The V8 is back! We were told that the classic V8 truck is dead. Replaced by twin-turbos and electrified assist. But Ram truck buyers had a collective meltdown, sent a flurry of angry letters, and demanded their V8 back. So, the 2026 Ram 1500 with the V8 engine is back.
Performance
Engine – Last year, the big news with the Ram 1500 was the lack of a V8 engine. You were only able to get the truck with a V6 or the Hurricane twin-turbocharged Inline-6. Those engines are still available but this Canadian exclusive Sport trim is the lowest trim in the lineup where you can option the 5.7L Hemi V8 again in the Ram 1500.
This V8 gets some help from a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that Ram calls eTorque. This is a belt driven electric motor/generator that can provide an additional 130 lb-ft of torque (176 Nm) when it’s needed. Total output is 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. Floor it, and the truck doesn’t hesitate. It just surges. Despite the truck weighing around 2.5 tonnes, it gets off the line and breezes past slower moving traffic without any fuss.
Fuel Economy – The addition of the eTorque 48-volt mild hybrid system does allow the Ram 1500 to get better fuel economy numbers. The eTorque motor also provides a smooth auto start/stop but it’s not as advanced as the mild hybrid system that is equipped on some BMW & Mercedes-Benz vehicles where it will shut off the engine while coasting. But even so, the 2026 Ram 1500 4×4 Hemi eTorque is rated for 14.7 L/100km (16 MPG) in a city and 11.6 L/100km (20.3 MPG) on a highway. The highway fuel economy I can believe. But in the real world, the city fuel economy is a bit harder to achieve. My average fuel consumption for the week I had with this Ram 1500 was 14.5 L/100km (156.2 MPG), and that was with half the time highway driving.
Transmission – The Ram 1500 eTorque is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This is a smooth shifting box with nearly seamless gear changes. It’s plenty fast to change gears too or react to a stab of the throttle but you cannot take over shifting duties. The most you can do is limit how high of a gear to go into when towing or going down a hill.
Braking – The brakes on the Ram 1500 are strong and easy to modulate for smooth stops. Nose dive is well controlled by the suspension and the brake pedal progressively gets firmer the harder you push on it.
Handling – Normally, driving a full-sized body-on-frame truck through a bend feels like trying to steer a bouncy castle. Leaf springs at the back mean most trucks jitter over every bump. But Ram ditched the leaf springs in favor of coil springs. This change doesn’t transform the truck into some sort of street rod but it does make the truck a bit better to drive on a winding road and it has a positive effect on the ride quality.
Capability – Equipped with the standard 4×4 system for us Canadians, the 5.7-litre HEMI Sport delivers a maximum towing capacity of 10,170 lbs when properly equipped. Payload is at 1,680 lbs, again when properly equipped. The bed comes in either 5’7” or 6’4” lengths but you do lose the V8 engine option if you opt for the longer bed.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – Air suspension is available for a smoother die, but even without that option, this truck has a supple ride. Potholes, manhole covers, speed bumps, they all feel much smaller when driving over them in this than they do in other pickup trucks.
Interior Space – The 2026 Ram 1500 has one of the largest cabins among its truck competitors. Even with my above average height of 6’4”, I feel small in the front seats of the Ram. The seats themselves are plenty comfortable with enough adjustments for both tall and short individuals.
The rear seats feel more like lounges. Again, legroom and headroom is more than adequate. In other trains, they can also recline and be optioned with ventilation, in addition to heating. There’s plenty of light in the back as well thanks to the large panoramic sunroof.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – The Ram 1500 has one of the best insulated interiors among the big three truck manufacturers. Wind, road, and engine noise are very well insulated from the occupants.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – The 2026 Ram 1500 is offered in a variety of trim levels and even more options within each trim. This mid-level Sport trim starts at $79,490 CAD ($64,880 USD, Laramie Equivalent) which is a lot. Add onto that the different packages and options that are available and this truck had an attested price of $96,555 CAD ($76,690 USD). Of course, to help ease some of that financial pain, Ram does usually have incentives. As of writing this article in August 2026, they’re discounting these trucks by over $8,000 CAD.
Gadgets – Like many trucks in the 2020’s, the Ram 1500 can be equipped like a luxury SUV. But this Sport trim hits the sweet spot. It has heated seats in all four corners along with ventilated front seats, there’s the giant panoramic sunroof that I mentioned earlier, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, dual wireless phone charging pads, surround view cameras with curb views, power side steps, push button start with keyless entry and remote start, and of course, leather upholstery.
Interior Design – Step inside the Ram 1500, and you can instantly see why a lot of people just use them as their family SUV. This Canadian Sport trim gets an all black interior with bucket seats, contrast stitching, and soft-touch materials nearly everywhere your greasy fingers can reach.
With such a big cabin, you’re bound to lose some small items in the different storage spaces. First off, there’s the enormous cavern in the center console beneath the sliding cup holders. The door bins are big enough for a Stanley mug. You can lift up the rear bench to reveal another cubby. And finally, there’s the little “Ram-Bins” that are hidden in the floor on the 2nd row seats.
Exterior Design – Last year marked a big update for the Ram 1500. It received new headlights, taillights, front fascia and various wheel designs. It’s a handsome looking truck.
Safety – Unlike past Ram trucks, the updated 2025 Ram 1500 comes standard with a few more safety & driver aids than before. There’s a plethora of airbags throughout the cabin along with automatic emergency braking with left turn assist, lane departure warning, and blind spot sensors. But in order to get more driver aids, such as evasive steering assist and intersection collision assist system, you have to move up in the trim levels.
Warranty – Like most other Ram vehicles, the 2026 Ram 1500 Sport is covered by a 3 year / 60,000 km basic and 5 year / 100,000 km powertrain warranty. For more information on Ram’s Canadian warranty, click here. For USA warranty information, click here.
Conclusion – In the end, the 2026 Ram 1500 Sport delivers a balance of distinct styling, a spacious feature-rich cabin, impressive ride refinement, and V8 performance. While some buyers will opt for the turbocharged or V6 options for improved fuel economy, the V8 is the one to go for if you want a glorious exhaust note when you put your foot down, proven reliability, and tremendous amounts of character. So, the turbocharged future may be inevitable. But for now, long live the V8!
Thank you to Ram Trucks for providing the 2026 Ram 1500 Sport. www.RamTrucks.ca
2026 Ram 1500 Sport Gallery
