CHELSEA, MICH.鈥擣rom start up to full throttle, there鈥檚 something about a V8 engine in a pickup truck that just feels right.
I squeeze the throttle in my 2026 RAM 1500 tester as I leave the Stellantis proving grounds in rural Michigan, and the HEMI V8 spools up quickly, and thrusts me forward with fury. And with a delightful HEMI V8 exhaust bark. I smile broadly. 鈥淗ell yeah!鈥 I say aloud to myself. This does feel right.
The phrase 鈥渂ack by popular demand鈥 is something you don鈥檛 hear much anymore, but in the case of the 2026 RAM 1500, it accurately describes what鈥檚 happened to this light-duty, full-size pickup truck.
The much-loved 5.7-litre HEMI V8, banished from the lineup when the truck was refreshed for 2025, is making a comeback in 2026.
And it is happening because buyers demanded its return. In short, truck-buyers are not happy with RAM parent company Stellantis’ decision to delete its beloved V8 in pursuit of a greener corporate strategy.
And they are speaking with their wallets. While RAM 1500 sales are relatively flat (up two per cent) in the U.S. in 2025, they have fallen dramatically in Canada. Through June 30, sales are down 31 per cent versus 2024.
Given how important RAM sales are to the overall profitability of Stellantis in North America, the company relented and announced in early June that the HEMI V8 would return to the RAM 1500 lineup for 2026.
And RAM CEO Tim Kuniskis didn鈥檛 mince words. 鈥淩AM screwed up when we dropped the HEMI 鈥 we own it and we fixed it,鈥 he said in the press release announcing the HEMI鈥檚 return.
The HEMI will be available, optionally, across most of the 2026 RAM 1500 lineup, from the base Tradesman up to the Limited Longhorn. Eight trims in all are covered, with only two grades (RHO and Tungsten) exempted. Those two come standard with a high-output, 3.0-litre, turbo inline six-cylinder engine Stellantis calls the Hurricane (540 hp, 521 lbs.-ft.).
The HEMI engine is virtually unchanged from when it was last used in 2024 RAMs. It delivers 395 horsepower and 410 foot-pounds of torque, or motive force.
Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the HEMI works in conjunction with RAM鈥檚 eTorque hybrid system which has a motor generator unit and 48-volt battery pack. The motor generator replaces the alternator and helps improve engine responsiveness and overall efficiency.
Buyers who check the HEMI option box also receive a sport exhaust and larger 125-litre (33-gallon) fuel tank. HEMI-powered RAMs will also carry the new 鈥渟ymbol of protest鈥 logo on its front fenders. The logo features a charging ram head attached to a HEMI V8 engine block. And, yes, It鈥檚 already available on T-shirts, hats and stickers.
RAM is also rolling out a 10-year, 160,000-kilometre limited powertrain warranty for the 2026 model year for light duty (1500), heavy duty (2500, 3500), Chassis Cab (3500/4500/5500) trucks, and ProMaster vans, sold in Canada.
Driving several early-production 2026 RAMs at the Stellantis proving grounds make me aware of just how emotional vehicle purchases are. Slotting the RAM through a high-speed autocross course and around banked turns at the end of a long straightaway is loads of fun. The HEMI V8 howls lustily when I mash the gas pedal. I do several runs and would have done more hand I been allowed.
It鈥檚 great fun.
Affinity for the HEMI V8 goes beyond mere numbers. The Hurricane six-cylinder turbos are more powerful and more efficient. They also have higher maximum payload and towing capacities. But it doesn鈥檛 matter. RAM and HEMI are intertwined. They just go together. And so, the HEMI must be offered in RAM pickups. Maybe one day it will fall out of favour and fade into the sunset. But that seems like a long way off.
RAM says 10,000 HEMI orders were received in the first 24 hours. That really says it all. Full-size truck buyers want V8s. It鈥檚 as simple as that. Ford and GM sell hybrid and EV trucks, but they didn鈥檛 kill their V8s. Stellantis has learned its lesson. Electrified RAMs are in the pipeline, but the HEMI will stand alongside them.
All this is good news for RAM buyers, and the first HEMI-equipped trucks are now being delivered to U.S. customers. We鈥檒l have to wait a bit longer here in Canada, as HEMI RAMs won鈥檛 go on sale until early 2026. Pricing for the HEMI option, and the full 2026 lineup will be released closer to on sale according to a RAM Canada rep.
鈥淓veryone makes mistakes, but how you handle them defines you,鈥 Kuniskis said.
RAM is hoping its buyers are willing to forgive and forget. I鈥檇 say the odds are in its favour.
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation