2026 Ram 1500 RHO: The Everyday Desert Runner

Earlier this week, Ram gave us the opportunity to head out to the Chelsea Proving Grounds in Michigan and get some seat time in the 2026 Ram truck lineup. While there were several standouts, one trim continues to leave an impression: the 2026 Ram 1500 RHO. Having already spent a full week with the RHO earlier this year, I had a good sense of what it brings to the table, but driving it again confirmed why this truck has quickly become one of my personal favorites in the Ram lineup.

Filling the Gap Between TRX and Rebel – 

The RHO was created to bridge the gap between the wild Ram 1500 TRX and the more accessible Ram 1500 Rebel. The TRX, with its supercharged HELLCAT HEMI®, is a monster of a truck—loud, powerful, and almost cartoonish in its ability to devour dirt trails. It’s an absolute blast, but with that fun comes downsides: low fuel economy and high cost.

The RHO dials things back without stripping away the excitement. Under the hood is the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter HURRICANE High-Output (H/O) I6, cranking out 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torque. While it doesn’t scream like the TRX’s HELLCAT, it’s still plenty powerful and far more manageable for daily commuting. Fuel economy is significantly better, averaging around 14.5 MPG in mixed driving—much easier to live with than the single-digit figures the TRX often returned.

Suspension: The Real Star – 

Make no mistake, the true highlight of the RHO isn’t the engine, but its suspension. Borrowing heavily from the TRX’s setup, the RHO uses Bilstein BlackHawk e2 adaptive performance shocks and Ram’s proprietary Active Terrain Dynamics system. The result is a truck that’s shockingly comfortable on pavement yet fully capable of handling Baja-style desert runs.

Rear axle travel of up to 14 inches and more than 40% additional rear wheel travel over a standard Ram 1500 make a huge difference. Combine that with a 2-inch lift, 35-inch tires, and 11.8 inches of ground clearance, and you’ve got a truck that can clear serious off-road obstacles at speed. The best part is how it soaks up broken Michigan roads like they were nothing more than gravel trails.

Interior: Tech That Actually Works – 

Step inside, and the RHO reminds you it’s not just about off-road fun—it’s also a luxury daily driver. Over 50 inches of available digital display space is spread across multiple screens, including an optional 14.5-inch center touchscreen and a 10.25-inch passenger display. Even the base RHO comes well equipped, with a 12-inch Uconnect 5 infotainment system with navigation, a 12-inch digital gauge cluster, and leather-trimmed bucket seats featuring RHO logos.

Optional tech like the full-color Head-Up Display (HUD), Harman Kardon audio system, and a suite of driver-assist features are available through the RHO Level 1 Equipment Package. But at nearly $10,000 extra, many buyers may find the base RHO already strikes the right balance of capability and comfort without inflating the price tag.

Direct Connection Performance – 

For 2026, Ram also used the event to highlight its partnership with Mopar’s Direct Connection catalog. Much like Dodge has done, Ram will now offer factory-backed performance upgrades through Direct Connection. The first product shown was the MagnaFlow SPEQ exhaust system, built exclusively for the RHO. While it doesn’t replicate the deep rumble of a HEMI V8, it does give the HURRICANE I6 a more aggressive tone that better matches the truck’s character.

New Color, Same Attitude – 

Visually, the RHO gets a subtle update with a new Canyon Lake exterior paint option. It’s a no-cost color that sits somewhere between Destroyer Grey and Ceramic Grey, with just a hint of green. It’s a clean, understated look that works well on a truck with this much presence. Otherwise, the RHO maintains its bold, wide-body stance and signature RHO badging.

Where It Stands – 

With the TRX set to return, some might wonder if the RHO will lose its spotlight. I’d argue the opposite—the TRX will remain the wild child of the lineup, while the RHO is the truck you can actually live with day in and day out. It offers a mix of performance, practicality, and style that makes it one of the most well-rounded half-tons on the market.

The RHO proves that Ram understands there’s a sweet spot between outright insanity and everyday usability. It’s powerful enough to keep enthusiasts grinning, yet efficient enough to avoid constant fuel-station stops. Add in the suspension tuning that makes it one of the best-riding pickups on sale, and you’ve got a truck that nails the balance buyers have been asking for.

After driving the RHO again, I’m convinced it’s not just a placeholder until the TRX returns—it’s a truck that deserves its own spotlight. It’s refined yet rugged, advanced yet approachable. Whether you’re tackling trails, hauling gear, or just commuting through rough city streets, the RHO delivers.

Ram may have built this truck to appeal to TRX fans looking for something more practical, but in the process, they may have built the ultimate all-around pickup. For me, the RHO remains one of the smartest choices in the Ram 1500 lineup, and for 2026, that opinion hasn’t changed.