The 2026 Ram 1500 Big Horn is a pickup that embodies the subtle tension in the modern truck world: engineering ambition versus everyday practicality. On paper, Ram’s Hurricane 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six is a neat piece of hardware. It’s compact, efficient, and very potent for its size. It’s that mix of capability and real-world utility that gives this Big Horn its character.
Let’s start where it changes from before: the engine. Ram’s Hurricane inline-six is available in a Standard Output form that pumps out around 420 hp and 469 lb-ft of torque, routing all of it through an 8-speed automatic. Where a V-8 used to growl and rumble by default, this six does its work with a smooth, purposeful shove that feels just as eager in daily driving as it does under load. It’s a good kind of refined, delivering torque early and with surprising smoothness. That isn’t to say it lacks character; it just doesn’t rely on raw cylinder count to impress. It’s a mixture of turbocharging and mild hybrid design that creates an expected V6 power curve but with a lot more power to curve.
On the road, the Big Horn’s ride quality is reassuringly competent–not flashy, but composed. Suspension tuning leans toward comfort over aggression, which is exactly what most owners will appreciate on long hauls and weekly errands alike. The Hurricane’s twin-scroll turbos spin up quickly enough that throttle response feels lively without the laggy-ness you might expect from a turbocharged six. It’s a practical engine that doesn’t demand drama to deliver performance.
Fuel economy, at least in the Standard Output configuration, lands where it ought to: better than the old Hemi V-8 and respectable for its class. Figures near the high teens in town and low-20s on highway runs are realistic if you treat the throttle gently.
Interior and tech are where the Big Horn continues its evolution. Ram’s interior design philosophy leans toward intuitive rather than extravagant — less “concept car” and more “tool you actually use.” Controls fall to hand naturally, screens are bright and responsive, and the layout is familiar without feeling dated. That’s exactly the sort of detail that makes a truck feel like it belongs in your driveway. Ergonomics are one of Ram’s strong suits.
There are no glaring flaws here, but it’s worth acknowledging that this powertrain isn’t a brute. If you want the visceral bark and soul of a big pushrod V-8, that choice has made a comeback elsewhere in the 1500 lineup.
In everyday use, though, the Hurricane’s blend of torque, efficiency, and refinement makes it something of a happy medium. It doesn’t shout, but it gets the job done, whether that’s hauling gear, merging onto the highway, or crawling through town with a trailer in tow. That balance between modern efficiency and traditional capability is the 2026 Big Horn’s main story.
The 2026 Ram 1500 Big Horn with the Hurricane engine isn’t about shock and awe. It’s about giving you a smart, strong, and sensible powertrain that fits the way most people actually use their trucks.
