2026 Ram 1500 Hemi Initial Drive Review: The V8 Remains Sufficient

      Ram

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      A few years back, under the leadership of the now-departed Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, Ram declared the end of its V8 era. To add insult to injury, GM made its own announcement around the same time, stating its intention to invest further in its V8 engines, and as far as we know, that plan is still progressing. The Hemi was set to be discontinued in favor of a new twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six that could provide the same power in a supposedly more efficient design.

      Not everyone mourned the loss of the Hemi. Speaking from experience as a former 392 enthusiast, it's easy to feel ambivalent about these engines—not that other brands' owners feel any differently. Personally, it was never about having a V8; I just wanted a new Hemi, not a complete absence of it.

      Regardless of individual feelings on the topic, Ram found itself as the only domestic—essentially meaning "relevant"—manufacturer of half-ton trucks without a V8 engine, coinciding with a repeatedly postponed comprehensive redesign of the 1500 pickup. The outcome? Showrooms with empty inventory. A Chevy dealership without Silverados may face challenges, but there are still plenty of other Chevrolet models. For Ram, that was not the case.

      Byron Hurd

      Welcome to 2025, where the rules are flexible and details matter less. The Hemi is officially back. Starting today, you can visit your dealership and buy a V8-powered Ram 1500, ready to perform impressive burnouts. Yes, those tires were legitimately worn out, and yes, that’s exactly what the truck was designed for.

      In fact, “sound and fury” was a fitting theme for the event. At its core, the Hemi is somewhat of a superfluous addition. This version of the 1500 pickup was designed to function without it. When it left the Ram 1500 lineup in 2023, the eTorque Hemi V8 was the most powerful gasoline engine available, offering 410 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque. Both figures are surpassed by the standard-output Hurricane (420 hp and 469 lb-ft) and dramatically exceeded by the high-output variant (510 hp and 540 lb-ft).

      Positioned among six-cylinder options, this Hemi simply exists as a V8—nothing more nor less. So, you might be neither surprised nor disappointed to discover there's nothing particularly outstanding about driving the new Hemi Ram. It produces all the right sounds at the appropriate moments, and if that exhaust note was the missing element preventing you from purchasing a new Ram pickup, you can now check that box.

      Byron Hurd

      And honestly, it feels just right. I’m not implying that a full-size pickup “should” feature a V8—that line of thinking leads to pretentiousness. However, being bold is characteristic of Stellantis as a brand. Launching a new truck without the typical brashness of the brand was a mistake made by the former leadership, one that returning Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis quickly aimed to rectify.

      Considering how swiftly the company shifted course, one might infer two truths: First, the Hemi was likely eliminated late in the new truck’s development, and second, engineers likely proceeded with the mindset that the decision could be reversed at any time.

      If you're familiar with automotive development, you know that nothing happens instantly. It typically takes five to seven years to bring a vehicle from concept to production. Just developing the powertrain can consume a substantial part of that timeframe. Yet, Ram managed to initiate this Hemi revival in just 10 months, kicking off with a meeting during Ram’s holiday break last December after Kuniskis received the green light from the new Stellantis CEO to reintroduce the Hemi.

      So when I remarked earlier that driving the Hemi Ram felt “right,” it wasn’t merely about restoring order; it also reflects how cohesive the V8 Ram feels, given the speed of its return. I veered off Ram’s designated test path to navigate some familiar roads. The wet conditions would have provided an excellent excuse for erratic engine and powertrain performance, but none arose. Quick starts on slippery surfaces produced little drama, even with the mild hybrid’s instant torque.

      From the sound to the smooth, steady power delivery, everything functions as it should. That’s quite impressive considering the rapid development. Even with ample space in the engine bay for an eight-cylinder, Ram’s engineers had to ensure a multitude of electronic modules could “speak Hemi,” as they described it.

      If the swift development phases make you uneasy, consider this: the Hemi isn’t the only new feature for the Ram 1500 in 2026. There’s also a 10-year, 100,000