2027 Ram 1500: The HEMI Is Back, Hurricane Power Continues and the TRX SRT Returns
The HEMI V8 is back in the Ram 1500.
And that alone makes the 2027 Ram 1500 one of the most interesting full-size trucks on the market.
But there is much more happening with the 2027 Ram 1500 than simply bringing the V8 back.
Ram continues to offer the 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six in both standard-output and high-output versions.
The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 remains available on select models.
And for buyers looking for something far beyond a traditional half-ton pickup, Ram has also brought the 777-horsepower Ram 1500 TRX SRT into the lineup.
The regular Ram 1500 can tow up to 11,530 pounds when properly equipped.
It can carry as much as 2,340 pounds of payload.
The standard-output Hurricane produces 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque.
The High-Output Hurricane produces 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft.
And the returning 5.7-liter HEMI produces 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque.
That creates an unusual situation.
The HEMI is back because Ram customers wanted it.
But the Hurricane engines make more horsepower and torque.
So which engine actually makes the most sense?
And is the HEMI really the best choice for someone who wants to tow?
Let’s take a closer look at the 2027 Ram 1500.
🔥 The HEMI V8 Is Back for 2027
For a while, it looked like the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 had reached the end of the road in the Ram 1500.
Ram moved toward its twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six engines.
Then something changed.
Customer demand helped bring the HEMI back.
For 2027, Ram officially lists the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 as available on select Ram 1500 models.
The engine produces 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque and is paired with the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission.
There is, however, an important change from the HEMI many Ram owners remember.
Ram is moving away from the 48-volt eTorque hybrid-assisted version for most 2027 production.
According to Car and Driver, Ram is phasing out the HEMI eTorque setup and replacing it with a nonhybridized version of the 5.7-liter HEMI, although a limited number of 2027 trucks will be built with eTorque during the transition.
That means the 2027 HEMI is, in some ways, a return to a simpler formula.
V8.
Gasoline.
Eight-speed automatic.
No 48-volt hybrid system on the majority of new HEMI-powered trucks.
For traditional Ram fans, that is a pretty big deal.
📊 2027 Ram 1500 Engine Lineup
The 2027 Ram 1500 offers several very different powertrain choices.
| Engine | Horsepower | Torque | Maximum Towing | Maximum Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L Pentastar V6 | 305 hp | 269 lb-ft | 8,100 lbs | 2,340 lbs |
| 5.7L HEMI V8 | 395 hp | 410 lb-ft | 11,470 lbs | 1,760 lbs |
| 3.0L Hurricane | 420 hp | 469 lb-ft | 11,530 lbs | 1,880 lbs |
| 3.0L Hurricane High-Output | 540 hp | 521 lb-ft | 9,480 lbs | 1,530 lbs |
| 6.2L Supercharged HEMI | 777 hp | 680 lb-ft | Performance-focused | Performance-focused |
The regular Ram 1500’s maximum ratings vary depending on drivetrain and configuration.
For example, Ram lists the 4×2 standard-output Hurricane at up to 11,530 pounds of towing, while the 4×4 version is rated up to 11,370 pounds.
That makes the standard-output Hurricane the maximum-towing engine in the regular 2027 Ram 1500 lineup.
And that’s an important point.
The HEMI is back, but it isn’t the maximum-towing engine.
💪 The 3.0L Hurricane Is Still a Big Part of the Ram 1500
Ram isn’t abandoning the Hurricane just because the HEMI has returned.
Far from it.
The standard-output 3.0-liter Hurricane remains one of the most important engines in the Ram 1500 lineup.
It produces:
420 horsepower
469 lb-ft of torque
And Ram rates it for up to 11,530 pounds of towing when properly equipped.
That gives the Hurricane a significant advantage over the HEMI in both horsepower and torque.
It also gives Ram an interesting answer to Ford and GM’s turbocharged truck engines.
Instead of using a turbocharged V6, Ram uses a twin-turbocharged inline-six.
The result is a smooth power delivery with substantial torque.
For a buyer who wants a Ram 1500 primarily for towing, the standard-output Hurricane deserves serious consideration.
🏋️ The Hurricane Can Actually Tow More Than the HEMI
This is one of the most interesting details in the 2027 Ram 1500 lineup.
The HEMI produces 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft.
The standard-output Hurricane produces 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft.
And the Hurricane can tow up to 11,530 pounds.
The HEMI is rated up to 11,470 pounds in the configuration listed by Ram.
That’s only a 60-pound difference at the maximum rating.
In other words, both engines are serious towing options.
The difference is that the Hurricane gives you more torque and horsepower while achieving the slightly higher maximum tow rating.
So why would someone still choose the HEMI?
That’s where the story gets interesting.
❤️ Why Would Anyone Still Choose the HEMI?
Numbers aren’t everything.
Some truck buyers simply want a V8.
The sound is different.
The throttle response is different.
The character is different.
And after Ram temporarily moved away from the HEMI in the half-ton lineup, there is clearly still a market for buyers who don’t want a turbocharged six-cylinder.
The 5.7-liter HEMI also has a long history in Ram trucks.
It has been around for years.
That gives it a level of familiarity that the Hurricane simply doesn’t have yet.
For buyers who plan to keep a truck for many years, familiarity can matter.
But the Hurricane has an important advantage.
It’s the newer powertrain technology.
And it produces more power.
⚙️ The 5.7L HEMI vs. 3.0L Hurricane
Here’s how the two compare on paper.
| Specification | 5.7L HEMI V8 | 3.0L Hurricane |
|---|---|---|
| Cylinders | 8 | 6 |
| Displacement | 5.7L | 3.0L |
| Horsepower | 395 | 420 |
| Torque | 410 lb-ft | 469 lb-ft |
| Maximum towing | 11,470 lbs | 11,530 lbs |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Hybrid assistance | Generally no for 2027 | No |
The Hurricane has the numbers advantage.
The HEMI has the traditional V8 advantage.
For many buyers, the choice may ultimately come down to what they value more.
🚀 Then There’s the High-Output Hurricane
If 420 horsepower isn’t enough, Ram has another option.
The High-Output 3.0-liter Hurricane produces:
540 horsepower
521 lb-ft of torque
That’s an enormous amount of power for a half-ton pickup.
But once again, maximum horsepower doesn’t equal maximum towing.
Ram lists the High-Output Hurricane at up to 9,480 pounds of towing in the 4×2 configuration.
The reason is that the High-Output engine is positioned more toward performance than maximum trailer capacity.
It’s designed to deliver serious acceleration and power.
If your priority is towing the biggest trailer possible, the standard-output Hurricane makes more sense.
If your priority is performance, the High-Output Hurricane becomes much more interesting.
🏁 The 2027 Ram 1500 TRX SRT Changes Everything
And then we get to the wildest Ram 1500.
The Ram 1500 TRX SRT.
Ram’s official 2027 specifications list the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 at:
777 horsepower
680 lb-ft of torque
3.5-second 0–60 mph time
12.2-second quarter-mile time
118-mph maximum speed
And it uses an eight-speed automatic transmission.
That’s not a conventional work truck.
It’s a high-performance off-road machine.
The TRX SRT exists for buyers who want extreme acceleration and high-speed off-road capability.
And the return of the supercharged V8 makes the 2027 Ram lineup much more interesting from a performance perspective.
🏜️ Ram RHO Still Brings Serious Off-Road Capability
The RHO remains another important part of the Ram 1500 family.
It uses the High-Output 3.0-liter Hurricane engine.
That means 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torque.
Ram also equips the RHO with Bilstein shocks, multiple performance-tuned drive modes and other off-road hardware.
The RHO is a different philosophy from the traditional HEMI-powered Ram.
Instead of relying on a large-displacement V8, it uses a smaller twin-turbocharged inline-six to produce huge power.
That shows just how much engine technology has changed.
A 3.0-liter six-cylinder making 540 horsepower would have seemed almost unbelievable in a production pickup not that long ago.
🛻 What About the Ram Rebel?
The Rebel remains one of the more interesting choices for someone who wants off-road capability without moving all the way into RHO territory.
Ram lists the Rebel with available 33-inch tires, a one-inch raised ride height and Bilstein performance-tuned shocks.
That puts the Rebel in a different category from the RHO.
The Rebel is still a practical full-size pickup.
The RHO is much more performance-oriented.
And the TRX SRT takes that philosophy even further.
That gives Ram several different levels of off-road performance within the same basic 1500 family.
🛞 Ram’s Air Suspension Remains a Major Differentiator
One of the features that continues to separate the Ram 1500 from many competitors is its available four-corner air suspension.
Ram says the system can automatically lower the truck to help reduce aerodynamic drag and improve efficiency.
It can also change ride height depending on the driving situation.
For a truck that is used as both a daily driver and a tow vehicle, that can be useful.
Lowering the truck can make loading and entering easier.
The suspension can also adjust for different driving conditions.
And for highway driving, aerodynamic improvements can potentially help fuel economy.
🏋️ The 2027 Ram 1500 Has a Serious Payload Rating
Towing gets most of the attention when people talk about full-size trucks.
But payload is just as important.
The 2027 Ram 1500 can carry up to 2,340 pounds when properly equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6.
That’s important because tongue weight from a trailer counts against payload.
So a truck that can tow 11,000 pounds isn’t automatically capable of carrying a heavy trailer tongue, passengers and a large amount of cargo at the same time.
That’s why Ram owners should always look at the actual payload rating on the truck they are buying.
The door-jamb payload sticker is more useful for a specific truck than a generic maximum payload number from a website.
🚛 How Much Can the 2027 Ram 1500 Tow?
The regular Ram 1500 reaches a maximum towing capacity of 11,530 pounds with the standard-output 3.0-liter Hurricane when properly equipped.
The 5.7-liter HEMI reaches up to 11,470 pounds.
The High-Output Hurricane reaches up to 9,480 pounds.
The 3.6-liter Pentastar reaches up to 8,100 pounds in the listed 4×2 configuration.
The numbers show something important.
If maximum towing is your goal, the most powerful engine isn’t necessarily the one you want.
The standard-output Hurricane is the towing specialist of the regular Ram 1500 lineup.
🧠 Why Doesn’t the 540-HP Hurricane Tow the Most?
This is a question that will probably come up frequently.
The High-Output Hurricane has 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft.
The standard Hurricane has 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft.
Yet the standard engine can tow more.
That’s because towing capacity isn’t determined simply by horsepower.
The final rating depends on the entire vehicle.
That includes:
- Vehicle weight
- Axle ratio
- Transmission
- Cooling system
- Tires
- Suspension
- Brakes
- Chassis
- Payload
- Gross vehicle weight rating
- Trailer configuration
The High-Output Hurricane is also aimed at performance applications such as the RHO.
So the engine’s mission is different.
This is another reason truck shoppers should never choose a pickup solely by looking at horsepower.
⛽ What About Fuel Economy?
The 2027 Ram 1500 offers different fuel-economy potential depending on the engine and configuration.
Ram’s published 4×2 figures list the standard-output Hurricane at an estimated 18 city/25 highway mpg.
The HEMI is listed at 15 city/23 highway mpg.
The Pentastar V6 is listed at 20 city/25 highway mpg in the specified 4×2 configuration.
Actual fuel economy will vary significantly with drivetrain, tires, payload, weather, driving style and towing.
And towing can dramatically reduce fuel economy with any gasoline truck.
That means the EPA rating should be considered a starting point rather than a guarantee.
🔧 The HEMI’s Return Comes With a Big Difference
One of the most important things to understand about the 2027 HEMI is that it isn’t simply a repeat of the old 5.7-liter setup.
Ram is moving most 2027 production away from the eTorque-assisted version.
Car and Driver reports that the 48-volt hybrid system and automatic stop-start technology are being phased out of the majority of 2027 HEMI-powered Ram 1500s.
That could appeal to buyers who want a simpler V8 powertrain.
But it also means the HEMI’s return isn’t necessarily a step backward.
It’s more of a change in philosophy.
Ram is giving customers the choice.
If you want the traditional V8, you can have it.
If you want modern turbocharged performance, the Hurricane is available.
📱 The Ram 1500 Still Has a Technology-Focused Interior
The 2027 Ram 1500 continues with the modern interior introduced with the current generation.
Depending on trim, buyers can get large digital displays, a large center touchscreen, premium materials and available luxury features.
The higher trims are positioned much closer to luxury vehicles than traditional work trucks.
That’s an important part of the Ram 1500’s identity.
Ram has spent years making the 1500 appealing to buyers who want a truck that can function as a work vehicle during the week and a comfortable family vehicle on the weekend.
🧰 The Tradesman Still Matters
Not every Ram buyer wants a luxury truck.
The Tradesman remains the work-oriented entry point.
That’s important because the full-size pickup market has become increasingly expensive.
A basic work truck serves a very different purpose from a fully loaded Limited or Tungsten.
For contractors and businesses, the important numbers may be payload, towing, bed length, drivetrain and durability rather than leather seats and giant wheels.
The Ram lineup continues to provide that choice.
🐝 What About the 2027 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee?
Ram is also bringing the Rumble Bee name into the 2027 Ram 1500 lineup.
That gives Ram another performance-oriented appearance and enthusiast-focused model.
The Rumble Bee name has a history with the Ram brand, making its return particularly interesting for enthusiasts.
It also shows that Ram is trying to create more personality within the 1500 lineup.
Instead of every trim simply becoming another version of the same truck, Ram is creating different identities for different buyers.
🆚 How Does the 2027 Ram 1500 Compare With the Ford F-150?
Ford and Ram take different approaches to their full-size truck engines.
Ford continues to offer turbocharged V6 engines, the 5.0-liter V8 and the PowerBoost hybrid.
Ram now gives buyers the choice between a traditional 5.7-liter V8 and two versions of the Hurricane inline-six.
The standard Hurricane’s 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque put it directly into serious competition with Ford’s turbocharged engines.
But the HEMI gives Ram something Ford doesn’t currently offer in the same way.
A traditional V8.
That could be an important selling point for Ram buyers who aren’t interested in moving entirely to turbocharged engines.
🆚 How Does the 2027 Ram 1500 Compare With the Silverado 1500?
The 2027 Silverado has also gone through a major powertrain transformation.
Chevrolet now offers a new 5.7-liter V8 producing 402 horsepower and a 6.6-liter V8 producing 481 horsepower.
The Silverado’s 5.7-liter can tow up to 13,700 pounds.
That gives Chevrolet a higher maximum towing number than the Ram 1500’s 11,530-pound rating.
But Ram counters with its Hurricane engines and the availability of the 540-horsepower High-Output version.
So the two trucks are taking very different approaches.
Chevrolet is emphasizing its new V8 family.
Ram is combining the returning HEMI with its turbocharged Hurricane engines.
🆚 How Does the 2027 Ram 1500 Compare With the Toyota Tundra?
Toyota continues to rely heavily on turbocharged V6 power in the Tundra lineup.
Ram’s Hurricane takes a similar broad approach to forced-induction performance but uses an inline-six configuration rather than a V6.
The Ram also gives buyers the option of returning to a naturally aspirated V8 with the HEMI.
That makes the Ram lineup unusually diverse.
🏕️ Which 2027 Ram 1500 Is Best for Towing?
If you’re buying a Ram 1500 specifically for towing, the standard-output 3.0-liter Hurricane deserves a very close look.
It produces 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque.
It also reaches the highest maximum towing rating in the regular Ram 1500 lineup at 11,530 pounds when properly equipped.
The HEMI is also a serious towing engine.
But its maximum rating is slightly lower.
The High-Output Hurricane isn’t the engine I’d choose based solely on maximum towing.
It’s more about performance.
And the Pentastar V6 makes sense for buyers who don’t need the higher towing numbers and want the highest listed maximum payload.
But remember that the exact truck configuration matters more than the engine name alone.
❓ 2027 Ram 1500 Frequently Asked Questions
Is the HEMI V8 back for the 2027 Ram 1500?
Yes. The 5.7L HEMI V8 is available on select 2027 Ram 1500 models, producing 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. Ram lists maximum towing capacity at up to 11,470 pounds when properly equipped.
How much can the 2027 Ram 1500 tow?
The 2027 Ram 1500 has a maximum available towing capacity of 11,530 pounds with the 3.0L Hurricane engine when properly equipped. Actual towing capacity depends on the engine, cab, drivetrain, axle configuration and other equipment.
How much horsepower does the 2027 Ram 1500 have?
The 2027 Ram 1500 offers up to 540 horsepower from the High-Output 3.0L Hurricane engine. The standard Hurricane produces 420 horsepower, while the 5.7L HEMI V8 produces 395 horsepower.
How much torque does the 2027 Ram 1500 have?
The High-Output 3.0L Hurricane produces 521 lb-ft of torque, while the standard-output Hurricane produces 469 lb-ft. The 5.7L HEMI V8 produces 410 lb-ft.
What engine has the highest towing capacity in the 2027 Ram 1500?
The standard-output 3.0L Hurricane has the highest published maximum towing capacity at 11,530 pounds when properly equipped. The HEMI is rated for up to 11,470 pounds on Ram’s general 2027 capability page.
Is the 2027 Ram 1500 TRX SRT returning?
Yes. The TRX SRT returns for 2027 with a supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 producing 777 horsepower and 680 lb-ft of torque. Ram lists a 0-to-60-mph time of 3.5 seconds and a 118-mph top speed.
What is the difference between the Ram 1500 TRX SRT and RHO?
The TRX SRT uses a supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8, while the RHO uses the 540-hp High-Output 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six. The RHO is rated to tow up to 8,370 pounds and has a maximum payload of 1,530 pounds.
Which 2027 Ram 1500 engine is best for towing?
The answer depends on the specific trailer and truck configuration. Ram’s standard-output 3.0L Hurricane offers the highest published maximum towing rating at 11,530 pounds, while the HEMI provides 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque with a traditional V8 powertrain. Always check the specific truck’s door-jamb payload rating and towing guide before towing.
How much payload can the 2027 Ram 1500 carry?
The 2027 Ram 1500 has a maximum available payload rating of 2,340 pounds, with the 3.6L Pentastar V6 listed as the powertrain associated with that maximum. Actual payload varies considerably by cab, drivetrain, trim and options.
Does the 2027 Ram 1500 have towing technology?
Yes. Available features include Trailer Hitch Line-Up Assist, Trailer Reverse Guidance with dynamic gridlines and telescopic trailer tow mirrors.
What transmission does the 2027 Ram 1500 use?
The 2027 Ram 1500 uses an eight-speed automatic transmission across the engine lineup, including the HEMI and Hurricane engines.
Is the 2027 Ram 1500 available with four-wheel drive?
Yes. Four-wheel-drive configurations are available across portions of the 2027 Ram 1500 lineup, although towing, payload and fuel-economy ratings can change depending on drivetrain and configuration.
🏁 Final Thoughts
The 2027 Ram 1500 is a fascinating truck because Ram is trying to satisfy two very different groups of buyers at the same time.
One group wants the future.
The other group wants the HEMI.
Ram is giving them both.
The returning 5.7-liter HEMI produces 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque.
The standard-output Hurricane produces more power at 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft.
The High-Output Hurricane pushes the numbers to 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft.
And then the TRX SRT takes things to an entirely different level with 777 horsepower and 680 lb-ft from its supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI.
But there’s another important lesson here.
The most powerful engine isn’t necessarily the best towing engine.
The standard Hurricane has the highest maximum towing rating in the regular Ram 1500 lineup.
The HEMI is just slightly behind it.
The High-Output Hurricane makes dramatically more horsepower but has a lower maximum towing rating because its mission is performance rather than maximum trailer capacity.
And the Pentastar V6 offers the highest maximum payload rating.
That’s why shopping for a truck based solely on horsepower can be misleading.
The 2027 Ram 1500 gives buyers several very different ways to build their truck.
You can go traditional with the HEMI.
You can go turbocharged with the Hurricane.
You can choose the High-Output Hurricane for performance.
You can choose the Pentastar for a simpler entry-level powertrain.
Or you can go completely over the top with the 777-horsepower TRX SRT.
And that may be the most interesting thing about the 2027 Ram 1500.
The HEMI is back, but Ram isn’t going backward.
Instead, Ram is giving truck buyers a choice between the old-school V8 formula and a new generation of turbocharged inline-six power.
For buyers who tow, haul, commute, off-road or simply want a truck with serious personality, the 2027 Ram 1500 has become one of the most diverse full-size pickup lineups available.
And for TruckReportGeeks readers, the big question isn’t simply whether the HEMI is better than the Hurricane.
It’s which 2027 Ram 1500 powertrain makes the most sense for the way you actually use your truck.
Sources
Official Ram 1500 Page
Best source for overall truck information, trims, interior technology, payload and towing.