Is the 2026 RAM 1500 a good car?

Generally — you’re looking at a 4/5 user-rated truck with an 8.00/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Performance and Technology.

The 2026 RAM 1500 stands out because Ram brought the Hemi engine back for this model year, giving you a familiar V8 option in a segment where many pickup shoppers still want one. It also offers a wide spread of configurations, with multiple trim levels, cab sizes, bed lengths, and powertrain choices, so you can tailor it to work, family duty, or a more upscale setup.

The trade-offs are clear: the Hemi is not the most powerful engine in the lineup, and advanced safety features are not standard. It also isn’t the cheapest way into the truck, especially if you’re comparing it with the turbocharged six-cylinder.

With 30.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s enough market activity to make shopping worthwhile.

Is the 2026 RAM 1500 reliable?

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

The 2026 RAM 1500 is built around a familiar full-size-truck formula, and the expert evaluation points to a truck that delivers strong performance, a broad configuration range, and a polished cabin in higher trims. The Hemi V8 is described as smooth in operation, and the truck’s powertrain lineup gives you multiple ways to match capability to your needs.

The V8 also carries a mild efficiency assist, and Ram notes that the engine returns with its familiar character rather than as a major redesign. That suggests a known quantity rather than a fresh, unproven setup.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is choosing the wrong configuration for your needs, especially if you want the V8 but also care about efficiency and value.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.6% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re shopping higher-mileage trucks or one with towing use. Focus on overall condition, trim-specific equipment, and whether the truck has the features you actually want, since the lineup varies a lot by version.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Lower trims use simpler materials and equipment, while higher trims add leather, open-pore wood, and more upscale cabin finishes. The base truck is especially basic, so check whether you’re comfortable with the feature gap before you buy.
• Powertrain: You can choose from a 3.6-liter V6, a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, a standard-output 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six, or a high-output Hurricane inline-six in select versions. The Hemi brings 395 hp and 410 lb-ft, while the standard-output Hurricane makes 420 hp and 469 lb-ft and is the stronger value on paper.
• 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 available on other models through option packages.
• Infotainment: Uconnect 5 comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Screen setups vary by trim, with a small 3.5-inch driver display on base Tradesman models and larger digital displays on most other versions.
• Fuel efficiency: The Hemi V8 gets a mild bump in fuel efficiency from eTorque, and the turbocharged six delivers superior fuel economy by just 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, RHO, Limited, Limited Longhorn, Tungsten.

Here's the short version:

• Tradesman: This is the work-focused entry point, with cloth seats, lots of plastic trim, a six-speaker audio system, and the smallest driver display. It makes sense if you want the lowest starting price and don’t need much luxury.
• Express: This trim sits near the lower end of the lineup and keeps the blacked-out look. It’s a straightforward step up if you want a little more style without moving far up the price ladder.
• Warlock: Like the other lower-priced trims, it uses a blacked-out grille and keeps the truck’s tougher visual theme. Choose it if appearance matters more than upscale cabin materials.
• Big Horn: This is the best-value pick for many shoppers because it adds more visual polish and a more appealing cabin without jumping into luxury pricing. It’s a smart middle-ground choice.
• Laramie: This trim brings leather and a more upscale feel, plus available premium audio. It’s a strong choice if you want comfort to matter as much as capability.
• Rebel: This is one of the off-road-ready models and gets its own grille treatment. It suits you if you want a more rugged personality and equipment set.
• RHO: Another off-road model, it shares the tougher styling cues and is aimed at buyers who want that character in the lineup.
• Limited: This trim adds open-pore wood trim and standard premium audio, making it a clear luxury step up.
• Limited Longhorn: It also gets open-pore wood trim and a more upscale cabin presentation, with a distinct premium feel.
• Tungsten: This is the top luxury trim, with high-end leather surfaces, a unique grille, and the most advanced standard safety content in the lineup.

Advanced safety features are not standard across the lineup, so if driver-assistance tech matters to you, pay close attention to trim and package content.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 30.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 6,857 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 94.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $54,508.77, 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 safety rating from NHTSA for the Quad Cab, while the Crew Cab loses a star even though its frontal, side, and rollover scores match the smaller cab’s ratings.

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. 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 hands-free on certain roads.

Evasive Steer Assist, Intersection Collision Warning, and traffic sign recognition are standard on the Tungsten grade and available on other models through option packages. That means you should check trim and package content closely if you want the most advanced driver aids.

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:

• 30.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.6% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Owners rate it 4/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The Hemi V8 returns for 2026, giving you a familiar truck engine choice with 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It brought a major update with lots of new tech and new powertrain options.

The bottom line: If you want the Hemi back and like the breadth of the 2026 lineup, this is the year to target. If you’re shopping mainly for value or want to compare equipment changes, the 2025 is worth a look before you decide.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.