Years ago, we asked “what is the best pickup truck around?”
That brings up a lot of debates. Loyalists will tell you how dependable, reliable, and tough their pickup truck is. Others just let everyone else argue.
Is there a middle ground? Or, are you ready for a pickup truck throwdown?
That is where Stellantis comes in. The multi-national company’s North American arm has been righting some wrongs on their highest volume seller – the Ram 1500. After taking away the HEMI V8 in favor of the Hurricane twin-turbo in-line six, they apologized to their customers and returned it back into the engine bay.
This 2026 Ram 1500 has the iconic engine powering this crew cab half-ton full-size rig. We’re very happy to see it in our care.
The one that has not changed is the engineering that goes into every Ram 1500. It is constructed with a mix of materials on the cab and box, built on top of a strong rolled-steel frame underneath.
A recent update to the 1500 reshaped the front clip and the grille area. This maintains its “big rig” design that Ram is known for. It maintains a handsome and distinctive profile overall.
Our Big Horn tester adds a black grille with the Ram letters up high, color-painted bumpers from the Sport package and a chrome Ram lettering on the tailgate. A set of 20-inch chrome-finished alloy wheels cap off this gray pickup truck.
Inside the Ram 1500 is a mix of analog of digital readouts for the instrument cluster. It gives you mor ethan enough information for you. The controls are the same, including the rotary knob transmission on the dashboard and other tactile controls. Our tester also came with the 12-inch UConnect 5 Nav infotainment system and upgraded Alpine speakers. 
The crew cab configuration yields a very spacious passenger area. The Big Horn’s seats were upholstered in a durable cloth which were comfortable. The front seats were big, though they were a bit stiff in some parts of the backrest. You can also fold down the rear seats in a 60/40 split for a cargo space that it’s protected from the weather. Our tester also came with a tonneau cover over the 5.7-foot bed. 
About the available HEMI V8 on this tester, it’s the 5.7-liter unit with the added e-Torque 48-volt mild hybrid booster, This engine pouts down 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sends this power to all four wheels through an on-demand two-speed transfer case. Payload is rated at 1,630 pounds, while it has a maximum towing capacity of up to 9,590 pounds.
If you love the smoothness of a V8, you will not be disappointed. Anywhere you take it, power delivery is instant, and cruising is a breeze. In terms of fuel economy, we averaged 16.3 MPG.
Ride quality has always been good on the 1500. It rode well without a lot of feedback from the road. It also handled and cornered quite well – near-flat through the corners at proper speeds. 
The steering system was good with solid on-center feel. Feedback from the wheel was also good. Brake pedal feel was spot on with solid response to the wheels. It managed decent stops in normal and panic situations.
On the 2026 Ram 1500, you have a choice of two cab types, two bed sizes, four engine types, and two final drive systems. Not to mention ten trim levels. Pricing starts from $41,025. Our Big Horn crew cab tester came with a sticker price of $63,835.
The 1500 has been a strong contender on the half-ton full-size pickup truck segment. It continues to compete with the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 and the Toyota Tundra.
Does it still hold the title as the best pickup truck around? With a level of parity in this segment, the Ram 1500 has some stand out advantages. By bringing back the HEMI V8, there’s no question you should take a look at one the next time you’re shopping for a full-sized half-ton pickup truck.
