FIRST DRIVE: 2026 Ram 1500 With The 5.7-Liter HEMI® V8

The HEMI® name has always carried a certain attitude, and for 2026 Ram has doubled down by bringing back one of its most beloved powerplants: the 5.7-liter (345 cubic-inch) HEMI V8 with eTorque. Discontinued after 2024, the HEMI returns as an option across multiple Ram 1500 trims, including the value-packed Warlock, where it slots in above the Pentastar V6 and the HURRICANE I6.

For Ram fans, the reintroduction of the HEMI is a big deal. But what’s more impressive than its comeback is the behind-the-scenes work it took to make it happen. After driving the 2026 Ram 1500 with the HEMI, it’s clear this isn’t just a nostalgic gesture — it’s a serious engineering achievement.

Driving Impressions: Familiar, And That’s A Good Thing – 

Slip behind the wheel of the 2026 Ram 1500 equipped with the HEMI, and you’ll notice something right away: it doesn’t feel like anything has changed from where the 5.7-liter left off in 2024. That’s not a knock. In fact, it’s a compliment to how well the Ram engineering team managed to reintegrate the HEMI into the lineup.

Power delivery is smooth, torque comes on strong, and the 8HP75 8-speed automatic transmission feels more refined than ever. Having owned a 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Sport, I was already familiar with just how silky this transmission could be — yet in the 2026 model it somehow feels even sharper and more polished.

The eTorque mild-hybrid system is standard now, but it doesn’t change the HEMI’s character. What it does add is smoother stop/start operation and that little extra torque at launch. For daily driving, towing, and off-road use, the HEMI still feels like the brawny, confidence-inspiring engine buyers have always loved.

Why The HEMI Feels The Same – 

The secret behind that “unchanged” feeling is deliberate. When Ram set out to bring the HEMI back, the goal was to make it happen as quickly as possible. Since the eTorque system became mandatory in 2024, the easiest path was to reintroduce the engine in that same configuration. Doing so allowed Ram to avoid a lengthy re-certification process with government regulators.

That’s not to say the job was easy. The 2025 Ram 1500 introduced the Atlantis electrical architecture, a new backbone for the truck’s systems. To make the HEMI compatible, engineers had to reintegrate 13 different modules and ensure everything worked seamlessly.

This project required global testing:

• New Zealand, where Ram engineers evaluated cold-weather performance since the Michigan winter testing window had passed.

• The American Southwest, where scorching conditions helped dial in heat management.

On top of that, engineers recalibrated ADAS systems, NVH (noise, vibration, harshness), and the hybrid controller to ensure stop/start operation was smooth.

It wasn’t a quick patch job, either. Ram had a HEMI test mule running within three weeks of the program’s start, and a fleet of test trucks within two months. Leadership was heavily involved too, with Tim Kuniskis and Antonio Filosa personally attending weekly management reviews and ride-and-drives.

HEMI® Performance And Why It Matters – 

Numbers tell part of the story, and the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with eTorque still delivers the goods in 2026. Rated at 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque, plus an additional 130 lb.-ft. of launch torque thanks to the eTorque system, it slots neatly between the base 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and the more modern 3.0-liter HURRICANE I6 S/O.

Here’s how the Warlock’s engine lineup compares:

• 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with eTorque

  • 305 hp / 269 lb.-ft. torque

  • Max towing: 6,410 lbs.

  • Best for budget buyers or light-duty use

• Twin-Turbo 3.0-liter HURRICANE I6 S/O

  • 420 hp / 469 lb.-ft. torque

  • Max towing: 11,610 lbs., payload up to 1,930 lbs.

  • Strongest tow rating in the lineup, turbocharged power

• 5.7-liter HEMI® V8 with eTorque

  • 395 hp / 410 lb.-ft. torque (+130 lb.-ft. launch torque with eTorque)

  • Max towing: 11,340 lbs., payload up to 1,910 lbs.

  • Classic V8 rumble with strong real-world performance

While the HURRICANE I6 edges out the HEMI in peak numbers, the V8 still offers broad, linear torque delivery and a driving experience that’s hard to replace. The sound, the feel, and the proven durability of the HEMI are all reasons it remains a favorite among Ram loyalists.

And loyalty is no small thing. According to internal surveys conducted by Ram, 40% of their customer base said they would consider leaving the brand if a V8 option wasn’t available. That statistic alone shows why bringing the HEMI back was critical — not just for nostalgia, but for keeping Ram’s core customers in the fold.

More Value Than Before – 

One of the biggest surprises for 2026 is that the HEMI is actually a better deal now than it was in 2024. In trims like the Tradesman, Express, Warlock, and Big Horn, the HEMI is a $2,895 upgrade over the Pentastar V6. Compare that to its $3,045 price tag in 2024, and you’re looking at savings.

In trims like the Rebel and Laramie, the HEMI costs just $1,200 more than the HURRICANE I6 S/O. And in the Longhorn and Limited, it’s a no-cost option compared to the HURRICANE I6 H/O. That makes the HEMI accessible across more of the lineup, giving buyers real choice.

Even better, the Mopar Sport Performance cat-back exhaust is now standard with the HEMI. Previously, this was limited to Laramie G/T and Rebel G/T models or cost an extra $1,700 through Mopar. It gives the HEMI a deeper, throatier growl under acceleration without adding highway drone.

On top of that, all HEMI-equipped 2026 trucks come with the 33-gallon fuel tank — a $445 option on HURRICANE I6-equipped models. Between the tank, the exhaust, and the lower engine premium, the HEMI package delivers more value than ever.

My Thoughts – 

The return of the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 is more than just a checkbox on the spec sheet. It’s proof that Ram listened to its customers, respected the heritage, and put in the work to bring back an engine that defines modern Mopar trucks.

Behind the wheel of the 2026 Ram 1500 Warlock with the HEMI, it feels like the V8 never left. That’s exactly the point — and exactly why buyers are going to love it.

2026 Ram 1500 Image Gallery:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.