What is it?
The HEMI V8 has been part of the American automotive lexicon since it was introduced in the early 1950s as the powerful FirePower V8 in the Chrysler New Yorker. While it powered Dodge muscle cars for decades, it took on truck duty when it became the primary engine in the redesigned 2003 Dodge Ram Pickup. Much to the disappointment of loyal customers, the HEMI V8 was pulled from the Ram truck in 2023, but those customers can now rejoice – the HEMI V8 is back in the 2026 Ram 1500.

We Made a Mistake
“Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle them defines you. Ram screwed up when we dropped the HEMI — we own it and we fixed it,” said Tim Kuniskis, CEO, Ram brand. “We’re not just bringing back a legendary V-8 engine, we’re igniting an assertive product plan and expanding the freedom of choice in powertrain for our customers.”

The HEMI V8
Starting with the 2026 model year, the Ram 1500 is once again available with the 5.7-liter HEMI V8. With an eTorque mild hybrid system, the HEMI delivers 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. The V8 is teamed with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and is available with two- or four-wheel drive.

Hurricane Engines
When the HEMI was discontinued, it was replaced by the powerful Hurricane turbocharged 6-cylinder engine. While the HEMI brings a certain nostalgia as well as throaty exhaust that adds to the overall experience, the Hurricane turbo is more powerful. In standard output (SO) guise, it puts out 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque, while the high-output (HO) version bumps up to an impressive 540 horses and 521 lb-ft of torque.

Hurricane Still Available
“Ram will continue to offer the more powerful and efficient Hurricane Straight Six Turbo, but we heard loud and clear from consumers: there is no replacement for the iconic HEMI V-8. At the end of each month, we count sales to customers, not to statisticians or ideologues. Data be damned — we raise our flag and let the HEMI ring free again!” added Kuniskis. The high-performance Ram 1500 RHO will continue to come standard with the high-output Hurricane engine.

Performance Exhaust
While the HEMI V8 delivers excellent performance, for many (including myself), it’s the powerful exhaust note that brings so much to the experience. To that end, Ram is packaging every HEMI-powered Ram with a performance-tuned exhaust to further enhance the V8 roar.

Towing and Payload
The 2026 Ram 1500 powered by the HEMI V8 has a maximum towing capacity of 11,320 pounds, or can haul up to 1,650 pounds of cargo in the bed. However, the 3.0-liter Hurricane turbocharged 6-cylinder engine ups the figures to 11,550 and 1,980, respectively. Surprisingly, the base-level 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 delivers the highest payload capacity, coming in at 2,370 pounds.

Fuel Economy
With the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine and four-wheel drive, the 2026 Ram 1500 gets an EPA rating of 19 mpg combined, which matches the figures for the Hurricane SO turbo engine. The Hurricane HO engine drops down to 17 mpg combined.

Driving the HEMI
Stellantis invited me to the company’s proving grounds in Chelsea, Michigan, to spend some time behind the wheel of the 2026 Ram 1500 powered by the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine. It only took a rev of the engine when I climbed into a 2026 Ram 1500 to know it had the HEMI V8 under the hood. Of course, the cool HEMI badge on the front fender helped, too.

Good Power
Launching from a stop on a closed track, the big truck gets up and moves quickly, and at full throttle, the exhaust note is quite intoxicating. Even at highway speeds, a punch of the right foot brings a quick downshift and rapid acceleration.

Towing
In the late 1970s, Dodge built a limited number of Lil’ Red Express pickup trucks that boasted a powerful V8, making it one of the fastest production trucks of the era. While I didn’t get to drive this piece of history, I did tow it with a new Ram 1500 HEMI. The big V8 delivered impressive acceleration and excellent performance with the Lil’ Red Express in tow, which weighed in at about 6,100 pounds with the trailer it rode on. The Ram also offers a range of advanced towing technology, which aids in towing, hooking up, and parking.

Availability
For the 2026 model year, Ram will offer HEMI V8 as an option in the Ram 1500 Tradesman, Express, Warlock, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Rebel, and Limited/Long Horn. The high-performance RHO and ultra-luxurious Tungsten will continue to come standard with the Hurricane HO engine with no other option.

Should You Get The Hemi?
When you look at the specs, the HEMI V8 really doesn’t seem like a logical choice anymore for the Ram 1500. The Hurricane engines deliver more power as well as superior towing and hauling ability while delivering similar fuel economy. However, the experience of driving with a HEMI V8 under the hood and the lovely exhaust note that comes with it can be very appealing, and if that’s an essential aspect of truck ownership, then forget logic. Besides, if someone asks, “That thing got a HEMI?”, you can answer yes.