2026 Ram 1500 in Norristown, PA

The 2026 Ram 1500 brings back the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with eTorque at 395 horsepower, joining the 3.0-liter twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six and the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. Properly equipped, the 1500 tows up to 11,610 pounds. See what is on the lot in our Ram inventory at Norristown CDJR.

Why is the HEMI back for 2026?

Because buyers asked for it. Ram dropped the V8 for the 2025 model year in favor of the Hurricane inline-six, and brought it back for 2026 after customer pushback — Ram's CEO said publicly that dropping it was a mistake.

The returning 5.7-liter is rated at 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 48-volt eTorque mild-hybrid system that adds supplemental torque off the line and smooths out the stop-start. Cylinder deactivation and variable cam timing help on the highway.

The practical upshot: if you have been holding onto an older truck because you wanted a V8 in your next one, 2026 is the year the option came back.

How do the 2026 Ram 1500 engines compare?

Four engines, three real decisions. The Pentastar V6 is the value and payload play, the HEMI is for feel, and the Hurricane six is for towing — with a high-output version reserved for the off-road RHO.

What matters	5.7L HEMI V8	3.0L Hurricane I6	3.0L Hurricane High Output
Output	395 hp, 410 lb-ft	420 hp, 469 lb-ft	540 hp, 521 lb-ft
Character	Naturally aspirated V8 with 48-volt eTorque	Twin-turbo six with broad, early torque	Performance tune of the same six
Max towing, properly equipped	Over 11,000 lb	Up to 11,610 lb	Lower than the standard Hurricane
Transmission	Eight-speed automatic	Eight-speed automatic	Eight-speed automatic
Where you'll find it	Optional on most trims; standard on Limited and Limited Longhorn	Standard on Laramie and Rebel	The off-road RHO
Best suited to	Drivers who want the V8 sound and feel	The highest tow rating in the lineup	Off-road performance

The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with eTorque stays on as the standard engine on work-focused trims. It is the lightest of the four, which is why it carries the highest payload rating in the lineup even though it tows the least.

One note that matters more than the headline numbers: there is no longer a diesel in the 1500. The Hurricane six took over that role.

How much can the 2026 Ram 1500 tow?

Up to 11,610 pounds when properly equipped with the standard-output Hurricane, and over 11,000 pounds with the HEMI. Maximum payload reaches 2,360 pounds with the Pentastar V6.

Those are ceiling numbers, and they move a lot with configuration. Cab style, bed length, two- or four-wheel drive, axle ratio and whether the truck has the trailer-tow group all change the rating — a 4x4 HEMI crew cab, for example, is rated well below the 4x2 maximum. Our team can pull the exact figure off the window sticker for any truck on the lot before you commit to a trailer.

On the equipment side, a Class IV hitch with a seven-pin connector is standard across the lineup. Available trailering features include trailer reverse guidance, an integrated trailer brake controller, trailer tow mirrors and a surround-view camera. If you want a specific tow package, you can also place a custom factory order.

What is the interior like?

Ram builds one of the more comfortable cabins in the half-ton class, and the 2026 trucks lean into it. A Uconnect 5 system runs an available 14.5-inch touchscreen, with a separate 10.25-inch passenger display offered on higher trims.

Move up the range and the truck gets genuinely luxurious: ventilated and massaging seats, real wood and leather, a head-up display and active noise cancellation. The Tungsten trim sits at the top with 24-way power front seats.

Which Ram 1500 trim should you look at?

Tradesman, Express and Warlock

The work-first end of the lineup. Vinyl or cloth, the equipment you need, and the HEMI available as an option rather than a luxury add-on.

Big Horn and Lone Star

The volume trims, where most buyers land. Cloth or available leather, the tech that matters, and every engine on the table.

Laramie and Limited Longhorn

Leather, upgraded audio, the larger displays and more driver assistance content. The HEMI is standard on Limited Longhorn.

Rebel and RHO

The off-road pair. Rebel gets the lift, the skid plates and the all-terrain tires; RHO takes the high-output Hurricane and a wider, more aggressive setup.

Tungsten

The flagship. Availability changes constantly across trims and configurations, so the trucks actually in stock are listed in our Ram inventory, and our 2026 Ram 1500 overview page has more detail on the lineup.

Why the Ram 1500 works around Norristown

A half-ton in Montgomery County does two different jobs, and the 2026 lineup lets you pick the engine that matches yours.

If you are running a contracting business out of the bed five days a week, payload and the cost of the truck matter more than the badge on the fender. If the truck is your daily driver that also tows a boat to the Poconos or a trailer down to the shore, the tow rating and the ride matter more.

Either way, four-wheel drive earns its keep on a Pennsylvania winter morning. Norristown CDJR serves drivers in Norristown, King of Prussia, Plymouth Meeting, Conshohocken, Collegeville and the greater Philadelphia area — hours and directions are on our site.

Things to weigh before you decide

The HEMI is about character, not capability. The standard Hurricane makes more power and tows more, so pick the V8 because you want the V8.
Tow and payload maximums apply to specific configurations. Check the door sticker on the actual truck rather than the brochure number.
There is no diesel in the 1500 anymore. If diesel torque was your plan, the Hurricane six is the replacement Ram points to.
Payload is where the Pentastar V6 quietly wins. If you haul weight in the bed more often than you pull a trailer, do not skip it — see why buy Ram for the broader case.
Bed liners, racks, steps and tonneau covers change the truck more than most option packages do. Our Mopar accessory brochures cover what fits.

How to see a 2026 Ram 1500 in Norristown

Start with our new Ram inventory to see which cabs, beds and engines are on the ground right now, along with current pricing. Anything attached to them shows up under manager's specials, and military and first responder shoppers should check the rebate program.

From there you can get a KBB Instant Cash Offer on your trade, run numbers with our payment calculator, or start the finance application from home. Our team at 1416 W Main St can have a Ram 1500 pulled up and waiting — call 610-757-3475 or contact us. Already drive a Ram? Our Express Lane handles routine service, or you can schedule an appointment online.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2026 Ram 1500 have a HEMI V8?

Yes. The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with eTorque returned for 2026 after being unavailable in 2025. It makes 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque and is offered across most trims, standard on Limited and Limited Longhorn.

How much can the 2026 Ram 1500 tow?

Up to 11,610 pounds when properly equipped with the standard-output Hurricane inline-six. The HEMI V8 tows over 11,000 pounds. Ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain and axle ratio, so confirm the number on the specific truck before you buy a trailer.

What engines are available in the 2026 Ram 1500?

Four: the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with eTorque, the returning 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with eTorque, the 3.0-liter twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six at 420 horsepower, and a high-output Hurricane at 540 horsepower in the RHO. All use an eight-speed automatic.

Is there still a diesel Ram 1500?

No. The diesel option is not offered in the current 1500. Ram positions the twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six as the replacement for it, with the highest tow rating in the lineup.

Where can I test drive a 2026 Ram 1500 near Philadelphia?

At Norristown CDJR, 1416 W Main St in Norristown, PA. Browse our Ram inventory online first, then schedule a test drive for the engine and configuration you want to compar