• Auto123 gets in an intensive series of test drives of 2026 and 2027 Ram trucks.
Uxbridge, ON – In press-vehicle fleets as in showrooms, the more richly equipped pickup trucks often take centre stage. They feature leather, screens and accessories that drive up the bill, to the point where it’s easy to forget there are more modest versions available.
Stellantis Canada invited us to Uxbridge in Ontario to explore the 2026 Ram lineup, with a few 2027 models already on site. The draw: driving a bunch of Ram trucks in successions, of course, but especially configurations we rarely have access to.
From the 1500 Black Express with a V6 to the 3500 regular cab with a Cummins engine, the program made it possible to compare trucks that can meet very needs. The day took us out on the road and onto trail routes and features its share of towing things, and it also served as a reminder of how much the lineup extends beyond luxury versions.
Ram Black Express: Getting back to basics
Here was a good place to start: The 2026 Ram 1500 Black Express Quad Cab 4x4. Its spec sheet displays a base MSRP of $59,495, to which you can add the price of equipment packages and those beloved freight costs.
In today's full-size pickup truck market, that’s a relatively modest price point. In a nutshell, this Ram fulfills essential duties without forcing its owner to finance a long list of luxury amenities.
Under the hood, the 3.6L Pentastar V6 develops 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. It works alongside an 8-speed automatic transmission. For daily commutes, hauling materials and occasionally pulling a light trailer, it suffices. Anyone who regularly tows a heavy trailer or RV will want to look elsewhere in the catalogue.
The Quad Cab also represents an interesting compromise. It retains a second row that is just spacious enough to accommodate passengers while allowing for a six-and-a-half-foot bed. For anyone carrying more cargo than adults in the rear, this setup is definitively practical. This Black Express simply reminds us that a truck can be bought based on the job at hand.
A Ram 3500 that makes you want to work
At the other end of the scale, the 2027 Ram 3500 Big Horn Regular Cab left a particularly strong impression. With its farm truck silhouette, it seemed intended more for moving machinery than posing with an influencer.
Hitched behind it, a fifth-wheel caravan weighing roughly 10,000 lb allowed us to put its engine to work. The 6.7L Cummins inline-6 turbodiesel develops 430 hp and, most importantly, 1075 lb-ft of torque. Behind the wheel, that translates into remarkable ease when moving the load. The smooth operation and torque availability make the exercise less demanding than you might think at first glance.
The engine pulls it effortlessly — and that’s normal, you might say. After all, its maximum towing capacity is significantly higher.
Now, this ease comes at a cost, let’s be honest. The Cummins engine represents an $11,000 option on the spec sheet of the tested truck, the total price of which reached $109,055. Lesson is: a regular cab and a utility appearance do not guarantee a small bill.
Still, and even considering that a litre of diesel currently borders on $3, it’s hard not to appreciate the performance of the powertrain. Appreciating its qualities, however, remains different from justifying its purchase: towing needs should match the investment.
The 6.4L Hemi V8 as a point of comparison
The exercise made full sense after driving a 2026 Ram 2500 Big Horn with a 6.4L Hemi V8 engine, which was also tasked with towing roughly 10,000 lb. With 405 hp and 429 lb-ft, it gets the job done, but requires higher engine revs to deliver its power. The contrast with the Cummins torque is sharp.
For occasional use, the gas engine nonetheless retains its relevance. The price gap is worth considering before automatically choosing diesel.
The off-road course also provided an opportunity to revisit this V8 in a Ram 2500 Power Wagon. Its locking differentials, disconnectable front sway bar and specialized equipment illustrate another facet of the lineup. Lesson learned: Two Ram 2500s can share a powertrain while serving noticeably different purposes.
Hemi or Hurricane?
The day also offered an opportunity to compare Ram 1500s powered by the Hemi engine against those equipped with the standard- and high-output Hurricane inline-6 engines. The first Hurricane produces 420 hp and 469 lb-ft, while the second delivers 540 hp and 521 lb-ft.
The 5.7L Hemi V8 retains a signature sound of its own. Its return clearly responds to demand. Mike Szymkiewicz, head of product strategy and volume planning at Stellantis Canada, confirmed to Auto123 that the Hemi accounts for 35 percent of Ram 1500 sales since its return, compared with 45 percent for Hurricane engines.
When behind the wheel, the smoothness and torque of the inline-6 engines are difficult to ignore. The attachment to the V8 is understandable, but the Hurricane engines possess qualities that can be felt from the very first accelerations.
Ram prepares the next steps for 2027
Ram intends to continue expanding its lineup in 2027, both for work-oriented trucks and those purchased for pleasure. Stellantis Canada notably plans a Ram 1500 Big Horn Off-Road. It will offer, among other features, a one-inch suspension lift, skid plates and an electronic locking rear differential.
The return of the TRX is also on the schedule. Its 6.2L supercharged V8 is rated at 777 hp, allowing it to reclaim its place at the top of the off-road lineup. The RHO and its high-output Hurricane engine will also remain in the catalogue.
Ram is also reviving the Rumble Bee nameplate with a family of trucks geared more toward street driving. Their distinctive feature: a Quad Cab paired with a short five-foot-seven bed. This combination is accompanied by widened wings and, depending on the version, a lowered or air suspension as well as Brembo brakes.
The entry-level Rumble Bee receives the 395-hp 5.7L Hemi V8. A 392 variant adopts a 6.4L V8 producing 470 hp, with a Track Pack also planned. The top-dog Rumble Bee SRT will use the 777-hp supercharged V8.
A personal connection
My entry into the truck world came late. In 2010, my father bought a brand-new Ford Ranger: two-wheel drive, manual transmission, with no carpets or A/C. It cost less than half the price of a brand-new Honda Civic in 2026. With it, I learned to drive manual in addition to taking my first steps in home renovations. As the Ram Classic was approaching its end, my father ordered a 1500 regular cab, eight-foot bed, Hemi V8, 4x4 drivetrain and Hydro Blue paint. A rare, hard-working, easily recognizable truck.
Ever since, I’ve been telling myself I need one. Just before Uxbridge, a friend announced the purchase of a brand-new 2500 Longhorn Cummins. So here I am, spending far too much time on Marketplace between first-generation models and second-generation V10s or Cummins. Reason may ultimately prevail with a used fourth-generation Ram.
This day confirmed the breadth of the offering under the Ram banner. There is a Ram for almost everyone. Except, still, for the person waiting for the return of the Dakota.
