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

[kt4hx]

I agree. I wish they would offer the HD 6.4 hemi in a 1500.

I have heard hints that is coming at some point, but we shall see and hope.

 

[HSKR R/T]

I have heard hints that is coming at some point, but we shall see and hope.

I would not want the HD RAM version, I'd want the Scat Pack 6.4.

 

[HemiDude]

What prevents people from doing their own maintenance or modifying trucks with the Hurricane engines?

And the Hemi track record isn't that spectacular.

Nothing preventing it, but there are currently more options for the hemi than the hurricane. And do note that I used the word “like”… I enjoy doing my own maintenance and repairs, my vehicles don’t see the inside of a dealership unless there is no other option.

As far as the hemi’s track record, it has been around long enough that there are few to no surprises. The hurricane has not reached that level yet. Some people are not interested in being guinea pigs.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Nothing preventing it, but there are currently more options for the hemi than the hurricane. And do note that I used the word “like”… I enjoy doing my own maintenance and repairs, my vehicles don’t see the inside of a dealership unless there is no other option.

As far as the hemi’s track record, it has been around long enough that there are few to no surprises. The hurricane has not reached that level yet. Some people are not interested in being guinea pigs.

People act like the RAM is the first application this engine has been used in. They've been in production, and on the roads since 2022. Im sure if there were big issues with it, you see article after article about how bad they are. Other than the thermostat issues on the initial model year, there hasn't been any big issues.

 

[msnyder1112]

What prevents people from doing their own maintenance or modifying trucks with the Hurricane engines?

And the Hemi track record isn't that spectacular.

For me personally, I don’t know the engine. I’ve had hemis for over a decade.
Im not ready to abandon it and start getting familiar with something else that doesn’t really seem appealing to me.
Im sure the hurricane is/can be a great engine. Numbers don’t lie, it has more power for sure. But I don’t stick with the hemi because of that, obviously.
The hemi is tried and true, not without its issues but most of that has been ironed out.

If RAM ultimately made the hurrican the only option, I would have given it a test drive. I still might check out the rho, I’m not rich enough for a trx yet, but if I liked the hurrican so be it, but if not, my brand loyalty might have been at stakes so thank you TK!

 

[HemiDude]

People act like the RAM is the first application this engine has been used in. They've been in production, and on the roads since 2022. Im sure if there were big issues with it, you see article after article about how bad they are. Other than the thermostat issues on the initial model year, there hasn't been any big issues.

Ive heard multiple tales regarding check engine lights that wouldn’t stay cleared and starting issues. If the past few years track record is enough for someone to go out and buy one, more power to you. I won’t wish for anyone to have problems with this engine, and it may turn out to be a good one, but I’m not interested.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Ive heard multiple tales regarding check engine lights that wouldn’t stay cleared and starting issues. If the past few years track record is enough for someone to go out and buy one, more power to you. I won’t wish for anyone to have problems with this engine, and it may turn out to be a good one, but I’m not interested.

Those are software issues with the new canbus architecture they implemented in 25 model year on the Rams. The engine itself has been mostly good. There have been threads already with 26 model here Hemisnjavjng simikar software issues

 

[tinfoil_hat]

I think Ram pulled an intentional bait and switch in 2025 with the Hurricane. They claimed the hemi was being discontinued knowing full well it would be back in 2026. Maybe they needed a year off to catch up on supply chain issues with eTorque parts. Maybe they didn't want Hurricane to be DOA by selling it alongside the Hemi in its first year. Either way, I like the Hurricane. Knowing what I know now, I would take the SST SO over the eTorque Hemi in a heartbeat. Given the choice at the time, I would be driving the V8.
Maybe Ram will be able to offer a non-eTorque hemi now that CAFE standards have been rolled back by a few years. That's the only way I would buy one.

 

[SD Rebel]

I think Ram pulled an intentional bait and switch in 2025 with the Hurricane. They claimed the hemi was being discontinued knowing full well it would be back in 2026. Maybe they needed a year off to catch up on supply chain issues with eTorque parts. Maybe they didn't want Hurricane to be DOA by selling it alongside the Hurricane in its first year. Either way, I like the Hurricane. Knowing what I know now, I would take the SST SO over the eTorque Hemi in a heartbeat. Given the choice at the time, I would be driving the V8.
Maybe Ram will be able to offer a non-eTorque hemi now that CAFE standards have been rolled back by a few years. That's the only way I would buy one.

They absolutely wanted to get rid of the Hemi for CAFE reason, and it took the literally sacking of their CEO to allow these changes to happen. The sales got so bad, it forced Stellantis to dump Tavares and do an emergency reset.

Tim Kuniskis spent months getting their new electrical architecture to work with the Hemi, it wasn't easy or cheap to make it happen, along with relocating Hemi production to the US as there was no room in Mexico to produce them there anymore.

As for CARB, while the administration has removed their waver and rolled back the EPA, it hasn't changed a thing. The manufacturers already said they aren't going backwards since it will be mired in lawsuits by CARB states for years and can change again in the next few years with a possible change in administration.

So much so that Ford is going to introduce particulate filters (GPFs) on their gas engines for 2026 (GM & Stellantis in 2027) to meet CARB requirements, acting as if the nothing has changed. Why? Because they cannot afford not to sell to the 18 CARB states that make up 40%-50% of new vehicle profit.

Unlikely you will see an non-Etorque Hemi, in fact it will likely get saddled with a GPFs next year. So if you want a new Hemi with least emissions complications, best option is 2026.

 

[Biga]

I think Ram pulled an intentional bait and switch in 2025 with the Hurricane. They claimed the hemi was being discontinued knowing full well it would be back in 2026. Maybe they needed a year off to catch up on supply chain issues with eTorque parts. Maybe they didn't want Hurricane to be DOA by selling it alongside the Hurricane in its first year. Either way, I like the Hurricane. Knowing what I know now, I would take the SST SO over the eTorque Hemi in a heartbeat. Given the choice at the time, I would be driving the V8.
Maybe Ram will be able to offer a non-eTorque hemi now that CAFE standards have been rolled back by a few years. That's the only way I would buy one.

I think they were planning to bring it back as well. When they brought out the RHO, Tim Kuniskis hinted the TRX may return in the future and that was before he left Ram. The new Charger's were also designed to accept a V8 from the beginning. I think they just needed time to move the v8 production from Mexico up to Indiana where they are building them now.

 

[kt4hx]

They absolutely wanted to get rid of the Hemi for CAFE reason, and it took the literally sacking of their CEO to allow these changes to happen. The sales got so bad, it forced Stellantis to dump Tavares and do an emergency reset.

Tim Kuniskis spent months getting their new electrical architecture to work with the Hemi, it wasn't easy or cheap to make it happen, along with relocating Hemi production to the US as there was no room in Mexico to produce them there anymore.

As for CARB, while the administration has removed their waver and rolled back the EPA, it hasn't changed a thing. The manufacturers already said they aren't going backwards since it will be mired in lawsuits by CARB states for years and can change again in the next few years with a possible change in administration.

So much so that Ford is going to introduce particulate filters (GPFs) on their gas engines for 2026 (GM & Stellantis in 2027) to meet CARB requirements, acting as if the nothing has changed. Why? Because they cannot afford not to sell to the 18 CARB states that make up 40%-50% of new vehicle profit.

Unlikely you will see an non-Etorque Hemi, in fact it will likely get saddled with a GPFs next year. So if you want a new Hemi with least emissions complications, best option is 2026.

Also there is a good chance the political winds in this country will shift again and more restrictions will be put back in place. The green agenda has a strong headwind and I can see things easily swinging back to where they were before our current direction. So they would not want to retool too far one direction when they might have to do an about face in the relatively near future. So trying to find more of a middle ground makes better business sense for them.

Likely not a non-etorque 5.7 hemi, but certainly there could be the non-etorque 6.4 being put into a 1500 as another option. Hopefully so any way.

 

[Namelama]

I completely understand the dedication to tried-and-true products, no matter what it is. However, anytime a manufacturer can build something less expensive and performs better than something that's existed for many years, the writing is on the wall. Many manufacturers have attempted the transition to smaller and turbo engines which perform better than engines they replaced. When quality control goes by the wayside, is when they begin to lose dedicated customers in a short period of time. I purchased my first MOPAR because I can no longer trust the bowtie or Toyota trucks. Thus far, I'm impressed with the SO Hurricane and if I have issues, RAM was willing to stand behind it for 10yrs/100k. Try to get that from any other manufacturer without paying thousands for an extended warranty.

I think everyone should buy what you want! No justification required and enjoy the drive!

 

[SD Rebel]

I completely understand the dedication to tried-and-true products, no matter what it is. However, anytime a manufacturer can build something less expensive and performs better than something that's existed for many years, the writing is on the wall. Many manufacturers have attempted the transition to smaller and turbo engines which perform better than engines they replaced. When quality control goes by the wayside, is when they begin to lose dedicated customers in a short period of time. I purchased my first MOPAR because I can no longer trust the bowtie or Toyota trucks. Thus far, I'm impressed with the SO Hurricane and if I have issues, RAM was willing to stand behind it for 10yrs/100k. Try to get that from any other manufacturer without paying thousands for an extended warranty.

I think everyone should buy what you want! No justification required and enjoy the drive!

Maybe just one worry is how quickly the dealership network can fix your issue.

Mine is the little 8.4" screen on my poverty spec Rebel. I have been waiting for over 4 months for the new screen to replace my delaminating one under warranty. While I know it's not a powertrain component, there are reports from various Stellantis vehicle owners of waiting months on replacement powertrain parts.

So while it's under a 10 year warranty, I would worry about how I'm actually serviced when I do need to use it.

 

[1791]

What prevents people from doing their own maintenance or modifying trucks with the Hurricane engines?

And the Hemi track record isn't that spectacular.

with well over 4 million 4th gen hemi's on the road i would argue the track record is pretty dam good.

 

[mikeru82]

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

It’s funny that you only see two possibilities. While it’s true that I enjoy hearing a V8, that’s not the only reason I prefer the Hemi. I’ve driven a Hurricane equipped Laramie. Honestly I wasn’t that impressed. I didn’t really notice much of a power difference. That opinion may change if I ever drive one with the HO Hurricane. I’m not worried about a forced induction engine in a full sized truck since I’ve had an EcoBoost equipped F150 since 2022. I’m just not ready to give up a non-etorque Hemi equipped truck. Especially one with less than 28k miles on the odometer.

 

[RonsSRT1]

I'm currently leasing a '25 Rebel and if I had to do it all over again with the choice of a Hemi or Hurricane, I'd take the Hemi 99.9% of the time. It's a pickup truck, not a sports car. When my lease is up next year, I plan on ordering a 392 Rebel Hemi in my next lease depending on the price. Those who think the 392 Ram isn't happening, just wait, you'll see. There will be a 392 in the Ram but if you want to drive fast, drive a sports car. If you need a pickup to tow and for work, get the pickup. I dont tow and dont care about speed. I'm almost 60 and I grew up along time ago, I just need the Rebel for the NJ winter's since it has the better tires and more goodies inside.

 

[SD Rebel]

I'm currently leasing a '25 Rebel and if I had to do it all over again with the choice of a Hemi or Hurricane, I'd take the Hemi 99.9% of the time. It's a pickup truck, not a sports car. When my lease is up next year, I plan on ordering a 392 Rebel Hemi in my next lease depending on the price. Those who think the 392 Ram isn't happening, just wait, you'll see. There will be a 392 in the Ram but if you want to drive fast, drive a sports car. If you need a pickup to tow and for work, get the pickup. I dont tow and dont care about speed. I'm almost 60 and I grew up along time ago, I just need the Rebel for the NJ winter's since it has the better tires and more goodies inside.

The V8 has character for sure. Would love a 392 in a Rebel, I mean they stuff it in in a tinny Jeep Wrangler, why not a 1500?

 

[mikeru82]

The V8 has character for sure. Would love a 392 in a Rebel, I mean they stuff it in in a tinny Jeep Wrangler, why not a 1500?

I share that sentiment. I’d love to see that engine in a 1500. I just don’t see it happening.

 

[SD Rebel]

I share that sentiment. I’d love to see that engine in a 1500. I just don’t see it happening.

Definitely not in a volume model, maybe as an limited option like the Wrangler 392 that will likely be over 100K.

 

[HSKR R/T]

I'm currently leasing a '25 Rebel and if I had to do it all over again with the choice of a Hemi or Hurricane, I'd take the Hemi 99.9% of the time. It's a pickup truck, not a sports car. When my lease is up next year, I plan on ordering a 392 Rebel Hemi in my next lease depending on the price. Those who think the 392 Ram isn't happening, just wait, you'll see. There will be a 392 in the Ram but if you want to drive fast, drive a sports car. If you need a pickup to tow and for work, get the pickup. I dont tow and dont care about speed. I'm almost 60 and I grew up along time ago, I just need the Rebel for the NJ winter's since it has the better tires and more goodies inside.

If you don't care about driving fast, or towing why get a 392 Rebel when a 5.7 one will get you to the same place at the same times with better fuel economy.