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The Ram 1500 Express entry grade has returned, allowing the US pick-up to again slot under the F-150 and Silverado following recent price increases.
The title of Australia's most-affordable US pick-up has returned to the Ram 1500, with a new base grade due next month, cutting $32,000 from its entry price.
Priced from $109,950 before on-road costs, the 2026 Ram 1500 Express Black Edition slots under the recommended retail price of the Ford F-150 (from $114,950) and Chevrolet Silverado (from $134,990), and remains under the Toyota Tundra (from $155,990).
When it launched in Australia in 2021, the current 'DT Series' Ram 1500 started from $114,950, but subsequent updates – including a new twin-turbocharged inline-six engine replacing the Hemi V8 – had seen the most-affordable 2025 model rise to $141,950.
The Express Black Edition marks a return of the more-affordable Ram 1500 Express grade in Australia, last offered when final stock of the previous-generation 'DS Series' ran out in 2023.
In the US, it is one grade below the Big Horn, which was offered in Australia in 2023 and 2024 in pre-facelift guise, with a 5.7-litre naturally-aspirated 'Hemi' V8 petrol engine.
Dealer stock of the Model Year 2024 (MY24) 1500 Big Horn remains available in Australia for $109,950 drive-away, according to the Ram Trucks Australia website.
The new 2026 Ram 1500 Express Black Edition costs $32,000 less than the 1500 Rebel and Laramie Sport, despite including the same engine, transmission and four-wheel-drive system as standard.
Under its bonnet, it features the same 'standard output' 313kW/635Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged 'Hurricane' inline six-cylinder petrol engine as the Rebel and Laramie Sport, matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a part-time four-wheel-drive system.
The Ram 1500 is rated to tow 4500 kilograms in Australia with a 70-millimetre tow ball, or 3500 kilograms with a 50-millimetre tow ball.
Standard features include 20-inch black alloy wheels, black exterior trim, an 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 7-inch semi-digital instrument cluster, six speakers, LED headlights and fog lamps, and a damped tailgate.
The Express Black Edition also includes black cloth upholstery, keyless entry and push-button start, remote engine start, an electric parking brake, a rear-view camera, and front and rear parking sensors.
Compared with the $32,000-dearer 1500 Rebel and Laramie Sport, the Express Black Edition lacks an electric on-demand transfer case, heated front seats, power-adjustable front seats, a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, dual-zone climate control, and a 12-inch central touchscreen.
It also omits a 12-inch full-digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch front passenger touchscreen, a heated steering wheel, illuminated vanity mirrors, front bucket seats, a powered tailgate, a dual-pane sunroof, dual wireless smartphone chargers, and LED tail-lights.
Available colours include Bright White, Diamond Black, Granite Crystal, Silver Zynith, Molten Red and Forged Blue, with Australia missing the Canyon Lake, Hydro Blue and Serrano Green finishes offered in the US.
The 2026 Ram 1500 Express Black Edition will arrive in Australian showrooms next month.
2026 Ram 1500 price in Australia
Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs.
2026 Ram 1500 Express Black Edition standard features:
2026 Ram 1500 Express Black Edition available colours:
Jordan is a motoring journalist based in Melbourne with a lifelong passion for cars. He has been surrounded by classic Fords and Holdens, brand-new cars, and everything in between from birth, with his parents’ owning an automotive workshop in regional Victoria. Jordan started writing about cars in 2021, and joined the Drive team in 2024.
