2021 RAM 1500 TRX: MOTORTREND TRUCK OF THE YEAR
2021 RAM 1500 TRX: MOTORTREND TRUCK OF THE YEAR
Posted on June 11, 2023
It’s a three-peat! Not only has the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX been named the MotorTrend Truck of the Year for 2021, but that also means that Ram takes home the honour of being the only brand to win the title three years in a row. 2019 saw the Ram 1500 win the top prize, while the Ram Heavy Duty did so in 2020. In only eleven short years of being a singular brand since splitting from Dodge Ram, Ram has continually proven why Ram trucks are the best on the market, and don’t only take our word for it, take the word of MotorTrend and their illustrious Truck of the Year moniker. A title that Ram proudly displays, especially on this new variant of pickup that has changed the game yet again for what to expect out of a modern truck. The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX is called a “super truck” for a reason, a new standard for future MotorTrend Truck of the Year contenders to live up to.
See how it compares against the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor in our dedicated blog!
How Does MotorTrend Determine Truck of the Year?
Any new or majorly upgraded model is eligible to compete, put through a litany of tests that set to push the vehicle to its limits and examine it over every aspect. Each vehicle is put through a week’s worth of tests, undertaken by professionals on three different courses, which the finalists are determined from. After the tests are done, a group of judges make the final decision for a sole winner, based on how well the truck fares in the six award categories.
The criteria that the trucks are measured against are:
- Design Advancement
- Engineering Excellence
- Efficiency
- Safety
- Value
- Performance of Intended Function
Why Did the Ram 1500 TRX Win Truck of the Year?
It wouldn’t be out of sorts to lead off with the Ram TRX’s supercharged V8, capable of 702 horsepower, as the reason it took home Truck of the Year honours. But, with a truck as ground-breaking as this, that’s only one of the few reasons that it won. At its base level, the Ram 1500 TRX has set a new bar that all trucks strive to be, not only is it incredibly capable when it comes time to tow and haul, or tackle any off-road environment, it also has all the pedigree of a sports car, only in a slick pickup design. The TRX was modified, starting with its chassis to create a new frame better fit to take on the rigors of all-terrain demands. Built off of this is its exceptional Blistein shocks that easily make the truck adaptable from city-driving to crawling over rock to stability on snow and ice. Further evidenced alongside that engine power is the ability to haul 1,310 lbs and tow up to 8,100 lbs on its rear hitch, supreme performance whenever you need it. All that power is only so good if it can’t be matched to expertly fit its performance and off-road upgrades, which is exactly what the Ram 1500 TRX did. Inspired by the Ram 1500 Rebel with an exterior that made the increased width look sleek and sporty, coupled with an interior providing for increased spaciousness and sharp colour schemes, alongside the already feature-laden base Ram 1500 interior amenities.
Ram’s History as MotorTrend Truck of the Year
The win here for the Ram 1500 TRX in 2021 makes it a hat trick over the last three years taking home the legendary MotorTrend Truck of the Year title, but that’s just recent memory. Ram has claimed the top spot six years in total since becoming its own brand, adding on wins in 2010, 2013 and 2014, along with its most recent wins here from 2019 – 2021. MotorTrend has been a mainstay in the industry for 71 years, and in those decades no automaker could claim having won the award three years in a row, until Ram came along and sealed history with the 2021 win. Forever breaking new ground, and pushing the truck segment forward, no more evidence of this than the Ram 1500 TRX that made history as a game-changing pickup that performs with incredible power and stability wherever you take it.
Want to experience the three-peat MotorTrend Truck of the Year winners for yourself? Here at Southside Dodge in Red Deer, we’re your destination for the best in Ram trucks, including the Ram 1500 and Heavy Duty Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 models. Both new and used, we’ll have a Ram pickup that suits your needs. If you truly want to feel the Ram’s award-winning prowess, we’ll help you set-up a test drive!
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