New & Used 2026 RAM 1500 for Sale nearSan Diego, CA

Is the 2026 RAM 1500 a good car?

Generally — the 4/5 user rating and 8.00/10 expert rating point to a truck that lands well with shoppers who want a full-size pickup with character and flexibility. The model scores 9/10 across Performance and Technology.

The 2026 RAM 1500 stands out because Ram brought the Hemi V8 back for this model year, and the truck still offers a wide range of configurations, including multiple trim levels, cab sizes, bed lengths, and powertrains. That makes it a strong fit if you want to tailor the truck to your needs rather than settle for a one-size-fits-all setup.

The tradeoffs are clear: the Hemi is not the most powerful or most efficient engine in the lineup, and advanced safety features are not standard. Even so, the truck’s premium interior materials in higher trims and its available off-road-ready versions give you plenty of reasons to shop it seriously.

33.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there’s some room to find a competitive offer.

Is the 2026 RAM 1500 reliable?

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

The 2026 RAM 1500’s appeal comes from its broad configuration range and the fact that Ram brought back the Hemi V8 for buyers who still want a traditional truck engine. The expert evaluation also points to a truck that balances premium materials, strong performance, and useful technology, which usually helps ownership feel more satisfying over time.

The Hemi V8 is described as smooth and characterful, and the lineup’s multiple powertrain choices give you flexibility to prioritize power, efficiency, or towing. Ram also includes a three-year trial for its hands-free driver-assistance package, which can make the truck feel more modern if you choose that option.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is choosing a truck that doesn’t match your needs, since the lineup varies widely in equipment, capability, and cost.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.1% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re looking at a higher-mileage truck or one with towing use. Focus on condition, equipment, and whether the truck’s trim and powertrain actually match how you plan to use it.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Tradesman models are basic, with cloth seats, lots of plastic trim, and a small 3.5-inch driver display, while higher trims add more upscale materials and styling. The lineup also includes blacked-out, chrome, luxury, and off-road-oriented versions, so make sure the truck you’re considering has the features you want rather than just the badge.
• Powertrain: The base engine is a 3.6-liter V6 with eTorque, the Hemi V8 makes 395 hp and 410 lb-ft, and the Hurricane turbocharged inline-six makes 420 hp and 469 lb-ft. A high-output Hurricane is also available with 540 hp and 521 lb-ft, so compare power, efficiency, and towing needs carefully.
• 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 Tungsten and available on other models through option packages, while Hands-Free Active Driving Assist comes with the Advanced Safety Group II package.
• Infotainment: Ram’s Uconnect 5 system includes standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Screen setups vary by trim, with most trucks getting a 7-inch or 12-inch digital display, while base Tradesman models use a smaller 3.5-inch unit; wireless charging is also available.
• Fuel efficiency: The Hemi V8 gets a mild boost from eTorque, and the turbocharged inline-six delivers superior fuel economy by two additional mpg in a 4WD truck.

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, Limited, Limited Longhorn, Tungsten, and RHO.

Here's the short version:

• Tradesman: This is the entry point, and it’s the trim to choose if you want the lowest starting price and a straightforward work-truck setup. It comes with cloth seats, lots of plastic trim, a small 3.5-inch driver display, and a six-speaker audio system, so it’s best if you care more about utility than luxury.
• Express: This trim sits near the lower end of the lineup and keeps the blacked-out grille treatment. It makes sense if you want a simpler, darker appearance without moving far up the price ladder.
• Warlock: Like the Express, the Warlock uses a blacked-out grille and standard six-speaker audio. It’s a good fit if you want a more styled lower-trim truck without jumping into the pricier comfort-focused models.
• Big Horn: This is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it adds more visual polish, including etched interior trim, and a more substantial step up in feel without going all the way to luxury pricing. If you want the sweet spot, this is the trim to start with.
• Laramie: The Laramie brings leather and a smarter cabin presentation, including an available Bison Brown/Sea Salt Gray two-tone look. It’s a strong pick if you want a more upscale daily driver and are willing to pay for it.
• Rebel: The Rebel is one of the off-road-oriented choices and can be paired with the Harman Kardon 19-speaker audio package. Choose it if you want a more rugged personality and richer equipment.
• Limited: This trim adds open-pore wood trim and standard Harman Kardon audio, giving you a more premium cabin experience. It’s a good choice if comfort and materials matter more than bargain pricing.
• Limited Longhorn: This model also gets open-pore wood trim and a high-end interior presentation. It suits you if you want luxury-truck character with a more traditional upscale feel.
• Tungsten: This is the top luxury trim, with high-end leather surfaces and a 23-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere audio system. It also gets standard advanced safety features that are optional or unavailable on lower trims, so it’s the one to buy if you want the most fully equipped RAM 1500.
• RHO: This is the other off-road-focused model in the lineup, sharing the black grille treatment with the Rebel. It’s the trim to consider if your priorities lean toward rugged capability and a more aggressive look.

The safety-package note to keep in mind is that advanced safety features are not standard across the lineup, so you’ll want to verify exactly which driver-assistance equipment is included on the truck you’re shopping.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you should shop carefully and compare listings rather than rushing.

• Deal availability: 33.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 6,764 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 94.1% of listings are accident-free.

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 on all 2026 RAM 1500 trucks. Evasive Steer Assist, Intersection Collision Warning, and traffic sign recognition are standard on the Tungsten grade and available on other models through option packages.

Ram’s Hands-Free Active Driving Assist is included with the Advanced Safety Group II package. It is a hands-free system, but it still requires driver attentiveness and only works on certain roads. If the driver doesn’t respond to warnings, the seat vibrates as a reminder.

A key caveat is that advanced safety features are not standard across the lineup, so you may need to move up trim or add 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:

• 33.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.1% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The Hemi V8 returns for 2026, giving you a characterful engine choice that many pickup buyers still want.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It brought a major update with new tech and more powertrain choices.

The bottom line: If you want the Hemi V8 and a broad range of configurations, the 2026 is the better target. If you’re shopping mainly for value and want the prior-year update’s tech-forward appeal, the 2025 is worth a look, especially if you find a better price on a comparable truck.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.