It's official: the Ram 1500 2026 brings back the 5.7L HEMI V8
Our information was correct regarding the return of the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 to the Ram 1500 lineup for the 2026 model year. The company confirmed this today and opened orders for the first deliveries, which will take place as early as this summer.
The abandonment of this engine - thirsty for gas but appreciated for its performance and sound - in favor of the new 3-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder in the 2025 update is one of the reasons why sales of Ram's full-size pickup have plummeted.
“Ram made a mistake in abandoning HEMI. We take responsibility for it and have corrected it,” said CEO Tim Kuniskis. We're not just bringing back a legendary V8 engine, we're launching an ambitious product plan and offering our customers more freedom of choice when it comes to powertrains.”
So, by popular demand, and thanks to the return of the enthusiastic Ram executive, a special team has been working since the beginning of the year to bring back the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 as quickly as possible. To facilitate the process, the same configuration will be used, with an eTorque light hybrid system and variable displacement, producing 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque.
Maximum towing capacity is 11,470 lb (four-wheel drive only), just short of the 11,550 lb of the twin-turbo six-cylinder, and payload in the bed reaches 1,750 lb.
Each truck equipped with this engine will feature a new emblem on the front fenders, which Kuniskis describes as a “symbol of protest”, and will benefit from a sport exhaust system to ensure that the engine is heard loud and clear.
Clearly, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 remains the standard engine for 2026, but the HEMI will be added as an option for Tradesman versions through to Longhorn and the new Express. The latter, as we've already written, will sit just above the Tradesman and represent yet another affordable alternative. Further details and pricing for the Canadian market will be announced at a later date.
Overall, the company expects the HEMI V8 to account for between 25% and 40% of Ram 1500 2026 sales.
