Our Thoughts Exactly: 2026 Ram 1500

Tim Kuniskis is one of my favorite people in the automotive industry.

As the head of the Ram brand and all American-based brands at Stellantis – among other titles – he seized the opportunity to put things in reverse and make things right. 

Upon his return to Auburn Hills, Kuniskis made a huge decision that woke up the Moparian faithful. One was to bring back the iconic HEMI V8 to the Ram and Dodge lineups. 

Including the volume-selling Ram 1500 pickup truck.

To celebrate, Ram added a special badge on HEMI-powered pickups to let the world know what’s underneath the hood. They call it their Symbol of Protest. They fashioned a V8 block and put a ram head in front of it. 

Certainly, you can still get the twin-turbocharged Hurricane in-line six-cylinder engine in the Ram 1500 – along with the standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with the e-Torque 48-volt mild hybrid system. However, real Moparians want their HEMIs. It is the only way to fly.

OK, I’m going a bit overboard here. But, can you feel my glee over this 2026 Ram 1500 crew cab Big Horn 4X4? 

We should start with what’s behind the Symbol of Protest. The HEMI 5.7-liter V8 has never stopped production, since it goes into the Dodge Durango and, previously, the Jeep Wagoneer. It was that period of time during the 2025 model year run that the suits under the former CEO figured they would replace displacement with the “boost” from the Hurricane twin-turbocharged in-line six-cylinder. You can still get one of those engines in the 2026 Ram 1500.

Meanwhile, a new global CEO was brought on board. In turn, Kuniskis was welcomed back at Auburn Hills. Then, they came up with a way to get the Ram 1500 back in everyone’s good graces. 

With the course corrected for the big volume seller on Stellantis’ North American roster, it seemed like a simple decision to drop the HEMI V8 back underneath the Ram 1500’s hood. 

I believe there was one time when I’ve driven a Ram 1500 without one. It just seems correct to drive one with a HEMI V8. But, does it still feel that way?

For 2026, the HEMI 5.7-liter V8 is only available with the e-Torque 48-volt mild-hybrid system. In all, you have 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. That should be enough to get more than a few things done. 

The rest of the driveline consists of an eight-speed automatic transmission with an on-demand four-wheel drive system sent through a two-speed transfer case. Both the transmission and final drive system are actuated on the dashboard. 

With this crew cab and 5.7-foot bed configuration, the maximum payload rating is 1,630 pounds, along with a maximum towing capacity of up to 9,590 pounds. You can get a 2026 Ram 1500 with larger payload and towing ratings. 

The HEMI V8 is wrapped around with the most common configuration found on the 2026 Ram 1500. Most likely, you will find on every dealer lot at least one crew cab with the 5.7-foot bed, particularly in the Big Horn trim. This one adds the Sport package replete with color-painted bumpers. A set of 20-inch chrome-finished alloy wheels provided a very nice touch off this gray pickup truck. A tonneau cover was added over the bed. 

The Big Horn trim is the really towards the middle of the pack. It offers a lot for the money for work and play. The cabin reflects that with its combination analog and digital instrument cluster. The seven-inch digital part can provide with pages with of information on the screen. The controls are familiar, since they provide the essence of what attracts customers to the Ram 1500. In the middle is the 12-inch UConnect 5 Nav infotainment system and upgraded nine Alpine speakers. 

The seats are of a durable cloth. While feeling nice to the touch, the front seats are big with some spots of firmness in the backrest. The center console offers loads of storage, including a wireless charging pad. Rear seat room is exceptional and the backrests fold down for better cargo utilization. 

Normally, we wind up driving any pickup truck unladen on paved roads. It seems appropriate since this is how we’ve seen a lot of pickup truck drivers wind up on our roads. We’re talking highway runs, pulling it into drive-throughs and grocery stores. Everyday tasks normally reserved for the family car. 

No matter how you drive your 2026 Ram 1500, you will appreciate the smooth operation of the HEMI V8. The pulling power alone was effortless on non-payload and towing situations. Highway cruising was equally smooth. We observed an average of 16.3 MPG in our care. 

Even though you have a coil-sprung solid rear axle, we enjoyed a smooth ride from the 2026 Ram 1500. It is perfectly sprung without any load. Yet, it handles on the softer side with plenty of control in the turns. 

The steering system will deliver solid turns. We also found the on-center feel to be soft. Then again, you expect most pickup trucks to have a bit of softness, unless it is locked in with some driver assistance technologies. Brake pedal feel was also a tinge soft, while delivering a solid response to the wheels. It managed decent stops in normal and panic situations. 

For the 2026 Ram 1500, there is a choice of two cab types, two bed sizes, four engine types, two final drive systems, and ten trim levels. Pricing starts from $41,025. Our Big Horn crew cab tester came with a sticker price of $63,835.

I’ve said in the past how the Ram 1500 has been one if my favorite pickup trucks to work with. Perhaps we can add a qualifier, since the segment has expanded further. There has been so much parity in the full-sized half-ton space, one wonders whether the Ram 1500 still has some sort of edge over the competition. Or, whether returning the HEMI V8 to its lineup will bring back some of those advantages.

My approach to certain vehicles has always been to champion the underdog. Ram has always been the “underdog.” Yet, it has always turned out some compelling versions of the 1500. Namely, the TRX and RHO. This Symbol of Protest was the right move by Kuniskis. It will bring Moparians back to Ram Trucks. It seems to be working, thanks to its amazing presale numbers. 

The moral of the story? Don’t piss off your loyal customers. You will never like us Moparians when you do such things to us. 

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by Stellantis North America – our opinions are our own. 

All photos by Randy Stern and George Torline