2026 Ram 1500 First Drive Review: The Return of the Hemi V8

• The 5.7-litre Hemi V8 remains unchanged, delivering 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque.

• Ram now includes the sport exhaust as standard, acknowledging that engine sound is a key purchase factor.

• 40% of current Ram 1500 Hemi owners said they had no interest in buying another Ram without a V8.

Strengths

• A sound we love to hear again

• Broad availability across the lineup

• Proven engine

• New 10-year / 160,000 km powertrain warranty

Weaknesses

• Higher fuel consumption

• Not the most refined powertrain

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Writing the following story would have been unthinkable barely 18 months ago. At the time, we were participating in a program showcasing the 2025 Ram 1500 lineup, a model that dropped the Hemi V8 in favour of the 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder known as the Hurricane.

This engine offers more power, better fuel economy, and meets stricter environmental standards.

The natural evolution of things, right?

Not exactly, especially at Stellantis, where doing things differently often brings both positives and negatives.

So why the reversal, this about-face decision?

Well, let’s talk a bit of politics before mechanics.

New leadership, new vision

On December 1, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares retired, or rather, was gently pushed out. Things weren’t working with upper management, especially on the American side. His decisions revealed a lack of understanding of this market, quickly creating tensions. John Elkann filled in until Antonio Filosa was officially named his successor this past May.

Since Tavares’ departure, many company decisions have been overturned. One of them was sacrificing the Ram 1500’s V8 engine. Interestingly, the decision to bring it back was made last December.

Not a coincidence, of course. We asked Ram officials about it and, unsurprisingly, the answer was: “No comment.”

Then, as if on cue, the administration change at the White House in January came with a rollback of environmental regulations, especially regarding emission penalties for automakers who don’t comply.

We asked, and again, Ram officials responded with: “No comment.” Understandably, they’re walking on eggshells, but the writing is on the wall.

That said, there’s another element beyond politics.

40%

The wildcard is that 40% of older Ram 1500 Hemi V8 owners told their dealers they wouldn’t repurchase unless the model offered a Hemi.

That’s not one in twenty buyers, but four in ten, which is huge.

Imagine the revenue losses, not just for Stellantis at the top, but for dealers at the bottom.

Clearly, panic set in. Something had to be done—and something was.

The context lined up perfectly. A perfect storm, you might say.

Bringing back an engine: not so simple

In 2024, the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 was offered with the Ram. It was removed in 2025 with the mid-cycle refresh. Bringing it back in 2026 should have been easy, right?

Not quite.

In reality, a team of approximately ten experts was assembled in December, with additional members added as the project progressed. The thing is, it wasn’t just a matter of bolting the engine back in. In 2025, the Ram 1500’s electrical architecture had been redesigned to offer more possibilities. For example, semi-autonomous driving wasn’t possible before, but now it is.

As a result, 13 electronic modules had to be reprogrammed to work with the Hemi. Ram had moved on, and going backwards forced everyone to double their efforts to revive the engine.

The same engine

The Ram 1500 gets the same 5.7-litre Hemi V8. Unsurprisingly, it delivers the same 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque, managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission.

What’s different is that the sport exhaust, previously optional, is now standard. Company strategists understood, thanks to that 40%, that sound was part of the experience, clearly more important than the extra capability offered by the Hurricane.

Never forget that in the auto industry, what’s often sold is an experience, an image, and that’s what people ultimately buy.

And with a Ram 1500 packing the Hemi V8, buyers also get a unique logo on the front fenders: the Ram head accompanied by a Hemi badge. It’s the “symbol of protest,” representing customer demands for the legendary engine’s return.

An option

Which 2026 Ram 1500 trims will get the Hemi?

Several, though it will be optional. Canadian pricing is still to come, but the U.S. figure is under $2,000 CAD (converted). Considering that’s nearly what the sport exhaust alone used to cost, it’s negligible. Buyers would have paid more anyway, no doubt.

The Hemi will be available with the Tradesman, Express (new), Warlock, Big Horn, Laramie, Sport, Rebel, Longhorn, and Limited. Only the RHO and Tungsten are excluded.

We’ll cover the full mechanical lineup below.

Behind the wheel: like an old sock

As for the driving experience, it’s familiar territory. No surprises here—just the joy of rediscovering a beloved powertrain, paired with an exhaust note that puts a grin on your face.

The engine also features eTorque technology, a mild-hybrid system that provides a power boost at key moments like takeoff, passing, and under load. It delivers 130 lb-ft of instant torque, not added to the 410 lb-ft, but strategically substitutes when required.

Otherwise, future owners will be pleased to find their Hemi-powered Ram still capable of towing 11,320 lbs and carrying a payload of 1,650 lbs. That’s slightly higher (under 1,000 lbs, depending on the variant) than what the Hurricane offers.

Yes, still offers, as it remains part of the lineup alongside the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6.

Mechanical lineup

Here’s what the 2026 Ram 1500 powertrain lineup looks like:

• 3.6-litre Pentastar V6: Tradesman, Express, Warlock, Big Horn.
  Option: none
• 3.0-litre turbo six (regular): Sport, Rebel, Laramie.
  Option: Tradesman, Express, Warlock, Big Horn.
• 3.0-litre turbo six (high-output): Longhorn, Limited, RHO, Tungsten.
  Option: none
• 5.7-litre Hemi V8: none as standard.
  Option: Tradesman, Express, Warlock, Big Horn, Laramie, Sport, Rebel, Longhorn, Limited.

Note: The Sport trim is Canada-exclusive (to be confirmed). Also, the Express joins the lineup this year. Ram also says the Hemi will arrive later for the Rebel.

The 2026 Ram 1500 Hemi V8 will launch in the U.S. this fall, with Canada getting it in Q1 2026. Since our market will see it later, more info will follow on pricing (trims and options).

One thing’s certain: the company will win back buyers with this engine.

The real question: for how long? Stellantis can’t afford another yo-yo move and still be taken seriously.

We’re truly living through a unique moment in automotive history.