Answered Prayers
A Ram without a Hemi V8 option feels a little odd, doesn’t it? Well, enough people had the same sentiments to the point that the company brought it back for the 2026 model year. Thank heavens a manufacturer listened to customer feedback.
That move has since rewarded Ram big time. The Hemi has been a hugely popular choice for full-size truck buyers despite the Hurricane’s inline-six making more power. When Ram offered V8 power again, buyers lined up, and the company couldn’t build them fast enough.
Meanwhile in Canada
Stellantis is prepping a massive booth over at Canada for the upcoming, er, Canadian International Motor Show. For the most part, it will feature debuts of cars already revealed in the U.S. Highlights include the Ram 1500 SRT TRX, the facelifted Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Jeep Grand Wagoneer REEV.
But buried somewhere in the press release was an announcement that might make U.S. customers jealous. While the Hemi V8 is also offered up north, Ram has made it available to even more 1500 trims. That’s right, the Canadian Ram 1500 has more V8 options than the U.S. version.
The More V8s, the Merrier
At the time of writing, it’s not yet available in Ram Canada’s configuration, but the announcement is good news nonetheless. Those looking for a basic work truck with an eight-cylinder engine will be glad to know that the Hemi will be offered on the entry-level Tradesman model, which is unavailable stateside. In the U.S., the 1500 Tradesman only comes with six cylinders, either the Pentastar V6 or Hurricane inline-six.
The same goes for the trim just above the Tradesman, the Express. That too gets a Hemi option in Canada, while American models only get Pentastar or Hurricane sixes. There’s even the Canada-exclusive 1500 Sport. While not a new trim, it’s an additional variant for the full-size pickup, and it’s also available with a V8.
Will U.S. Ram 1500s Get More V8s Soon?
There’s no official word on that yet, but it will depend on demand. The question now is if it’s worth sticking in those Hemis in the lower trims of the 1500. Economies of scale should work in its favor, but now is a good time for Ram to ask its U.S. customers whether they actually want it.
At the end of the day, the automotive business is exactly that — a business. It has to make financial sense first before plans go ahead. But given that Ram has underestimated the demand for Hemis in the 1500s, we’re optimistic that it’ll happen. We’re still not getting a 6.4 Hemi single-cab truck, though.
Stellantis
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