The Ram 1500 moved into 2025 with a freshened design, a more tech-forward cabin, and a new powertrain strategy led by the turbocharged 3.0-liter “Hurricane” inline-six (standard and high-output), alongside the familiar 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. The lineup also pushed further upmarket with the ultra-luxurious Tungsten trim and expanded towing/driver-assist tech, while off-road choices grew to include Rebel, Warlock, and the Hurricane High-Output–powered RHO. For 2026, Ram largely carries forward the redesign and tech but makes a headline hardware change: the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 returns as an available option on select models, sitting alongside both Hurricane engines and the Pentastar V6. Max capability figures are essentially steady year over year, and the off-road sub-range (Rebel and RHO) remains a centerpiece.
Ram 1500 (2025 vs. 2026): trims, powertrains, and what’s changed
2025 trims and specs at a glance. Ram confirms a broad ladder for 2025 — Tradesman, Tradesman HFE, Big Horn, Warlock, Laramie, Rebel, RHO, Limited, Limited Longhorn, and Tungsten. Properly equipped, the 2025 Ram 1500 tows up to 11,550 pounds and carries up to 2,370 pounds of payload. The standard-output Hurricane is offered on core trims like Tradesman, Big Horn, Laramie, and Rebel, while the High-Output Hurricane is available on upper and performance models including Limited, Limited Longhorn, Tungsten, and RHO. (Ram Trucks: 2025 FAQ; 2025 Work Truck; 2025 Engine Availability) (Ram)
What’s new for 2026. The big story is the HEMI V8’s reappearance as an available engine on select trims, joining the two Hurricane inline-sixes and Pentastar V6. Ram lists maximums of up to 540 hp and 521 lb-ft (Hurricane HO) and quotes top tow and payload figures of 11,610 and 2,360 pounds, respectively. Feature highlights carry over—over 50 inches of available combined screen real estate, class-exclusive available dual wireless charging pads, and the familiar suite of towing tech—with added flourish items like a configurable LED walk-up animation. (Ram)
On the rugged side, Rebel continues with a raised ride height, Bilstein performance-tuned shocks, and off-road rubber, while the RHO remains the flagship performance off-roader with the High-Output Hurricane, long-travel suspension hardware, and 35-inch tires (2025) with a dedicated 2026 model page as well. At the luxury end, Tungsten returns with 22-inch wheels, available 24-way front seats with massage, and the line’s most lavish interior materials.
If the priority is the newest powertrain strategy without a V8, the 2025 lineup already delivers—with the breadth of trims from work-oriented Tradesman through plush Tungsten and multiple off-road choices. If the mission list includes the option of a traditional HEMI V8 from the factory, the 2026 models add that pathway while keeping the same premium cabin and trail-ready variants.
Choosing between 2025 and 2026 comes down to powertrain preference and timing more than capability. If the aim is to ride the latest design and tech wave with the strongest six-cylinder story Ram has ever told, a 2025 built to your spec already delivers it. If the sound and feel of a HEMI V8 are part of what you want from a half-ton—without giving up the modern screens, cabin polish, and towing electronics—2026 is the year that puts that option back on the build sheet. Either way, the trim ladder lets you tailor the same core truck for very different missions: Tradesman/Express for honest utility, Big Horn/Lone Star or Laramie for comfortable daily duty, Rebel/Warlock/RHO for dirt, and Limited/Longhorn/Tungsten for a luxury-truck experience that still earns its keep
