Preview: 2026 Ram 1500 REV Pickup Truck Packs Big Power and Long Range

The Ram 1500 has long stood out for its livability. All modern trucks are highly capable, but none match the Ram for its ride quality, driver comfort, and intuitive controls. Now those traits will be applied to an all-new version.

It’s a bold move to skip a traditional hybrid and instead go for an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) with an engine to recharge on the go. This seems like a pragmatic solution that eliminates range anxiety and facilitates towing, which is almost untenable with a full-blown EV. If you’re using a truck to do trucky things, like haul hefty loads or pull a sizable trailer, those chores will have a significant impact on driving range. But even if the range dropped in half, that still leaves an impressive 345 miles. The REV’s trick is that the engine will be charging the battery as the truck drives. We’ll be very interested to see how this works when we buy one to test.

Styling on the latest Rams is evolutionary, with the most overt changes being a reshaped, forward-leaning grille and LED headlamps. If there’s any doubt about the truck’s identity, the massive “RAM” badge on the front declares its name. A similar lack of subtlety applies to the tailgate. There’s now an available function to allow it to be lowered via the key fob, a welcome convenience. The tailgate can open as a single piece or as two, split about two-thirds and one-third. This versatility can make loading the bed much easier in tight quarters or with certain trailers. 

The 1500 REV looks very much like the Ram 1500, but it has a distinct lower front valance and taillights that reach into the tailgate. Clearly, Ram is borrowing the script from Ford, which made its F-150 Lightning look like its popular F-150 rather than go wild like Tesla’s Cybertruck. 

The bed is a traditional 5-foot, 7-inch size. The available RamBox adds lockable storage within the bed walls. This weatherproof space is a convenient way to store tools and emergency equipment. Following tradition, the bed has grooves to allow it to be divided, as well as cleats and a rail system for securing cargo. 

There are some trim and grille differences among the REV’s three trims: Tradesman, Laramie, and Tungsten.

Drivers can gain access to the trucks using their phone as a key. Similar to many new vehicles, an app can control many functions remotely, such as unlocking the doors and starting the engine. This gives owners more flexibility, especially when the key fob isn’t available. It’s easy to imagine that this may have particular applications for commercial users, in case a key is misplaced or someone needs access to a truck at a job site. 

Once inside, it’s clear that Ram has once again engaged in the infotainment screen wars. There’s a digital driver’s instrument screen, naturally. 

The center screen can be 12 or 14.5 inches in the Ram, and it houses the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. In our Ram 1500 test, we appreciated that the screen is highly customizable, responds quickly to inputs, and has big on-screen buttons and programmable shortcuts. But some controls are a long reach from the driver, including the tuning knob, air conditioning button, front and rear defrost, and any icons that are on the right and bottom edges of the screen.

One-upping the competitors, the Ram 1500 REV can be fitted with a 10.25-inch passenger touchscreen that can display entertainment, navigation, and exterior vehicle cameras. To reduce distraction, this screen isn’t visible to the driver. There’s an HDMI port for connecting devices, so a passenger can use the screen to surf the internet or watch a video. 

So the driver doesn’t feel left out, there’s an available color head-up display that can show navigation directions, speed, speed limit, gear, and safety warnings on the windshield. 

Available dual wireless phone chargers can keep devices topped off when traveling. 

Of course, the 1500 REV adds information screens to advise on energy flow (showing charging and consumption), battery level, and consumption history. Plus, that truck can use “one-pedal driving,” a common electric vehicle feature that allows the driver to control acceleration and deceleration with the “gas” pedal, because lifting the pedal causes the regenerative braking to significantly slow the vehicle. 

The top Tungsten trim level has a standard 1,228-watt Klipsch stereo with 23 speakers, brushed metal accents, and a suede headliner. To further pamper, the quilted-leather front seats feature 24-way adjustments, memory functions, and massage settings. Plus, they are heated and ventilated. 

Various other trim levels feature their own upholstery and accents.

Full-sized trucks have long competed on the basis of big numbers for horsepower, cargo capacity, and towing capability. The trend continues with the Ram 1500 REV.

The powertrain is unique among big trucks. Rather than offering a hybrid setup or a pure electric vehicle, the truck is packaged as an extended-range electric vehicle. This means it uses the 271-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine to generate electricity via a 130-kW generator rather than using the engine to move the vehicle. It employs a large 92-kWh battery pack to store the energy, which is routed to front and rear motors as called upon.

The generator can supplement the battery when extra power is needed. Peak output is 647 hp and 610 lb.-ft. of torque. Ram claims the truck can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and has a 690-mile driving range (aided by a large, 27-gallon gas tank). For work duties, it has a 2,625-pound maximum payload capacity and 14,000-pound maximum tow capacity. As a bonus, the truck can be used as a home generator in the case of a power outage.

Based on our experience towing with the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T, electric trucks can’t fulfill their promises of range and tow capacity at the same time. But even with a large trailer taking its toll on range, starting with nearly 700 miles of range means there could be much to spare. 

Images show the 1500 REV is equipped with a CCS charge port. The automaker wouldn’t confirm if the production model would have a Tesla-compatible NACS port when it goes on sale, as will be the custom in 2026. 

According to Stellantis, the vehicle’s total weight is 7,507 pounds. That makes it about 2,200 pounds heavier than the gas-powered 2025 Ram 1500 turbocharged V6 crew cab that we tested.

Like the Ram 1500, the 1500 REV is expected to have the traditional active safety features that are common today, such as automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning.

The company says adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, driver attention monitoring, and active parking assist will be available. The trucks can be fitted with a digital rearview mirror to aid with towing by using a remote camera to show what’s behind a trailer. Ram will also offer hands-free automated driving that combines adaptive cruise control and lane centering assistance, facilitated by cameras and radar to ensure safe operation.