Maybe it’s an elder Millennial thing, but those easily mocked motivational posters tended to abound in the offices of schools I attended growing up. One said “an error is not a mistake until you refuse to correct it.”
Well, Ram thinks it made a mistake by axing the Hemi V8, and the brand has made an effort to correct it. Yes, the engine is back. Hence, the 2026 Ram 1500 Hemi.
It’s not exactly the same — minor changes are afoot. Well, OK, the engine is the same — the changes involve the electrical architecture, including more than 10 new modules. A 33-gallon fuel tank and the exhaust system are new, too.
That “same old, same old” engine is a 5.7-liter V8 that makes 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque.
The transmission is an eight-speed automatic with eTorque assist. This “mild hybrid” setup uses a belt-driven motor-generator unit that works with a 48-volt battery pack to boost low-end torque and improve efficiency. There’s regenerative braking, too.
(Full disclosure: I drove to Stellantis’ Chelsea Proving Grounds outside of Chelsea, Michigan and Stellantis/Ram housed me for a night. I took home a notebook and pen.)
Ram folks gave us the chance to sample the new-old Hemi on an autocross, around a test loop at CPG that included a long, banked turn; on an off-road course, and on public roads.
The first thing I noticed was of little surprise — the Hemi has the traditional V8-roar we all know (and many of us love). And the truck offered up plenty of grunt, no matter what trim or version I was driving. I will also note here that the truck held its own on the autocross — though the course was truck-friendly with long sweepers.
Off-road, the Ram was fine, though the size of a 1500 can be limiting.
My on-road drive included some semi-rural two-lane, a part of Interstate 94, and some in-town trundling in one of Detroit’s cooler exurbs. It’s been a minute since I’ve driven a Hemi, but the experience remained the same — torquey, smooth, and quiet until you get into the upper RPM range and the V8 begins to make V8 sounds.
Ride quality remained smooth, outside noise stayed outside, and the large infotainment screen remained easy to use/read. Although all OEMs that produce full-size trucks offer quality cabins, I still think Ram has the title won for interior design.
Where I think the Hemi falters is that Ram’s Hurricane turbocharged straight-six has more power than the Hemi, in both standard and high-output guise — although the HO six has worse fuel economy, at least on paper, than the Hemi.
Not only that, but unless I misread something, the Hemi doesn’t top the more-powerful Hurricane in towing in any configuration, though it comes close to matching in some applications.
The good news is that the Hemi is available on the Tradesman, Express, Warlock, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Rebel, Longhorn, and Limited trims.
Depending on the configuration and trim, the Hemi will cost you $2,895, $1,200, or nothing (Limited, Longhorn).
The cynic in me wondered if Ram brought back the Hemi because the current political winds are blowing in a certain direction that seems friendlier to honking old-school V8s, but Ram folks denied this, pointing out that the decision to return the Hemi was made based solely on customer requests. Not only that, but the decision was made before American voters made their decision in November 2024.
I get why customers want the Hemi back — sound, torque, and towing. But the specs show that, lack of V8 soundtrack and potential fuel-economy penalty side, the straight-six might be a better choice.
I say “might” because use case, when it comes to trucks, is so personal. That’s why trying to keep truck configurations straight in one’s head looks like that gif of Zach Galifianakis counting cards in The Hangover. So I won’t judge those who tick the option box.
Nor will Ram, if what the brand told us assembled media about customer demand is true. It will be too busy counting money.
The straight-six Ram might be the better truck. Might be. But sometimes you just gotta have a V8.
[Images © 2025 Tim Healey/TTAC.com]
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