Yes, the 5.7L HEMI V8 is back in the 2026 Ram 1500, and we are stocking HEMI-equipped trucks at Lucas Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. After a model year away, the V8 returns making 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, paired with the 8-speed TorqueFlite automatic and a 48-volt eTorque mild-hybrid system. It is offered on most of the lineup, so you can get that V8 in a work-ready Tradesman or a leather-lined Laramie.
If you have been holding off on a new half-ton because you wanted the HEMI and nothing else, this is the page for you. We are right on Route 38 in Lumberton Township, a quick run off I-295, and our sales team can walk you straight to the V8 trucks on the lot. Call us at (609) 354-5619 to confirm what is in stock today. Below is what the HEMI configuration is, what it does well, where the Hurricane inline-six might actually suit you better, and who each engine is really for.
On this page: What's in stock · What the HEMI does well · Honest trade-offs · Which engine is right for you · See it and drive it · FAQ
What's in stock: the 2026 Ram 1500 HEMI in plain terms
The returning engine is the 5.7L HEMI V8 with eTorque, a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup that smooths out stop-start and adds a little low-end assist. It is not a plug-in and it does not change how you drive the truck. You still get a V8 under the hood and the 8-speed automatic behind it. Here is the configuration at a glance.
| Engine | 5.7L HEMI V8 with 48V eTorque mild hybrid |
| Output | 395 hp / 410 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed TorqueFlite automatic (8HP75) |
| Max towing (properly equipped) | Up to 11,320 lb (3.92 axle) |
| Max payload | Up to 1,650 lb |
| Availability | All trims except RHO and Tungsten |
Because the HEMI is available across most of the range, the trucks we stock with it run a wide span: a basic Tradesman work truck, the high-volume Big Horn, the leather-and-tech Laramie, the off-road Rebel, and the top Limited and Limited Longhorn. The two trims you cannot get it on are the RHO and the Tungsten, which come with the 540-hp High-Output Hurricane inline-six instead. Pricing depends entirely on the trim and equipment you choose, so the cleanest way to see real numbers is to browse the 2026 Ram 1500 lineup or build one to order.
What the HEMI does well
The honest appeal of the HEMI is character. It has the V8 sound and the linear, familiar power delivery a lot of longtime Ram and truck owners specifically came back for, and the eTorque assist takes a little of the rough edge off low-speed driving. For most buyers in our area that is the whole reason they ask for it by name.
On capability, a properly equipped HEMI tows up to 11,320 pounds and carries up to 1,650 pounds of payload, which covers the large majority of what South Jersey owners actually hook up: a couple of jet skis or a center-console down to the Jersey Shore, a loaded landscape trailer, a midsize travel trailer, a car hauler for the occasional project. It also carries Ram's 2026 powertrain warranty of 10 years or 100,000 miles, which was doubled this year and is standard across the lineup. If you trade trucks every several years, that V8 also tends to hold strong demand on resale, which matters when you work out financing and think about where you will be in three or four years.
Honest trade-offs: where the HEMI is not the answer
The HEMI is not the most capable engine in the truck anymore, and pretending otherwise would not help you buy the right one. The 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six in standard-output form makes 420 hp and 469 lb-ft and tows more than the V8 when properly equipped. If your single priority is maximum tow rating, the Hurricane is the stronger pick, not the HEMI.
Fuel economy is the other honest note. Ram has not published EPA estimates for the 2026 HEMI, so we will not print a number we cannot stand behind. If MPG is the figure that decides your purchase, ask us to pull the official rating once it posts, or compare it against the Hurricane on the window sticker before you commit. And again, if you have your heart set on the RHO performance truck or the top-luxury Tungsten, the HEMI is simply not offered on those two, so the engine choice is made for you there.
Which engine is right for you
Here is the short version we give people on the lot:
- Get the HEMI V8 if you want the classic V8 sound and feel, you tow up to roughly 11,000 pounds, and you value a familiar, proven powertrain. This is the right call for most traditional truck buyers.
- Step up to the Hurricane standard-output I6 if you regularly tow heavy and want the higher rating, or you simply want more horsepower and torque than the V8 delivers.
- Look at the High-Output Hurricane (RHO or Tungsten) if you want the 540-hp range-topping trucks, where the V8 is not part of the menu.
Not sure where you land? That is a five-minute conversation and a test drive, and it settles the question quickly.
See it and drive it in South Jersey
We keep HEMI-equipped 2026 Ram 1500s in stock and can usually get a specific trim and color through a factory order if we do not have your exact build on the ground. Have a current truck or SUV to put toward it? Bring it by and we will appraise it the same visit. When the V8 needs an oil change down the road, our service department handles HEMI maintenance in-house.
Lucas Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is at 1624 Route 38, Lumberton Township, NJ, an easy drive from Cherry Hill, Burlington, and the Route 130 corridor up toward Lawrenceville. See the Ram 1500 HEMI trucks we have in stock, or call (609) 354-5619 to line up a test drive.
2026 Ram 1500 HEMI: frequently asked questions
Is the HEMI V8 really back for the 2026 Ram 1500?
Yes. The 5.7L HEMI V8 returns for the 2026 model year after being off the menu the prior year. It makes 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque and is available on most trims.
How much horsepower does the 2026 Ram 1500 HEMI make?
The 5.7L HEMI V8 makes 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, paired with the 8-speed TorqueFlite automatic and a 48-volt eTorque mild-hybrid system.
Which 2026 Ram 1500 trims can I get with the HEMI?
The HEMI V8 is available on every 2026 Ram 1500 trim except the RHO and the Tungsten, both of which use the 540-hp High-Output Hurricane inline-six instead.
How much can the 2026 Ram 1500 HEMI tow?
A properly equipped HEMI tows up to 11,320 pounds with the 3.92 rear axle. The standard-output Hurricane inline-six tows more, so choose the Hurricane if maximum tow rating is your top priority.
Should I get the HEMI V8 or the Hurricane inline-six?
Choose the HEMI for the classic V8 sound and a proven powertrain if you tow up to roughly 11,000 pounds. Choose the standard-output Hurricane if you tow heavy and want the higher rating or simply want more horsepower and torque.
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