Ram Trucks Australia (RTA), the official distributor of Ram pick-up trucks here, has reintroduced the Express model to its local line-up as a new entry level grade to the Ram 1500 range. 

Unlike the Express model in the past, which was one of the brand’s best-selling offerings when it came in at less than $100K when it was last offered, the 2026 Ram Express is the current model DT Series of Ram 1500 pick-up, so it shares its bones and powertrain with the other models in the Ram 1500 line-up.

The previous Express was the older Ram 1500 DS model, which continued to be built in the US alongside the new DT model and then re-engineered by RTA in Melbourne. This new Express is the current and only model offered, and it joins the line up at $109,950 plus road costs.

Powertrain and performance

Unlike the old DS Express that featured the Hemi V8 petrol engine, the DT model comes with the same stonking ‘Hurricane’ inline six engine.

In this standard twin-turbocharged tune, pumps out a shape-shifting 313kW and 635Nm. That’s more power and torque than the Hemi V8 ever offered in naturally aspirated form, and is the same engine as found in the higher grades of the Ram DT models except the top-of-the-range Ram Limited, which gets a High Output version of the Hurricane 6 engine.

1

What features does it come with?

Being the entry level offering into the Ram Trucks range, the Express does miss out on some of the fruit that comes standard in the higher grade models. 

The passenger-side media screen isn’t there and the main multimedia screen is a smaller 8.4-inch unit with wireless CarPlay and Android connection, and a seven-inch driver info screen. The seats are cloth-trimmed with manual adjustment for the front seats and no seat height adjustment. The cabin remains a big and comfortable place to travel in, just without some of the niceties of the upper grade models.

RTA didn’t skimp on the exterior look of the new Express, with the Black appearance package extending to the door handles, grille, badges, exhaust tips, side steps and 20-inch alloy wheels. The bonnet is the aggressive-looking Mopar Performance product to give the truck a sportier look to match its performance.

1

First drive impressions

Behind the Hurricane engine sits an eight-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range/part-time transfer case. 

The Express misses out on the on-demand all-wheel drive function for on-road all-wheel drive grip. The result is wheelspin city when you plant your boot to unleash the Hurricane’s performance on any low-grip surface in 2WD.

The launch drive didn’t offer any off-road or low-range driving, but past experience with the Ram DT models has shown them to be mediocre off-road trucks in standard form; much like their full-size competitors from Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota. Thankfully there’s a massive aftermarket range of accessories available to rectify that.

38

What the Ram 1500 does so well is pull a trailer with up to 4500kg towing capacity and an abundance of torque on tap. As the Ram 1500 with the least amount of features on it, it is also the lightest and that means it gets the best payload with 1014kg on a 3505kg GVM. GCM comes in at 7111kg for those hauling heavy trailers. A heavy duty tow bar comes fitted as standard.

It also remains a superb long-distance touring vehicle with its spacious cabin delivering comfort and that sublime engine delivering all the performance you need.

The lower-priced entry level Express could be just the vehicle to tempt potential ute buyers to step up from a mid-size ute to the full-size Ram and wouldn’t be a bad call.

Pricing: 2026 Ram 1500 line-up

  • Black Edition: $109,950
  • Rebel: $141,950
  • Laramie Sport: $141,950
  • Limited: $159,950
MORE Ram 1500 news and reviews!