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Over a 12 months in the past, Ram was stepping into a daring new course. The refresh of the 1500 marked a pivotal second for the model well-known for its basic V8 engines. It featured new trim buildings, up to date tech, and a transition away from the Hemi to the brand new Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six. Ram made it clear: this was the engine of the longer term.
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The 3.0-liter engine gained consideration, too. It was, and nonetheless is, highly effective. It’s gas environment friendly (in comparison with the V8), and it’s refined on the highway. On paper, that feels like a win-win. In actuality, it left loads of followers complaining about what they noticed as a part of the model’s identification getting thrown within the rubbish.
Read: We Drove The New Ram RHO And Everyone Asked One Thing
For the 2026 mannequin 12 months, Ram is again to listening to these followers because it has returned the legendary Hemi to the lineup. In reality, we simply completed every week of testing it beneath the hood of a Ram 1500 Limited Longhorn. Our take a look at truck had a base value of $89,380, and that features vacation spot and supply.
Quick Facts
SWIPE
Over the week, we loaded up the mattress, hauled loads of constructing supplies, and shuttled family and friends round city. We even took it off the pavement and onto some dust and gravel.
At this level, it’s clear that having the choice of a Hemi V8 will likely be good for Ram as a result of that’s what its prospects need. Is it really price choosing for something aside from nostalgia’s sake? Read on to search out out.
Styling
Photos Stephen Rivers / Carscoops
If you’ve learn our different evaluations on the newest model of the Ram, you’ll know most of what there may be to find out about how this truck appears to be like. The model didn’t swap issues up visually simply but for this comparatively younger technology of the 1500. Compared to the final model, this truck options delicate tweaks and refinements moderately than wholesale design modifications.
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The entrance fascia now has a cleaner look with a barely reshaped grille and extra purposeful lighting parts. In explicit, the headlamps and signature daytime working lights seem sharper. From the aspect, the profile stays acquainted: lengthy, muscular, and assertive. The outstanding wheel arches and squared-off traces give the 1500 a purposeful stance, whereas delicate brightwork on choose trims provides visible aid.
For anybody who has hung out round different full-size pickups, the 2026 Ram maintains prompt recognition with out trying dated.
At the rear, the taillights characteristic related detailing to what we see within the headlights. Dual exhaust suggestions are commonplace on the Hemi however are additionally plentiful all through the inline-six lineup, as effectively. Ram has additionally included up to date plastic fender cladding for a extra seamless look with the sheet steel.
Across your entire truck, there are solely two delicate nods to the V8 underneath the hood. Each fender incorporates a small badge that Ram calls the “image of protest.” It incorporates a Ram’s head right into a V8 engine motif. These two areas are the one ones that reveal that it is a Hemi and never a Hurricane.
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Interior
Photos Stephen Rivers / Carscoops
Step inside, and the 2026 Ram 1500 Hemi continues a convention that has made Ram one of many leaders in full-size pickup interiors. The supplies are a step above the usual expectation, with soft-touch panels, leather-wrapped surfaces, and well-integrated stitching that communicates high quality with out feeling showy.
The switchgear is logical, tactile, and straightforward to function, even in low mild. The heart stack has been minimally revised, however the updates enhance performance moderately than aesthetics alone. The seating is sweet, too. Our take a look at truck had eight-way adjustable buckets, however Ram will promote you variations with a therapeutic massage perform when you’re prepared to pay for it.
More: Get Ready For A New Ram Hemi Street Truck
Rear passengers take pleasure in heated seats, ample legroom, and good headroom. In line with different high-trim 1500 fashions, the rear seats can comfortably accommodate adults on prolonged journeys, and storage is plentiful all through the cabin.
The heart console, glovebox, and door pockets are intelligently laid out, giving drivers and passengers a number of choices for stowing each day necessities.
Tech continues to dominate the inside expertise. Our Hemi-equipped take a look at truck got here with a 14.4-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen because the centerpiece of Ram’s Uconnect infotainment system. It’s nonetheless fast, responsive, and extremely useful.
The entrance passenger advantages from a devoted secondary display, permitting unbiased media management or navigation enter.
A digital gauge cluster supplies a wealth of configurable data, and a heads-up show affords helpful knowledge with out taking consideration away from the highway. Steering wheel controls, now paired with leather-based and on this case, real wooden accents, make interacting with these techniques intuitive.
Photos Stephen Rivers / Carscoops
Storage innovation hasn’t been uncared for. Ram’s 60/40 break up tailgate is a standout characteristic, permitting flexibility in mattress loading. The mattress itself accommodates as much as 1,520 kilos of payload, and patrons can possibility RamField compartments with lockable storage and exterior energy entry.
Even small touches, like hidden areas beneath the rear seats and intelligent inside nooks, elevate the truck past purely utilitarian expectations.
Drive Impressions
The star of this truck, after all, is the 5.7-liter naturally aspirated Hemi V8. On paper, it produces 395 hp (295 kW) and 410 lb-ft (556 Nm) of torque, barely decrease than the high-output Hurricane variants, however the numbers inform solely a part of the story.
Unlike turbocharged engines, which require some ramp-up to hit peak torque and horsepower, the Hemi’s response is instant and predictable. Every press of the throttle interprets instantly into movement, with no lag, no synthetic build-up, and no reliance on electronics to handle enhance.
The V8 feels significantly sturdy at low RPM, the place metropolis driving, merging, and towing situations profit most. While it doesn’t ship the identical peak numbers because the inline-six, the Hemi’s linear energy supply and instant response give it a confidence-inspiring character that turbocharged setups can’t fairly replicate. Acceleration is clean and sustained, making merging onto highways or overtaking slower visitors easy.
The Hemi’s exhaust word additional distinguishes it from the Hurricane. The engine affords a low, muscular growl that’s significantly satisfying underneath reasonable load. It’s not loud or intrusive, nevertheless it supplies audible suggestions that enhances the driving force’s reference to the truck.
Unlike the inline-six, which is extra refined and fewer expressive, the Hemi reminds occupants that it is a conventional V8 at its core—a delicate, visceral presence that appeals to fanatics.
Fuel economic system is modest by fashionable requirements. The EPA estimates 15 mpg mixed, with 14 mpg metropolis and 16 mpg freeway. In our mixture of metropolis and freeway driving, we averaged round 14.4 mpg, barely under the official scores however in keeping with a truck of this dimension and functionality.
For patrons centered on efficiency and driving enjoyment moderately than effectivity, and there are many them, the tradeoff is probably going acceptable.
As for dealing with, it is a full-size truck, so it’s not precisely a pleasure to pilot. It’s massive and might really feel a bit outsized for a lot of roads and parking heaps. That mentioned, of all of the full-size vehicles on the market, Ram’s coil-spring entrance and five-link rear suspension is one of the best of the bunch. It handles highway imperfections gracefully, retains the truck from rolling and pitching to an uncomfortable diploma, and affords good suggestions.
With a crew cab and the 67-inch mattress, most towing reaches 11,490 kilos, whereas the payload score peaks at 1,520 kilos (689 kg). Those numbers put it in line, albeit decrease than the Hurricane-powered variants, proving that patrons don’t sacrifice a lot work functionality when selecting the standard V8.
Competition
With the return of the Hemi, Ram can go toe to toe with Ford and Chevrolet on equal footing. Sadly, it doesn’t precisely shine on paper. Both Ford and Chevrolet boast greater most towing figures with their V8 choices.
In addition, Ram expenses prospects at the very least $46,315 to get the Hemi, which is greater than Chevrolet’s Silverado with the 5.3-liter V8. Notably, Ford’s V8 F-150 is the most costly of the bunch at over $50,000.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Ram 1500 Hemi demonstrates that even in a world of high-output turbocharged six-cylinder vehicles, there may be nonetheless a spot for a conventional naturally aspirated V8.
It doesn’t produce as many peak numbers because the inline-six, nevertheless it delivers an interesting character, predictable throttle response, and a driving expertise that feels inherently linked. It’s linear, assured, and remarkably well-suited to each day use, with sufficient towing and payload capability to fulfill most patrons.
The actuality is that it’s a downgrade on paper, however an improve from the driving force’s seat. It received’t break efficiency information towards the twin-turbo vehicles, nevertheless it could be essentially the most satisfying pickup to drive for many who perceive what a correct V8 brings to the desk.
Speaking of breaking, it’s onerous to interrupt turbochargers, wastegates, and intercoolers after they’re not on the engine to start with. Maybe that’ll be the legacy of the Hemi greater than the rest. Simple, sturdy performance within the face of ever extra sophisticated engines.
Photos Stephen Rivers / Carscoops
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