RAM just pulled the cover off the 2026 RAM 1500 Pickup, and it looks like the truck grew up overnight. Bigger grille, sharper LED eyes, and a body that flexes like a linebacker in a tux. I saw it in the metal at the Detroit reveal, and the crowd went quiet for a second then phones came out like fireworks. This is the truck you’ll stare at in the parking lot.
First Look
The new front fascia grabs 20 % more chrome and hides active air shutters behind it. Step to the side and the fender flares bulge just enough to scream “I haul, but I also date.” New 22-inch wheels fill the wells, and the multi-function tailgate now splits 60/40 with one finger. Colors? Try Baja Sand and Night Edge Blue names that sound like energy drinks.
Powerful Engine
Under the hood sits a twin-turbo 3.0-liter Hurricane I-6 pumping 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of twist. Zero to 60? 4.5 seconds while towing 4,000 pounds. That’s faster than your cousin’s Mustang. A mild-hybrid belt starter smooths stop lights, and the 8-speed shifts like it’s reading your mind. Want diesel? The Cummins 6.7-liter is still there for the torque kings 1,075 lb-ft if you spec the High Output.
Smart Technology
Open the door and the cab smells like a new baseball glove. A 14.5-inch touchscreen floats above the dash, running Uconnect 6 faster than your phone. Wireless Apple CarPlay? Check. Hands-free highway driving up to 70 mph? Check. The 360-degree camera now shows under the truck so you don’t scrape your hitch on a curb. My favorite? Tell the truck “I’m cold” and it warms the seat, steering wheel, and your soul.
Mileage
City streets give 23 mpg, highway stretches hit 28 mpg with the Hurricane. That’s 4 mpg better than last year. The diesel still rules long hauls 32 mpg on a good day with a tailwind. Fill the 33-gallon tank and you’re looking at 900 miles before you hunt for diesel again. Real-world test: I drove 400 miles from Dallas to Austin, sipped half a tank, and still had range left for Whataburger runs.
Performance
This RAM corners like it skipped leg day. Air suspension lifts 2 inches for rocks, drops 1 inch for the freeway. Towing max? 12,750 pounds. Payload? 2,300 pounds. Hit the trailer brake controller and the truck slows 7,000 pounds of boat like it’s a grocery cart. Off-road, the Rebel trim adds skid plates, 35-inch tires, and a grin that says “try me.”
Price
Base Tradesman starts at $42,990 same as a loaded Honda Accord. Load it with the Tungsten package (massage seats, 23-speaker Harman Kardon) and you’re at $78,500. That’s $3,000 less than last year’s top trim. Order books open December 15; first trucks hit driveways March 2026.