The HEMI® Is Back: First 2026 Ram 1500 V8 Trucks Roll Out

The HEMI® Is Back: First 2026 Ram 1500 V8 Trucks Roll Out​

Iconic 5.7-liter HEMI with eTorque Ships From SHAP to Dealers Nationwide​

The wait is finally over—Ram’s legendary 5.7-liter (345 cubic-inch) HEMI® V8 with eTorque mild-hybrid system is officially back in the 1500 lineup. Yesterday, the first batch of 2026 Ram 1500 pickups equipped with the HEMI left the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and are now headed to dealers across the country.

The HEMI® Is Back: First 2026 Ram 1500 V8 Trucks Roll Out

The HEMI® is back in the 2026 Ram 1500 trucks. Discover the powerful features of the new V8 models rolling out now.

moparinsiders.com

 

[SpaceCowboy_4262]

I'm really glad Ram leadership came to their senses. The person that made the decision to kill the HEMI in my mind make me think of my favorite saying by Red Foreman in 'That 70's Show'... "Dumb A$$!!!"

"it’s a symbol of Ram’s willingness to stand apart in an era where many automakers are phasing out V8s in favor of smaller turbocharged engines or EV-only lineups." If Ram wants to truly stand apart, then they would discontinue the turbo crap. However, I predict that sales will be so low on those type engines, they'll fade away as they should.

I only wish Ram would get rid of expensive UConnect, especially the navigation system. We purchased my wife a Tahoe and we both love Google Navigation that the online cost is very minimal. Nothing even close to the cost of just updating your maps. I'm about to me in the market to finally get rid of my 2015 Ram, but the navigation system check-box is a big thing for me.

 

[holymungdiver]

What I don't understand is where these people get the idea that folks don't want to buy big trucks with a lot of horsepower? I mean, it's Just common sense.I guess there are new rules and regulations that i'm not too aware of.. However, I'm sure there was a lot of people out there that Enjoy driving big trucks for apple on a power there's a shocker. I saw an article the other day where they were talking about bringing back the t. R. X.? And why Chevy hasn't just decided to make a 900 horsepower Just to put the boots to them both..... Sometimes I was talking about the other day. He thought if they did come out with the meteor or whatever it's supposed to be called. They would only give it like ten more horse power or something... Why won't you just come out swinging.... And see what happens with the competition.I would love it. Because.
Whoever wins that's what i'm gonna buy... I mean i'm a chevy dude. But... You better believe I'm going to get me a TRX....LOL... That's why I was extremely stoked to see that they were gonna come out with another version in twenty twenty six. Maybe they're waiting for chevy to make their move... Because they\nKnow that they're a bunch of w****** , and they're only going to go like to 750.... And the Ace up there sleep is gonna be like some super truck rocking like 900 hp stock... They will probably call it the ram roach.... Because even roaches survive meoter s...lol I mean going off the way.They're naming their trucks nowadays. You're not gonna go with the beginning half of that things name.That's for sure.I mean can you imagine ram c@#$ lol.....

 

[patfromigh]

The Hemi with the eTorque setup is a lot smoother in stop and go traffic than the Hurricane 6 with its clunky start/stop could ever hope to be. Stellantis took a giant step backwards using a crude start/stop setup on the inline sixes. If they really want customers to embrace the turbo six cylinder engines, then they shouldn't saddle those engines with crude accessories.

 

[TripleT]

Stop using Torque converters.... Start and stop sucks. but the Hemi is big step back also, when all you have to do push the Avenger button and end that silly option.

 

[UN4GTBL]

I'm really glad Ram leadership came to their senses. The person that made the decision to kill the HEMI in my mind make me think of my favorite saying by Red Foreman in 'That 70's Show'... "Dumb A$$!!!"

"it’s a symbol of Ram’s willingness to stand apart in an era where many automakers are phasing out V8s in favor of smaller turbocharged engines or EV-only lineups." If Ram wants to truly stand apart, then they would discontinue the turbo crap. However, I predict that sales will be so low on those type engines, they'll fade away as they should.

I only wish Ram would get rid of expensive UConnect, especially the navigation system. We purchased my wife a Tahoe and we both love Google Navigation that the online cost is very minimal. Nothing even close to the cost of just updating your maps. I'm about to me in the market to finally get rid of my 2015 Ram, but the navigation system check-box is a big thing for me.

Don't bother with factory GPS, it's always behind.

Android Auto or CarPlay are the way to go IMO

(I paid for GPS in my Cherokee, and use Google maps every single day)

 

[CTam]

I'm really glad Ram leadership came to their senses. The person that made the decision to kill the HEMI in my mind make me think of my favorite saying by Red Foreman in 'That 70's Show'... "Dumb A$$!!!"

"it’s a symbol of Ram’s willingness to stand apart in an era where many automakers are phasing out V8s in favor of smaller turbocharged engines or EV-only lineups." If Ram wants to truly stand apart, then they would discontinue the turbo crap. However, I predict that sales will be so low on those type engines, they'll fade away as they should.

I only wish Ram would get rid of expensive UConnect, especially the navigation system. We purchased my wife a Tahoe and we both love Google Navigation that the online cost is very minimal. Nothing even close to the cost of just updating your maps. I'm about to me in the market to finally get rid of my 2015 Ram, but the navigation system check-box is a big thing for me.

Have you actually driven the Hurricane? I mean the Hemi is a joke compared to how fast the new six is. Im sure there will still be an ample amount of people who want the V8 sound, but the turbo 6 is definitely not going away. It gets better gas mileage, blows the hemi away and to me its a plus that its so quiet. I can't wait for the used prices to drop so I can get one....although if no one ever makes a front locker then I still may be sticking with my other truck...

 

[SpaceCowboy_4262]

Have you actually driven the Hurricane? I mean the Hemi is a joke compared to how fast the new six is. Im sure there will still be an ample amount of people who want the V8 sound, but the turbo 6 is definitely not going away. It gets better gas mileage, blows the hemi away and to me its a plus that its so quiet. I can't wait for the used prices to drop so I can get one....although if no one ever makes a front locker then I still may be sticking with my other truck...

Won't do it. Its not about speed or how quiet it is for me, its about pure dependability. Engines with turbos have always been prone to break down and fixing them are expensive. The HEMI has been rock solid for decades. I've owned two and have never had any issues out of the engine. My first, I drove it 200K before selling and it was still in perfect condition and ran like I would always expect a HEMI to run... SOLID! My current HEMI has 100K and going. Each to their own, so you can keep driving your Hurricane... hope you don't have any trouble out of chargers, but I think you eventually will!

 

[TripleT]

Won't do it. Its not about speed or how quiet it is for me, its about pure dependability. Engines with turbos have always been prone to break down and fixing them are expensive. The HEMI has been rock solid for decades. I've owned two and have never had any issues out of the engine. My first, I drove it 200K before selling and it was still in perfect condition and ran like I would always expect a HEMI to run... SOLID! My current HEMI has 100K and going. Each to their own, so you can keep driving your Hurricane... hope you don't have any trouble out of chargers, but I think you eventually will!

This is a false assertion the Hemi MDS has no reputation for durability… good for you and good for the luck. But outside the Mopar partisan community it has a poor reputation and is on many do not buy lists. The valvetrain is prone to failures along with the water pump failures. These are issue after decades that have never been resolved.

V8 across all NA OEMs are more on known for their failures then durability. V8 even old designs are not know but for their cubic inch density, not durability. Straight 6, even high pressure turbos like the Cummins on the other hand , do.

What’s a shame as people have to tear down the new power-plant, as a cope to justify change reluctance.

New Bad, Old Good.

And what is also a shame a true fans like me who loved my Hemis even with the tick, even with the failed water pumps.. Have to point out the reality because being a Pollyanna doesn’t help the company move forward.

Got to hand it to them Hemi marker campaign may have been the best ever, now it is a boat anchor

 

[TripleT]

Have you actually driven the Hurricane? I mean the Hemi is a joke compared to how fast the new six is. Im sure there will still be an ample amount of people who want the V8 sound, but the turbo 6 is definitely not going away. It gets better gas mileage, blows the hemi away and to me its a plus that its so quiet. I can't wait for the used prices to drop so I can get one....although if no one ever makes a front locker then I still may be sticking with my other truck...

Borla has shown it doesn’t have to be quiet…

People betting the farm on the next election going their way is nuts and poor business.

Other more efficient powertrains outsell across all the other OEMs

 

[SpaceCowboy_4262]

Do you know any

This is a false assertion the Hemi MDS has no reputation for durability… good for you and good for the luck. But outside the Mopar partisan community it has a poor reputation and is on many do not buy lists. The valvetrain is prone to failures along with the water pump failures. These are issue after decades that have never been resolved.

V8 across all NA OEMs are more on known for their failures then durability. V8 even old designs are not know but for their cubic inch density, not durability. Straight 6, even high pressure turbos like the Cummins on the other hand , do.

What’s a shame as people have to tear down the new power-plant, as a cope to justify change reluctance.

New Bad, Old Good.

And what is also a shame a true fans like me who loved my Hemis even with the tick, even with the failed water pumps.. Have to point out the reality because being a Pollyanna doesn’t help the company move forward.

Got to hand it to them Hemi marker campaign may have been the best ever, now it is a boat anchor

Do you know any manufacturer that doesn't have their problems? I'm not saying HEMI's are perfect and therefore making me a Pollyanna. My judgement is purely based on my experience and the experience that my family has had with HEMI's. I've also had plenty of other vehicle where the water pump goes out, so I really don't think its fair to call that out specifically on the HEMI. Please explain that if the reputation is so poor, then why was there such an outcry when they killed the line?

 

[TripleT]

Do you know any

Do you know any manufacturer that doesn't have their problems? I'm not saying HEMI's are perfect and therefore making me a Pollyanna. My judgement is purely based on my experience and the experience that my family has had with HEMI's. I've also had plenty of other vehicle where the water pump goes out, so I really don't think its fair to call that out specifically on the HEMI. Please explain that if the reputation is so poor, then why was there such an outcry when they killed the line?

Do you know any manufacturer that doesn't have their problems? I'm not saying Hurricanes perfect but all startups have problems to work out. My judgement is purely based on my experience and the experience that my family has had with HEMI's along with large data points. But most modern OEM V8 have had durability issues. I am pleased explain that the reputation is poor, Valve-train that clicking MDS valve train is famous for eating itself.

First it was Not phased out naturally. There was such an outcry when they killed the line (pretty alive for being killed), because new things are scary, Mopar had decades of over reliance on a single powertrain option so they created a giant boat anchor of a marketing campaign. It was very affective as you can see but made it nearly impossible to move forward.

Remember when this sub-discussion….. it was based on a Durability claim … can’t do a straight 6 because V8 is more durable, this just isn’t a true claim. That turbo DI are less durable also false. That Hemis have a durable reputation, also untrue. I was born a Mopar fan, I am not a Pollyanna. I am honest about Hemi at one time they were powerhouses, but never were durable . But why they were ( WERE) awesome, not because they were durable. If they wanted Durable they should have stuck with the 360 and 318. But they are and were static. And a Dual valve train V engine will always be more fragile.. it is inherent to the geometry and balance.

Point is new is scary, give it a chance

 

[WXman]

Every time somebody repeats the myth that these tiny little over-engineered turbo engines get "better gas mileage" a kitten dies. It's sad.