Ram 1500 Drops the V8: What You Need to Know
The automotive industry is going through major changes, and pickup trucks are no exception. For the 2025 model year, the Ram 1500 is officially retiring its legendary 5.7-liter Hemi V8. In its place comes a brand new powertrain known as the Hurricane inline-six. Here is everything you need to know about this massive shift in the truck market.
The End of the Hemi Era
Ram enthusiasts have loved the rumble of the Hemi V8 for decades. The 5.7-liter engine was a staple of the Ram 1500 lineup, producing a very respectable 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. However, stricter federal emissions regulations and the push for better fuel efficiency forced parent company Stellantis to make a tough choice.
The 2024 model year marked the final run of the Hemi in light-duty Ram trucks. To keep up with modern efficiency standards without sacrificing power, engineers had to look past traditional eight-cylinder designs.
Enter the 3.0-Liter Twin-Turbo Hurricane
To replace the V8, Ram engineered a completely new 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine called the Hurricane. While losing two cylinders might sound like a downgrade, the actual performance specifications prove otherwise. Ram is offering the new Hurricane engine in two distinct power levels for the 2025 Ram 1500.
Standard Output Specifications
The Standard Output version of the Hurricane inline-six delivers 420 horsepower and 469 pound-feet of torque. This is a noticeable upgrade over the outgoing 5.7-liter V8. Buyers get 25 more horsepower and 59 more pound-feet of torque right out of the gate.
Because of the twin-turbo setup, this engine provides peak torque at lower RPMs. This means the truck will accelerate faster from a dead stop and feel much more responsive when you need to merge onto the highway.
High Output Specifications
For truck buyers who crave serious performance, Ram created the High Output version of the Hurricane. This engine pushes an impressive 540 horsepower and 521 pound-feet of torque.
You can find this top-tier engine in higher luxury trims like the Limited and the brand new ultra-luxurious Tungsten model. It is also the beating heart of the new 2025 Ram 1500 RHO. The RHO is the new widebody off-road performance truck designed to fill the gap left by the discontinued V8-powered Ram TRX.
Towing, Payload, and Capability
A truck is only as good as its capability on a job site or when hauling a trailer. The new Hurricane engines deliver strong utility numbers.
- Maximum Towing: If you equip the 2025 Ram 1500 with the Standard Output Hurricane, you can achieve a maximum towing capacity of 11,580 pounds.
- Maximum Payload: The maximum payload rating sits at 2,300 pounds for properly equipped models.
While the High Output version offers more horsepower, its maximum towing capacity drops slightly to 10,740 pounds. This drop is due to the added weight of the luxury features and performance cooling packages required for the high-output models.
Fuel Economy Improvements
One of the primary reasons for switching to a twin-turbo inline-six is to improve gas mileage. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 2025 Ram 1500 with the Standard Output Hurricane and two-wheel drive achieves 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. This yields a combined rating of 21 mpg.
In comparison, the older 5.7-liter Hemi with the eTorque mild-hybrid system topped out at 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. The High Output engine is slightly less efficient, coming in at 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway.
The Base V6 Remains Available
If you do not want the new twin-turbo setup, Ram is keeping a familiar option on the table. The entry-level engine for the 2025 Ram 1500 remains the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6.
This naturally aspirated engine features an eTorque mild-hybrid system. It generates 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. This V6 is the most fuel-efficient traditional gas engine in the lineup and is a great choice for basic commuting or light-duty work.
Driving Dynamics and Sound
A major concern for loyal truck buyers is how the new engine sounds and feels. The Hurricane inline-six is inherently smoother than a traditional V8. Inline-six engines balance secondary vibrations naturally through their physical design.
This results in incredibly smooth power delivery and less engine vibration creeping into the cabin. While you will lose the iconic V8 exhaust burble, the twin turbos provide a distinct, aggressive whistling sound under heavy acceleration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there ever be another V8 Ram 1500? At this time, Ram has no plans to bring a V8 back to the 1500 lineup. The company is focusing heavily on the Hurricane inline-six, plug-in hybrid options like the Ramcharger, and fully electric vehicles like the Ram 1500 REV. You can still buy a V8 in the heavy-duty Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks.
Is the new Hurricane engine reliable? The Hurricane engine is built with a deep-skirt cast-aluminum block and forged steel internals for maximum durability. While it is a new engine for the Ram 1500, Stellantis tested it thoroughly in the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer prior to dropping it into their flagship pickup truck.
What is the Ram 1500 RHO? The Ram 1500 RHO is a high-performance off-road truck for 2025. It uses the 540-horsepower High Output Hurricane engine. It features the same widebody design and aggressive suspension setup as the outgoing Ram TRX but comes in at a more affordable starting price of around $71,995.
Do I have to use premium gas in the Hurricane engine? For the Standard Output engine (420 hp), Ram recommends 89 octane fuel, but regular 87 octane is acceptable. For the High Output engine (540 hp), 91 octane premium fuel is required to achieve the advertised performance numbers and prevent engine knock.