2026 Ram 1500: What's in stock, trim-level comparison, FAQ's.
Updated 2026-05-26·/
Quick Answer
The 2026 Ram 1500 brings back the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with eTorque hybrid assist, rated at 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, alongside the carryover 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six in Standard Output (420 hp) and High Output (540 hp) tunes. After a one-year V8 hiatus, buyers can again order a body-on-frame Ram 1500 with a HEMI badge on the fender, paired with the TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic, available 4x4, and tow ratings up to 11,550 lb on Hurricane trucks and 9,590 lb on HEMI-equipped trucks. The 14.5-inch Uconnect 5 cabin and available 4-corner air suspension carry over.
Ram 1500 Gallery9 photos
TradesmanDiamond Black Crystal Pearlcoat
WarlockBright White Clearcoat
Big HornSerrano Green Metallic
Big HornForged Blue Metallic
RebelSilver Zynith
LaramieForged Blue Metallic
LaramieBright White Clearcoat
LimitedDelmonico Red Pearlcoat
LimitedBright White Clearcoat
Highlights of the 2026 RAM 1500
7 highlights
5.7L HEMI V8 with eTorque mild-hybrid returns for 2026 — 395 hp / 410 lb-ft, available on most cab and trim configurations.
3.0L Hurricane I6 carries over: 420 hp Standard Output across most trims, 540 hp High Output on Tungsten and RHO.
TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic on every powertrain; max tow 11,550 lb (Hurricane SO) and 9,590 lb (HEMI).
Refreshed cabin keeps the available 14.5-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen, 12-inch digital cluster, and passenger screen.
Available 4-corner air suspension remains a class differentiator for ride quality and load leveling.
Hands-Free Active Driving Assist available on upper trims for mapped, divided highways.
RHO off-road performance trim continues with the 540-hp Hurricane HO, Bilstein Black Hawk e2 dampers, and 35-inch tires.
Trim-Level Breakdown and Availability at Swope Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Compare available trim levels to find the right RAM 1500 for you. Pricing reflects current in-stock inventory.
Compare trimsTrim7 trims · 17 in stock
Express1 in stock
Warlock1 in stock
Tradesman1 in stock
Big Horn4 in stock
Rebel1 in stock
Laramie7 in stock
Limited2 in stock
Pricing
Starting price
$48,899
$50,549
$50,749
$54,773
$60,899
$63,813
$75,799
Top price
$48,899
$50,549
$50,749
$57,508
$60,899
$72,875
$78,099
Powertrain
Drivetrain
4WD
4WD
4WD
4WD
4WD
4WD
4WD
Fuel options
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline
Engine
V6, 3.6L
6 Cyl, 3.0L
V8, 5.7L
6 Cyl, 3.0L / V8, 5.7L
6 Cyl, 3.0L
V8, 5.7L
6 Cyl, 3.0L
MPG (city / hwy)
19 / 24
18 / 24
16 / 20
16–18 / 20–24
18 / 24
16 / 20
15 / 21
Standard equipment — safety & driver assistance
Adaptive cruise control
Auto high-beam headlights
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Forward collision-avoidance
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Front & rear parking sensors
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Front tow hooks
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Hill descent control & skid plates
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Rear occupant alert
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Surround-view 360° camera
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Standard equipment — technology & infotainment
Built-in navigation
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Color head-up display
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In-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot
Push-button start with proximity key
SiriusXM
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Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
Wireless Qi phone charger
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Standard equipment — comfort & convenience
Dual-zone climate control
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Heated 2nd-row seats
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Heated front seats
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Heated steering wheel
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Memory driver seat & mirrors
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Power-folding heated mirrors
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Remote engine start
Ventilated front seats
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Standard equipment — interior & exterior
Bed tonneau cover
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Front fog lamps
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Integrated trailer brake controller
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Leather seating
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LED headlights & daytime running lights
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Panoramic sunroof
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Side step / running boards
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Spray-in bedliner
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Inside the RAM 1500
The HEMI is back — and the Hurricane is staying
After a one-model-year absence, the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with eTorque returns to the 2026 Ram 1500. Stellantis confirmed the move directly in response to customer feedback, and orders are open across most cab and trim configurations. The HEMI is rated at 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, paired with the TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic and available rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. Importantly for buyers comparing options, the HEMI does not replace the Hurricane I6 — it joins it. The 420-hp Standard Output Hurricane and 540-hp High Output Hurricane both carry over, which means a 2026 Ram 1500 buyer can pick the V8 they grew up with, the most powerful Hurricane I6 ever offered in a half-ton, or anything in between.
Capability across three very different powertrains
Each engine in the 2026 Ram 1500 lineup targets a different buyer. The HEMI V8 with eTorque is the choice for traditional truck buyers who want V8 sound and feel, with a max towing capacity of 9,590 lb when properly equipped. The Hurricane SO is the volume engine, offering more horsepower and torque than the HEMI on paper plus a higher 11,550-lb max tow rating. The Hurricane HO, reserved for Tungsten and RHO, is the performance halo — 540 hp, 521 lb-ft, and the only way into the desert-running RHO. Optional 4-corner air suspension and a 4x4 transfer case are available on most configurations regardless of engine choice.
Cabin and tech carry over from the 2025 refresh
Mechanically the 2026 Ram 1500 is the bigger story; inside, it is largely a known quantity. The interior keeps the available 14.5-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen, 12-inch digital instrument cluster, and 10.25-inch passenger display introduced for 2025. Higher trims continue to offer open-pore wood, quilted leather, suede headliners, and the 23-speaker Klipsch audio system. Hands-Free Active Driving Assist remains available on the top trims for highway use, joining the standard adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and 360-degree camera bundles. For most buyers, the 2026 model-year decision is going to come down to engine choice rather than cabin tech.
Pros and Cons
Pros
HEMI V8 returns with eTorque mild-hybrid — 395 hp / 410 lb-ft for buyers who want a V8.
Hurricane I6 carries over with 420-hp SO and 540-hp HO tunes — the most powerful Hurricane is still here.
Three distinct powertrain personalities: V8 character, V6-replacement Hurricane SO, or Hurricane HO performance.
Class-leading interior materials and tech on Limited and Tungsten.
Available 4-corner air suspension delivers a smoother ride than rival half-tons.
Strong tow ratings: up to 11,550 lb on Hurricane SO; 9,590 lb on HEMI.
RHO off-road performance trim continues with 540-hp Hurricane HO and 35-inch tires.
Cons
HEMI carries an upcharge versus the standard Hurricane SO and is rated lower on horsepower, torque, and max tow.
No naturally aspirated V6 base engine; entry pricing remains elevated versus the pre-2025 lineup.
Top trims (Limited, Tungsten) push well into luxury-truck territory.
Hurricane HO and HEMI both carry fuel-economy penalties versus the base Hurricane SO.
If you sat out the 2025 model year because the HEMI was gone, the 2026 Ram 1500 is the truck you were waiting for. The 5.7L HEMI V8 with eTorque is back at 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque, paired with the TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic and available 4x4. Swope Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Elizabethtown can show you exactly how it tows, sounds, and rides on Western Kentucky roads, and we can walk you through the differences versus the Hurricane I6 trucks parked next to it on the lot.
Best for daily-driver and family truck buyers (Hurricane SO)
Most people buying a Ram 1500 use it as a daily driver that occasionally tows a boat or hauls plywood. For that buyer, the 420-hp Hurricane Standard Output I6 is the smarter call — more horsepower and torque than the HEMI, an 11,550-lb max tow rating, and better real-world fuel economy on the I-65 commute between Elizabethtown and Louisville. Big Horn and Laramie crew cabs are the volume configurations on our lot.
Best for serious off-roaders (RHO)
The Ram 1500 RHO is the spiritual successor to the TRX, swapping the supercharged V8 for the 540-hp Hurricane HO inline-six but keeping the wide stance, Bilstein Black Hawk e2 dampers, and 35-inch tires that make it a real desert and trail truck. Around Hardin County and the Daniel Boone National Forest, that translates to a truck that handles unpaved Forest Service roads, hunting leases, and rough job sites without flinching. Talk to our truck team if RHO is on your shortlist — they're typically order-only.
Best for luxury truck buyers (Tungsten with Hurricane HO)
Tungsten sits at the top of the lineup with the 540-hp Hurricane HO, quilted leather, open-pore wood, suede headliner, 23-speaker Klipsch audio, and a 14.5-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen. It is the closest a half-ton gets to a luxury SUV interior, and it is the trim we most often configure for buyers cross-shopping a Tahoe High Country or Expedition Platinum. We can build one to your spec if it is not already on the ground.
Best for work fleets and contractors (Tradesman / Big Horn)
For Hardin County contractors, farms, and small fleets, Tradesman and Big Horn crew cabs with the Hurricane SO are the workhorses — vinyl or cloth seats, full work-truck spec, 11,550-lb tow when properly equipped, and a payload rating that handles a full bed of materials. Swope's commercial team can talk through Mopar upfits, ladder-rack provisions, and service plans alongside the truck purchase.
Why this matters around Elizabethtown
Swope Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is at 1102 N Dixie Hwy in Elizabethtown — 45 minutes south of Louisville on I-65, central to Hardin County and the surrounding farms, contractors, and Fort Knox community. The 2026 Ram 1500 lineup we stock is built for exactly this market: HEMI V8 trucks for buyers loyal to the V8, Hurricane I6 trucks for the daily-driver / occasional-towing crowd, and RHO trucks for hunters and off-roaders running gravel roads from Bardstown to the Daniel Boone National Forest. Customers come to us from Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Louisville, and Bardstown, and we keep our Mopar service department staffed to handle Ram-specific work — Hurricane I6 service, HEMI maintenance, and air-suspension diagnostics included.
New 2026 RAM 1500 Inventory at Swope Chrysler Dodge Jeep RamLive
Current in-stock units at Swope Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Elizabethtown, KY with full specifications, pricing, and direct links to each vehicle's detail page.
Quick Order Package 23D Express: Front Center Seat Cushion StorageFront LED Fog LampsGrille Surround 1 Body Color Texture 1 BlackBlack Interior Accents
Quick Order Package 22M LimitedLimited Level A Equipment Group: Google Android AutoSiriusXM Radio ServiceUSB Host Flip
Frequently Asked Questions about the 2026 RAM 1500
Yes. Stellantis confirmed the return of the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with eTorque mild-hybrid for the 2026 Ram 1500, rated at 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, and Swope Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is taking orders.
No. The 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six remains in the 2026 lineup in both Standard Output (420 hp) and High Output (540 hp) tunes. The HEMI is offered alongside the Hurricane, not as a replacement.
A properly equipped 2026 Ram 1500 with the Hurricane SO engine can tow up to 11,550 lb. A properly equipped 2026 Ram 1500 with the 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque can tow up to 9,590 lb. Actual ratings vary by configuration.
The HEMI V8 makes 395 hp / 410 lb-ft and offers traditional V8 character with eTorque mild-hybrid assist. The Hurricane Standard Output I6 makes 420 hp / 469 lb-ft, tows more, and is generally more efficient. Buyers who prioritize V8 sound and feel should pick the HEMI; buyers who prioritize peak numbers and towing should look at Hurricane.
Tradesman, Big Horn (Lone Star in Texas), Laramie, Rebel, Limited Longhorn, Limited, Tungsten, and RHO. The HEMI V8 is offered on most non-flagship trims; Tungsten and RHO use the 540-hp Hurricane HO.
Yes. Available four-corner air suspension carries over on most non-base trims, providing automatic load leveling and multiple ride heights — a feature still not matched by Ford or Chevrolet half-tons.
The 2026 Ram 1500 is the only one of the three half-tons with both a returning V8 (HEMI) and a high-output 540-hp inline-six (Hurricane HO). Ride quality with the available air suspension and interior materials on upper trims remain Ram strengths. F-150 and Silverado offer broader bed-and-cab combinations and longer-running V8 lineups.
eTorque is Ram's mild-hybrid system. A small belt-driven motor-generator replaces the conventional alternator and adds brief torque assist during acceleration, plus quicker stop-start and regenerative braking. It is standard on the returning 5.7L HEMI V8 in the 2026 Ram 1500.
Yes. Hands-Free Active Driving Assist remains available on the upper trims for use on mapped, divided highways. The driver must remain attentive and ready to take over at any time.
The 1500 REV battery-electric and Ramcharger range-extended versions are separate models from the gas-powered 2026 Ram 1500. The trucks Swope stocks under the Ram 1500 nameplate are gas-powered Hurricane I6 or returning HEMI V8 configurations.
Yes. Swope Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Elizabethtown is taking 2026 Ram 1500 HEMI V8 orders. We can spec cab style, bed length, drivetrain, trim, and packages with you and walk through delivery timing. Call us before placing the order so we can confirm current allocation.
Yes. Our Mopar-certified service department in Elizabethtown handles routine maintenance and warranty work on every 2026 Ram 1500 powertrain — Hurricane SO, Hurricane HO, and the 5.7L HEMI V8 with eTorque — plus 4-corner air suspension diagnostics and front-end work specific to the new platform.
Yes. We appraise trade-ins on every 2026 Ram 1500 deal, including HEMI-era Ram 1500s, Ford F-150s, Chevy Silverados, GMC Sierras, and Toyota Tundras. You can start the trade appraisal online or in person at our Elizabethtown showroom.
Most of our 2026 Ram 1500 buyers come from Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Fort Knox, Bardstown, and the Louisville metro. We're 45 minutes south of Louisville on I-65, which is a short drive for a configuration that's hard to find closer to the city.
Yes. Our commercial team works with Mopar-approved upfitters on bed liners, ladder racks, toolboxes, snow plows, and fleet service plans. We typically pair commercial Ram 1500 builds with the Hurricane SO engine and Tradesman or Big Horn trim.