In the battle between tradition and technology, tradition scores a win.
In the battle between tradition and technology, tradition just scored a major victory—at least traditional Ram 1500 buyers did. Here’s the deal…
Ram updated its popular, and very-well regarded, 1500 pickup truck for the 2025 model year. Changes included freshened styling, updated safety tech, a new Tungsten top trim level, and, and this is big, replacement of the long-serving Hemi-brand V8 with the new Stellantis Hurricane turbocharged six.
Hemi is Back!
The Hurricane engine should be a slam dunk “what’s not to love?” addition to the Ram 1500 powertrain portfolio, given its greater power and improved fuel economy. But that, sadly, hasn’t proven to be the case.
Ram 1500 Sales
Ram 1500 sales were down significantly in the first quarter of 2025 (about 79,000 sales versus 89,000 in Q1 in 2024) despite the freshening. Per social-media grumbling, and apparently Ram’s own research, Ram shoppers would prefer an old-school V8 to a direct-injection, turbocharged six, even if the six serves up superior performance. Those shoppers made their preference clear by not buying Rams, so it seems.
Though the long-term planning folks at Ram would likely prefer to leave the Hemi V8 in the past, Stellantis has a fiduciary obligation to shareholders to return a profit—and it appears the key to making money on the Ram pickup is to equip it—again—with a Hemi engine. So, that’s what Ram has done.
For 2026 the Ram 1500 will again be available with the popular 5.7-liter V8, though availability is somewhat limited. And, for folks on team tech, the Hurricane engines aren’t going anywhere.
Availability
Here’s the deal:
On lower-level trim levels (Tradesman, Express, Warlock, Big Horn, and Lone Star) on which the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with “eTorque” mild-hybrid assist is standard, the Hemi V8 will be a $2695 option. This is the same price as the standard-output (420-horsepower) Hurricane engine option for 2025. Also, the cost of the Hemi engine for the Express, which is new for 2026, may be lower.
On popular trim levels (Laramie, Limited, Rebel, and Longhorn) on which the standard-output Hurricane engine is standard, the Hemi V8 will be a $1200 option. Finally, on models that come standard with the high-output Hurricane engine (540 horsepower) (Limited and Longhorn), the Hemi will be a no-cost option.
Also equipped with the high-output Hurricane motor, the off-road-ready RHO, and ultra-luxury Tungsten models will not be available with the Hemi.
The 2026 Hemi V8 is rated at 395 horsepower and is equipped with the brand’s eTorque system. That’s down 25 horsepower from the standard Hurricane engine, and down a full 145 horsepower from the high-output version.
The Hemi engine arrives for the 2026 model year, which starts soon for Ram. Production of the ’26 Rams, regardless of engine, begins later this month.
Ram Classic
While we’re on the subject of Ram 1500 sales, it should be noted that availability of the Ram Classic, a discounted alternative to the standard Ram based on the 2009-2018 generation of the truck, was discontinued after 2024.
Due to plant allocation logistics, Ram is no long able to build both versions of the pickup. The Classic, a great alternative for shoppers with limited budgets, often ran $2000-3000 below the conventional truck, but was only offered in a limited number of configurations. It’s understood that the cost of updating the Classic to the new Hurricane drivetrain would have been prohibitive.
Ram has not shared sales numbers for the Classic variants specifically, however some estimates put that figure as high as 35 percent of total Ram 1500 sales, depending on model year.
Unlike the Hemi engine, the Classic will not be returning to the 1500 lineup. Ram is rolling out the 1500 Express for 2026, a new trim level that features unique sporty trim, and value pricing. You can read more about the 2026 Ram 1500 Express here.
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Hemi Pictures
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