2026 Ram 1500 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 with eTorque
This week, Ram Trucks made waves in the automotive world by announcing the return of the HEMI V8 engine for the 2026 model year. In a bold statement, Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis admitted what many fans had been saying since the HEMI was pulled from the lineup:
“Everyone makes mistakes, but it’s how you handle them that defines you. Ram screwed up when we dropped the HEMI—we own it, and we fixed it,” Kuniskis said in the official press release.
While the twin-turbo Hurricane 3.0L inline-six, introduced in 2024, may be a more powerful and efficient option on paper, it hasn’t resonated with truck buyers like the iconic HEMI V8 once did. Sales of the Ram 1500 dropped 11% since the transition—proof that the emotional connection and proven performance of the V8 still matter to customers.
Over the past few years, Ram has battled an identity crisis. Once known for its unapologetic embrace of high-horsepower V8s, the brand shifted under former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares toward a greener, more efficient future. But for many loyalists, the soul of the truck was lost in that transition.
In the latest statement, Ram clarified that while the Hurricane engine family isn’t going anywhere, customer demand played a major role in the HEMI’s return:
“We heard loud and clear from consumers—there’s no replacement for the iconic HEMI V8. At the end of the day, we count sales to real customers, not to statistics or ideology. Data be damned—we raise our flag and let our HEMI ring free again,” Kuniskis added.
At All-Terrain Nation, we see this as a major win for the brand and for buyers. Whether you prefer the modern muscle of the Hurricane inline-six or the legendary rumble of the HEMI V8, having both options puts the power back in the hands of the customer.
The HEMI V8 will be available for order in the Tradesman, Express, Warlock, Big Horn, and late availability for Rebel trims.
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