2027 Ram 1500

Overview

In the half-ton pickup wars that dominate domestic sales charts, the Ram 1500 has carved a niche for itself thanks to its car-like ride quality, refined interior furnishings, and the breadth of its available trims that run from the bare-bones Tradesman to the luxurious Tungsten. Three engines are on tap in the regular lineup for 2027: a 3.6-liter V-6, a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, and a twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six offered in two states of tune; all pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission. For those looking for speed and style over capability, a family of Ram 1500 Rumble Bee street trucks has also entered the picture, wielding an array of three different V-8 engine options.

Expert Tip: If you need a pickup but you’re interested in exploring alternative powertrain technologies, check out the Ram REV, which we review separately. It uses a V-6 gasoline engine teamed with an electric generator; not only does it have an extended range of claimed 690 miles, but it can also help power your home when the grid goes down.

Where This Vehicle Ranks

#1 in Best Full-Size Pickup Trucks

1

Ram 1500

10/10

STARTING AT: $45,370

What’s New for 2027?

After the Hemi returned from its short hiatus last year, Ram is now tripling down on V-8 brute force with a new lineup of Ram 1500 Rumble Bee “muscle trucks.” Models include a base Rumble Bee, a Rumble Bee 392, and a Rumble Bee SRT. All three look ready for the drag strip, flaunting flared wheel arches, a TRX-style bodykit, and a shorter wheelbase for improved handling. No matter which model in the trio you choose, every Rumble Bee comes only as a quad cab with a five-foot-seven-inch cargo bed.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

• Engines: 305-hp 3.6-liter V-6, 395-hp 5.7-liter V-8, 420 turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, 540-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, 470-hp 6.4-liter V-8, 777-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V-8
• Transmission: eight-speed automatic
• Drivetrains: rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive

Ram offers a trio of gasoline powertrain options in the standard 1500 lineup: a V-6, a V-8, and a twin-turbo inline-six. All three engine options pair with a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. The base V-6 is assisted by a 48-volt hybrid system and makes 305 horsepower. The vaunted 5.7-liter Hemi makes its return after a brief hiatus, making 395 horsepower, also with the help of a mild hybrid system, and that great burbling V-8 exhaust note.

The twin-turbo inline-six—which Ram calls Hurricane—makes either 420 or 540 horsepower. We sampled the 540-hp version of this engine in a crew-cab Limited 4×4 truck, and we’re convinced it’s more than enough power for truck duty. It’s also an impressively refined engine that could be under the hood of a BMW or Mercedes. The 420-hp version of this engine also provides plenty of grunt. For adventurous folk, the rugged Rebel model provides beefier looks and legitimate off-road capability. Every Ram 1500 has a comfortable ride thanks to a rear suspension that uses standard coil springs versus the traditional leaf-spring setups found on domestic rivals. Rams with the optional air suspension have an adjustable ride height, which aids both fuel efficiency and off-road performance.

• Max Towing: 11,610 pounds
• Max Payload: 2360 pounds

In Comparison: The Ram’s max tow figure is less than rival pickups from Ford and Chevrolet, both currently topping 13,000 pounds. If you want a Ram that can tow more, consider the new Ramcharger plug-in hybrid, which can tow 14,000 pounds. There’s also the heavy-duty Ram HD lineup that boasts a maximum towing capacity of 37,090 pounds.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

• C/D 75-mph Highway Fuel-Economy Test: 20 mpg (4×4 540-hp 3.0-liter inline-six)
• EPA City Ratings: 15-20 mpg
• EPA Highway Ratings: 20-25 mpg

According to the EPA, the most efficient Ram 1500 is the base, rear-wheel-drive model with the 3.6-liter V-6, which earns ratings of 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. Adding four-wheel drive subtracts one mpg in each measurement. The 1500 with the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six is rated for 18 mpg highway, 25 mpg highway, and 21 combined; adding four-wheel drive subtracts one mpg in city driving but adds one mpg in highway driving.

With the 5.7-liter V-8, fuel economy drops to 19 mpg city, 17 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. Adding four-wheel drive takes a one-mpg toll in city and combined estimates, and two mpg highway. Finally, the Ram 1500 with the high-output, 540-hp version of turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six is EPA rated for 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined. For more information about the Ram 1500 pickup’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Our 2025 Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab Long-Term pickup, equipped with the 420-hp turbo-six, returned 18 mpg on our 75-mph real-world highway fuel economy route.

In Comparison: According to the EPA, the Ford F-150 returns between 15 and 22 mpg in the city and 20 to 25 mpg on the highway, depending on the powertrain. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, the F-150 hybrid achieved 20 mpg, and the Tremor model with the twin-turbo 3.5-liter returned 19 mpg.

First Row: As with most full-size pickup trucks, the Ram 1500’s crew cab is supremely spacious and features plenty of useful cubby stowage. Buyers can select front buckets or a bench seat with a fold-down console for when the middle seat is unoccupied. Most models are available with upscale features such as heated and ventilated seats and a panoramic sunroof, while the fanciest versions have premium leather surfaces and genuine wood accents.

Second Row: Two four-door cab styles are available, Quad and the slightly longer Crew. Both are spacious and feature comfortable seating for three in back, and the larger crew cab offers available second row reclining seats. Style-wise, the rear seats mimic the fronts, but feel a little light on padding in comparison.

Cargo Capacity: Five-foot-seven-inch and six-foot-four-inch cargo beds are available, but the extended cab body style only pairs with the latter. With its rear seats stowed, we fit 25 carry-on suitcases inside the rear of the 1500’s cabin.

Infotainment and Connectivity

• Infotainment: 12.0-inch touchscreen (standard), 14.5-inch touchscreen (optional), 10.3-inch passenger touchscreen (optional)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Audio System: 6-speaker stereo (standard), 10-speaker Meridian stereo (optional), 19-speaker Harman Kardon stereo (optional), 23-speaker Klipsch stereo (optional)

Ram trucks have had one of the best infotainment systems in the class for a while; their connectivity features are among the best as well. That continues in the latest trucks, which have either a responsive 12.0-inch or an optional 14.5-inch touchscreen, and a choice of four different audio systems, based on trim. Buyers can spec up to two 12-volt power ports and two household A/C outlets, up to four USB ports in front, and a pair of USB-C charging ports for the rear passengers.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Ram 1500 has a host of available driver-assistance technology, including automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. Some models can be had with Ram’s advanced adaptive cruise-control system, which incorporates a hands-free driving mode.

• Standard Safety Features: automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert
• Optional Safety Features: adaptive cruise control with a hands-free driving mode

For more information about the Ram 1500’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

• Limited Warranty: three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain Warranty: five years or 60,000 miles
• Complimentary Maintenance: none