For as long as Ram has been a thing, so too has the Hemi V8. The first Ram 1500 debuted with a V8 in 1994 while still under the Dodge umbrella, and that Hemi carried over without so much as a hiccup with the newly minted Ram brand in 2010.
Following leadership changes in the early 2020s and a huge push toward downsizing and electrification, executives forced the V8 out—at least, temporarily. Ram buyers would be forced to “settle” for the company’s new Hurricane inline-six for a little over a year before CEO Tim Kuniskis would smartly return the V8 to the lineup.
But here’s the thing: the Hurricane inline-six is actually a great engine. It’s smooth and powerful and extremely well-suited for half-ton truck duty. While the Hemi V8 remains a fan favorite among truck buyers—and rightfully so—it’s not actually the better engine option of the two. Let me explain.
| Quick Specs | 2026 Ram 1500 Hemi V8 |
| Engine | 5.7-Liter Mild-Hybrid V8 |
| Output | 395 Horsepower / 410 Pound-Feet |
| 0-60 MPH | 6.7 Seconds (est.) |
| Towing | 11,320 Pounds |
| Base Price / As Tested | $55,460 / $88,480 |
When you compare these two engines on paper, the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is actually kind of underwhelming. It makes less horsepower than the Hurricane inline six (395 horsepower to the six’s 420) and less torque (410 pound-feet of torque to the Hurricane’s 469). It’s also down on power and torque compared to Chevrolet’s 6.2-liter option in the Silverado.
In practice, thankfully, those numbers mean very little. The 25-horse penalty doesn’t make the Hemi V8 any dramatically worse than the inline-six, nor does the lesser torque figure feel egregious. The V8’s mild-hybrid setup—which the inline-six version doesn’t have—makes all the difference.
The Ram 1500 V8 hustles off the line, speeding to 60 miles per hour in about 6.7 seconds (again, the Hurricane is still quicker, getting there in about 5.9 seconds). The V8’s mild-hybrid assist is there the second you get your foot in it, and the V8 has plenty of shove lower in the rev range to get the hulking truck up to speed quickly. The eight-speed automatic is also pretty seamless.
One area where the 1500 V8 really shines over its inline-six sibling: the sound. When equipped with G/T sport exhaust (like the one tested here), it rumbles and burbles and roars like a quasi muscle car. In fact, it sounds a lot like the outgoing Charger Scat Pack.
Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1
Pros: Charming Engine, Awesome Exhaust Sound, Hugely Comfortable
The power differences between the two trucks are negligible at highway speeds, too; I actually prefer the Hemi’s generous electrified torque for things like merging and overtaking, even though the inline-six is smoother and more refined overall. One thing you will notice, regardless of engine, is just how comfortable this truck is.
Driving back and forth between Florida’s coasts, the 1500 never left me longing for something cushier. The ride isn’t necessarily soft, but it is refined and communicative. The suspension absorbs broken pavement well, and on this Limited model, there’s enough sound deadening to keep road, tire, and wind noise well outside the cabin. If you want an even softer ride, consider downgrading to the 18- or 20-inch wheels instead.
If you’re a steering snob like I am, the lightweight tiller leaves a little to be desired; it doesn’t instill a ton of confidence in tighter turns. But it is at least linear and smooth, and when paired with impressive body control, chucking this muscle car on stilts into a corner doesn’t feel like too much of a chore, thankfully.
The Ram 1500’s interior remains best in class, with nicer materials and a better fit and finish than the next-best Chevrolet Silverado or Ford F-150. On this Limited model, there’s barely even any hard plastic—apart from a few innocuous bits around the center console.
Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1
Cons: Less Powerful Than The Inline-Six, Aging Technology, Pricey With Options
But for as neat as Ram’s massive, vertically oriented touchscreen was when it debuted nearly seven years ago—it’s starting to feel dated. Functionality is sub-par, and you still have to look down at the base of the screen to access basic functions like media, navigation, and even the heated seats. Ram does make sure to include hard buttons for certain functions so you don’t need to go digging into the screen—fan speed, temperature, defogger, etc.
On this higher-end Limited model, the 14.5-inch center touchscreen pairs with a really pretty 12.0-inch all-digital instrument cluster, and even a 10.2-inch passenger display that gives them access to audio controls and streaming options. Of course, it’s blacked out for the driver, so you won’t be tempted to peer over at Shrek on a long road trip.
One of the big downgrades you will have to settle for with the V8 model is fuel economy. The V8 gets 17 city, 23 highway, and 19 miles per gallon combined, compared to the Hurricane inline-six’s thriftier 20 city, 25 highway, and 22 combined. Towing also drops ever so slightly from 11,610 pounds to 11,320 with the V8.
Ram 1500 V8 Verdict
Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1
There’s no replacement for displacement, as they say. Personally, I say that the Hurricane inline-six is still the better engine and makes for a better overall truck. Clearly, though, there’s a big market for the Hemi V8, as customers are already banging down the door for the eight-cylinder pickup. And I can’t really blame them.
The cheapest way to get into a Ram 1500 with a Hemi V8 is through the Warlock trim, which starts at $55,460. From there, Ram offers it on every other trim level, including the Limited Crew Cab model tested here. That version starts at a healthy $79,000 with the $2,595 destination fee included, and our tester comes in at $88,480 with options.
For everything the V8 does “wrong” compared to the inline-six—less power, worse fuel economy, worse towing, and a weight penalty—it makes up for with an awesome sound and an all-around lovable personality. Even if it’s not the “better” engine, there really is nothing like a Hemi.
