Two Engines, One Off-Road Package: Inside the 2026 Ram 1500 BackCountry Powertrain Options
April 17 2026,
A new off-road package has joined the Ram 1500 lineup in Canada, and it comes with a choice that will matter to every New Brunswick truck buyer: which engine do you want under the hood? The 2026 Ram 1500 BackCountry is a factory-built off-road package that slots between the Warlock and Rebel, bringing trail-tuned hardware and blacked-out style to the proven Big Horn 4x4 Crew Cab platform. And right at the heart of the decision is the powertrain.
From Highway 2 heading north toward Edmundston to the logging roads that branch off the Saint John River Valley, what moves your truck matters. Ram has given BackCountry buyers two distinct paths — the legendary 5.7-litre HEMI V-8 eTorque and the turbocharged 3.0-litre S.O. Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six. Here is a straightforward look at both options and what each brings to the table.
The 5.7-Litre HEMI V-8 eTorque: A Classic Returns
The HEMI V-8 is back in the 2026 Ram 1500 lineup, and it arrives with a welcome evolution: eTorque mild-hybrid technology. This 5.7-litre, 8-cylinder engine delivers 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, paired with a belt-driven motor generator unit that adds up to 130 lb-ft of supplemental torque at initial throttle tip-in.
In practical terms, eTorque smooths out stop-and-go driving and sharpens low-speed response — the kind of benefit you notice when crawling through a muddy trail, towing a loaded trailer up a grade, or pulling away from a stop on a cold February morning in Woodstock. Every HEMI-powered BackCountry also comes standard with a performance-tuned exhaust system. Highway fuel economy comes in as low as 10.8 L/100 km.
- Output: 395 hp / 410 lb-ft torque
- Supplemental eTorque boost: Up to 130 lb-ft at initial throttle tip-in
- Max towing: 4,613 kg (10,170 lb)
- Max payload: 748 kg (1,650 lb)
- Fuel economy (highway): As low as 10.8 L/100 km
The 3.0-Litre S.O. Hurricane Twin-Turbo Inline-Six: Turbocharged Efficiency
The other choice on the BackCountry is the 3.0-litre S.O. (standard output) Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six — a modern, direct-injection engine built around forced induction. For drivers in New Brunswick who cover longer highway stretches or want a more fuel-conscious truck that can still hold its own on a trail, this engine earns a close look.
The S.O. Hurricane produces 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque. Its max towing capacity reaches 5,089 kg (11,220 lb) — higher than the HEMI — and max payload comes in at 835 kg (1,840 lb). The twin-turbo architecture also delivers highway fuel economy as low as 9.7 L/100 km, which adds up on longer runs between Woodstock and Fredericton or down toward Moncton. For buyers who want more towing headroom and lower fuel costs on the highway, this engine makes a strong case.
- Output: 420 hp / 469 lb-ft torque
- Max towing: 5,089 kg (11,220 lb)
- Max payload: 835 kg (1,840 lb)
- Fuel economy (highway): As low as 9.7 L/100 km
What Stays the Same on Both BackCountry Builds
No matter which powertrain you choose, the BackCountry package delivers the same off-road and exterior upgrades. The trail hardware is not gated behind one engine choice — every build gets the full kit.
Every 2026 Ram 1500 BackCountry includes:
- 1-inch suspension lift with heavy-duty shock absorbers
- Skid plates for the front underbody, power steering rack, transfer case, and fuel tank
- Rear electronic locking differential (ELocker)
- Selec-Speed off-road cruise control
- 32-inch off-road tires on Satin Black 18-inch aluminum wheels
- Front tow hooks
- Contrasting black fender flares, lower body, and bumpers painted in Diamond Black Crystal Pearl-Coat
Inside, the cabin comes equipped with durable vinyl bucket seats with alloy-printed mesh inserts, a MOLLE panel seatback storage system, all-weather rubber floor mats, and BackCountry badging on the instrument panel.
At a Glance: BackCountry Powertrain Comparison
|
Feature |
5.7L HEMI V-8 eTorque |
3.0L S.O. Hurricane Twin-Turbo I-6 |
|
Displacement |
5.7 litres |
3.0 litres |
|
Engine Layout |
8-cylinder + eTorque mild hybrid |
6-cylinder, twin-turbocharged |
|
Horsepower |
395 hp |
420 hp |
|
Torque |
410 lb-ft |
469 lb-ft |
|
eTorque Supplement |
Up to 130 lb-ft |
N/A |
|
Max Towing |
4,613 kg (10,170 lb) |
5,089 kg (11,220 lb) |
|
Max Payload |
748 kg (1,650 lb) |
835 kg (1,840 lb) |
|
Highway Fuel Economy |
As low as 10.8 L/100 km |
As low as 9.7 L/100 km |
|
Standard Exhaust |
Performance-tuned |
Standard |
Backed by Ram's Best Warranty in Canada
Every 2026 Ram 1500 — BackCountry included — is covered by Canada's best full-size truck limited powertrain warranty: 10 years or 160,000 kilometres. That applies to both the HEMI V-8 and the Hurricane inline-six.
Learn More at Connell Chrysler in Woodstock
The 2026 Ram 1500 BackCountry is available to order now. If you are in Woodstock, Hartland, or anywhere along the Saint John River Valley, the team at Connell Chrysler can walk you through both powertrain options, explain the Level 1 and Level 2 Equipment Group content, and help you figure out which build fits how you drive and work in New Brunswick.
Stop by or reach out to the team at Connell Chrysler on Connell Street in Woodstock to learn more.
