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

[grimreefer]

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

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

(excerpt)

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.

<snip>

LINK

 

[Peterhenric]

The only people who prefer the hemi are people who haven’t driven the Hurricane or people who need to hear their engines.

 

[SD Rebel]

The only people who prefer the hemi are people who haven’t driven the Hurricane or people who need to hear their engines.

That's a lot of people.

 

[Peterhenric]

That's a lot of people.

Considering it’s a brand new engine, I stand by my statement and your statement is agreeing with me. Thank you for proving my point.

 

[wegasque]

The only people who prefer the hemi are people who haven’t driven the Hurricane or people who need to hear their engines.

Not everybody wants a turbocharged engine. In fact, if they eliminate the etorque or put the 6.4 in the 1500, I'm trading immediately. But I have no need for a turbocharged engine. It's not about power and I don't really care about gas mileage.

 

[Biga]

Will have to see the trend long term but I imagine that their was a pent up depend for those guys that really wanted a V8 and now can get one. I personally love the Hurricane and won't be going back to the Hemi unless they come out with a completely new one.

 

[wegasque]

Will have to see the trend long term but I imagine that their was a pent up depend for those guys that really wanted a V8 and now can get one. I personally love the Hurricane and won't be going back to the Hemi unless they come out with a completely new one.

It's great to have choices. It's the only way to make everyone happy.

 

[moosem]

I love my 2022 regular (non-etorque) HEMI, and I don’t plan on buying a new truck for many, many years. I frankly don’t care if a 3.0 TT is a couple of tenths faster in the 1/4 mile!

 

[silver billet]

The only people who prefer the hemi are people who haven’t driven the Hurricane or people who need to hear their engines.

That's like me saying "The only people who prefer the hurricane are ecoboost lovers coming out of the closet."

There could be another reason or two people still want the hemi, that's your homework for today.

 

[SD Rebel]

Considering it’s a brand new engine, I stand by my statement and your statement is agreeing with me. Thank you for proving my point.

Sure, if you read my other comments, I already mentioned my next Rebel will be a Hurricane, even though I love the sound of my Hemi. Mainly because I will be buying it in the Philippines, it just better matches the driving environment it's going to be in, can probably idle for long periods of time better than the Hemi (educated guess), also much lower registration fees, which is based on engine size over there.

But as you said, it's a newer engine, not sure about long term reliability or durability yet, but will likely find out. Luckily our other vehicles are diesel Toyotas & Mitsubishis in that part of the World, so I'll have a good back up.

 

[fat trout]

I have a 2025 with the Hurricane and really like it so far at 10K miles. I would NOT be running back tot he HEMI at this point. My 2019 with 5.7 Hemi had 3 broken manifold bolts at 80K.......had more broken bolts starting (by the sound of it) when I traded it in at 97K. My buddy with a 2017 had the "Tick" and barely made it under warranty for the rebuild. Thats not reliable in my book and Etorque being the only Hemi option (last I checked) nails it for me on a NO.

 

[Jupiter58]

The only people who prefer the hemi are people who haven’t driven the Hurricane or people who need to hear their engines.

The article did say the hemi was 2.5 times the i6 sales. For whatever reason it is apparently more than twice as popular.

 

[RHO]

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

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

(excerpt)

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.

<snip>

LINK

I agree , Hemi

 

[RAMTEXAS]

just give the customers choices. no more need to go back and forth about this and that.

 

[1791]

many hemi's on the road with 200+thousand miles if the i-6 shows itself to be that good i'll consider one.
if you want a i-6 get it if you want a hemi go for it and if you want a v6 scoop it up. you do you.

 

[msnyder1112]

The only people who prefer the hemi are people who haven’t driven the Hurricane or people who need to hear their engines.

You forgot people that want to stick with an engine they are familiar with…