Right now, there are four engine options scheduled for the 2023 Ram 1500 pickups. But a fifth, the inline twin-turbo six-cylinder Hurricane engine, is expected to be added to the fold. This comes as Stellantis looks to cull the venerable 5.7-liter Hemi V8 from all of its brands. We expect 2024 to be its last year. So far, Ram isn’t saying whether the all-new Hurricane six is making it into 2023 Ram trucks. 

3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine

So for now, let’s look at the wide range of engine options Ram does offer. The base engine is its 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. This has been rumored to be on the chopping block for a while. Maybe in trucks, but we expect it to continue being put into passenger cars and crossovers where engine space is limited. This is also why the Hurricane is expected in Ram trucks at some point soon. 

The base V6 offers up 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. Stellantis has made over one million of the Pentastar engines, with few problems reported. It finds its way into numerous vehicles including Jeeps and Chrysler and Dodge sedans. Its average mileage numbers are around 16.5 mpg. We would expect better mileage numbers as a strong selling point for the base engine.

3.0-liter EcoDiesel turbo V6

Ram hasn’t abandoned the diesel sector, yet. But EPA and emissions tightening see its days as being numbered. But for 2023, it is still the go-to for Ram oil burners. And both the mileage and towing figures tell you why,

With 260 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque, it falls in line with the other truck makers. This gives the Ram 1500 a best-in-class diesel towing capacity of 12,560 lbs. The maximum payload is a tick above 2,000 lbs. Mileage is the other plus. City mileage is 22 mpg, and 33 mpg for highway driving. 

5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine

The venerable 5.7 Hemi V8 is seeing its final days. It has been around since 2004 in one form or another, it will eventually be replaced with the afore mentioned Hurricane. That engine promises better mileage and more horsepower, so maybe we won’t miss the 5.7 too much after all. As for 2023, we may see limited 5.7 production in anticipation of its replacement. 

The 2023 offering will feature around 400 hp with 410 lb-ft of torque. That gives a maximum tow rating of 12,750 lbs, which should cover almost every towing situation. It also features the eTorque Mild Hybrid System. Two-wheel-drive applications will see 17 mpg in city driving and 23 mpg highway mileage. The 4WD trucks have 15 mpg for city driving and 22 mpg on the highway.

6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8

The mother of all engines in the Ram lineup is the monster 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi, with 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. It is only available in the Ram TRX, and as of now, Ram isn’t saying if it will end up in any other configurations. We don’t expect it to. 

Its zero to 60 times are 4.5 seconds, making it a blistering powertrain. The 8,100 lb towing capacity is nothing to turn your nose up, but who is buying a TRX to tow? We’re sure it happens, but this is all about the performance. We may see similar performance numbers with EV pickups, but never again from a gas engine.