2026 Ram 1500 Express Hurricane review: This Hurricane Rocks
- Mitchell Weitzman
- Jun 25
- 5 min read
A Ram 1500 with the Hurricane engine does not disappoint
2026 Ram 1500 Express Hurricane review by The Road Beat
Words and pictures: Mitchell Weitzman
It may lack the rumble of a V8 Hemi (as well as the infamous "Hemi Tick"), but the new Hurricane engine available in the Ram 1500 is frankly a bit of a revelation. From both an engineering and productivity standpoint, this first attempt at an all-new twin-turbocharged inline-six is slightly sensational. And with the DT-generation Ram now entering its eighth model year, it continues to offer a supremely compelling package, even in this bottom-tier Express model.
Picks
Legacy is a complicated thing to overcome, but the addition of the Hurricane engine is nothing to snivel at. I love a good V8 as much as anyone, but as a way of meeting ever-tightening emissions and fuel economy standards, this inline-six is a marvel. Credit Stellantis for not settling on a boring V6 like so many rivals, because nothing beats an inline-six for sheer smoothness, and that character pairs perfectly with the mature civility modern Rams provide.
How smooth is it? Fire up the Ram and you could almost forget the engine is running. That's how smooth.
Lean into the throttle and there are virtually no vibrations making their way into the cabin, while the soundtrack is little more than a refined hum that never becomes intrusive. Sure, it isn't as charismatic as a Hemi, but from both an academic and practical standpoint, this is the superior powerplant.
And remember, this is only the standard-output Hurricane, yet it still cranks out a hearty 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque. Want more? The high-output version cranks the boost up and delivers well over 500 horsepower. Even so, the standard-output engine absolutely hauls.
Seriously, this truck ripped to 60 MPH in just 4.9 seconds. That's absurdly quick. The shove catches you completely off guard the first time you bury the throttle, delivering one relentless wave of acceleration all the way through the rev range.
If you're curious about towing, this model as equipped with the taller final drive can move about 8,390 pounds, but with a tow package and shorter 3.92 axle ratio, that number goes to above 11,000.
Fuel economy also impressed. Being a lighter Express model with rear-wheel drive certainly helps, but a 400-mile trip to Redding and back returned 24 MPG overall. After a full week of testing, the average settled at 21.5 MPG, which is excellent for a full-size crew cab pickup. That's actually better than the four-cylinder Toyota Tacoma I recently tested.
Worth mentioning as well is Ram's new 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty for 2026 models. That's...kind of incredible.
Engine accolades aside, the Ram 1500 has long established itself as one of the more dynamic pickups on the market. Steering is direct and well judged, while the coil-spring rear suspension continues to deliver a ride that avoids the harshness found in some competitors. I took a detour on the drive to Redding and subjected the Ram to what resembled a mortar-blasted war zone of a road. The truck shrugged it off entirely, remaining composed and surprisingly confident even at speed. There really isn't a reason a full-size pickup should have this much lateral grip, but I'm certainly not complaining.
Equally impressive is how well it hides its size. Even on tighter back roads, the Ram never feels cumbersome. Highway refinement is commendable, and even the basic cloth seats proved perfectly comfortable after three straight hours behind the wheel.
This truck came equipped with the smaller 8.4-inch version of Uconnect, yet it was still one of the biggest surprises of the week. It's fast, intuitive, and refreshingly easy to use. I'd rank it among today's A-tier infotainment systems.
The rest of the cabin feels appropriately sturdy, even if genuine luxury isn't part of the Express trim's mission. Every major touch point feels solid, rattles were virtually nonexistent, and the materials suit the truck's market positioning well. Rear-seat legroom in the Crew Cab is also enormous.
Nicks
Despite how accomplished the Hurricane engine is, Ram was one of the last truck brands still offering a V8, and replacing it wasn't universally welcomed from the fandom. Sales of Hurricane-powered Rams slowed enough that Ram ultimately decided to bring the Hemi back across several models. It's a major philosophical shift for Ram, and for many buyers the Hemi and attitude was one of the truck's defining features. Also, some high-output Hurricane applications, such as the RHO, produce an exhaust note that's a little too "farty" and oddly BMW-like—and not in a flattering way.
There are also some concerns surrounding long-term durability. The engine makes extensive use of plastic components, including the valve covers, and I also noticed a couple of small oil drips on the backside of the engine during testing.
The tailgate deserves criticism as well. It's pleasantly light and easy to operate, but panel alignment on this particular truck was poor, protruding noticeably more on one side than the other.
Price is another sticking point. This Express Crew Cab 4x2 stickers for roughly $51,030, a figure that not long ago would have landed you in a well-equipped Laramie. Thankfully, Ram dealers have become well known for offering substantial discounts and the price represents the more affordable side of full-size pickups. Further, the price paid here only gets you the weak and disappointing four-cylinder turbo in a Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra.
The Hurricane rocks you like a, well, hurricane.
Anyhow, this truck has far more strengths than weaknesses. As an everyday pickup, it's wonderfully refined, surprisingly comfortable, and outrageously quick whenever you ask it to be. Toyota also abandoned its V8 for a twin-turbo V6 in the Tundra, yet the Ram rides better than any Tundra I've tested, delivers better fuel economy, and is significantly quicker.
If you still want a V8, Ram once again offers the Hemi in select 1500 models, while Chevrolet and GMC continue to sell their excellent 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V8s in the Silverado and Sierra. And if you're after something more upscale, don't overlook higher trims like the Laramie or Limited. Having spent time in both, they remain among the most luxurious and best driving pickups in the segment regardless of Hemi or Hurricane.
2026 Ram 1500 Express Hurricane Crew Cab 4x2 review and specifications
Price as-tested: $51,030
Powertrain: 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged Hurricane inline-six
Output: 420 hp / 469 lb-ft
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive
0–60 MPH: 4.9 seconds (tested)
Observed Fuel Economy: 21.5 MPG overall (24 MPG highway trip)
Fuel Tank: 26 gallons
Max Payload: Approximately 1,800 lbs
Max Towing: 8,390 pounds with 3.21 axle ratio, but up to 11,490 lbs when properly equipped
Wheelbase: 145 inches
Overall Length: 233 inches
Width: 82 inches
Height: 77 inches
Ground Clearance: 8 inches
Cargo Bed: 5-foot 7-inch box
Wheels: 20-inch alloy wheels
Tires: 275/55R20
Front Suspension: Independent, coil spring
Rear Suspension: Five-link solid axle with coil springs
Infotainment: 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Warranty: 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty; 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty (2026 model year)
Comments