2026 Ram 1500: What's in stock, trim-level comparison, FAQ's.

    Updated 2026-05-26
    Quick Answer

    The 2026 Ram 1500 brings back the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with eTorque hybrid assist, rated at 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, alongside the carryover 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six in Standard Output (420 hp) and High Output (540 hp) tunes. After a one-year V8 hiatus, buyers can again order a body-on-frame Ram 1500 with a HEMI badge on the fender, paired with the TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic, available 4x4, and tow ratings up to 11,550 lb on Hurricane trucks and 9,590 lb on HEMI-equipped trucks. The 14.5-inch Uconnect 5 cabin and available 4-corner air suspension carry over.

    Highlights of the 2026 RAM 1500

    7 highlights
    • 5.7L HEMI V8 with eTorque mild-hybrid returns for 2026 — 395 hp / 410 lb-ft, available on most cab and trim configurations.
    • 3.0L Hurricane I6 carries over: 420 hp Standard Output across most trims, 540 hp High Output on Tungsten and RHO.
    • TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic on every powertrain; max tow 11,550 lb (Hurricane SO) and 9,590 lb (HEMI).
    • Refreshed cabin keeps the available 14.5-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen, 12-inch digital cluster, and passenger screen.
    • Available 4-corner air suspension remains a class differentiator for ride quality and load leveling.
    • Hands-Free Active Driving Assist available on upper trims for mapped, divided highways.
    • RHO off-road performance trim continues with the 540-hp Hurricane HO, Bilstein Black Hawk e2 dampers, and 35-inch tires.
    No trim data available yet.

    Inside the RAM 1500

    The HEMI is back — and the Hurricane is staying

    After a one-model-year absence, the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with eTorque returns to the 2026 Ram 1500. Stellantis confirmed the move directly in response to customer feedback, and orders are open across most cab and trim configurations. The HEMI is rated at 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, paired with the TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic and available rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. Importantly for buyers comparing options, the HEMI does not replace the Hurricane I6 — it joins it. The 420-hp Standard Output Hurricane and 540-hp High Output Hurricane both carry over, which means a 2026 Ram 1500 buyer can pick the V8 they grew up with, the most powerful Hurricane I6 ever offered in a half-ton, or anything in between.

    Capability across three very different powertrains

    Each engine in the 2026 Ram 1500 lineup targets a different buyer. The HEMI V8 with eTorque is the choice for traditional truck buyers who want V8 sound and feel, with a max towing capacity of 9,590 lb when properly equipped. The Hurricane SO is the volume engine, offering more horsepower and torque than the HEMI on paper plus a higher 11,550-lb max tow rating. The Hurricane HO, reserved for Tungsten and RHO, is the performance halo — 540 hp, 521 lb-ft, and the only way into the desert-running RHO. Optional 4-corner air suspension and a 4x4 transfer case are available on most configurations regardless of engine choice.

    Cabin and tech carry over from the 2025 refresh

    Mechanically the 2026 Ram 1500 is the bigger story; inside, it is largely a known quantity. The interior keeps the available 14.5-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen, 12-inch digital instrument cluster, and 10.25-inch passenger display introduced for 2025. Higher trims continue to offer open-pore wood, quilted leather, suede headliners, and the 23-speaker Klipsch audio system. Hands-Free Active Driving Assist remains available on the top trims for highway use, joining the standard adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and 360-degree camera bundles. For most buyers, the 2026 model-year decision is going to come down to engine choice rather than cabin tech.

    Pros and Cons

    Pros
    • HEMI V8 returns with eTorque mild-hybrid — 395 hp / 410 lb-ft for buyers who want a V8.
    • Hurricane I6 carries over with 420-hp SO and 540-hp HO tunes — the most powerful Hurricane is still here.
    • Three distinct powertrain personalities: V8 character, V6-replacement Hurricane SO, or Hurricane HO performance.
    • Class-leading interior materials and tech on Limited and Tungsten.
    • Available 4-corner air suspension delivers a smoother ride than rival half-tons.
    • Strong tow ratings: up to 11,550 lb on Hurricane SO; 9,590 lb on HEMI.
    • RHO off-road performance trim continues with 540-hp Hurricane HO and 35-inch tires.
    Cons
    • HEMI carries an upcharge versus the standard Hurricane SO and is rated lower on horsepower, torque, and max tow.
    • No naturally aspirated V6 base engine; entry pricing remains elevated versus the pre-2025 lineup.
    • Top trims (Limited, Tungsten) push well into luxury-truck territory.
    • Hurricane HO and HEMI both carry fuel-economy penalties versus the base Hurricane SO.
    • 1500 REV battery-electric retail availability remains limited.

    New 2026 RAM 1500 Inventory at Swope NissanLive

    Current in-stock units at Swope Nissan in Elizabethtown, KY with full specifications, pricing, and direct links to each vehicle's detail page.

    Total in stock0vehicles
    Price range—
    Available powertrains—
    Last syncedMay 26, 2026 · 4:14 PM
    No vehicles in stock
    Swope Nissan doesn't currently have any 2026 RAM 1500 units available.

    Frequently Asked Questions about the 2026 RAM 1500

    Yes. Stellantis confirmed the return of the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with eTorque mild-hybrid for the 2026 Ram 1500, rated at 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, and orders have been opened with dealers.
    No. The 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six remains in the 2026 lineup in both Standard Output (420 hp) and High Output (540 hp) tunes. The HEMI is offered alongside the Hurricane, not as a replacement.
    A properly equipped 2026 Ram 1500 with the Hurricane SO engine can tow up to 11,550 lb. A properly equipped 2026 Ram 1500 with the 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque can tow up to 9,590 lb. Actual ratings vary by configuration.
    The HEMI V8 makes 395 hp / 410 lb-ft and offers traditional V8 character with eTorque mild-hybrid assist. The Hurricane Standard Output I6 makes 420 hp / 469 lb-ft, tows more, and is generally more efficient. Buyers who prioritize V8 sound and feel should pick the HEMI; buyers who prioritize peak numbers and towing should look at Hurricane.
    Tradesman, Big Horn (Lone Star in Texas), Laramie, Rebel, Limited Longhorn, Limited, Tungsten, and RHO. The HEMI V8 is offered on most non-flagship trims; Tungsten and RHO use the 540-hp Hurricane HO.
    Yes. Available four-corner air suspension carries over on most non-base trims, providing automatic load leveling and multiple ride heights — a feature still not matched by Ford or Chevrolet half-tons.
    The 2026 Ram 1500 is the only one of the three half-tons with both a returning V8 (HEMI) and a high-output 540-hp inline-six (Hurricane HO). Ride quality with the available air suspension and interior materials on upper trims remain Ram strengths. F-150 and Silverado offer broader bed-and-cab combinations and longer-running V8 lineups.
    eTorque is Ram's mild-hybrid system. A small belt-driven motor-generator replaces the conventional alternator and adds brief torque assist during acceleration, plus quicker stop-start and regenerative braking. It is standard on the returning 5.7L HEMI V8 in the 2026 Ram 1500.
    Yes. Hands-Free Active Driving Assist remains available on the upper trims for use on mapped, divided highways. The driver must remain attentive and ready to take over at any time.
    The 1500 REV battery-electric and Ramcharger range-extended versions are separate models from the gas-powered 2026 Ram 1500. Retail availability has been limited; most 2026 Ram 1500 trucks at dealers are gas-powered Hurricane I6 or returning HEMI V8 configurations.