The Ram 1500 V8 Is Finally Here—Get Ready to Roar
"That growl you hear at your local Ram dealership? There’s only one explanation."
Hear that in the distance? That unmistakable growl of a V8 coming from somewhere near your local Ram Trucks dealership? You guessed it—the Hemi V8 is back in the Ram 1500 lineup. And there’s reason to celebrate: deliveries have officially started for the MY26 Ram 1500s equipped with the 5.7-liter engine. Ram is now set to fulfill the tens of thousands of orders placed within just 24 hours of announcing the Hemi’s return.
“When we announced the return of the legendary HEMI for the Ram 1500 in June, we received 10,000 orders in the first 24 hours, proving that we made the right decision to bring back this iconic engine for this truck.”
– Tim Kuniskis, Ram Trucks CEO
You Pay More for an “Inferior” Engine on Paper
The return of the V8 is certainly exciting, giving buyers the ultimate luxury: choice. But that choice comes at a price—sometimes literally. Take the entry-level Tradesman, for instance. It comes standard with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, but upgrading to the 3.0-liter twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six (standard output) costs $1,695, while opting for the 5.7-liter Hemi adds $2,895.
Interestingly, on paper, the Hemi isn’t the strongest of the three. With 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque, it trails the standard-output Hurricane by 25 hp and 59 lb-ft—yet carries a $1,200 premium.
On two trims—the Limited and Longhorn—the V8 comes as a no-cost option. But it’s not swapping in for the standard-output Hurricane six; it replaces the high-output version, which cranks out an impressive 540 hp and 521 lb-ft of torque. Still, the V8 is what buyers are clamoring for, and Ram is more than happy to deliver… while padding the bottom line in the process.
2026 Ram 1500 Engine Comparison |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.6L Pentastar V6 | 3.0L Hurricane I6 (S/O) | 5.7L Hemi V8 | 3.0L Hurricane I6 (H/O) |
| Power | 305 hp | 420 hp | 395 hp | 540 hp |
| Torque | 271 lb-ft | 469 lb-ft | 410 lb-ft | 521 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined) | 20/25/22 mpg (4×2) | 18/25/21 mpg (4×2) | 17/23/19 mpg (4×4) | 15/21/17 mpg (4×4) |
The Sound Was Worth It
For many buyers, the deep rumble of a V8—and the pride that comes with it—is well worth the extra cost. Ram clearly sees the appeal, which is why every Hemi-equipped 1500 sports the iconic “Symbol of Protest” badge on its fenders. And it’s not just a niche taste: 40% of Ram customers said they would consider the Hemi over other engines if it returned. The people spoke—and Ram listened.
Reviving the Hemi wasn’t without its challenges. The Ram 1500 recent facelift brought major updates, including a completely overhauled electronic architecture—something that wasn’t immediately compatible with the V8. Ram’s engineering team, however, fast-tracked the Hemi’s development, completing it “in record time,” according to Kuniskis.
The 5.7-liter V8 leads the charge, but it won’t be the last Hemi to return to the Ram 1500 lineup. The TRX has been confirmed for a revival, slotting in above the Ram 1500 RHO. When it makes its comeback—assuming the RHO remains in the lineup—Ram will finally be positioned to go head-to-head with both Ford F-150 Raptor models.
