New Entry-Level Ram 1500 Express Black Edition Launches in Australia
The 2026 Ram 1500 lineup has expanded with the introduction of a new entry-level model, the Express Black Edition. This variant is now the most affordable full-size pickup available in Australian showrooms. Set to launch in June, it carries a price tag of $109,950 before on-road costs. This makes it the cheapest full-size pickup in the country, surpassing the previous leader, the Ford F-150 XLT, which was priced at $114,950 before on-road costs.
Compared to other full-size pickups, the Express Black Edition offers significant cost savings. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 starts at $134,990 before on-road costs, while the Toyota Tundra begins at $155,990 before on-road costs. Within the Ram 1500 range, the Express Black Edition is notably cheaper than the Rebel and Laramie Sport models, both of which start from $141,950 before on-road costs.
The Express name previously represented the most affordable Ram 1500 model between 2018 and 2024, until the Ram 1500 Big Horn took over the entry-level role. With the updated, inline-six-powered 1500 range arriving in 2025 and the Big Horn not returning, this marks the first time the Express badge has been used on the ‘DT’ generation Ram 1500 in Australia.
Despite its position as the price leader, the Express Black Edition is equipped with the same ‘Hurricane’ 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder petrol engine as the Rebel and Laramie models. It delivers identical power outputs of 313kW and 635Nm, driving all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Its core specifications match or exceed those of the 1500 Rebel. This includes a braked towing capacity of 4500kg, a payload of 1014kg, a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3505kg, and a gross combination mass (GCM) of 7711kg.
Like the rest of the Ram 1500 lineup, the Express Black Edition is only available in a dual-cab short-wheelbase (SWB) pickup body style.
Externally, the Express Black Edition features a ‘power bulge’ bonnet, along with body-coloured bumpers, badges, mirror caps, door handles, side steps, and twin exhaust outlets finished in black. It also comes with black 20-inch alloy wheels. There are six exterior colour options, with Bright White available at no extra cost, while Diamond Black, Granite Crystal, Silver Zynith, Molten Red, and Forged Blue each add an additional $950.
Inside, the cabin features cloth seat trim with black highlights. It includes a 7.0-inch instrument cluster and an 8.4-inch infotainment display, which is smaller than the 12.3-inch and 14.4-inch screens found in the Rebel. However, it still offers remote start and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Additional features include rear privacy glass and a six-speaker sound system. Standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, a rear-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, and trailer brake control.
The truck bed comes with a standard spray-in tub liner, and there’s a full-size spare tire mounted underneath it.
While the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has not crash-tested the Ram 1500 or any full-size pickups currently sold in Australia, it awarded the model a ‘Gold’ rating after a collision avoidance test in 2025.
Interestingly, the Express Black Edition arrives just after Ram delivered 666 examples of the 1500 in Australia between January and April 2026, making it the top-selling model in the full-size pickup category.
