Midway through 2025, the 2026 Ram 2500 Black Express and Warlock trims were introduced for the company’s heavy-duty lineup. Prioritizing affordability (both trims are based on the entry-level Tradesman) and rugged capability while adding a sporty look, the two derivatives have turned out to be a big hit.
At the recent unveiling of the 2027 Ram ProMaster City Van in Detroit, Ram said these pickups received a year’s worth of orders in only the first month, according to Carscoops. To cope with the demand, the company has had to increase production capacity.
Ram 2500 Warlock and Black Express Features
Ram
Orders for these two Ram 2500 HD pickups opened late in June 2025, before they began arriving at dealers in the third quarter of last year. Ram sold 169,920 heavy-duty pickups last year, a 9% drop relative to 2024. However, based on Ram’s recent comments, these numbers could have been higher if it was able to meet the number of orders for the 2500 Warlock and Black Express. One customer who ordered a new 2500 Warlock in July 2025 was told by the dealer to expect a three-month wait. Based on that, many of the trims ordered in the fourth quarter of last year would not have been reflected in 2025’s sales figures.
At $53,070, the Black Express is the cheaper of the two pickups and comes with these extras, among others:
- Sport performance hood
- 20-inch black wheels
- Trailer tow mirrors
- Crew Cab with long or short bed
Ram
The Warlock is the more capable of the two, with a $56,400 starting price and the following extras:
- 4×4 only
- 34-inch Goodyear Duratrac A/T tires
- Transfer case skidplate
- Bilstein shocks
- Anti-spin rear differential
- Hill descent control
Both are available with either the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 405 horsepower or the 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel with 430 hp and a mighty 1,075 lb-ft of torque. All variations of the pickup have an eight-speed automatic transmission.
“The Ram 2500 Black Express and Warlock offer an attractive price with custom appearance, while building on our sport truck leadership position,” said Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis at the time of the trucks’ reveal.
What It Means
Stellantis
Of the nine 2026 Ram 2500 trims available, more than half start at over $60,000. The Black Express and Warlock’s popularity shows the demand for more affordable but still capable trim levels in the market right now. This trend has been reflected across multiple brands and vehicle segments. Sales of cheaper Ford Maverick and Ranger pickups have been strong in recent months, while Honda even decided to increase the output of lower-priced non-hybrid models as demand for those models rises.
Ram’s 1500 is now one of the oldest pickups in the full-size segment, but high-value trims like these two—along with the return of the Hemi V8—are keeping it in contention with GM and Ford rivals.
About the author
Karl Furlong
Senior Editor, Autoblog