2026 Ram 1500
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View 14 more photos2026 Ram 1500 Review
Pros
- Excellent performance and power from diverse engine lineup
- Comfortable ride and quiet cabin
- Lots of interior storage spaces for small items
Cons
- Lower maximum payload and towing capacity than competitors
- Infotainment feels dated and screen response is laggy
- Top trims are very expensive
What's new
- V8 engine returns to the Ram 1500 lineup
- New powertrain warranty has you covered for 10 years/100,000 miles
- Part of the Ram 1500 generation introduced for 2019
Overview
The current-generation Ram 1500 gets many things right. It's spacious, comfortable and good-looking. It's available with all the driver assistance tech you'd ever want, and despite being a truck, it rides more like a luxurious SUV. And yes, if you need to do truck stuff, it'll do that too. You can potentially tow more than 11,000 pounds in the Ram 1500, and there's even the Ram 1500 RHO version, which features a specialized suspension and meaty all-terrain tires to help make it a formidable off-road vehicle.
Edmunds spotlight: A new-ish V8 engine
The significant news for the 2026 Ram 1500 is the return of a V8 engine. Ram had discontinued it last year and introduced a new turbocharged six-cylinder engine, but it seems that consumer demand has warranted a V8 revival. The V8 comes with a new mild hybrid system that helps smooth out the operation of the engine stop-start system. It has a standard sport exhaust, too. It's loud and delivers a great engine note. However, this V8 option largely detracts from the things that make the 1500 such a compelling truck, such as its quiet cabin and luxurious feel.
Competitors to consider
If a rowdy V8 engine is a must-have, consider the Ford F-150, the Chevrolet Silverado or the GMC Sierra, competitors that offer one. If not, the Toyota Tundra is a compelling alternative, boasting a rugged exterior design. All of these rivals offer a wide variety of trims ranging from more off-road-ready to some that are genuinely luxurious.
What's it like to live with?
Edmunds' test team purchased a Ram 1500 to better convey what the ownership experience is like. Our Ram 1500 stands out as a go-to vehicle for road trips, particularly when covering vast distances. We also like its plush interior and powerful 540-horsepower engine. But we have experienced our fair share of electronic glitches. Check out our Ram 1500 One-Year Road Test to read our test team's evaluation of the truck over the long haul.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Driving experience: 0-60, engine & performance
Despite light steering with little road feel, the Ram 1500 handles predictably and carries its weight well, never feeling sloppy around corners. It feels more connected than other full-size pickups. The large windows offer excellent visibility, although the truck's high sides often obscure shorter objects around the truck. And if you like to get dirty, the Ram RHO is always down for a good time, with ample ground clearance and impressive high-speed off-road ability.
The latest 1500 also offers Ram's new hands-free driver assist system. It worked well in our testing, rarely requiring the driver to place their hands back on the wheel. Other aids are also helpful with lane centering, accelerating and braking smoothly.
Comfort: seats, ease of use, and getting in & out
For those hauling precious human cargo, the cavernous rear seat makes installing car seats a breeze. You'll find tons of room to maneuver. As in many full-size trucks, the top LATCH anchors are simple fabric straps that can be a bit awkward to tighten, but it's a minor inconvenience. Once a car seat is installed, there's so much space left over you could practically walk around it to get to the other side of the cab.
In-cabin tech: infotainment & phone integration
Storage: cargo space & space for small items
The back seat also folds up and offers a small cargo area. It's not lockable, so items can't be secured. There's also no flat floor that some other pickups offer.
Value: cost, features & warranty
Ram's warranty has increased significantly for 2026. You're covered by a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. This makes it the best of any full-size truck. There's no complimentary maintenance, so oil changes and tire rotations are on your dime.
MPG: gas mileage & fuel economy
These are decent results, but you can achieve better mpg with the F-150's hybrid powertrain or the Silverado 1500's available diesel engine. On our evaluation route, the Ram 1500 Tungsten with the high-output engine got 19 mpg combined, slightly better than the EPA estimate.
X factor
That said, the Ram 1500 does have its strengths. Its bold styling and vocal V8 engine add some much-needed thrills to the driving experience. Inside, this Limited trim impresses with premium materials and a spacious, luxurious cabin. While your experience may differ, based on our testing, owning a Ram 1500 feels like a roll of the dice.
2026 Ram 1500 trim level differences
The 2026 Ram 1500 is a full-size light-duty pickup. It's available in two primary configurations: the four-door Quad Cab and the roomier crew cab. The Quad Cab only comes with a 6-foot-4 long cargo bed, while the crew cab comes with either a 5-foot-7 short bed or the long bed. For trim levels, Ram offers the Ram 1500 in Tradesman, Express, Bighorn (called Lonestar in Texas), Warlock, Laramie, Rebel, RHO, Limited and Tungsten.
Which 1500 trim does Edmunds recommend?
Given how pricey some of the 1500's top trim levels can be, we recommend opting for the midtier Laramie trim. This trim is available with both rear-wheel and four-wheel drive, and Ram offers a range of options to help you customize the truck to your liking. We suggest sticking with the standard turbocharged six-cylinder engine rather than opting for the new V8. It's quicker, quieter and less expensive. It's the point in the range where you get more for less.




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