Hurricane vs HEMI: How the Ram 1500 Performs with Each Engine

February 21, 2025 · 6 min read

A white 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger driving down a road from a dealer with a Ram 1500 for sale.

The Ram 1500 is one of the most impressive full-size trucks on the market, recognized for its engaging ride quality, remarkable capabilities, and sleek style inside and out. You may have noticed that there’s been a switch-up with its available powertrains for the 2025 model year, with the industry-famous HEMI V8 lineup being replaced by the Hurricane turbocharged I-6. How does this impact the Ram 1500’s potential? Let’s explore more about what each can add to your experience. If you’re on the hunt for a Ram 1500 for sale, you’ll certainly find what you need here at McHugh Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT.

Hurricane Options

Two Hurricane I-6 engines join the Ram 1500 lineup for 2025, offering drivers a different way to take on all the tasks that reside on their agendas for the day. The first available powertrain is a 3.0L Hurricane turbocharged six-cylinder, which makes 420 hp and 469 lb-ft of torque to add a little pep to your step. The second available Hurricane option is the High Output version, which showcases 540 horses at the reins and 521 lb-ft of torque to make for an all-around exciting ride.

Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, allowing you to enjoy the ride whether you’re rolling down the highway or carrying materials across the job site. The Hurricane lineup offers a nice touch of excitement blended perfectly with the right amount of power to take on any job. These available engines are outstanding for those who require more out of their truck, offering a confident and powerful ride, which is much in line with what drivers are demanding these days.

HEMI Options

Most drivers are familiar with the HEMI V8 lineup that we’ve seen in the Ram 1500 for years until the 2024 model year. To see a shift in which types of powertrains are situated beneath the Ram 1500’s sculpted hood was a surprise to many drivers, to say the least. The 5.7L HEMI Eagle V8 with eTorque has been on the menu for some time now, offering 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque to the ride, making it a top pick for hard workers, adventurers, and daily drivers alike. It showcases fabulous strength and plenty of thrills to go around. For those who demand more exhilaration in how they travel, the TRX model showcases this, with its 6.2L HEMI supercharged V8 nicknamed “Hellcat,” which bursts forward with a whopping 702 horses and 650 lb-ft of torque leading the way.

Like the Hurricane lineup, the HEMI lineup is paired with a smooth-operating eight-speed automatic transmission. The HEMI engine selection is just as capable of providing you with a dynamic ride as the Hurricane arsenal, making both fabulous choices when it comes to the power radiating from the Ram 1500’s chiseled hood.

Towing Power

When it comes to pulling heavy equipment behind you, you need a truck with an engine that was designed to do hard things. This is exactly what you can expect from the Ram 1500, no matter which engine is situated inside its confident frame. The 3.0L Hurricane turbocharged I-6 is capable of towing up to 11,550 lbs, making it a great choice for those seeking out a dutiful workmate. Opting for the High Output powertrain may add a little more liveliness to your journey, but it sacrifices a bit of towing power in the process, topping out at a maximum towing capacity of 9,920 lbs. If you are seeking out a new Ram 1500 for work or to haul heavy loads, the standard Hurricane engine is better suited to these needs.

The tan and black interior cabin of a 2023 Ram 1500.

The HEMI lineup offers talented towing capabilities as well, with its 5.7L Eagle V8 able to handle up to 12,750 lbs, making it a phenomenal accomplice on the job site. When you have work to get done, this powertrain is capable of completing some of the most challenging tasks imaginable. Those who are interested in the supercharged variant will want to keep in mind that, like the Hurricane High Output option, this engine also sacrifices towing capacity for street speed. The Hellcat tops out at 8,220 lbs, which still isn’t too bad, considering how utterly dominant it is in every other aspect.

Hauling Potential

If towing isn’t really your thing and hauling is more in your wheelhouse, the Ram 1500 is a go-to choice for these types of drivers. Its 3.0L Hurricane turbocharged six-cylinder engine can take on a payload capacity of up to 1,980 lbs, making it a breeze to load up with everything from adventure gear to home improvement materials, construction tools, and more. Again, the High Output version is geared more toward street performance, which means that payload capacity isn’t as impressive, but not every driver requires top-level payload numbers. This powertrain can handle a maximum of 1,520 lbs of payload.

You’ll find that the HEMI Eagle V8 is very similar to the turbocharged Hurricane I-6, with a payload capacity of 1,940 lbs, making both absolute winners for those looking to carry heavy materials in their truck beds. Just like the High Output version of the Hurricane lineup, the supercharged Hellcat focuses more of its attention on bursting down the highway or the trails, with a payload capacity of only 1,350 lbs. As you can see, both the Hurricane and HEMI arsenals feature options that are geared more toward work, as well as those tuned into performance. This means that you’ll want to carefully consider how you plan to utilize your truck so that you can make the best choice regarding the powertrain that resides inside.

Ride Quality

You’ll find that the Ram 1500 wears many hats. It’s a dedicated workmate, a spirited off-road adventurer, and a trusted daily driver, making it one of the most versatile pickup trucks around. The new Hurricane lineup offers a superb ride with plenty of power and strength to appeal to a variety of drivers. There’s even a nice level of efficiency in this lineup, especially when you choose its 3.0L turbocharged standard option, which allows you to get an EPA-estimated 25 MPG on the highway. It’s just another reason why this truck is great for your daily commute.

The HEMI lineup is known to be ultra-powerful and ready to conquer the task at hand. Ram 1500 models armed with the HEMI Eagle V8 will be able to take on any challenge imaginable, whether it’s on the job site or the interstate, with outstanding towing and hauling capabilities and favorable efficiency, able to get up to 23 MPG on the highway. Those with a thirst for excitement will be floored by the Hellcat’s performance, able to jet from 0-60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of 118 mph.

Front view of a blue 2024 Ram 1500 towing a boat.

Hurricane vs HEMI: Which Should You Choose?

If you’re in the market for a new Ram 1500 model, the Hurricane lineup will serve you well. However, if a used model is on your mind, you’ll certainly find the right HEMI for you. Both of these selections feature work-ready powertrains, as well as fierce performers, making it easy to find what you need to revolutionize the way you work, travel, or both. There’s a reason why the Ram 1500 is seen so often on the road, and that’s because there’s an option for every driver. When it comes to the powertrain that is situated beneath the Ram 1500’s polished hood, rest assured that Ram gives you the best options to take on any challenge with gusto.

Posted in:

A red 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman driving down a road from a dealer with a Ram 1500 for sale.

Feb 14, 2025 in Ram 1500 for Sale

The Ram 1500 Has Unique Features That Make Its Competitors Feel Sheepish

For many drivers, choosing a full-size pickup truck can be a difficult task. With so many makes and models, it can be hard to decide on the right one for you. Sure, each brand provides a number of different trims to choose from, offers various engine types, and gives you a choice of cab styles and bed sizes. However, many folks are looking to cut through the common features and find things that make a truck unique and help it stand out from the rest of the herd. If you are looking for things you won’t find on other trucks, you should consider choosing a Ram 1500 for sale. more The 2025 Ram 1500 represents a full-size truck that is unlike any other you will find available today. This includes a super premium new trim level and other items that make the Ram 1500 the leader of the pack. This is why we are so excited to offer customers like you this amazing truck. At McHugh Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT, we offer the full lineup of Ram trucks, including the 2025 Ram 1500, so you can find exactly what you want when you buy one here. The New Tungsten Trim Earns Its Solid Metal Name One of the strongest metals in the world is tungsten, so it is only natural that the new ultra-premium trim for the Ram 1500 is called Tungsten. In fact, the other name for tungsten is wolfram, which seems kind of fitting. This trim level is for the driver who truly wants it all. The interior of the Ram 1500 Tungsten features Natura Plus leather driver and front passenger seats. These come heated and ventilated, as you would expect on a model at this level. They also have a massaging feature that will help reduce driver fatigue. This is something you only see on luxury sedans and SUVs. The truck’s vehicle identification number is displayed on the center console on a special Tungsten badge. This is a unique feature of this trim. Ram has increased the size of the Uconnect 5 system on the 2025 Ram 1500, with a standard eight-inch touchscreen and optional 12-inch display. For the Tungsten trim, Ram has given the Uconnect 5 system an even larger 14.5-inch touchscreen that feeds into a Klipsch Reference Premiere audio system. This is one of the leading brands in sound systems. This gives you 23 speakers that are strategically placed throughout the Ram 1500 Tungsten’s cabin, providing an unequaled experience when listening to your favorite music. Ram completes the package with a set of dual wireless chargers. This exclusive feature will allow you and a passenger to keep your phones charged, even if you have neglected to bring along your charging cables. The RHO Provides Unrivaled Off-Road Adventures Off-road enthusiasts might find themselves on the horns of a dilemma when choosing their next truck. That is because the 2025 Ram 1500 RHO, named for the powerful rhino, will give them an experience that surpasses anything they have ever found on the trail. Ram has equipped the all-new RHO with an equally new engine: a 3.0L Hurricane High Output Turbo I-6. This engine is rated to produce 540 hp and 521 lb-ft of torque, resulting in speed and acceleration rarely seen in a full-size truck with a conventional gas engine. The Ram 1500 RHO will get you from 0-60 mph in just 4.6 seconds, with a top speed of 118 mph. It can even complete the quarter mile in 13.2 seconds while traveling at 103 mph, a testament to the vehicle’s stability and handling. This engine also comes standard on the Tungsten, Limited Longhorn, and Limited trims. Unlike those other trims, the RHO is built to handle the toughest off-road conditions. Its unique, long-travel suspension was based on the suspension used on desert racers. It has adaptive damping to handle changes in terrain, with high-strength forged aluminum front upper and lower control arms to stand up to the rigors of off-roading. The truck comes with a set of Bilstein Black Hawk e2 shocks, underbody skid plates, and front and rear tow hooks. It rides on a set of 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory all-terrain tires, giving you the grip you need when you hit the trail. Like the Tungsten trim, the RHO also gives you the kind of technological experience that sets it apart from other full-size trucks. There are over 50 inches of combined digital display screens in the front dashboard. This includes a 10.25-inch front passenger screen that you will only find on Ram 1500 trucks. This provides an interactive experience for your front-seat passenger. Also, Ram has included the same set of dual wireless charging pads that are standard on the Tungsten. The RHO has a standard nine-speaker audio system, with an available 19-speaker Harman Kardon system for drivers who are true audiophiles. A New Lineup of Powertrains Helps Ram Charge Into the Future The base engine for the 2025 Ram 1500, a 3.6L Pentastar V6 with eTorque, was carried over from the previous model year. However, it has added a pair of all-new gasoline engines, as well as an upcoming hybrid model. In addition to the High Output Hurricane engine featured on the top trims, drivers can also get a Standard Output 3.0L Hurricane turbocharged I-6, which comes standard on the Warlock, Laramie, and Rebel trims and is available on the Tradesman and Big Horn. This engine delivers 420 hp and 469 lb-ft of torque. The upcoming 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger is a plug-in hybrid truck, matching the 3.6L Pentastar V6 gas engine with a pair of electric motors and a 92 kWh battery, providing a targeted range of 690 miles on a full charge. The gas engine acts as a generator, and the plug-in capability allows you to recharge the battery directly as well. The result is a truck that gets an astounding 663 hp and 615 lb-ft of torque, with the ability to tow up to 14,000 lbs or haul up to 2,625 lbs in its bed. This addition of an electrified variant to the Ram 1500 lineup sets this truck apart from its competition. Unique Bed Options Make Things More Functional The 2025 Ram 1500 has a power tailgate. You can open it with the touch of a button in the overhead console, so you don’t have to leave your seat. You can also operate it using your truck’s key fob or the tailgate handle. This is a great addition when you are using your truck on a busy job site. Ram has added an onboard power inverter to the truck that can produce up to 2 kW of power. This gives you two covered 110V outlets inside the bed. This will come in handy on job sites, allowing you to power your tools so you can use the tailgate as a workbench. It also eliminates the need for long and dangerous extension chords. If you decide to take your truck camping, you can use the outlets to power lights and other electric gear. You are also going to find that no other truck offers the kind of cabin storage that is available in the Ram 1500. The designers at Ram have done an exceptional job of providing drivers with interior storage, with an available in-floor storage system that increases your truck’s carrying capacity. There is a set of storage compartments that have been placed throughout the passenger cabin, including under the rear seats. This improves your truck’s utility in ways you won’t find on any other full-size pickup truck. Get More Out of Your Truck in a Ram 1500 Whether you opt for one of the new trims like the Tungsten or RHO, go electric with the Ramcharger, or stick with one of the other popular trim levels, you are sure to find things on your 2025 Ram 1500 that set it apart from other full-size pickup trucks. With its incredible selection of powertrains, technological features like the Uconnect 5 system, and exclusive storage and payload systems, the Ram 1500 stands out. If you want to get more out of your truck, don’t delay and get to the head of the herd in a 2025 Ram 1500!