for the work: For an extra $1695, you can get the 420-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six. When paired with the rear-wheel-drive Quad Cab, it can tow 11,550 pounds, the most of any 1500 Express car. Even though Ram didn’t give us any specifics on how much they can tow or carry, they will fit in well with the current 1500 series. So, what is the cost of a ticket for the raised Express? The starting price for the base model of the 2026 Ram 1500 Express Quad Cab is $44,495. For comparison, the 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman begins at $42,370, making it the most affordable option in the current Ram 1500 lineup. Opting for four-wheel drive increases the price to $48,345. Conversely, the starting price for the 2026 Ram 1500 Express Crew Cab is $47,245, while the four-wheel-drive variant is priced at $51,095. Twenty-five years ago, a truck with the same features as the 2026 Ram 1500 Express would have been considered exceptionally well-equipped. We can appreciate how clever the newest generation of soft pickups is, but sometimes you just need to get things done and don’t want to spend $85K on them. It’s even better if the style is good. Ram stated that deliveries are expected to begin in the third quarter of 2025, and that orders are already being accepted.
