After Ram ditched all eight-cylinder options in 2025, the 2026 Ram 1500 once again offers the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 with eTorque mild-hybrid technology

In 2025, Ram took a sharp turn away from V-8s and introduced an all six-cylinder line-up for its full-size 1500 trucks. Two versions of a twin-turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine, called Hurricane, marked the biggest change of the mid-cycle update to the fifth-generation truck. And, frankly, folks didn’t like it. Well, after a one-year hiatus, the Hemi V-8 returns to the Ram 1500 for the 2026 model year.

“Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle them defines you,” Tim Kuniskis, the CEO of the Ram brand said. “Ram screwed up when we dropped the HEMI — we own it and we fixed it.” 

MEET THE NEW V-8, SAME AS THE OLD V-8

In fact, the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 essentially returns as if 2025 never happened. In 2024, it delivered 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft of torque. Part of the package included variable-valve timing and cylinder de-activation, to help save fuel. Ram also incorporated a mild hybrid system called eTorque. All of the above returns for 2026.

The 48-volt system—eTorque—replaces the alternator for an electric motor and adds up to 130 lb.-ft of torque at low speeds to aid low-end grunt. It also makes for seamless start/stop behavior. The electric motor gets energy from a 430 Wh, lithium-ion battery pack, which gets mounted under the second-row bench of the 1500.  Despite this setup, the 1500 still carries a 12-volt battery and engine starter for cold-weather starts.

You do get one new thing. All Hemi powered 1500s get a new V-8 Ram’s head badge affixed to the quarter panel.

AVAILABLE NEARLY EVERYWHERE

Ram added the Hemi V-8 to the line-up and kept all three six-cylinder options. The Pentastar, 3.6-liter V-6 still comes standard in the base four trims: the Tradesman, Express, Warlock, and Big Horn/Lone Star. And the Laramie and Rebel trims still get the standard output, twin-turbocharged inline-six, Hurricane, engine. Finally, the top three trims: Limited/Long Horn, RHO, and Tungsten still get the high output Hurricane.

But! And this is a big but. Ram offers the 5.7-liter as an option in the first seven of the nine trims. That means only the RHO and the Tungsten will not see the V-8 option. And if you want eight-cylinder instead of six in the Limited/Long Horn trim, it’s a no-cost option. Nice.

POWER HEIRARCHY

The V-8 and all of its rumbly goodness returns, just as before. That means you still get more power if you choose either of the Hurricane engines. Yes, you beat the Pentastar’s 305 HP at 6500 rpm and 271 lb.-ft at 4900 rpm. But the standard output 3.0-liter I-6 belts out 420 HP at 5200 rpm and 468 lb.-ft at 3500 rpm. The high output raises that to 540 HP at 5700 rpm and 521 lb.-ft at 3500 rpm.

Don’t get me wrong, 395 hp at 5600 rpm and 410 lb.-ft at 3950 rpm will easily motivate the 1500 around. In fact, that’s enough to tow up to 11,460 lbs. and carry as much as 1750 lbs. of payload, depending on trim and configuration. Just know that you may receive a slice of humble pie in a horsepower argument.

SUMMARY

Expect 2026 Ram 1500s with the Hemi under the hood to start arriving at dealers sometime in the summer. I suspect late in the summer. As that date approaches, I also expect we’ll learn how much this fourth engine option will cost.

I imagine many will think the cost worth it. But I also feel obligated to say that the I quite liked the new hurricane twin-turbo I-6. It runs smooth, delivers power linearly, and provides plenty of it. I also wonder, how long the Hemi will stay. Will a next generation V-8 come in the next generation 1500? In these times, I can’t feel confident. However, considering what Ram just announced, I’m confident the chances are much higher than they were a year ago.