Should you get the HEMI or the Hurricane in a 2026 Ram 1500? If published power and maximum capability are your priorities, the 3.0L standard-output Hurricane is the stronger choice on Ram’s listed figures: it makes more horsepower and torque, and its lineup maximums for towing and payload exceed the 5.7L HEMI V8 with eTorque. That does not make the HEMI a bad choice for every buyer. A preference for a V8’s character, the exact truck’s ratings, and the price and availability of the configuration you want can change the decision.
What the 2026 Ram 1500 engine ratings show
Ram’s U.S. engine-performance pages list four powertrains. The table compares their published outputs and maximum ratings; these are manufacturer figures, not guarantees that every cab, bed, drivetrain, axle ratio, or trim can achieve the maximum.
| Powertrain | 4×2 figures | 4×4 figures |
|---|---|---|
| 5.7L HEMI V8 with eTorque | 395 hp; 410 lb-ft; up to 11,320 lb towing and 1,650 lb payload | 395 hp; 410 lb-ft; up to 9,590 lb towing and 1,630 lb payload |
| 3.0L Hurricane, standard output | 420 hp; 469 lb-ft; up to 11,610 lb towing and 1,930 lb payload; estimated 18/25 mpg city/highway | 420 hp; 469 lb-ft; up to 11,370 lb towing and 1,910 lb payload; estimated 17/24 mpg city/highway |
| 3.0L Hurricane, high output | Not listed on Ram’s reviewed 4×2 page | 540 hp; 521 lb-ft; up to 10,000 lb towing and 1,490 lb payload; estimated 15/20 mpg city/highway |
| 3.6L Pentastar V6 with eTorque | 305 hp; 269 lb-ft; up to 8,130 lb towing and 2,360 lb payload; estimated 20/25 mpg city/highway | 305 hp; 269 lb-ft; up to 7,470 lb towing and 1,790 lb payload; estimated 19/24 mpg city/highway |
Source: Ram’s 2026 Ram 1500 4×2 engine page and 2026 Ram 1500 4×4 performance page, accessed October 5, 2026. Figures are manufacturer ratings and estimates; actual values depend on configuration.
Why the standard Hurricane is the clearest alternative to the HEMI
It has higher listed output
In both the 4×2 and 4×4 summaries, Ram rates the standard-output Hurricane at 420 hp and 469 lb-ft, compared with 395 hp and 410 lb-ft for the HEMI. Those ratings give the Hurricane the advantage in both peak horsepower and torque; they do not, by themselves, establish how the two engines feel in every driving situation.
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Its lineup maximums for towing and payload are higher
For 4×2, the standard Hurricane’s listed maximums are 11,610 lb of towing and 1,930 lb of payload, versus 11,320 lb and 1,650 lb for the HEMI. For 4×4, the figures are 11,370 lb and 1,910 lb for the standard Hurricane, versus 9,590 lb and 1,630 lb for the HEMI. These are lineup maximums, not a direct comparison of two otherwise identical builds.
Ram publishes fuel-economy estimates for the Hurricane, but not the HEMI figure on the reviewed pages
Ram lists estimated city/highway economy of 18/25 mpg for the standard Hurricane 4×2 and 17/24 mpg for the standard Hurricane 4×4. The reviewed engine pages do not display a HEMI estimate, so they do not establish that the Hurricane gets better mileage than the HEMI. Nor do the published estimates establish real-world fuel economy.
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- SCALE DETAILS: Precisely crafted 1:46 O scale die-cast metal model of the 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck, measuring approximately 5 inches in length
- AUTHENTIC DESIGN: Features detailed black exterior finish, realistic wheels, and accurate body styling matching the full-size 2019 Ram 1500 truck
- CONSTRUCTION: Built with durable die-cast metal construction and high-quality plastic components for long-lasting play value
- DISPLAY QUALITY: Perfect for collectors and enthusiasts, with authentic detailing including grille, headlights, and body contours
- RECOMMENDED AGE: Suitable for ages 3 years and up, makes an ideal gift for truck enthusiasts and young collectors
More horsepower does not mean more capability in every comparison
The high-output Hurricane makes 540 hp and 521 lb-ft, more peak output than either the standard Hurricane or HEMI. But Ram’s 4×4 page lists its maximum towing capacity at 10,000 lb and maximum payload at 1,490 lb—both below the standard-output Hurricane’s 4×4 maximums. Choose by the rating that matters for your work, not by horsepower alone.
The Pentastar V6 is another point of comparison. Its listed output and towing maximums are lower than the HEMI’s, but its 4×2 maximum payload of 2,360 lb is higher than the other listed powertrains’ 4×2 maxima. That makes the exact payload rating especially important for buyers carrying a heavy load in the bed.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →What the HEMI’s return means—and what it does not prove
Stellantis announced on June 5, 2025, that the 5.7L HEMI would return for the 2026 Ram 1500 after the 2025 lineup shifted to six-cylinder engines. The company said customer input contributed to the decision. Ram brand CEO Tim Kuniskis described the change as a correction, saying: “Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle it defines you. Ram screwed up when we dropped the HEMI — we own it and we fixed it.” That is the manufacturer’s explanation for bringing the engine back, not independent evidence of buyer demand or product quality. Stellantis Media’s announcement also describes eTorque as a belt-driven motor-generator paired with a 48-volt battery. It supports start/stop, can add torque in certain driving situations, and recovers energy during braking. Those features do not establish long-term reliability or total ownership cost.
How to decide for the truck you will actually buy
- Identify the exact configuration. Check the cab, bed, trim, drivetrain, and axle ratio for the truck you are considering. Do not assume the engine-page maximum applies to that build.
- Verify the truck’s ratings. Use the current vehicle information and Ram’s 2026 Ram 1500 Towing and Payload Capacity Guide. Ram cautions that ratings vary by configuration and must not be exceeded.
- For payload, count the whole load. Start with the specific truck’s payload rating, then account for occupants and cargo. Payload and trailer ratings are mutually exclusive; towing a trailer does not leave the truck’s full payload capacity available for people and gear.
- Compare the trailer with the exact truck’s towing rating. Check the intended trailer and load against that build’s rating rather than relying on a model-wide maximum.
- Weigh the non-spec preferences and actual deal. If you value a V8’s sound or character, treat that as a personal preference rather than a measured capability benefit. Check whether the HEMI is available in your desired trim and compare actual local quotes; the published engine pages do not establish trim eligibility, inventory, or transaction prices.
Verdict: skip the HEMI if the numbers are your deciding factor
For a buyer choosing on published output and maximum capability, the standard-output Hurricane makes the stronger case: Ram rates it above the HEMI in horsepower, torque, towing maximum, and payload maximum in both drivetrain summaries. The HEMI remains a reasonable preference-led choice, but the available figures do not support claims that it is less reliable, more expensive to own, or worse on real-world fuel economy.
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Rank #4
- SCALE DETAILS: Precisely crafted 1:46 O scale die-cast metal model of the 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck, measuring approximately 5 inches in length
- AUTHENTIC DESIGN: Features detailed black exterior finish, realistic wheels, and accurate body styling matching the full-size 2019 Ram 1500 truck
- CONSTRUCTION: Built with durable die-cast metal construction and high-quality plastic components for long-lasting play value
- DISPLAY QUALITY: Perfect for collectors and enthusiasts, with authentic detailing including grille, headlights, and body contours
- RECOMMENDED AGE: Suitable for ages 3 years and up, makes an ideal gift for truck enthusiasts and young collectors
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