Dodge RAM 1500 : If you’re a truck guy who’s been missing that deep, throaty V8 rumble, 2026 is your year.
Ram listened to the outcry from fans after ditching the HEMI last year, and now the iconic 5.7-liter engine is back in the Ram 1500 lineup, proving once again that customer demand can steer the ship.
HEMI’s Big Comeback Shakes Up the Powertrain Lineup
The 5.7L HEMI V8 returns with its familiar 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, paired standard with eTorque mild-hybrid tech for smoother stops and a bit of extra low-end grunt—up to 130 lb-ft more when the electric motor kicks in.
YouTubers like Redline Reviews fired it up in a Laramie trim and noted how it idles like a muscle car, complete with a new GT Sport exhaust that growls louder than Ford’s 5.0 or GM’s stock 6.2.
It’s available across seven of ten trims now, from Big Horn to Limited, but skips the top Tungsten duo reserved for the hotter Hurricane twin-turbo I6.
That Hurricane still rules for raw numbers—420 hp standard or 540 hp high-output—but the HEMI’s charm is in the visceral experience, not just the stats.
Reviewers clocked 0-60 in about 5.6 seconds in sport mode on all-season tires, quick enough to hang with GM’s big V8s while towing up to 11,320 pounds.
Fuel economy dips to 16 city/20 highway (18 combined), but a massive 33-gallon tank stretches range near 600 miles on regular gas.
Exterior Gets That Aggressive Ram Edge
Slide up to the 2026 Ram 1500, and it’s instantly recognizable with the bold grille spelling out “RAM” in block letters, now often blacked out in sporty Night Edition packages for $3,500 extra.
Colors like Forged Blue pop against 22-inch matte black wheels, and a new “Symbol of Protest” fender badge—Ram’s head charging forward over a V8 block—winks at fans who revolted against the HEMI’s absence.
The body-on-frame design hasn’t changed much post-2025 refresh, but air suspension (optional $2,000) adjusts ride height from 7 to 10 inches for better approach angles or loaded hauls.
Crew cab with 5-foot-7 bed measures 232 inches long, with clever RamBox storage eating minimal bed space while staying lockable and waterproof.
Tow mirrors power-fold, and power tailgates close with a nudge—small touches that make daily use feel premium.
Inside, It’s Luxury Truck Heaven
Hop in, and the cabin screams upscale SUV more than work truck. The Laramie Night Edition wraps seats in black leather/Alcantara with contrast stitching, heated/ventilated up front (heated rear), and 45 inches of best-in-class legroom aft—enough for three adults to stretch out, recline 8 degrees, and nap.
Materials mix soft-touch plastics, wood-look trim, and suede inserts; it’s quiet thanks to the updated electrical architecture tuned for the old V8’s return.
The star is the 14.5-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen—huge, snappy after warmup, with wireless CarPlay/Android Auto and a passenger-side 10.25-inch screen (privacy-filtered).
Knobs handle climate and volume, trailer brake controller integrates seamlessly, and six USB ports plus dual wireless chargers keep gadgets happy. massage seats here (save for Limited/Tungsten), but the space and comfort rival high-end rides.
On the Road, Power Meets Polish
Fire the HEMI, and that starter whir followed by a burble hooks you immediately—reviewers say it’s why folks pay $1,500 extra despite the Hurricane’s edge in power and mpg.
The ZF 8-speed shifts silkily in Auto mode, blending hybrid smoothness with V8 shove; sport mode sharpens throttle and holds gears for passes. Air suspension soaks up bumps better than rivals, making highway cruises effortless even loaded.
Towing shines with integrated tech like rear cross-traffic braking and trajectory lines, though full 360 cameras need a $3,300 package.
Off-road? Low-profiles limit it, but four-mode 4WD (Auto shines) and optional packages handle light duty fine. Real-world mpg hovered 15-18 in mixed driving, solid for the grunt.
Tech and Safety Load Up Smart Features
Safety gets adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring, and auto emergency braking standard, with Level 2 hands-free highway driving optional.
Trailer guidance uses cameras for hitching, and over-the-air updates keep Uconnect fresh. Harman Kardon audio pumps bass-heavy sound (up to 24 speakers higher up), and remote start lets you savor the idle rumble from afar.
Drive modes tweak everything from suspension to exhaust note, and phone-as-key works flawlessly. It’s not flawless—Uconnect lags on cold boot, no HUD standard—but for truck tech, it’s segment-leading.
Ramcharger Sneaks In as Future-Proof Option
Amid HEMI hype, whispers of the Ramcharger—a plug-in hybrid 1500 with 145-mile EV range and 690-mile total via 3.6L generator—hint at Ram’s hybrid push for late 2025/2026.
It promises 663 hp, 4.4-second 0-60, 14,000-pound towing without charging, blending EV torque with gas freedom. REV full-EV delays to late 2026 leave gas loyalists happy for now.
Dodge RAM 1500 : Pricing Hits Premium Territory
Base trades start around $40k, but a loaded Laramie HEMI like tested runs $80k-$87k with options. HEMI adds $1,200-$1,500 over Hurricane; value shines if sound and tradition matter over peak specs.
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In the end, the 2026 Ram 1500’s HEMI revival nails what fans craved—a truck blending muscle heritage, luxury, and capability without fully abandoning efficiency or tech. It’s not perfect, but damn if it doesn’t roar louder than the competition.