2026 Ram 1500 HEMI V8: Tried-And-True Comeback

The American brands of the Stellantis group have long been taken for granted by the higher-ups. Like inexhaustible cash cows, they rehashed retro designs powered by gas-guzzling powertrains that appealed to enthusiasts who constantly asked for more. However, the major shift to electric vehicles, combined with a series of controversial planning decisions by Stellantis' senior management, has turned everything upside down, including a once-loyal customer base.

In fact, Ram truck sales plummeted in 2024, largely due to the retirement of the beloved HEMI V8, which was replaced by the promising Hurricane twin-turbo 6-cylinder engine.

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After the election of a decidedly more environmentally lax administration in the U.S. in November 2024, Stellantis probably saw it fit to seize the opportunity, in December 2024, to bring back some archaic elements that hadn't gathered too much dust, such as Ram's new CEO Tim Kuniskis and the 5.7-litre HEMI V8 under the hood of the Ram 1500 pickup truck.

The Car Guide visited the Stellantis proving ground in Chelsea, Michigan to drive the 2026 Ram 1500, which has been (re)fitted with the good old hemispherical-shaped combustion chamber engine.

Same Performance, Slightly Reduced Capability

When the six-cylinder Hurricane engine was bolted under the hood of the Ram 1500 for the 2025 model year, it came with a series of aesthetic and technological improvements to the truck. The visible iterations were essentially limited to cosmetic tweaks to the front bumper, as well as a choice of 8.4-inch or 14.5-inch screens in the more luxurious models, among other improvements.

The most notable change, however, was undoubtedly the new electrical architecture, which modernized the Ram 1500 in terms of the speed of its electronic modules, but also brought features such as over-the-air updates. These changes obviously carry over to the 2026 Ram 1500, which still offers a choice of Pentastar and Hurricane engines, the latter in both S.O. and H.O. output levels. But according to the engineers we met at the test centre, a few technical feats were necessary to get the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 back to its old ways.

Adapting to the new electrical architecture was at the heart of the task, and Ram had to conduct cold-weather testing in the southern hemisphere, specifically New Zealand, to take advantage of winter-like conditions. In short, pressure from management to bring the vehicle to market quickly was felt throughout the process.

On paper, the engine itself appears to remain unchanged, with the same pre-retirement performance figures of 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. It's paired with the eTorque system and the 8-speed automatic transmission, which makes the truck shine during acceleration on the strip, not only because it's calibrated, but also because eTorque injects up to 130 lb-ft of torque at the bottom of the power band. While technically the Hemi engine is less powerful than the Hurricane (regardless of the version), the brief electric assistance, combined with the V8's unique, throaty roar, suggests otherwise in terms of pure feeling. And to enhance that sound—while reminding your neighbours that the Hemi hasn't said its last word—every Ram 1500 equipped with this engine now comes standard with the GT Performance package's sport exhaust.

The Ram 1500 hasn't lost any ground in terms of handling and comfort, two major qualities that set it apart in the segment. While its central display screen may be criticized for becoming more complex, we can only congratulate the interior designers once again for the assembly, which is still executed with precision.

It's important to note that some capabilities have been scaled back. Maximum towing capacity now sits 11,320 lbs (5,135 kg), compared to 12,750 lbs (5,783 kg) - or 11,380 (5,162 kg) in the crew cab/short bed configuration - in the 2024 Ram 1500. Payload is also down by about 90 lbs (41 kg).

A Convincing Warranty

With the good old Pentastar V6 at the bottom of the range, the Hurricane S.O. in second place, the veteran Hemi in third, and the Hurricane H.O. reigning supreme at the top, the Ram 1500's engine lineup is once again well-rounded. And the artillery now comes with a 10-year/160,000km limited powertrain warranty—which even covers the dreaded exhaust manifolds on the 5.7-litre V8 that have a reputation of cracking over time.

Ram is betting big on the Hemi’s comeback to bring much-needed cash to its balance sheets, and in turn, reassure its investors. All that remains is to hope that the new architecture does not have an immune reaction to this “not-so-new” organ, and that buyers will once again show up for the occasion. But it's hard not to recommend the HEMI engine over the the Hurricane S.O, for example, just because it's a tried-and-true option with a familiar test. Attractive pricing could certainly give Ram's charm offensive a good start as it seeks to regain the confidence of its buyers at all costs.

Canadian pricing information for the 2026 Ram 1500 will be revealed closer to its release date, which is set for the first quarter of 2026. It should also be noted that Antonio Filosa, CEO of Stellantis, hinted at the return of the almighty Ram 1500 TRX during a meeting on the financial results for the second quarter of 2025. It could be powered by the supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI engine and contribute to the brand's financial recovery efforts. Unfortunately, details about this comeback are still pending.