Is the 2026 RAM 1500 a good car?

Generally — you rate it 4/5, and the expert rating is 8.00/10. The model scores 9/10 across Performance and Technology.

The 2026 RAM 1500 stands out for its powerful engine choices and a well-appointed interior, with the return of the Hemi V8 giving you a classic truck feel and the turbocharged inline-six offering stronger efficiency and torque. It also gives you plenty of configuration flexibility, so you can tailor it for work or leisure.

Trade-offs: advanced safety features are not standard across all trims, and the Hemi V8 is not the best value on paper compared with the turbocharged six.

For shoppers who want a full-size truck with strong capability and a premium cabin, the market looks reasonably supportive, with 33.7% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2026 RAM 1500 reliable?

Owners rate it 4/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The 2026 RAM 1500’s powertrain lineup is built around familiar truck hardware, including the reborn Hemi V8 and the turbocharged inline-six, and the expert evaluation points to strong performance and a well-rounded ownership experience. The Hemi’s return also suggests Ram is leaning into the kind of engine character many truck buyers still want.

If you choose a well-kept example and stay on top of routine maintenance, long-term ownership risk should be manageable for a used full-size truck.

What should I look for when buying a used 2026 RAM 1500?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.9% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report, prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, and focus on condition details that match how the truck was used. Pay close attention to trim-specific equipment, because the feature spread is wide and some advanced safety tech is not standard on every version.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Tradesman models are pretty basic, with cloth seats and lots of plastic trim, while higher trims add more upscale materials and finishes. The lower-end models also wear blacked-out grilles, and the entry-level cabin is much simpler than the premium versions.
• Powertrain: The base engine is a 3.6-liter V6 with eTorque and 305 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. The Hemi V8 makes 395 hp and 410 lb-ft, while the standard-output Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six delivers 420 hp and 469 lb-ft and better fuel economy. A high-output Hurricane is also offered with 540 hp and 521 lb-ft.
• Safety package: Adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and rear cross traffic alert come standard. Evasive Steer Assist, Intersection Collision Warning, and traffic sign recognition are standard on the Tungsten grade and can be added to other models via option packages. Hands-Free Active Driving Assist is included with the Advanced Safety Group II package.
• Infotainment: Uconnect 5 is standard, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Screen setups vary by trim, with base Tradesman models getting a small 3.5-inch driver display, while most trucks have a 7-inch or 12-inch digital display. A 10.25-inch passenger screen is optional on mid- and upper-grade models, and wireless charging is available.
• Fuel efficiency: The turbocharged inline-six delivers superior fuel economy, by just two additional mpg in a 4WD truck compared with the Hemi V8. The Hemi also uses the eTorque system for a mild bump in fuel efficiency.

Which 2026 RAM 1500 trim should I buy?

The 2026 RAM 1500 is offered in 10 trim levels: Tradesman, Express, Warlock, Big Horn, Laramie, Rebel, RHO, Limited, Limited Longhorn, Tungsten.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: Tradesman is the work-focused choice, but it’s the most stripped-down version, with cloth seats, lots of plastic trim, and a small 3.5-inch driver display.
• Sweet-spot trim: Big Horn is a strong middle-ground pick because it adds more visual polish than the base truck without jumping all the way to luxury pricing.
• Premium/top trim: Tungsten is the most luxurious choice, with high-end leather surfaces, the 23-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere audio system, and standard advanced safety features.
• Off-road trim: Rebel is the better pick if you want off-road capability without going all the way to the more specialized RHO.

Advanced safety features are not standard across all trims, so check the equipment list carefully before you buy.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 RAM 1500?

This looks like a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you have room to shop carefully without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 33.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 6,521 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 94.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $54,673.53, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2026 RAM 1500 safe?

The 2026 RAM 1500 earns a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and rear cross traffic alert come standard in all 2026 RAM 1500 trucks. Ram’s Hands-Free Active Driving Assist is included with the Advanced Safety Group II package, and it requires driver attentiveness even though it is truly hands-free on certain roads.

A key caveat is that advanced safety features are not standard across all trims, so you may need to move up the lineup or add option packages to get the full suite.

Should I buy a 2026 RAM 1500 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2026 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2026 if:

• 33.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.9% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The Hemi V8 returns for 2026, giving you a classic truck option alongside the turbocharged six.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It introduced the new Tungsten trim and brought in the Hurricane inline-six with more power and better efficiency.

The bottom line: If you want the Hemi V8 back in the lineup, the 2026 is the year to target. If your priority is maximum tech and the strongest efficiency-focused powertrain story, the 2025 remains the better alternative for price-sensitive shoppers who don’t need the V8 specifically.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from July 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.