Victorville Motors
The 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbocharged inline-six is Stellantis’ flagship gasoline engine and the modern answer to the HEMI V8. Built at the Saltillo Engine Plant and launched in 2022, the Hurricane powers select 2026 Dodge, Jeep, and RAM models in two distinct tunes — the Standard Output (SO) and the High Output (HO). At Victorville Motors, we carry the full CDJR lineup that runs on this engine, so this guide covers exactly what the Hurricane is, how the two variants differ, and which 2026 vehicles you can get it in.
Both versions share the same 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged inline-six architecture. The differences are in boost pressure, internal components, fuel delivery, and how each is tuned for its role. Here’s the side-by-side:
| Specification | Hurricane SO | Hurricane HO |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 3.0L twin-turbo I6 | 3.0L twin-turbo I6 |
| Peak horsepower | 420 hp | 540–550 hp (varies by application) |
| Peak torque | 468–469 lb-ft | 521–531 lb-ft (varies by application) |
| Peak HP RPM | 5,200 rpm | 5,700 rpm |
| Peak torque RPM | 3,500 rpm | 3,500 rpm |
| Peak boost | 22 psi | 26–30 psi |
| Compression ratio | 10.4:1 | 9.5:1 |
| Fuel injection pumps | Single (chain-driven shaft) | Dual (chain-driven shaft) |
| Charge cooler | Water-to-air, single inlet | Water-to-air, dual inlet |
| Pistons | Cast aluminum with cast-iron top ring land | Forged aluminum, oil-jet cooled, DLC-coated pins |
| Fuel requirement | Premium 91 recommended | Premium 91 required |
| Tuned for | Efficiency, low-end torque, towing | Maximum performance |
The Standard Output is engineered for fuel economy and low-rpm torque — ideal for towing and daily driving. The High Output trades efficiency for outright power, with reinforced internals, higher boost, and the forged pistons needed to handle it.
Several engineering choices set the Hurricane apart from traditional V8s and other modern turbo sixes:
Stellantis has expanded Hurricane availability across three brands for 2026. The table below shows which vehicles and trims run which variant:
| Brand | Model | Trim(s) | Hurricane Variant | Standard / Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAM | 1500 | Tradesman, Express, Big Horn, Warlock | SO | Available |
| RAM | 1500 | Laramie, Rebel | SO | Standard |
| RAM | 1500 | RHO, Limited, Limited Longhorn, Tungsten | HO | Standard |
| Jeep | Grand Wagoneer | All trims (Grand Wagoneer, Upland, Limited Altitude, Limited Reserve Altitude, Summit, Summit Obsidian, Summit Reserve Obsidian) | SO | Standard |
| Dodge | Charger R/T | — | SO (branded 3.0L SIXPACK SO) | Standard |
| Dodge | Charger Scat Pack | — | HO (branded 3.0L SIXPACK HO) | Standard |
The RAM 1500 is the highest-volume Hurricane application and the one most shoppers in the High Desert are researching. Properly equipped, the Hurricane SO delivers up to 11,610 lbs of max towing and 1,930 lbs of payload — the highest tow rating in the 2026 RAM 1500 lineup. The Hurricane HO produces 540 hp and 521 lb-ft and tows up to 10,000 lbs, making it the performance-priority choice rather than the max-towing choice. Both Hurricane variants pair with the 8HP75 eight-speed automatic transmission. See our 2026 RAM 1500 Overview for the complete lineup.
For 2026, Jeep consolidated its full-size SUV lineup under a single nameplate: the standard Wagoneer has been discontinued, and all Grand Wagoneer trims now run the Hurricane Standard Output at 420 hp and 468 lb-ft. This includes the base Grand Wagoneer, Upland (a new off-road package), Limited Altitude, Limited Reserve Altitude, Summit, Summit Obsidian, and Summit Reserve Obsidian — all paired with the 8HP75 eight-speed automatic transmission. The previous 540-hp High Output variant that was offered on Grand Wagoneer through 2025 has been retired for 2026. Max towing is up to 10,000 lbs when properly equipped, with Quadra-Trac I or the available Quadra-Drive II 4×4 system. Browse our Grand Wagoneer inventory to see available configurations.
Dodge markets the Hurricane engine as “SIXPACK” in the 2026 Charger application — same engine family, different badging. The Charger R/T uses the 3.0L SIXPACK SO (420 hp, 468 lb-ft) while the Charger Scat Pack uses the 3.0L SIXPACK HO (550 hp, 531 lb-ft) — the most powerful Hurricane variant in production. Both gas Chargers come with standard all-wheel drive and a rear-wheel-drive mode selectable at the push of a button. Note that the Charger Daytona name refers to the all-electric version with a 670-hp dual-motor system — not the Hurricane-powered ICE Chargers. Browse our Charger inventory for available gas models.
One of the most common questions we get is whether the V8 is gone. For the 2026 RAM 1500, the answer is no — the 5.7L HEMI V8 with eTorque returned after being dropped from the 2025 lineup. Here’s how the three engines stack up head-to-head in the 2026 RAM 1500:
| Spec | 3.0L Hurricane SO | 3.0L Hurricane HO | 5.7L HEMI V8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 420 hp | 540 hp | 395 hp |
| Torque | 469 lb-ft | 521 lb-ft | 410 lb-ft |
| Max towing (properly equipped) | 11,610 lbs | 10,000 lbs | 11,320 lbs |
| Peak HP RPM | 5,200 rpm | 5,700 rpm | 5,600 rpm |
| Transmission | 8HP75 8-speed automatic | 8HP75 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic with eTorque |
| Fuel recommendation | Premium 91 recommended | Premium 91 required | Regular 87 |
| 2026 trim availability | Most trims | RHO, Limited, Limited Longhorn, Tungsten | Most trims (not RHO or Tungsten) |
The Hurricane HO outpaces the HEMI on peak horsepower (540 vs 395) and peak torque (521 vs 410), and the Hurricane SO outpaces the HEMI on both power and towing. The HEMI’s appeal for 2026 is largely character — the sound, the throttle feel, the familiarity for longtime V8 owners — rather than raw capability. See our 2026 RAM 1500 HEMI V8 breakdown for the full picture.
RAM 1500 buyers benefit from RAM’s new 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty for 2026. It covers engine, transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, differentials, and axles on gas-powered 2026 RAM 1500 models (including Hurricane-equipped trucks), available to the original owner only and non-transferable. On transfer, coverage reverts to the standard 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. This program is specific to RAM — Hurricane-equipped Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Dodge Charger models carry their own brand-specific warranty coverage.
The 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo I6 is available in the 2026 RAM 1500, the 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and the 2026 Dodge Charger (where it is branded as SIXPACK).
Both are 3.0L twin-turbocharged inline-six engines. The Standard Output produces 420 hp and 468–469 lb-ft with a focus on efficiency and low-end torque. The High Output produces 540–550 hp and 521–531 lb-ft with forged internals, higher boost, and a performance-first tune.
Stellantis originally positioned the Hurricane as a replacement for the HEMI V8, but the 5.7L HEMI V8 returned to the 2026 RAM 1500 lineup as an available option alongside the Hurricane. Both engines are now offered together on most RAM 1500 trims.
Properly equipped, the Hurricane SO tows up to 11,610 lbs — the highest tow rating in the 2026 RAM 1500 lineup. The Hurricane HO tows up to 10,000 lbs.
Premium 91 octane is recommended for the Standard Output and required for the High Output.
The engine uses PTWA cylinder coating for high wear resistance and a forged steel crankshaft on both SO and HO versions. RAM 1500 applications are covered by RAM’s new 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty for original owners of 2026 gas models.
If you want to feel how the Hurricane engine actually drives — the low-rpm torque of the SO, the sheer pull of the HO — our inventory in Victorville is the place to start. Browse our new RAM 1500 selection or return to the CDJR Research hub for more model guides. Questions on a specific trim? Contact our team and we’ll walk you through the differences.
