HEMI® Is Back—And It’s Cheaper Than Before On The Ram 1500

Ever since Ram announced the return of the 5.7-liter HEMI® V8 for the 2026 Ram 1500 lineup, we’ve been seeing a lot of people online claiming it’s “too expensive” of an option. Scroll through any truck forum, comment section, or social media post and you’ll find folks saying the $1,200 upcharge over the HURRICANE S/O I6 engine just isn’t worth it. But here’s the thing—most people aren’t looking at the full picture.

Not only is the HEMI V8 cheaper in 2026 than it was just two years ago, but when you do the math, you’re actually getting more value for less money. In 2024, the HEMI was only offered with the eTorque mild-hybrid system and carried a $3,095 price tag. In 2026, it still comes paired with eTorque, but it’s only $1,200 over the new HURRICANE S/O, and the HURRICANE itself is now $1,000 cheaper than it was in 2025. So when you factor everything in, the total cost to go from the standard Pentastar V6 to a HEMI is $2,895, which is $200 less than before.

Here’s what else makes this deal even better: every 2026 Ram 1500 with a HEMI V8 now comes standard with the Mopar cat-back exhaust system that used to be reserved for the Laramie and Rebel G/T packages. That’s an upgrade that costs $1,700 to $2,100 aftermarket, and now it’s included free, factory-installed, with every HEMI-equipped truck. So when people say you’re not getting much for that extra cost—they’re just flat-out wrong.

And yes, the HEMI is back exactly as it was in 2024, with the eTorque system included. According to Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis, that decision was intentional. It allowed Ram to bring the engine back to market faster without having to redo emissions certification and validation testing, which would’ve delayed the HEMI’s return by several months, if not more.

“We heard loud and clear from consumers: there is no replacement for the iconic HEMI V8,“ Kuniskis told us.  “At the end of each month, we count sales to customers, not statisticians or ideologues. Data be damned—we raise our flag and let the HEMI ring free again!”

Here’s a quick rundown of how the trims shake out for 2026:

• Tradesman / Express / Warlock / Big Horn (Lone Star)

  • Pentastar V6 is standard

  • $1,695 for HURRICANE S/O (now $1,000 cheaper than 2025)

  • $1,200 on top for HEMI = $2,895 total

• Laramie / Rebel

  • HURRICANE S/O is standard

  • $1,200 upgrade for HEMI

• Limited / Longhorn

  • HURRICANE High-Output (H/O) is standard

  • HEMI is a no-cost option

• Tungsten / RHO

  • HEMI not available

  • Only offered with HURRICANE H/O

Bottom line? The HEMI’s back. It’s louder, more affordable, and packing more value than ever. If you’ve been holding off on buying a new Ram, 2026 might just be your year.