14 - 20
305 - 540
8 speed, Automatic w/OD
Gas/Electric V-6, Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded I-6, Twin Turbo Regular Unleaded I-6
Four Wheel Drive, Rear Wheel Drive
The Ram 1500 is the company’s full-size, light-duty pickup. To meet segment demands, it is available in a wide range of configurations and can be configured as a workhorse, a trail rig, or a luxury vehicle with creature comforts. While the 1500’s capability makes it competitive, Ram engineers also aimed to deliver a ride that is more refined than that of a typical truck.
Start spreading the news: the Hemi is back. After sitting out the 2025 model year, Ram says customer demand prompted the return of its iconic V8 engine.
Along with the resurrected power plant, the company has reintroduced the value-oriented Express and Black Express trim levels, which sit just above the base Tradesman in the 1500 lineup. Three new exterior colors also join the options list: Molten Red Pearl-Coat, Silver Zynith, and Serrano Green Metallic.
While the 5.7-liter Hemi carries name recognition and a robust engine note, it is no longer the most powerful engine option in the Ram lineup. In fact, it sits closer to the bottom of the lineup than to the top.
For 2026, buyers can choose from a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque; the 5.7-liter Hemi, which delivers 395 hp and 410 pound-feet; a twin-turbocharged inline-six—dubbed the Hurricane—which produces 420 hp and 469 pound-feet; or the top dog, a high-output version of the Hurricane, delivering 540 hp and 521 pound-feet of torque. Each engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and four-wheel drive is available on all configurations that do not have it as standard equipment.
There are 10 trim levels available for the 2026 Ram 1500: Tradesman, Express/Black Express, Warlock, Big Horn, Laramie, Rebel, RHO, Limited, Limited Longhorn, and Tungsten. Two cab sizes and two bed lengths are offered. The Quad Cab is smaller than the Crew Cab, which Ram says provides the most rear-seat legroom in its class.
As with other pickups, the price range is wide. A bare-bones Tradesman starts just north of $44,000, while the luxury-laden Tungsten trim commands a lofty $91,000. It is worth noting that on most trims, even well equipped ones such as the Limited Longhorn, you will pay extra for any color other than white.
Off-road enthusiasts will likely gravitate toward the Warlock, Rebel, and RHO, a trifecta of trims with progressively more powerful and performance-oriented packages designed to tackle challenging terrain.
When properly equipped, the Ram 1500 can tow up to 11,610 pounds and carry a payload of 2,360 pounds. All versions include a robust standard safety package with automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. Additional driver aids, including Ram’s Hands-Free Active Driving Assist, are available.
The Ram’s closest competition comes from homegrown rivals, Chevrolet and Ford. The Silverado 1500 and the F-150 each offer a range of configurations designed to compete with the Ram 1500.
While Ram’s off-road-ready RHO is less expensive—and more powerful—than Ford’s Raptor, the posh Tungsten trim commands a significant premium over the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country and the Ford F-150 Platinum. Even the GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate, courtesy of Chevy’s swanky corporate cousin, costs less than the Tungsten. Unlike Ram, GMC also offers a diesel engine for its light-duty truck.
Ram is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of January 29, 2026, but it may have changed since then. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
John Coyle has spent two decades in the automotive industry. Over that time, he's driven Jeeps through Moab, tackled Fuji Speedway in a Lexus LFA, experienced the insanity of the Gumball 3000, and survived daily driving a 1978 Jaguar. He lives in Sacramento, California, with the coolest girl in the world and three black cats.
