Covert CDJR Bee Cave
2026 Ram 1500 Half-Ton Truck
Four engines up to 540 horsepower, towing up to 11,610 lbs when properly equipped, and ten trims from the work-ready Tradesman to the luxury Tungsten. The 5.7L HEMI V8 is back for 2026. Starts at $41,575 excluding destination. Shop the full lineup at Covert CDJR Bee Cave in Austin.
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The 2026 Ram 1500 pairs a coil-spring rear suspension and a quiet, well-built cabin with serious work numbers: up to 2,360 lbs of payload and up to 11,610 lbs of towing when properly equipped. For 2026 the lineup adds a fourth engine with the return of the 5.7L HEMI V8. Whether you run a job site around Burnet, tow a trailer out to the Texas Hill Country, or just want a comfortable daily driver in Austin, there is a configuration that fits.
The Powertrains
Every 2026 Ram 1500 engine pairs with a TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 is standard; the other three are available upgrades, and the HEMI V8 is new to the order sheet again this year.
The standard engine makes 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft and uses a 48-volt eTorque mild-hybrid system. It returns an EPA-estimated 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG in rear-drive form and 19 / 24 / 21 with four-wheel drive, and it runs on regular fuel.
Back by demand, the 395-horsepower, 410-lb-ft HEMI V8 is available across most of the lineup and adds a sport exhaust. It tows up to 11,320 lbs when properly equipped.
The twin-turbo Hurricane standard-output six produces 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft, and it is the engine behind the lineup’s 11,610-lb maximum tow rating.
The high-output Hurricane is the most powerful engine in the lineup at 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft, available on the RHO, Limited, Limited Longhorn, and Tungsten.
| Engine | Output | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6L Pentastar V6 eTorque | 305 hp / 269 lb-ft | Standard |
| 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque | 395 hp / 410 lb-ft | Available (new for 2026) |
| 3.0L Hurricane SO I6 | 420 hp / 469 lb-ft | Available |
| 3.0L Hurricane HO I6 | 540 hp / 521 lb-ft | Available (RHO, Limited, Limited Longhorn, Tungsten) |
The Lineup
The 2026 Ram 1500 comes in ten trims. Pricing starts at $41,575 for the Tradesman, excluding the $2,595 destination charge, and climbs into the high $80,000s for a loaded Tungsten, so the lineup covers work trucks, family haulers, off-road rigs, and luxury flagships in one model.
For a side-by-side breakdown, see our 2026 Ram 1500 trims comparison, or filter the live Ram 1500 inventory by the trim you want.
Cabin & Tech
On every 2026 Ram 1500, standard equipment includes the Uconnect 5 system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on an 8.4-inch touchscreen, with 12-inch and 14.5-inch screens available on higher trims. A 12-inch digital gauge cluster is available, and the cabin offers multiple USB connections and available premium audio.
Comfort
The Crew Cab offers about 45 inches of rear legroom, one of the roomier back seats in the segment. The coil-spring rear suspension, used in place of the leaf springs many rivals run, smooths out the ride, and an available Active-Level Four-Corner Air Suspension adds load leveling and selectable ride heights. Top trims layer in leather and ventilated front seats.
Capability
With a conventional trailer hitch and the Standard-Output 3.0L Hurricane paired to the 3.92 rear axle, a properly equipped 2026 Ram 1500 tows up to 11,610 lbs; maximum payload is 2,360 lbs. The HEMI V8 is rated up to 11,320 lbs, and the standard V6 is tuned for payload. An available 33-gallon fuel tank stretches range for long Hill Country hauls. Our Ram 1500 towing guide breaks the ratings down by engine and axle.
Off-Road
Three trims take the 1500 off pavement. The Warlock adds off-road styling and a more rugged setup, the Rebel is the mainstream off-road trim, and the RHO sits at the top as a 540-hp high-performance off-roader powered by the High-Output Hurricane inline-six, with Bilstein shocks and 35-inch tires. See the dedicated Ram 1500 RHO page for the full rundown.
Safety
On every 2026 Ram 1500, standard driver aids include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a rear camera with front and rear parking sensors. Available options add a 360-degree surround-view camera, trailer brake control, and hands-free Active Driving Assist.
New for 2026
The main change for 2026 is the return of the 5.7L HEMI V8, which gives buyers four engines to choose from after a year without a V8. Ram also brought back the Express and Black Express trims, added new colors including Silver Zynith, Molten Red and Serrano Green, and doubled the powertrain warranty to 10 years / 100,000 miles, now standard on every 2026 Ram 1500. Basic coverage remains 3 years / 36,000 miles.
Value
Covert CDJR Bee Cave stocks the Ram 1500 across the full lineup and serves buyers from San Marcos, Round Rock, and out toward Fredericksburg. Our team can match the engine and axle to how you actually tow, get you pre-approved through financing, and set up a test drive. We are at 16501 Sweetwater Vlg Dr Building 3, Austin, TX 78738, and you can reach us at (512) 900-6192.
Next Step
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MSRP excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment. Dealer sets final price. Towing and payload figures are maximums when properly equipped and vary by configuration. Vehicle images are for illustration; actual vehicles may vary.
Questions
The 2026 Ram 1500 starts at $41,575 for the Tradesman, excluding the $2,595 destination charge, and runs up into the high $80,000s for the top Tungsten. Pricing varies by trim, cab, bed, drivetrain, and options.
When properly equipped, the 2026 Ram 1500 tows up to 11,610 lbs and carries up to 2,360 lbs of payload. The maximum tow rating comes from the Standard-Output 3.0L Hurricane with the 3.92 rear axle; the HEMI V8 is rated up to 11,320 lbs.
There are four engines for 2026: a standard 3.6L Pentastar V6 (305 hp), and three available upgrades, the 5.7L HEMI V8 (395 hp), the Standard-Output 3.0L Hurricane inline-six (420 hp), and the High-Output 3.0L Hurricane (540 hp). All use an 8-speed automatic.
Yes. The 5.7L HEMI V8 returns as an available engine on the 2026 Ram 1500. The 2025 model offered the Hurricane inline-sixes and the V6 but no V8, so this is the main difference between the two model years.
The most powerful 2026 Ram 1500 makes 540 horsepower with the available High-Output 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six, offered on the RHO, Limited, Limited Longhorn, and Tungsten.
With the standard 3.6L V6 eTorque, the 2026 Ram 1500 is EPA-estimated at 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG in rear-wheel drive and 19 / 24 / 21 with four-wheel drive. Other engines vary by configuration.
Covert CDJR Bee Cave sells and services the 2026 Ram 1500 at 16501 Sweetwater Vlg Dr Building 3, Austin, TX 78738. Call (512) 900-6192 or browse the Ram 1500 inventory online.
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