After Ram announced the 2026 HD lineup back in June, Andre gets a chance to go hands-on in Detroit.
Look, saying new trucks — and particularly heavy-duty trucks — is a statement along the lines of the sky is blue, Mary had a little lamb and pointing out where bears do their business. Even base HD models run right around the $50,000 mark, with fully-loaded versions pretty easily venturing into six-figure territory. While there’s plenty of discussion left to have on how automakers continue to hike prices year-over-year, Ram is at least introducing a couple more options into the lineup that lean toward the more “affordable” end of things: the Warlock and the Black Express.
Both trucks build on top of your standard Tradesman, running between $2,495 and $2,995 extra depending on which package you choose. The Ram 2500 Warlock, for its part, is only available in crew cab, 4×4 configuration, so its starting price runs a bit higher than the Express, at $57,165. If you go for the Express, you can option a 4×2 crew cab with a long bed or a 4×4 with a short or standard bed (same as the Warlock, in the latter case), so its starting MSRP is a bit lower, at $53,735.
What makes them decently affordable then? Well, for the extra money you spend over the base Tradesman, you do get quite a few extra features that make these trucks a more cost-effective choice than if you tried to build up a Tradesman or go for something pricier, like a Rebel or a Power Wagon.
The Warlock, for example, gets a black grille surround and bumpers (so it looks more the part alongside the fancier off-road trims), while you also get Goodyear Duratrac all-terrain tires, 20-inch diamond cut wheels and Ram’s anti-spin rear differential. You also get Bilstein shocks, hill descent control, more underbody protection by way of a transfer case skid plate and power-adjustable trailer tow mirrors. You may still miss out on a few items from the Rebel, but you’re also not stuck paying the $69,035 price tag. And that’s at it’s cheapest — good luck if you want to actually spec out some nicer features, because that will easily jack the price up toward the $80K ballpark. You do get a 12-inch touchscreen (which is optional on the Tradesman), so there is some added value with that tech upgrade over the standard 8.4-inch unit.
As for the 2026 Ram 2500 HD Black Express, you get more of a stylish presentation over the Tradesman, with some added choice features. The sport performance hood helps change up the look, while you get a classier looking body-color grille surround and bumpers. Again, you get 20-inch wheels, the power convex trailer tow mirrors, and black tubular side steps. On the feature front, the Express adds in front and rear ParkSense, so it’s a bit easier to maneuver in everyday driving and parking. You also get the 12-inch touchscreen here, as you do on the Warlock.
Both trucks get cloth bench seats, carpeted flooring and floor mats, so you aren’t forced to pay a premium to get into a more premium trim with leather seats you don’t necessarily need.
Check out more on each truck below as Andre reviews them in Detroit:
