395-hp HEMI V8 with eTorque returns to Ram 1500 for 2026 model year.
Available across multiple trims, including no-charge option for top models.
Up to 11,470 lbs towing and hybrid enhancements improve performance and fuel efficiency.
Ram has “corrected” itself and reopened orders for its 5.7-litre HEMI V8 engine in the 2026 Ram 1500, bringing the eight-cylinder powertrain back after a one-year absence. The decision follows strong customer feedback after the brand moved to six-cylinder-only offerings in the 2025 model year. The V8-powered trucks are scheduled to begin arriving at Canadian dealerships this summer.
2026 Ram 1500 | Photo: RamThe 5.7-litre V8, equipped with eTorque mild-hybrid technology, produces 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque. It includes fuel-saving features such as variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation, making it only slightly thirstier than the straight-6 in real-world driving. The eTorque system uses a belt-driven motor generator and a 48-volt battery to support engine start/stop functionality, torque assist, and regenerative braking.
The eTorque system also integrates a 430-watt-hour lithium-ion battery, housed behind the rear seat in a sound-insulated enclosure. It operates with dual cooling fans and works with a 3-kilowatt converter to support 12-volt accessories. The V8 also retains a traditional starter motor to ensure performance in cold-weather conditions.
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The 2026 Ram 1500 with the HEMI V8 offers a maximum towing capacity of 11,470 lbs and a payload capacity of 1,750 lbs. Buyers can order the $1,200 V8 engine across several trim levels, including Tradesman, Big Horn, Express, Warlock, Laramie, Rebel (late availability), Limited, and Longhorn. Ram has added a new fender-mounted “Symbol of Protest Badge” to visually differentiate HEMI-equipped trucks. The 5.7-litre engine is a no-cost upgrade on Limited and Longhorn trims and includes a performance exhaust and 33-gallon fuel tank.
2026 Ram 1500 | Photo: RamRam continues to offer the turbocharged Hurricane inline-six engine, but brand CEO Tim Kuniskis said customer feedback directly influenced the return of the HEMI V8. The HEMI’s rebirth is part of RAM’s 18-month product rollout designed to increase powertrain choices across the lineup.
