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Ever since Ram resurrected its HEMI V-8, sales of the 2026 Ram 1500 have been brisk. The CEO claims that the HEMI-powered trucks are selling twice as fast as the other powertrains. Ram received 10,000 orders in the first 24 hours of taking orders. The HEMI brought some excitement to the segment that has been relatively stagnant. Car and Driver is honoring the 2026 Ram 1500 with a spot on its 10Best list, not just the HEMI, but the whole Ram 1500 lineup.
Car and Driver says, “The 395-hp 5.7-liter V-8 isn't quicker, more fuel efficient, or quieter than the twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six (which continues in either 420- or 540-hp tune), and its return is not what kept this pickup in a 10Best parking spot for 2026.”
“With the 1500, Ram sticks with the winning formula it's had for the better part of 15 years: building half-ton trucks that are plenty capable for weekend warriors—max towing of 11,610 pounds with the turbo inline-six and a max payload of 2360 pounds with the base 305-hp V-6—but downright excellent to drive for everyone, even owners who are just in it for the look. We've said it before: The pickup truck has become the de facto American luxury car, and the Ram 1500 is the pinnacle of its class.”
2026 Ram 1500
Ram offers a full lineup for the 2026 Ram 1500, everything from a work truck to a luxurious Laramie Tungsten model. The truck offers great legroom and upgraded trim packages. Rear seats can even recline. Four-wheel-drive is available across the board.
The 2026 Ram 1500 HEMI V-8 eTorque will be competing against the 2026 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty and the Ford Maverick Lobo for top honors. This is the first time that Ram has had two trucks named as finalists in the same year.
“We’re proud to see Ram recognized by this opinion-leading group of industry professionals,” said Tim Kuniskis, head of American Brands, SRT Performance, NA Marketing and Retail Strategy. “NACTOY recognizing both the Ram 1500 HEMI and Heavy Duty shows that the ‘last tenth’ culture that drives the Ram brand is paying off. We’re here to give customers freedom of choice and the trucks they want – something we’re already seeing on showroom floors.”
2026 Ram 1500 HEMI V-8 eTorque
There is a reason that drivers are thrilled to keep the HEMI in the lineup. The sound of the truck firing up draws everyone’s attention, and the truck manages even narrow off-road trails beautifully. All of the Ram HEMI V-8s are the eTorque engines. The truck is rated at 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque. The HEMI is available pretty much across the board in 2026 model-year Ram 1500 Tradesman, Big Horn, Express, Warlock, Laramie, Rebel, Limited and Longhorn. The HEMI is great fun to drive. Just the sound of it firing up turns heads and gets great crowd reaction.
Of course, the 2026 Ram RHO is nothing to sneeze at. It can generate more horsepower than the HEMI with a whopping 540-horsepower. But for some reason, many truck buyers want the V-8 rather than the Inline-6. Regardless, the 2026 Ram 1500 gets high marks from both Car and Driver and the North American Journalists who vote on Truck of the Year.
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Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.
Follow Mary Conway at @MaryConwayMedia and send her car news tips for future stories
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