We Drove the Ram 1500 with the Reborn Hemi V-8 Engine
Story by Lucas BellWhen Ram announced that it would be dropping the Hemi V-8 from its half-ton order sheet, the brand’s loyalists were not shy with their disapproval. Even when it became clear that the Hurricane 3.0-liter inline-six was a more potent and efficient alternative, the fan base felt betrayed by the loss of the truck-defining feature. That move was only made worse by the fact that Ford and Chevrolet still offered a sweet eight-cylinder soundtrack. After a little bit of an executive shake-up at Stellantis (and some policy choices by the president), Ram fans no longer need to fret. The iconic 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 returns to the Ram 1500 lineup for the 2026 model year.
The Lowdown
The reborn Hemi V-8 offering is the largest adjustment to the recently refreshed Ram lineup. The engine, which arrives in eTorque mild-hybrid spec, will be offered with nearly every trim level. It costs $1200 over the Standard Output Hurricane upgrade but comes at no additional cost in the Laramie and Longhorn models. The engine is not available in the Tungsten or RHO trims, which come standard with the High Output Hurricane. To celebrate the return of the fan-favorite engine, Ram is installing a honking sports exhaust on every V-8-powered 1500, ensuring everyone around you knows your truck has a Hemi. Every Ram 1500 also now features a class-leading 10-year/10,000-mile warranty.
Vehicle Tested: 2026 Ram 1500 Big Horn
Base Price: $54,225
Price as Tested: $63,380
Location: Chelsea, Michigan
More Specs
Engine: 5,654 cc V-8Power: 395 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque: 410 lb-ft @ 3950 rpm
0-60 mph: 6.5 sec (est)
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Weight: 5900 lbs (est)
EPA MPG: 17 / 23 / 19 (City / Highway / Combined)
How Does It Drive?
Road & Track editors have never been Hurricane haters. The twin-turbocharged inline-six brings a vastly different character to the Ram 1500, but it’s one that ultimately does suit the truck’s capabilities. It’s immensely powerful, extremely quiet in normal driving, and slightly kinder on the wallet come fill-up time. There’s a reason the Hemi won’t be replacing it in the higher trim levels: Ram views the Hurricane High Output as the superior powertrain. And while we all adore the idea of a V-8 in the front of our half-tons, there is some real validity behind that.The Hemi V-8 returns with 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque on tap, slotting well below the Standard Output Hurricane’s ratings of 420 hp and 469 lb-ft. Even with the added torque boost at low rpms from the eTorque system, the Hemi still doesn’t provide those peak figures until 5600 rpm and 3950 rpm, respectively. The Hurricane delivers its peaks at 5200 rpm and 3500 rpm. The High Output variant is in another league entirely, providing 540 hp and 521 lb-ft. You also have to pay $2895 for that lesser performance in this Big Horn trim.
And yet, there is something rather sweet about a Hemi under the hood. That shouldn’t be a surprise, given that this exact recipe built Ram into the segment powerhouse it is today. There’s a notable lack of grunt compared with the turbocharged engines, but the Hemi works with the eight-speed gearbox to make the most of that torque. It’s no slouch, but it won’t be rivaling the 4.4-second 0–60-mph sprint of the Tungsten. Not every truck needs to rival pony cars in a straight line after all. The Hemi fights against the speed deficit with that glorious exhaust note, though it’s less present in the cabin than before due to Ram’s latest frequency-canceling techniques.
As with all current-gen 1500s, our Big Horn tester benefits greatly from Ram’s double wishbones up front and multilink rear suspension setup. Our tester was equipped with the standard suspension but still proved to be a compliant and comfortable partner on Michigan’s beaten pavement. Suspension is tuned for towing, not performance, but the truck remains well composed in the bends. It’s easy to place the truck, given its size, but the electric-assisted steering is rather isolated in its feedback. It does suit the relaxed nature of the experience rather well.
What’s It Like to Live With?
The Big Horn isn’t as posh as some of the higher-end 1500s, but it packs the features where it counts. Our tester was equipped with the standard 7-inch digital cluster and 12-inch infotainment screen, which are backed by the latest version of Uconnect 5. The system remains deserving of its praise for its ease of use, and it continues to support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. Key functions retain buttons across the cabin with wonderfully chunky feedback. I still don’t get on with the rotary shift knob, but the transfer-case controls mounted at its flank are idiotproof and respond quickly on the fly.Even at nearly $55,000 to start, Big Horn customers can expect cloth-trimmed seating throughout. Our tester came equipped with the upgraded power-adjustable and heated units up front. They are both spacious and plenty supportive. The 60/40 split rear seating allows for some versatility when it comes to in-cab storage, as do the optional rear storage bins. There are seemingly endless cubbies and door pockets, as well as various charge ports and cupholders for between site top-ups. It feels like the designers were aiming for a truck interior over one fit for a luxury SUV, which is rarer than you might expect in the segment. Standard radar cruise with stop-and-go functionality and a suite of safety aids aren’t old-school at all, however. Neither is the amount of bass that the optional nine-speaker stereo with a subwoofer can kick out.
Should I Buy One?
The Ram 1500 is my favorite of the current half-ton offerings. It offers a hard-to-rival blend of capability, performance, and amenities, with a genuine understanding of the pickup-truck buyer. The recent refresh only improved the core tenets of the model, and that hasn’t changed with the reintroduction of the Hemi. If you’re in the market for a half-ton, the $54,225 Big Horn is a great place to start the search. Ram expects models similar to this tester, complete with the Sport Appearance pack and a few other upgrades, to be the volume seller in 2026. That said, those upgrades, along with the Hemi, pushed our tester’s MSRP up to $63,380. That’s a tricky spot to be in with the performance on offer. If a V-8 is what you’re really after, Chevrolet’s comparable Silverado 1500 RST 4x4 with the more potent 6.2-liter V-8 can be had for $62,135. Ford fans will happily argue that the 5.0-liter V-8 in the F-150 lineup is more potent as well.It feels right to have a Hemi back in the Ram 1500, but the powertrain choice is more of a genuine debate than all the fanfare might let on. The Hurricane authentically suits the nature of the current truck and is now a bit of a bargain within the lineup structure. Given how darn luxurious the platform has become, it feels deserving of a truly powerful engine. At the same time, it is hard to argue against a ripping V-8 soundtrack. I suppose that is why Ram felt the need to give customers that choice back.
Highlights and Lowlights
We Love:
- Immense soundtrack.
- Acres of front and rear cabin room.
- Cohesive option packaging.
We Don't:
- Dead steering.
- Underwhelming V-8 performance.
- Tuning of the lane-keeping assist.
Tim Kuniskis may no longer be the boss at Dodge, but the “Symbol of Protest” badging on the V-8-powered Ram screams of his SRT days. Is it completely unnecessary and oversized? Absolutely. Is it the perfect visual representation of the madness that is the auto industry heading into 2026? You’re darn right. And who could ever forget the saga of the misplaced badge turned mechanical bull? Hemis are so back, baby.
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