RAM’s HEMI is Alive and Well!
Five years ago, Stellantis was created through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and PSA Group, the French automaker that produces Peugeot, Citroen and Opel among 14 other European brands. It was classically a 50-50 merger, the kind perhaps un-fondly recalled by Chrysler, Dodge, RAM and Jeep fans as a “merger of equals” from Chrysler Corporation’s 1998 – 2007 relationship with Mercedes-Benz.
I recall this history because today’s turbulent political climate has been a dramatic challenge for every volume automaker. Just five years ago, the Biden administration and European Union countries insisted on vehicles that refilled with an electric plug. So with tough fuel economy standards published, smaller engines with turbocharging became the new normal until their unruly constituents might buy electric vehicles. Then Trump was sworn in and unplugged our EV mandates and reduced the cost of gas. Can you imagine how formidable running a car company has become.
Automotive executive Tim Kuniskis knows all about the challenge. He left Stellantis a few years ago and returned in late 2024 as CEO of RAM trucks. Kuniskis listened to the multitude of truck enthusiasts who wanted their HEMI V8 engines back and he delivered for the ’26 model year. More than 10,000 orders for the venerable V8s validated his decision and Kuniskis is now in charge of the corporation’s American brands that include Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep.
It’s not that RAM 1500 pickups didn’t have engine options. Value buyers can pick the 3.6-liter V6 for light duty or two smooth turbocharged inline six-cylinder engines, both making more power and torque than the 5.7-liter HEMI. They’re nice powerplants, but there’s nothing like the snarl from those chrome-tipped exhaust pipes when you tip into the throttle. It simply rewards that alpha-male raptor response that we guys (and some ladies) just love to hear.
So after a year’s absence, two HEMI V8s are back in the RAM lineup, joining three other engine options for a robust choice of motive power. Our RAM Limited’s 5.7-liter HEMI V8 delivered a quite reasonable 395 HP with 410 lb-ft of torque. If that’s not enough, the TRX is back with its 6.2-liter, 777 HP HEMI. If that’s your choice, plan on buying a few extra tires.
During my week of motoring about, I was struck with how smooth this truck behaved, even without a load in the bed. It’s also luxuriously equipped with heated, massaging leather seating, Harmon Kardon sound, hands-free cruise control and much more. Of course it also was equipped with an $88,480 window sticker, so it’s probably not expected to be your average work truck. Instead of tool boxes, our RAM had two insulated cool storage compartments in the rear flanks for tailgating or picnic outings. That’s the work I expect in a pickup!
And don’t let that big MSRP scare you, the HEMI is available in Tradesman, Express and other less accessorized RAM 1500 models with the snarl fully intact. If you’re truck shopping with a V8 in mind, GMC offers a 5.3-liter option and Ford’s F150 can pack a 5.0-liter V8. But neither really growl like our HEMI.
THE FINE PRINT
2026 RAM 1500 Limited Crew Cab 4X4
TYPE: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
ENGINE: 5.7-liter V8
HORSEPOWER: 395 @ 5,700 RPM
TORQUE: 410 lb.ft. @ 3,500 RPM
BASE PRICE: $75,405
AS TESTED: $88,480
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 16-city, 20-highway, 18-combined
