Ram CEO Claims That 1500 Customers Prefer the HEMI V8 Over the Hurricane I6

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Ram CEO Claims That 1500 Customers Prefer the HEMI V8 Over the Hurricane I6​

Published: 20 Dec 2025, 02:12 UTC • By: Mircea Panait

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While not as capable as the 3.0-liter Hurricane I6, the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 is a commercial hit for the half-ton Ram truck. During a recent press conference, big kahuna Tim Kuniskis made it clear that V8 sales are turning around two and a half times what the I6s are turning in the United States market.

According to our friends at CarBuzz, the chief executive officer also made it clear that another 100,000-plus HEMI engines are required to meet consumer demand. It should be noted that HEMI muscle could be more profitable for Stellantis North America than the punchier Hurricane.

For starters, the eTorque version of the HEMI costs $1,695 more than the standard-output Hurricane in the 2026 Ram 1500. But more importantly, the legal entity that represents the Chrysler part of the previous Fiat Chrysler group has fully amortized the upfront costs of the 5.7-liter V8's R&D and tooling.

From both manufacturing and business perspectives, the HEMI is definitely cheaper to produce. And in a half-ton pickup, chances are the naturally aspirated V8 will be more reliable in the long run. As of December 2025, the 5.7-liter HEMI of the Ram 1500 and the Dodge brand's Durango sport utility vehicle is assembled at the Dundee Engine Plant.

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