Chrysler, Dodge, and Ram spent the past few decades building the reputation of its Hemi V8 engines. Now, they are largely gone and have been replaced by the Hurricane twin-turbo inline-6 line of engines. “Hurricane” is a great name, but are these engines really viable replacements for the iconic Hemis? Forbes sent its automotive editor to the annual Mudfest in Shelton, Washington, to determine just that, with a Hurricane-equipped Ram 1500 Rebel model. This Benna Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram blog post chronicles what he had to say.
The Hemi is Dead, Long Live the Hurricane
The name “Hurricane” not only invokes a powerful force but also references the spinning force of the two turbochargers, which is central to the engine’s power output. There are presently two versions of the Hurricane 3.0-liter inline-6, and the Rebel Forbes sampled has the lesser-powered engine. Nonetheless, the engine produces 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque, which is significantly more power than the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 it replaces, rated at 395 hp and 410 lb-ft.
Forbes estimates that the Hurricane-equipped Rebel can go from 0 to 60 in about a second less than the V8. However, there are some trade-offs. The maximum towing capacity is slightly reduced from 11,200 to 11,160 pounds, and the maximum payload is down by 200 at 1,950 pounds. As Forbes points out, “Only a few users load these trucks up to the maximum, but it is a reduction.” They also note that the Ford F-150 still outperforms in towing and loading but lacks the Rebel’s civility and quickness when not towing.
Ram’s Rear Suspension Shines as Always
Part of the Rebel’s civilized nature can be attributed to Ram replacing rear leaf springs with a multi-link coil suspension 15 years ago. Ever since, Ram 1500s have been praised for their vastly better ride and handling than their competitors.
The Rebel tested was also equipped with the $1,995 air suspension, which can raise and lower the Rebel according to need. On the open highway, it will lower the truck so that it can punch a slightly smaller hole in the air to save fuel. When the pavement ends, which is where you want to go in a Rebel, it can raise the truck’s ground clearance to 10.7 inches. Forbes says: “Neither the multi-link rear nor the air suspension can entirely disguise the fact that this is a heavy machine over six feet tall, but these systems really do make a difference in how it rides and responds. It’s smoother and more precise than its full-size domestic competitors. It isn’t too loud on pavement either, despite its all-terrain tires.”
The Rebel has its 10th anniversary in 2025, and Ram even has a Rebel X edition to celebrate it. It isn’t quite as gonzo as a Ram TRX or F-150 Raptor, but with a starting MSRP of $64,660, it is about $16K less than the Ford and twice that less than its brutal sibling. It is still built for the rough stuff with 33-inch all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels, Bilstein off-road suspension dampers, a steering ratio reduced from 16.3 to 17.8:1, a 1-inch lift before the air suspension, as well as skid plates and tow hooks in the necessary places.
A Diamond in the Rough
Mudfest is not a Ram-designated site but rather an event where several manufacturers bring their products to prove themselves on the varied terrain. There is a standard off-road course to challenge crossovers and another “extreme” course for dedicated off-road vehicles like the Rebel. Forbes notes that company reps accompany you on the Extreme course. At one point, the Ram rep made the course even more challenging by having the author stop the Rebel on its way up a slippery hill, thus losing all its momentum. In 4WD-low, the Rebel simply resumed its climb and crested the hill without drama. Forbes sums up the 2025 Rebel: “It’s clearly a capable crawler and dune basher.”
Yet, they also point out that the Rebel does not beat you up on the way home, so you don’t have to pay all week for your fun on the weekend. When compared to Ford’s offerings, the Rebel seems to split the performance difference between a choice like a (similarly priced) Ford F-150 Tremor and the V6 F-150 Raptor. In fact, if you max out the options on the Rebel, you wind up at the Raptor’s starting point.
More than anything else, this strangely refutes any idea that the Hemis took the fun with them when they left. The Hurricanes start a whole new, entertaining era. Take your own test drive of the Hurricane-powered Rebel or other Ram trucks at Benna CDJR.
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