The 2026 Ram 1500 marks the return of the HEMI V8 but the Hurricane engine outperforms it, plus everything new with the 2026 model.
For more than 10 years, the Ram 1500 Rebel has offered pickup drivers a sporty, off-road-oriented Mopar pickup. They have eight- and six-cylinder versions, and have a rugged attitude. In 2025, the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 went away, replaced with the potent Hurricane engine. The Hurricane engine, a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, actually makes more power than the HEMI! For 2026, the V8 returns, and it gets a longer powertrain warranty.
Boosted Six, or N/A Eight: Your Choice
The 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six makes 420 hp at 5,200 RPM and 469 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 RPM mated to an eight-speed automatic. FYI, the returning 5.7-liter HEMI V8 makes 395 hp at 5,600 RPM and 410 lb-ft at 3,950 RPM. It’s also a $1,200 option.
Fuel economy on the Hurricane is rated 17 city, 24 highway, and 19 combined. Those wanting the HEMI will get 16 MPG city, 20 MPG highway, and 18 MPG combined.
Honestly, there isn’t much reason to opt for the V8 unless you’re wanting that hairy-chested, American V8 snarl. The higher-performance Ram 1500 RHO also uses the 3.0-liter mill, but it makes 540 hp and 521 lb-ft of twist. The Rebel only gets the 420 hp Hurricane.
Rebel Spirit
The Rebel slots under the RHO but still offers plenty of personality. You get blacked-out trim, hood vents, 285/70R18 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac all-terrains on blacked-out 18″ wheels, off-road-tuned suspension, skid plates, a 3.92 rear axle ratio, a rear locker, and a plethora of Rebel graphics both inside and out. Air suspension is also available. Rebel has an 11,140 lb. towing capacity—higher than the more powerful RHO.
Driving Impressions
Our tester had the Hurricane mill, and it scoots. We’ve seen 0-60 times under 5.0 seconds, not bad for a 5,739 lb. pickup. There was no issue breaking traction to the rear tires if so desired. If you want more power, you’ll need to choose a different trim level such as the RHO.
The powerplant was surprisingly quiet. I would’ve preferred more growl from the exhaust, but the aftermarket can fix that. The truck was a comfortable highway cruiser, and the eight-speed transmission shifted smoothly and predictably. The push-button 4WD system is easy to use. There are a host of drive modes that’ll also automatically engage the system, too.
Off-Road Chops Included
The 1500 Rebel has good off-road chops. While we didn’t get to put it through its paces off the pavement, the factory Duratracs, rear locker, increased ride height, skid plates, and front recovery hooks tick the boxes for those taking a Rebel into the dirt.
Comfortable, Sporty Interior
The Rebel’s interior is a good place to spend time. There’s loads of space, including in the rear seats. The front seats are eight-way power adjustable, heated, and have “Rebel” emblazoned on them. The red-and-black color motif looks sporty and rugged. The center console is also super versatile and spacious and can be configured multiple ways. I also really liked the front phone holder, which securely hung onto (and charged) my smartphone.
The standard Uconnect 5 infotainment system has a 12″ screen and looks good. I really appreciate the split screen ability; you can have Android Auto on top, and SirusXM radio on the bottom, for example. I noticed a few glitches here and there; the system locked up more than once. The equally nice 12″ TFT color gauge cluster was easy to see. The standard nine-speaker Alpine stereo was very good with deep bass and crisp highs. A 19-speaker Harmon Kardon is available. To get this, you’ll need to pony up $2,795 for the Level 2 Equipment group. That also gets you a proximity key, and a larger 14.4″ infotainment screen among many other features.
Bed Time
The Rebel has a 5′ 7″ box. Our test model also had the optional $545 Bed Utility Group, which included a spray-in Mopar bedliner, 115V AC outlet, bed step, and four adjustable tie-down points. FYI, the bed step is easy to deploy. Retracting it takes some finesse, so you don’t bash your shins on the bumper.
New Model Year, New Warranty, New Price
Along with the reappearance of the HEMI V8, Ram has introduced a new 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty, up from 5 year/60,000 mile. This should help buyers feel confident in the engine/transmission life.
The ’26 Ram 1500 Rebel Crew Cab 4×4 has a base price of $64,445. Add $545 for the bed utility group, $495 for the Level 1 Equipment Group (power adjustable pedals, automatic power-folding mirrors, heated mirrors, power tailgate release, and wireless charging pad), and with the $2,195 destination charge, this test model stickered at $67,680. Those wanting the ultimate-performing Ram 1500, the RHO, will have to plunk down nearly $9,000 more.
The 1500 Rebel offers an attractive off-road package for those who don’t want to spend the cash on the RHO. Rebel offers more towing capacity, too. One might even say the Rebel is more of a workhorse than the RHO. Plus, now you can have that V8 snarl if you so choose. If it’s me, I’m sticking with the Hurricane and pocketing $1,200.
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