2026 Ram 1500 Pickups Are Rolling Into Dealer Lots
HEMI® Returns Soon, But Pentastar and HURRICANE-Powered Trucks Are Here Now
The wait is over—well, almost. The 2026 Ram 1500 (DT) pickups are officially landing on dealer lots across the country. While all eyes may be on the return of the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® V8, the first wave of trucks showing up right now are powered by either the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with eTorque, or one of the two flavors of the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter HURRICANE I6—standard-output (S/O) or high-output (H/O).
Our sources at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) in Michigan have confirmed that full-scale production of the 2026 Ram 1500 officially begins on Monday, August 18th, 2025. They even shared a confidential production schedule with us, verifying that the launch of HEMI®-powered models is set for that date. So, if you’re seeing 2026 Rams on dealer lots already, they’re part of the early build phase—prior to the production-ready HEMI models hitting the line. And if you’re holding out for the V8, you might want to act fast. Dealers submitted over 10,000 orders for the HEMI-equipped 2026 Ram 1500 within the first 24 hours of ordering going live.
One big standout for the 2026 model year is Ram’s new 10-year, 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. That’s one of the most aggressive warranties in the half-ton truck segment, and it’s a major selling point for buyers who plan to keep their truck long-term.
Sales are already climbing. Ram moved 14,352 units in the U.S. of the 1500 in June 2025 alone—a 41% jump from the year before. It’s clear Ram is coming out swinging. Dealers we’ve spoken with say there’s a new incentive support program on the way for the 2026 models, including stackable APR offers. That means buyers may be able to combine a special low-interest rate with other discounts or rebates to lower their overall financing costs.
However, there’s a small catch: the new program reportedly won’t apply to RHO models, at least for now.
There’s also a bit of a naming update for 2026. Ram is ditching the “SST” name for the twin-turbo 3.0-liter I6 powertrains. Instead, trucks equipped with the new engine will proudly wear “HURRICANE” badging—something that matches what we saw on the 2025 Ram 1500 RHO. It’s a cleaner, less confusing branding move that better highlights the muscle under the hood.
Bottom line? If you’re in the market for a new half-ton truck, the 2026 Ram 1500 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and compelling options out there. Whether you’re waiting on the HEMI or ready to roll with the HURRICANE, these trucks are worth checking out.
As of the date of this article, the 2026 Ram 1500 Rebel Crew Cab 4×4 featured here is currently available at Barkau Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Freeport, Illinois.
