Ram 1500 HEMI Engine: Horsepower, Towing & MPG

The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 makes 395 horsepower at 5,600 rpm. That output has remained remarkably consistent from generation to generation, which is part of why the engine has such a loyal following.

So, how much horsepower does a 5.7 HEMI have? The number itself, 395 hp, has held steady across recent model years, whether the engine is paired with eTorque or not.

What's changed is how that power gets delivered. Variable valve timing helps the engine breathe better across the rev range, so power comes on smoothly rather than in one big rush. For drivers hauling a trailer up a grade or merging onto I-70 with a truck bed full of gear, that kind of linear delivery matters more day-to-day than the peak number on a spec sheet. It's a big reason the HEMI has stuck around in the Ram lineup for more than 20 years, it just works, in almost any situation a truck owner throws at it.

• Smooth, linear power delivery thanks to variable-valve timing
• Confident merging and passing power, even while towing
• That deep V8 exhaust note buyers specifically ask for

Torque is where the 5.7 HEMI really earns its keep, 410 lb-ft of it, available low in the rev range where trucks do their heaviest lifting.

Set the 5.7 HEMI hp and torque figures side by side, and the picture makes sense: 395 hp gets the truck moving, and 410 lb-ft keeps it moving once the load gets heavy.

Trucks equipped with eTorque add up to another 130 lb-ft of torque assist at launch and between shifts, courtesy of a 48-volt motor-generator unit tucked behind the rear seat. That extra shove isn't about bragging rights, it smooths out stop-and-go towing and takes some strain off the transmission.

For anyone hauling equipment, a camper, or a boat, that low-end torque is the number that actually matters on a Tuesday afternoon.

With the eTorque mild-hybrid system, the 5.7L HEMI is rated around 17 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, a couple miles per gallon better than the standard, non-hybrid HEMI.

Fuel economy has always been the trade-off truck shoppers weigh against V8 power, and eTorque was built to close that gap. Fuel-Saver MDS, or Multi-Displacement System, shuts down four cylinders during light-load cruising, highway driving, coasting, light city traffic, then brings them back the instant the driver needs more power.

Combined with the 48-volt hybrid assist, that adds up to a real MPG gain over the non-hybrid version without giving up any horsepower or torque. It won't out-mileage a V6, but for drivers who want V8 towing muscle without filling up every other day, the HEMI eTorque hits a sweet spot.