Ram's BackCountry Truck Targets Off-Road ValueEric Stafford - Car and DriverLike most full-size pickup trucks, the Ram 1500 lineup offers so many configurations that people with decidophobia will almost certainly struggle to find the perfect version for them. For folks who like to spend their free time playing in the dirt, the widebody RHO and SRT-badged TRX—with their long-travel suspensions and knobby 35-inch tires—remain the kings of the hill. But there are less spendy off-road Rams as well. Slotting between the entry-level Warlock and the mid-tier Rebel, there's a new BackCountry package available on the Big Horn 4x4 crew cab.The $2995 kit includes a one-inch suspension lift, heavy-duty dampers, underbody skid plates, front tow hooks, an electronic locking rear differential, and 32-inch Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires. Identical equipment included in the $1345 Off-Road Group that's equipped on our long-term 2025 Ram 1500. Additional BackCountry goodies include blacked-out exterior trim. Ram also retains the Rebel X trim for the half-ton truck; it's basically just a fancier version of the popular Rebel model. The X-rated version includes a bigger 14.5-inch touchscreen, a 19-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system, prominent steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, a panoramic sunroof, and leather upholstery with red accent stitching. It's also currently the only Ram that gets what the brand calls Rough Road Cruise Control (more on that in a bit).Ram 1500 BackCountryEric Stafford - Car and DriverWhile the Rebel X has some upgraded off-road hardware versus the BackCountry, it also costs over $10,000 more and can't be equipped with the recently resurrected Hemi V-8. Since both trucks were part of a recent drive event that Ram held in Texas—the state that buys most of its trucks—we decided to focus on these two trail-tuned pickups to decide which one delivers the most bang for the buck.AdvertisementAdvertisementWe're already big fans of the Ram 1500 Rebel, which defeated another mid-tier off-road pickup when we pitted it against Ford's F-150 Tremor. Although the Rebel X is still handcuffed to the 420-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six, that's not a bad thing. Its smooth power delivery is luxury-grade, and the eight-speed automatic remains an astute partner. The engine's demure exhaust note is about as intimidating as a pack of hissing kittens, but it also matches the 10Best winner's svelte personality. With an EPA-estimated 20 mpg combined, it should cost less to gas up than the more vociferous V-8-powered BackCountry we drove, which nets an 18-mpg estimate from the EPA.Eric Stafford - Car and DriverYou don't have to get the new Ram 1500 BackCountry with the 395-hp 5.7-liter V-8, but we'd wager the Hemi is a big selling point considering the sales surge that Ram reportedly enjoyed after bringing it back from the dead. That said, people who prefer the standard Hurricane engine save $1200. Frankly, we appreciated the V-8's old-school growl at idle and the growing roar that followed right-foot inputs. Based on our previous tests, acceleration times favor the six-cylinder engine (4.8 seconds to 60 mph versus 6.0 ticks), but the V-8's more linear throttle response was our preference when tackling technical low-speed sections of an off-road trail.The Rebel X did make life easier thanks to its myriad exterior cameras, which include a useful front-facing view that acts as a virtual spotter and saved us from banging into rocks and obstacles. The BackCountry, which only has a rear camera view, wasn't so lucky and suffered a sizable dent in its front bumper. The Rebel X's chin also provides better clearance, but that wasn't really an issue on the relatively tame terrain we experienced. Plus, the Rebel's blockier 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTracs are the more competent tire when it comes to truly treacherous obstacles, and we appreciated that they weren't overly loud at highway speeds.Ram 1500 Rebel XEric Stafford - Car and DriverHowever, the Rebel X's exclusive and highly touted Rough Road Cruise Control failed to impress during our limited exposure to it. Like hill-descent control without needing a hill, the automated low-speed crawl operates at up to 20 mph. Ram says it adjusts the steering effort based on the road ahead, but we didn't feel much difference. It mostly seemed gimmicky and probably won't get much run among people who actually take these trucks off-road.AdvertisementAdvertisementWe imagine those people will likely lean toward the BackCountry and the regular Rebel, which skip the fancier features that push the X-rated truck's starting price to $74,925—only a few thousand dollars less than the 550-hp RHO. For the sweet spot of affordability and capability, we'd recommend the BackCountry truck. Or skip the BackCountry's styling, select the Off-Road Group, and put the money saved toward equipping the truck with the air springs. Sure, you miss out on the panoramic sunroof, the more expressive exterior styling, and the additional camera views—and you must live with the rotary gear selector instead of the X's traditional shifter on the center console—but you can have an eight-cylinder soundtrack, and you still get to enjoy the general excellence that defines every Ram 1500.Eric Stafford - Car and DriverThe brand says the BackCountry's entire 2026-model-year allocation is already accounted for, but don't worry, the BC is part of the 2027 lineup. It'll remain the Ram 1500's off-road value play, with the V-8-powered version starting at $64,160.➡️ Skip the lot. 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