The choice between the Ram 1500 Hemi V8 and the Hurricane Inline-Six is a critical decision for truck buyers. As highlighted in the accompanying video, raw numbers only tell part of the story. Our extensive testing reveals significant differences in performance, fuel economy, and overall driving experience.
Ram 1500 Hemi V8 vs. Hurricane Inline-Six: Unpacking the Performance
The new Ram 1500 offers two distinct engine choices. You can opt for the traditional 5.7-liter Hemi V8. Alternatively, Ram provides the advanced Hurricane inline turbocharged six-cylinder engine. This Hurricane engine comes in a standard output version and a high output variant. On paper, the Hemi V8 often struggles to compete.
High Output Hurricane Inline-Six: A Closer Look
Our long-term road test fleet includes a Ram 1500 with the high output Hurricane engine. We’ve driven it extensively. Edmunds employees rave about its performance. Comments like “Holy cow!” and “This thing rips!” are common. We agree with this sentiment. Step on the accelerator, and this truck moves quickly. It feels responsive and powerful.
The high output inline-six is remarkably smooth. Acceleration is linear. The transmission works in harmony with the engine. There are no sudden jerks or awkward shifts. The cabin remains quiet. Minimal noise, vibration, or harshness reaches the driver. It delivers a truly pleasant driving experience. Our testing team confirmed this with hard numbers. The high output Hurricane accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. This impressive figure even bests the six-cylinder Ford Raptor. The standard output six-cylinder is only half a second slower. This powertrain is a genuine game-changer for the Ram 1500.
The 5.7-Liter Ram 1500 Hemi V8: Familiar But Slower
The Hemi V8 has a classic engine sound. It offers that satisfying growl many truck enthusiasts love. In a vacuum, its performance feels good. However, when compared directly to the Hurricane six-cylinder, the V8 falls short. It lacks the same smoothness during acceleration. The transmission can feel less decisive. It often hunts for the right gear. The power band sometimes feels elusive. Our track tests confirm these observations. The Ram 1500 Hemi V8 goes from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds. That is a substantial 2.2 seconds slower than the high output Hurricane. In a performance context, this difference is significant.
Fuel Economy: The Daily Driving Impact
Fuel efficiency is another critical factor. Especially for daily commuters or those with long drives. Our previous experience with a 2019 Ram 1500 Hemi V8 is telling. That truck featured the same 5.7-liter engine. It had an EPA rating of 17 miles per gallon. Over 34,000 miles of real-world driving, we averaged about 15 miles per gallon. While a 2 MPG difference might seem small per gallon, it adds up. Over thousands of miles, this difference impacts your wallet significantly. The Hurricane inline-six offers a clear advantage here. Its modern turbocharged design extracts more power from less fuel. This makes it a more economical choice over the lifespan of the truck.
Ram 1500 Towing Capabilities: Where the V8 Holds Its Own
While the Hemi V8 struggles with acceleration and fuel economy, it has a niche. Towing capacity is one area where the V8 remains competitive. The Hemi V8 boasts a slight advantage in maximum towing capacity. It can tow more than the high output six-cylinder. Its capacity nearly matches the standard output six-cylinder. The high output Hurricane is “too high strung” for towing over 10,000 pounds consistently. Ram claims the Hemi can handle larger loads. This suggests it might be better for extremely heavy trailers, potentially over 11,000 pounds, though few drivers tow that much.
Real-World Towing Experience: Hurricane Inline-Six Shines
Numbers don’t always reflect real-world towing experience. We tested both engines on a 7% grade. Our test setup included an EV and a trailer. The combined weight was 7,000 pounds. The Hurricane inline-six delivered an impressive performance. Accelerating onto the highway felt effortless. The truck quickly reached 55 mph. It barely felt like towing 7,000 pounds. The Ram 1500 offers excellent towing features. These include automatic trailer length detection. Blind spot monitoring adjusts for the trailer. Towing mirrors provide extended visibility. A trailer brake controller is also available. On the 7% uphill grade, the Hurricane maintained speed easily. It cruised at 57-58 mph. A slight shift to 3,000 RPM at 54 mph showed its power. The turbochargers provided instant boost. It reached 60 mph quickly. Passing other vehicles was no problem. The power delivery was smooth and consistent. Downhill, the gear limiter proved effective. It maintained speed without excessive braking. The Hurricane inline-six felt composed and capable throughout the towing test.
Hemi V8 Towing: Effort Required
Towing with the Hemi V8 presented a different experience. Acceleration onto the highway was slower. It felt like the engine worked harder. The truck reached only 55 mph where the six-cylinder hit 60 mph. Passing a truck required significant effort. The V8 had to downshift twice. It still struggled to gain speed quickly. The naturally aspirated Hemi relies solely on engine displacement. It lacks the forced induction of the turbo-six. This means less immediate “oomph” for towing heavy loads. On the 7% uphill grade, the V8 worked very hard. It frequently held high RPMs. It reached 4,900 to 5,000 RPM at 55 mph. The engine noise was significant in the cabin. It sounded strained. While it eventually reached 58 mph, it took considerable effort. The transmission seemed to search for the right gear. Descending the grade, the V8 performed better. Its engine braking was effective. It maintained speed well without using physical brakes. However, for regular towing, especially with heavy loads, the Hemi V8 felt less refined. It required more exertion to maintain speed. The high output Hurricane simply doesn’t struggle as much.
Cost and Value: Making the Right Investment
The badge on the truck is the only external difference between the engines. On the higher Limited trim levels, the V8 is a no-cost option. This might seem appealing initially. However, these upper trims often come standard with the high output Hurricane engine. This means you get superior performance and towing for free. In lower trim levels, the Hemi V8 can actually cost more. It ranges from an extra $1,200 to nearly $3,000. So, for more money, you get less power, lower towing capacity, and worse gas mileage. This makes the Hurricane engine an even more compelling choice from a value perspective.
Ram 1500 Interior and Technology: Pros and Cons
Beyond the engine, the Ram 1500 offers a luxurious and functional interior. Many thoughtful touches enhance comfort. Zoned cooled seats allow for individual cooling of the back or seat. The cabin design is beautiful. It features high-quality materials. Burgundy quilted leather and nice textile details are common. The center console offers ample storage space. All controls and touch points feel premium. The Ram 1500 also provides a smooth ride. Our long road trip tests confirm this. With its available air suspension, it rides more like a luxury SUV than a conventional truck.
However, the Ram 1500 also has some drawbacks. Too many controls are routed through the touchscreen. This screen can be slow and unresponsive. Functions like heated seats require touchscreen interaction. This can be frustrating. We hope Ram updates this system with a faster processor. The truck’s hands-free driving system also has issues. Its driver attention monitoring system is overly sensitive. One tester experienced 40 deactivations in 30 minutes. This happened simply for wearing non-mirrored sunglasses. The system mistakenly thought the driver was not watching the road. Finally, the Ram 1500’s towing and payload capacities are lower. They lag behind some other full-size trucks. The V8 engine does not significantly improve these figures. This places the Ram 1500 behind competitors like the Ford F-150 in overall utility.
The Verdict: High Output Hurricane for the Win
After extensive testing and real-world evaluation, our choice is clear. The high output Hurricane inline turbocharged six-cylinder engine is the better option. It offers a smooth and powerful driving experience. We’ve logged 12,000 miles on our test truck. We encountered no problems with this impressive powertrain. While the Ram 1500 Hemi V8 has its traditional appeal, it simply cannot match the modern Hurricane engine. The high output Hurricane delivers superior acceleration. It offers better fuel economy. It handles towing with less perceived effort. These advantages make it the standout choice for any Ram 1500 buyer.
Under the Hood: Your Hemi vs. Hurricane Questions
What are the main engine options available for the Ram 1500 truck?
The Ram 1500 offers two main engine choices: the traditional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 and the newer Hurricane inline turbocharged six-cylinder engine, which comes in standard and high-output versions.
Which Ram 1500 engine performs better in terms of acceleration?
The Hurricane inline-six engine, particularly the high output version, offers much quicker acceleration and a more powerful feel compared to the Hemi V8.
Which engine option is better for fuel economy in the Ram 1500?
The Hurricane inline-six engine provides better fuel efficiency than the Hemi V8, leading to lower fuel costs over time.
Is the Hemi V8 better for towing with the Ram 1500?
While the Hemi V8 has a slightly higher maximum towing capacity, the Hurricane inline-six generally offers a smoother and more effortless towing experience, even with heavy loads.