From the day Ram revealed the TRX Concept, people have been calling it the Raptor-killer. The concept TRX came with loads of off-road accessories, a big engine, and a star factor that made people believe that it could dethrone the Ford F-150 Raptor. Four years later, the company revealed the production-spec 1500 TRX, and it retained almost everything displayed in the concept truck. At the onset, the 1500 TRX is very impressive, but can this new entrant take on the veteran F-150 Raptor with the DNA of the company that has been ruling for decades together?

Engine and Transmission

The twin-screw supercharger has a maximum speed of 14,600 rpm and can regulate boost pressure up to 11 psi. Thanks to this, the torque is almost instantaneous. Power is sent to all the wheels via an eight-speed, high-torque-capacity TorqueFlite 8HP95 transmission. This is the same transmission that we also saw in the 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat. It also comes with paddle shifters.

The twin-turbo setup reduces the turbo lag to a large extent, which enables the truck to click high speeds quite quickly. The engine is mated to ten-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. This gearbox has closer gear ratios, which makes it smooth and quick at the same time. Just like the Ram, the Raptor also features paddle-shifters.

Ford has yet to announce details about the 2021 F-150 Raptor. In all likelihood, it will continue with the same V-6 EcoBoost engine, but there is a small chance of offering a V-8 engine once again. In the Mustang, the engine produces 760 horses and 625 pound-feet of torque and takes 3.5 seconds to hit the 60 mph mark. The same powertrain in a truck’s body could be on par with the TRX’s 4.5-second figure.

0-60 mph and Top Speed

Ram revealed the 1500 TRX’s performance figures, and as expected, they are much better than the F-150 Raptor’s. The Ram truck takes 4.5 seconds to hit the 60 mph mark from a standstill, whereas the Raptor takes 5.1 seconds, according to Car and Driver. As for the top speed, the TRX maxes out at 118 mph and the Raptor at 107 mph.

Drive Modes

The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX comes with different selectable drive modes that control the four-wheel-drive system, throttle response, transmission, paddle shifters, suspension, and the electric power steering. The drive modes even include three off-road dynamic modes:

-* Sport

-* Snow

-* Auto

-* Tow

-* Custom

-* Mud/Sand

-* Rock

-* Baja

The F-150 Raptor comes with Ford’s Terrain Management System with seven selectable drive modes:

-* Normal

-* Sport

-* Slippery

-* Deep Snow/Sand

-* Baja

-* Rock/Crawl

-* Tow/Haul

While these do the job well, Ford could up the ante by offering the GOAT Mode that it introduced on the recently-unveiled Bronco. The modes are more or less the same, except for an ‘Eco’ and ‘Mud/Ruts’ modes, but in theory, it will have a major psychological advantage from the customer’s point-of-view.

Off-road Equipment and Suspension

It is coupled with full-floating hubs and axle-hop dampers for improved traction on rough surfaces. The Raptor also features an independent suspension system at the front and solid rear axle at the rear, but instead of coil-spring setup, the Raptor is equipped with leaf springs. It must be noted that Car and Driver reported spotting a 2021 test mule with rear coil springs. Both trucks come with an electronic locking rear differential, whereas a Torsen limited-slip front differential is optional on the F-150 Raptor.

For the low-range four-wheel-drive, both the trucks come with a 2.64:1 ratio. With these figures in hand, the crawl ratio was ascertained doing the math and it comes down to 44:1 for the 1500 TRX and 50.7:1 for the Raptor. So, if rock climbing is your thing and even a slight difference matters, the Raptor will suit your needs better. It also comes with a Trail Control feature to further aid this cause. It is essentially a cruise control system for low-traction and rugged off-road terrains.

The TRX features a BorgWarner full-time active transfer case as standard whereas the Raptor is equipped with a Torque-on-Demand transfer case. Other than this, the TRX also comes with new front and rear 2.5-inch Bilstein Black Hawk e2 adaptive performance shocks. These truly make it a desert runner as they provide better reaction time and vent out the heat faster. The company says it’ll help traverse over harsh terrain even with speeds greater than 100 mph. The Raptor features three-inch off-road FOX Racing shocks.

Interestingly, both the trucks have a 13-inch wheel travel range in the front and 14 inches in the rear. The Ford’s is 13.9 inches at the rear, to be precise. As far as the track width is concerned, Ram has said that the TRX is six inches wider than the standard 1500. The Ram 1500 TRX’s front track width measures 74.5 inches and rear track width measures 74.1 inches. The F-150 Raptor is slightly narrower with a track width of 73.9 inches at the front and 73.6 inches at the rear.

Ford also has a similar system, but it hasn’t made such claims for it. Speaking of the body and frames, the 2020 F-150 Raptor has a high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body that shaves 500 pounds as compared to the previous iteration. The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX rides on a new frame made of high-strength steel.

The Ram TRX has slightly better ratings. The towing and payload capacity is 8,100- and 1,310 pounds on the Ram, and 8,000- and 1,200 on the Raptor, respectively. Ram has not announced the TRX’s curb weight, but it could be a few hundred pounds heavier than the Raptor, which weighs 5,697 pounds in the SuperCrew body style. All the dimensions and figures used for comparison are for the F-150 Raptor SuperCrew and not the SuperCab since the Ram has the same body layout, and also there are rumors that Ford will not be offering the Raptor in the SuperCab form in the 2021 model year.

Exterior

Looks are subjective and we don’t delve into which one looks better and which one doesn’t. Both are big, wide, have a strong road presence, and can scare the driver in front of you when he spots either of these trucks in his rearview mirror. The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX is heavily inspired by the Rebel and the Power Wagon, and will be available only in the crew cab body style. The F-150 Raptor is available in different body styles for the 2020 model year, but it is expected to retain only the SuperCrew style for the 2021 model.

Both trucks are devoid of any bling on the outside and feature massive brand lettering on their grilles. Prominent skid plates give the off-roaders a rough look while doing their job. Since both the trucks are wider than 80 inches, they are supposed to have front marker lights. The Raptor has them on the grille whereas Ram has equipped it near the hood scoop. Both these placements give the respective trucks a striking presence.

Since the Ram features a supercharged V-8, it needs more breathing room. Ram has paid a lot of attention to this aspect. A dual-path air induction system with a 92 mm throttle body is also in place and the mill is capable of 2.38 liters of air intake revolution. Ram has equipped a Brobdingnagian air filter that is said to be the segment’s largest air filter. There’s also a 29-liter airbox to filter out the dirt and sand and avoid it from getting into the engine. On the F-150, you have vents for breathing on the fenders and the hood.

Speaking of the fenders, Ram TRX’s integrated composite fender flares add eight inches to the width of the truck over the standard 1500. The Raptor also features flared fenders that add to the width and also allow for wide tires to fit in comfortably. Ram has equipped the TR with a Full LED Adaptive Front-lighting System in all-black headlamps as compared to the F-150 Raptor’s Quad-Beam LED headlamps arrangement in black surround. Ram will offer the 2021 1500 TRX in six different shades and the F-150 Raptor is available in nine.

It must also be noted that both the trucks feature a simple power tailgate. Ford showcased an impressive tailgate on the 2021 F-150, so it’ll be interesting to see if it offers it on the Raptor as well. Ram, on the other hand, has a MultiFunction tailgate it could introduce seeing what Ford offers on the 2021 Raptor. As for the truck bed, Ram offers a 5.7-foot bed on the TRX and the Raptor features a 5.5-foot bed.

Both trucks come with four oversized tow hooks in the front and back. Tonneau covers are an option, but the Ram can be had with a bed-mounted spare-tire carrier that can accommodate up to 37-inch tire and a rambar that adds so much to the truck’s character. The Raptor features an underframe-spare tire carrier, so it’ll be interesting to see if Ford offers a bed-mounter carrier on the 2021 Raptor. Rock Rails and side steps are available as an option on both the builds.

Wheels and Tires

The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX rides on 18-inch wheels wrapped in specially-developed 35-inch, 325/65 section Goodyear Wrangler Territory All-Terrain Tires. Beadlock wheels will be offered as an option. The F-150 Raptor comes with 17-inch wheels wrapped in 315/70R-17 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A K02 tires. Just like the Ram, you can opt for Beadlock wheels.

Not sure if this will impact in any way, but Donald Trump suggested that Americans should boycott Goodyear tires after a shot of MAGA (Make America Great Again) attire being banned according to the company’s policy went viral. Since Ram worked with Goodyear to build the tires for the TRX, we think it deserves a mention here.

Dimensions

The former newbie measures 232.9 inches in length, 88 inches in width, and 80.9 inches in height. The Raptor, on the other hand, is 231.9 inches long, 86.3 inches wide, and 78.5 inches tall. Even though the Ram is longer, its 145.1-inch wheelbase is 0.9 inches shorter than the Raptor’s. The ground clearance of the TRX is rated at 11.85 inches and the Ford Raptor is rated at 11.5 inches.

The approach angle is the same at 30.2 degrees. The departure angle on the Ram is 23.5 degrees and Ford is 23 degrees, and the breakover angle is 21.9 degrees on the TRX and 21.8 on the Raptor. 32 inches of maximum water fording depth is the same for both the trucks. Quite an even battle in this regard.

Interior

But, is that a good thing on an off-roader? In a truck like this, you need stuff that can handle abuse and go without any wear and tear for a long time. But, that said, Ram should be credited for introducing a luxury, premium cabin to this segment. For starters, the Ram TRX features a new SRT-signature, flat-bottom, leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters. It can be had with suede and carbon-fiber accents. The F-150 Raptor’s steering wheel is functional and a delight to use, but lacks the pizzazz.

The Raptor comes with fabric seats as standard and leather seats can be had as optional. No other unnecessary shenanigans whatsoever. The TRX, on the other hand, comes with an option to choose between cloth and vinyl, leather and suede, and leather and suede with red and carbon fiber accents. Suede is tough to maintain and is a dirt-magnet; why offer it? But, perhaps, it will still find buyers in people who will use this more like a performance truck on the tarmac than take it off the roads. The seats on both the trucks are sufficiently bolstered and will keep you in place even if you take it hard around the corners. You can have ventilated seats, power-adjustable seats, etc. on both the trucks as part of the multiple packages on offer. The F-150 Raptor can be had with a twin-panel moonroof on the SuperCrew model, whereas the Ram TRX is offered with a dual-pane panoramic sunroof.

Technology

The Ram TRX is a clear winner in the technology department. Starting from the instrument cluster, the new beast features a seven-inch LCD screen between the analog dials that throw up a plethora of information related to the drive. It even has performance pages that display stuff like:

-* Reaction time

-* Quarter-mile time

-* 0-60 and 0-62 mph acceleration times

-* Dyno page

-* G-Force meter

The F-150 Raptor, on the other hand, is offered with an eight-inch ‘productivity screen’ here, that too is an optional add-on. It merely displays stuff like trip, fuel, truck info, towing, and off-road details. It isn’t as elaborate as the Ram’s.

On the TRX, a new color Heads-Up Display is also available that can be customized with five different contents as per your needs. You can also opt for a digital rearview mirror with a 9.2-inch-wide LCD monitor instead of the convention rearview mirror. This is something we saw on the Land Rover Defender as well, but in that, you could switch between both views.

Speaking of the camera setup, the F-150 Raptor as well as the Ram TRX can be had with 360-degree cameras. The one on the Ford is in dire need of an upgrade to match the one offered on the Ram TRX. It is such things that justify the higher price of the TRX. Ram even nullified Ford’s Pro-Trailer Backup Assist feature with its own Trailer Reverse Steer Control. Trailer Reverse Steer Control.

Coming to the infotainment system, the F-150 Raptor features an eight-inch touchscreen with a SYNC3 infotainment system. It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ram TRX comes with a massive 12-inch UConnect 4C touchscreen system with Sirius XM and integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A future upgrade to the UConnect 5 could be offered as well to support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Ram trumps its rival in the audio system department. The audiophiles have an option to opt for a 10-speaker, 750-Watt Bang & Olufsen audio system. The TRX, on the other hand, comes with a 10-speaker audio system as standard and a 19-speaker, 900-Watt Harman-Kardon audio system as an option. No wonder Ram takes credit for introducing luxury in trucks.

Price

There are no trim levels to choose from with the exception of the now sold-out Launch Edition, but multiple packages and accessories are already available for the truck. The special Launch Edition carried a price tag of $90,315. Only 702 examples will be built and all have been spoken for.

At the time of writing this article, the configurator has gone live but the Mopar accessories are not. So, the costliest iteration of the Ram 1500 TRX, without the 100-plus Mopar accessories that will be made available later, comes up to $100,835. This makes it the most expensive half-ton pickup truck you can buy.

The build tops out at $75,840 before equipping it with the additional aftermarket accessories. So, in contrast, the F-150 Raptor will be around 20- to 25-percent cheaper than the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX. We’ll have to see what changes the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor will feature, though, and if it puts the price on par with the TRX.

Safety and Security Features

The F-150 Raptor comes with stuff like airbags, TPMS, a rearview camera, and Roll Stability Control as standard. Blind-spot Monitoring and inflatable second-row seat belts are offered as optional. Then there are also features like keyless entry keypad and post-crash alert system that can be had here. On the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX, however, there are more than 100 advanced safety and security features. Stuff like a rear backup camera, electronic stability control with electronic roll mitigation, and six standard airbags are offered as standard. You can further opt for features like Blind-spot Monitoring, Adaptive Cruise Control, Ready Alert Braking, and Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus.

It must also be noted that the Ram 1500 was the first full-size pickup truck to earn a Top Safety Pick + rating from the IIHS. So, there’s no doubt that the TRX will yield similar results in a crash test, too.

Manufacturing, Warranty, and Fuel Economy

The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX will be built at the company’s Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Michigan and the Ford F-150 Raptor is built at the Dearborn Truck Plant, also in Michigan. Fun fact for our international readers – both the factories are just 25 miles apart from each other!

Bookings are already open and the truck is expected to reach the dealerships early next year. The 2020 F-150 Raptor is already up and running, but we’re yet to hear about the 2021 F-150 Raptor’s debut and booking date.

Both, the Ram TRX and the F-150 Raptor come with:

Three-year/36,000-mile basic limited warranty

Five-year/60,000-mile limited warranty on the powertrain

Speaking of the gas-guzzling numbers, the EPA estimated rating for the F-150 Raptor is 15 mpg in the city, 18 mpg on the highway, and 16 mpg combined. Figures for the TRX are not out yet, but it will certainly be lower than the Raptor’s.

Packages

Ram has announced over 100 Mopar products for the TRX, but they haven't officially launched quite yet. However, the configurator for the truck has gone live and you can see the list of all the packages that will be offered. As is with any FCA product, there are several packages, thus making them one of the most versatile and mod-friendly vehicles amongst its competitors. The Ford F-150 Raptor can also be had with multiple packages and accessories, but the list isn’t as extensive or exhaustive as the Ram TRX’s.

2020 F-150 Raptor

800A Base (Included):

-* High-Output 3.5L EcoBoost V-6 engine

-* Unique Cloth seats with flow-through console and floor shifter

-* Fox Racing Shocks – High-Performance Off-Road

-* Unique IP Center Stack and Door-trim Appliqué finish

Power Equipment Group (Included):

-* Manual-folding, Power Glass Sideview Mirrors with Black Skull Caps

-* Illuminated Entry

-* MyKey

-* Perimeter Alarm

-* Power Locks with Flip Key and Integrated Key Transmitter keyless-entry with AutoLock

-* Power Tailgate Lock

-* Power Windows

Trailer Tow Package (Included):

-* 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness

-* Auxiliary transmission oil cooler

-* Engine Oil Cooler

-* Pro Trailer Backup Assist

-* Tailgate LED

-* Smart Trailer Tow Connector

-* Upgraded front stabilizer bar

801A Mid ($3,785):

-* 10-way Power, Heated Driver and Front Passenger Seats

-* Leather-Trimmed Seats

-* Power-Adjustable Pedals

-* Power-Sliding rear-window with Privacy Tint and Defrost

802A Luxury ($10,920):

-* 4.10 Front-Axle with TORSEN Differential

-* 10-way Power Driver and Passenger Seats with Heat and Memory

-* 360-degree Camera

-* B&O PLAY Premium Audio System

Raptor Carbon Fiber Package ($995):

Unique High Gloss Black Carbon-Fiber on –

-* Shift knob

-* Dash Appliqué

-* Door Appliqué

-* Media Bin Door

Raptor Interior Color Blue Accent Package ($2,395):

All of Carbon Fiber Package stuff plus –

-* 10-way Power Driver and Passenger Seats with Heated/Ventilated, Memory

-* Aluminum Dash Panels

-* Recaro Unique Seat and Console Coverings with Blue Accents

Raptor Exterior Graphics Package ($1,075)

Raptor Hood Graphics Package ($900)

2021 Ram 1500 TRX

TRX Launch Edition Package ($12,150):

-* TRX Exterior Graphics

-* TRX Hood Graphics

-* 18" x 9.0" Beadlock-Capable Alum Wheels by Mopar

-* 19 Speaker Harman Kardon Premium Sound

-* 4-Adjustable Cargo Tie-Down Hooks

-* Adaptive Cruise Control

-* Deployable Bed-Step

-* Dual-Pane Panoramic Sunroof

-* Heads-Up Display

-* Lane Keep Assist

-* Leather and Carbon Flat-Bottom Steering Wheel

-* LED CHMSL Lamp

-* Pedestrian Emergency Braking

-* Pick-Up Box Lighting

-* Real Carbon Fiber Interior Accents

-* Rear- View Auto-Dimming Digital Display Mirror

-* Spray-In Bedliner

-* "TRX Launch Edition" Console Badge

-* "TRX" Red Interior Accents

TRX Level 1 Equipment Group ($3,420):

-* Body-Color Door Handles

-* Wrapped Driver and Passenger Assist Handles

-* Front Door Accent Lighting

-* Full-Length Premium Upgraded Floor-Console

-* Heated Front Seats

-* Heated Steering Wheel

-* Instrument-Panel LED Ambient-Light Piping

-* Leather and Suede Flat-Bottom Steering Wheel

-* Leather-Trimmed Bucket Seats

-* Luxury Front Door-Trim Panel

-* Pick-Up Box Lighting

-* 8-Way Power Driver and Passenger Seats

-* Power Adjustable Pedals

-* Premium Wrapped Instrument- Panel Bezel

-* Rain-Sensitive Windshield Wipers

-* Rear-Door Accent-Lighting

-* Rear Under-Seat Storage Compartment

-* Rear Window Defroster

-* Sun-Visors with Illuminated Vanity-Mirrors

-* Universal Garage-Door Opener

TRX Level 2 Equipment Group ($7,920):

All of Level 1 stuff plus –

-* Blind-Spot and Cross-Path Detection

-* Driver-Seat Memory

-* Exterior Mirrors with Memory

-* Heated Second-Row Seats

-* ParkSense® Front and Rear Park-Assist with Stop

-* Driver-Seat/Radio/Mirrors/Pedals Memory Pre-Sets

-* Remote-Proximity Keyless –Entry

-* Remote-Start System

-* Remote Tailgate-Release

-* Rear 60 / 40 Folding Split Recline Seat

-* Surround-View Camera

-* Trailer Brake-Control

-* Ventilated Front Seats

-* Ventilated Rear Seats

-* Wireless Charging-Pad

Also, the Power Adjustable Pedals here come with Memory Function

TRX Carbon-Fiber Package ($1,295):

-* Leather and Carbon Flat-Bottom Steering Wheel

-* Real Carbon Fiber Interior Accents

Advance Safety Group ($995):

-* Adaptive Cruise Control

-* Lane Keep Assist

-* Pedestrian Emergency Braking

Technology Group ($1,095):

-* Heads-Up Display

-* Rear- View Auto-Dimming Digital Display Mirror

-* LED Center-High Mounted Stop Lamp

Bed Utility Group ($845):

-* 4-Adjustable Cargo Tie-Down Hooks

-* Deployable Bed-Step

-* Pick-Up Box Lighting

-* Spray-In Bedliner

Trailer-Tow Group ($395):

-* Trailer Brake-Control

-* Trailer-Light Check

-* Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring System