It should surprise no one to find out that trucks have gotten expensive. And consumers are craving lower-cost options. To address this, after a brief hiatus, Ram is rolling the Express trim back into its light-duty lineup, with a starting price of just $44,495 (including destination). The 2026 Ram 1500 Express will be available in both Crew Cab and Quad Cab configurations with either 2WD or 4WD, giving truck enthusiasts plenty of flexibility to match their lifestyle.

History Of The Ram Express

Dodge first offered the Ram 1500 Express was first offered in 1939. From 1939 to 1947 Dodge produced the T, V, and W series trucks. The T and V variety were light-duty, while the W series were heavy-duty trucks. Gas engine options included a 217.8-cubic-inch or 230.2-cubic-inch flat-head six-cylinder engine with 78 horsepower. The Express MSRP was $670 in 1939. The average selling price today for the historic pickup is $13,900.

Return Of The Ram 1500 Express

So, what makes the 2026 Ram 1500 Express stand out? For starters, it comes standard with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine pumping out 305 horsepower. For those craving more grunt, there’s an optional standard-output 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six that cranks out a whopping 420 hp. The Hurricane upgrade costs just $1,695. When properly equipped, the Express can tow up to 11,550 pounds—serious numbers for a truck in this price range.

On the outside, the 2026 Ram 1500 Express features black-bezel LED headlights, 20-inch wheels, and a monochromatic body color scheme with gloss-black grille surrounds and color-matched bumpers. Exterior color options include Diamond Black, Bright White, Granite Crystal, Forged Blue, and Hydro Blue. Inside, you’ll find slick Liquid Graphite laser-etched accents and Gridiron color details that elevate the interior beyond basic.

There’s plenty of technology to love, as well. This includes standard adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian emergency braking.

The Black Express Is BACK

For fans of the original, the Black Express package is back. For just $995 more (on Quad and Crew Cab 4WD models only), you’ll get black 20-inch wheels, a sport hood, black badging, side steps, LED fog lamps, and upgraded interior appointments like black cloth bucket seats, a floor console, and a 7-inch digital gauge cluster. It’s a throwback to one of Ram’s most popular packages ever, with modern flair.

How Do I Get A 2026 Ram 1500 Express?

Ram is positioning the new Express as a natural successor to the now-retired Ram 1500 Classic. According to Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis, “The sunset of our Ram 1500 Classic makes the Express a natural front-runner,” hinting at even more trims and updates on the way. In fact, Ram plans to announce 25 new products in the next 18 months—everything from mild to wild.

The 2026 Ram 1500 Express will be assembled right here in the U.S. at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Michigan. Want one? Orders are open now, with trucks hitting dealerships in Q3 of 2025. Here’s the pricing breakdown:

Quad Cab 2WD – $44,495

Crew Cab 2WD – $47,245

Quad Cab 4WD – $48,345

Crew Cab 4WD – $51,095