2026 Ram 1500: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026

The biggest change for the 2026 Ram 1500 is the return of the available 5.7-liter HEMI V8 on most trims. The Express also rejoins the regular lineup, but the truck otherwise largely carries over from the 2025 refresh.
About the 2026 Ram 1500
5th generation Ram 1500 (DT, 2019-present), second year after the 2025 refresh.
Ram positions the 1500 as the full-size pickup that blends serious truck capability with a noticeably more upscale cabin and ride than many rivals. The brand keeps emphasizing three ideas across the site: strong powertrain choices, luxury-grade comfort, and heavy use of modern tech. In practice, the model’s identity is a broad-range truck family that can serve as a work truck, family daily driver, luxury pickup, or off-road toy without leaving the same nameplate.
The 2026 lineup stretches from the work-focused Tradesman and mainstream Big Horn to the leather-lined Laramie and luxury-focused Tungsten. Rebel and RHO emphasize off-road driving, with the RHO pairing a 540-hp Hurricane six-cylinder engine with adaptive performance suspension. The Tungsten stands out inside with a 14.5-inch touchscreen, massaging front seats and a 23-speaker Klipsch audio system.
What changed, by category
2026 Ram 1500 specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6-Cyl, Hurricane, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter | 6-Cyl, Hurricane, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter / V8, HEMI, eTorque, 5.7 Liter | V6, VVT, eTorque, 3.6 Liter / 6-Cyl, Hurricane, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter / V8, HEMI, eTorque, 5.7 Liter | 6-Cyl, Hurricane, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter / V8, HEMI, eTorque, 5.7 Liter | 6-Cyl, Hurricane, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter / V8, HEMI, eTorque, 5.7 Liter | V8, HEMI, eTorque, 5.7 Liter / V6, VVT, eTorque, 3.6 Liter / 6-Cyl, Hurricane, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter | V6, VVT, eTorque, 3.6 Liter / 6-Cyl, Hurricane, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter / V8, HEMI, eTorque, 5.7 Liter | 6-Cyl, Hurricane, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter | V6, VVT, eTorque, 3.6 Liter / 6-Cyl, Hurricane, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter / V8, HEMI, eTorque, 5.7 Liter | V6, VVT, eTorque, 3.6 Liter / 6-Cyl, Hurricane, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter / V8, HEMI, eTorque, 5.7 Liter | 6-Cyl, Hurricane, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter / V8, HEMI, eTorque, 5.7 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd 8HP75 | Automatic, 8-Spd 8HP75 | Automatic, 8-Spd 850RE / Automatic, 8-Spd 8HP75 | Automatic, 8-Spd 8HP75 | Automatic, 8-Spd 8HP75 | Automatic, 8-Spd 8HP75 / Automatic, 8-Spd 850RE | Automatic, 8-Spd 850RE / Automatic, 8-Spd 8HP75 | Automatic, 8-Spd 8HP75 | Automatic, 8-Spd 850RE / Automatic, 8-Spd 8HP75 | Automatic, 8-Spd 850RE / Automatic, 8-Spd 8HP75 | Automatic, 8-Spd 8HP75 |
| Drivetrain | 4WD | 4WD | 2WD / 4WD | 4WD / 2WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD / 2WD | 4WD | 4WD / 2WD | 4WD / 2WD | 4WD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 14 mpg | 16–18 mpg | 17–20 mpg | 17–18 mpg | 16–18 mpg | 16–19 mpg | 17–19 mpg | 18 mpg | 17–19 mpg | 17–19 mpg | 16–18 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 16 mpg | 20–24 mpg | 22–25 mpg | 22–24 mpg | 20–24 mpg | 20–24 mpg | 22–25 mpg | 24 mpg | 22–25 mpg | 22–25 mpg | 20–24 mpg |
| Horsepower | 540 hp | 395–420 hp | 305–420 hp | 395–420 hp | 395–540 hp | 305–420 hp | 305–420 hp | 540 hp | 305–420 hp | 305–420 hp | 395–540 hp |
| Torque | 521 lb-ft | 410–469 lb-ft | 271–469 lb-ft | 410–469 lb-ft | 410–521 lb-ft | 271–469 lb-ft | 271–469 lb-ft | 521 lb-ft | 271–469 lb-ft | 271–469 lb-ft | 410–521 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 11140 lb | 11610 lb | 11150–11210 lb | 9740–10050 lb | 11200 lb | 11260–11370 lb | 9150 lb | 11260–11370 lb | 11310–11430 lb | 9740–10050 lb | |
| Rear Legroom | 44.8 in | 44.8 in | 35.3–44.8 in | 44.8 in | 44.8 in | 44.8 in | 35.3–44.8 in | 44.8 in | 35.3–44.8 in | 35.3–44.8 in | 44.8 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||||||||
| Alarm System | |||||||||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||||||||||
| Automatic High Beams | |||||||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||||||||
| Park Assist | |||||||||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||||||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||||||||
| 360 Camera | |||||||||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||||||||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | |||||||||||
| Fog Lights | |||||||||||
| LED Headlights | |||||||||||
| LED Tail Lights | |||||||||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||||||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||||||||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||||||||||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | |||||||||||
| Power Side Steps | |||||||||||
| Remote Control Liftgate/Trunk Release | |||||||||||
| Side Steps | |||||||||||
| Tow Hooks | |||||||||||
| Navigation System | |||||||||||
| Premium Audio | |||||||||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||||||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||||||||
| Subwoofer | |||||||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||||||||
| 115V Power Outlet | |||||||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||||||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||||||||
| Heated Rear Seats | |||||||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||||||||
| Leather Seats | |||||||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||||||||
| Massage Front Seat | |||||||||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||||||||
| Memory Pedals | |||||||||||
| Power Adjustable Pedals | |||||||||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||||||||
| Reclining Rear Seats | |||||||||||
| Remote Start | |||||||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||||||||
| Ventilated Rear Seats | |||||||||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2026 Ram 1500?
The biggest change is the return of the available 5.7-liter HEMI V8 on most trims. Ram had dropped V8 engines as part of the 2025 refresh.
Does the 2026 Ram 1500 have a HEMI V8?
Yes. The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 returns as an available engine on most 2026 Ram 1500 trims, including Tradesman, Express, Big Horn, Laramie, Rebel and Limited.
Is the 2026 Ram 1500 a redesign?
No. The 2026 Ram 1500 is not a redesign; it is the second model year after the 2025 refresh. The newer exterior design, cabin updates and Hurricane six-cylinder engines carry over.
Which Ram 1500 trims changed for 2026?
Express returns to the regular Ram 1500 lineup for 2026, while HFE is dropped. Most other trims continue, and many regain access to the HEMI V8.
Is the 2026 Ram 1500 worth considering over the 2025 model?
The 2026 is most appealing over the 2025 model if you want the HEMI V8 or the returning Express trim. Otherwise, the two years are closely related because the 2026 truck largely carries over the 2025 styling, cabin technology and engine lineup.