Key Points
- The Ram 1500 Hurricane offers quieter, smoother performance and higher towing capacity than the Hemi V8.
- The Hemi delivers quicker response, stronger character, and slightly better observed fuel economy.
- Choosing between engines depends on priorities: practical work capability favors Hurricane; driving enjoyment favors Hemi.
The Hemi-powered Ram 1500 I drove earlier this year encouraged a thoroughly unnecessary amount of enthusiastic acceleration. Its V8 sounded fantastic, responded immediately, and turned everyday pickup journeys into something I actively looked forward to doing. The 2026 Ram 1500 Black Express Hurricane was happier taking the drama out of the same everyday duties. After a week in Vancouver, B.C., I found its twin-turbo inline-six quieter, smoother, and more businesslike. It still delivers plenty of muscle, but it doesn’t insist that every drive has to be an opportunity to draw attention to itself. Ultimately, choosing between Ram’s Hurricane and Hemi comes down to the kind of truck you want.
Cole Attisha
| Specification | 3.0-liter Hurricane (standard output) | 5.7-liter Hemi V8 |
|---|---|---|
| Induction | Twin-turbocharged | Naturally aspirated |
| Horsepower | 420 hp | 395 hp |
| Torque | 469 lb-ft | 410 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Eight-speed automatic | Eight-speed automatic |
| Maximum 4×4 towing* | 11,370 lbs. | 9,590 lbs. |
Towing figures are Ram’s maximum 4×4 ratings; individual truck ratings vary with configuration.
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Cole Attisha
The Hemi Likes To Party. The Hurricane Means Business.
The Hurricane’s extra 25 horsepower and 59 lb-ft look persuasive on paper. From the driver’s seat, I wouldn’t call the difference in outright pace dramatic. What stood out was how differently the engines delivered their power. The Hemi responds almost immediately, while the Hurricane takes a second for the turbos to spool, then delivers a robust wall of torque. Once boost arrives, it feels muscular, but the initial lag makes it less satisfying when you plant it.
After that, its composure is the main attraction. Power arrives smoothly, the engine stays much quieter, and highway driving feels pleasantly relaxed. During ordinary commuting, I appreciated that silky delivery more than I missed the V8’s soundtrack. While the Hemi encourages me to drive it like a muscle car, the Hurricane seems perfectly content to simply get me where I need to go as calmly as possible. Both approaches have real appeal, depending on your personal preference, but that’s precisely what makes me appreciate having the option to choose. The eight-speed automatic works similarly well in both trucks, leaving throttle response, refinement, and sound to define their different personalities.
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Cole Attisha
A Simpler Ram Still Rides Like A Ram
My Hurricane-powered tester was a Canadian-market Black Express Crew Cab. Canada markets Black Express as a named version, while American buyers can order a Black Express package on the Express. That said, the Hurricane-versus-Hemi choice extends well beyond this particular specification. The sport hood, dark grille, dark wheels, and side steps give it the muscle-truck stance its name promises, and the styling has attitude even when the engine keeps its opinions to itself.
Cole Attisha
Inside, the simpler equipment felt refreshingly straightforward. It suited the Hurricane’s businesslike character, giving me a Ram that felt ready for everyday duties without turning the cabin into a luxury-SUV techfest. That simplicity, thankfully, still left the truck’s underlying comfort intact. Ride quality remained very similar to the more lavish Hemi-powered Sport Night I had tested. The Black Express was very comfortable, which matters whether you’re commuting or spending hours behind the wheel between jobs, and its quieter engine complements that comfort nicely. I missed the Hemi at times, but certainly not every time I drove.
Cole Attisha
The Quiet One Is Still A Heavy Drinker
With the Hurricane, I averaged just 13.2 U.S. mpg during my week, or 17.9 L/100 km, which was worse than the Hemi’s roughly 13.8 mpg (17 L/100 km). These were different weeks, with slightly different journeys, so the figures don’t establish which engine would be more economical on an identical route. They do, however, show that choosing the six-cylinder doesn’t guarantee a small fuel bill. For my use, the Hurricane’s clearest everyday benefits were smoothness, quietness, better torque, and higher max towing capacity. Fuel savings never materialized.
Cole Attisha
The Real Verdict: Buy The Engine That Best Suits The Job
If I wanted a straightforward pickup for hauling things, throwing random junk in the bed, and doing occasional work around a larger property, I would lean toward a basic Hurricane-powered Ram like this Black Express. Its calm delivery and comfortable ride suit a truck bought primarily to get the job done. On the other hand, if I wanted one vehicle to serve as a family hauler, a luxury-SUV alternative, a muscle car, and a capable pickup, I would choose the Hemi—especially in something like the Sport Night I previously tested. Its response and soundtrack add enjoyment to duties either engine can handle.
The Hurricane’s refinement could be just as appealing in a luxurious Ram, but I prefer the Hemi in that role because I want the truck to entertain me as well as accommodate me. And, strangely enough, the 5.7-liter V8 is somehow the most economical choice in terms of fuel consumption. After driving both, I understand the difference in appeal more clearly. I’d happily put the Hurricane to work, whereas the Hemi is the one I would keep finding excuses to take out after work.
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About the author
Cole Attisha
Staff Writer, Autoblog