Warlock is a word that conjures images of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Wizards & Warriors video game, and the “Adult Toys” collection of Dodge trucks and SUVs from the ‘70s with heavy levels of gold trim. Given my appreciation of all these things, I was pleased to see Ram (formerly Dodge) resurrect the Warlock moniker for its modern-day 1500 pickup. Getting behind the wheel of a 2026 Ram 1500 Warlock left me doubly pleased. After a full week of testing, here’s what the 2026 Ram 1500 Warlock gets right — and where it falls short.

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Ram’s Reasonably Priced Off-Roader

Peruse the Ram lineup, and you’ll see the entry-level Tradesman trim for about $44,000 (with destination charges) and the Tungsten at the top for slightly more, $91,395 to be exact. In between, I count 8 additional models, including the Warlock that comes in at $55,460. A relative bargain in this context, Warlocks start with the bones of a Tradesman and are transformed into factory off-roaders for an extra 11 grand.

That transformation consists of a 1” suspension lift for 10.1” of clearance, upgraded Bilstein dampers, a smattering of skid plates, Ram’s eLocker rear axle, and chunky 33” Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain rubber with raised white lettering. The aesthetics consist of a matte black vibe, applied to the front end, wheels, and badging. Setting it all off is a rear quarter panel Warlock decal that seems a bit small. But you know what? I dig it. Brawny, understated, and packing enough hardware to get loose in the wild, this Warlock is one good-looking pickup truck.

Driving it, I felt as though I owned the road, such is the height and broad-shouldered breadth of this Ram. Really, with that ample ground clearance and those meaty tires, you kind of do, as there’s not much that will stand in your way. Especially when your foot finds the go pedal.

Skip The Hemi, Get The Hurricane

Two years ago, Ram canned the famed Hemi V8 in favor of its new twin-turbo Hurricane straight-6. Why? Because the Hurricane makes more power, tows more stuff, and guzzles less fuel. But for 2026, the Hemi is back by popular demand. With the Warlock, that means you have a choice to make. Spend $2,895 for the V8 or $1,695 for the Hurricane. I mean, technically, you don’t have to pay for either of these motors as the Pentastar V6 is included. But then you don’t get massive power and cool badges.

The example I drove came equipped with the Hurricane, and I’m glad it did. Making 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque, this truck can RIP. Stand on the gas, wait a tick for the turbos to spool, and you’re off. Car and Driver says it’ll go 0-60 in 5.2 seconds, and I’m inclined to believe them. Punch it entering the highway and you’ll be wanting those hands at 10 and 2. Sure, the Hemi makes better noises, but the Hurricane adds faster to the list of reasons why it’s a better bet.

What Sarah Says

My wife, Sarah, is the polar opposite of a car person. Look to this section for her unfiltered thoughts on the car of the day.

A Quiet And Comfy Cabin

While you’re at it, bask in the remarkably quiet cabin - I measured the same level of noise at 65 as a Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy - and the simplicity of a cloth-covered front bench seat. Once de rigueur in pickup trucks, the bench setup has largely been relegated to worksite-oriented models. But it’s an underrated feature.

For one, you can seat 6. That came in handy with our family of 5, though the central first-row position is not ideal for long trips or long-legged passengers.

For two, you don’t have to worry about dropping all the things between your seat and the center console. Plus, in the Warlock, the backrest of that middle seat folds down to create a giant armrest replete with cupholders and storage space. All that said, none of these cushions are heated in the Warlock, which is a bummer on brisk New England mornings. Such is the price of saving a buck these days.

The No-Frills Truck

Other things missing from the no-frills Warlock include Ram’s giant-sized touchscreen and automatic climate control. It still has a plenty-big 8.4” central display and wireless smartphone mirroring, so no big loss on the screen size measuring competition. But boy, you can get spoiled in a car with automatic climate control. Having to constantly fiddle with the fan speed and blend of blue-red HVAC lines is for the birds.

Anyone occupying the rear seats of a Ram Warlock ought to be thrilled. It’s positively cavernous back there with huge legroom and space to spread out. Giant windows add to the sense of airiness, as does the power-sliding rear window. See? Ram didn’t ditch ALL the frills.

Falling Out Of The Warlock

Two things you’ll want to plan ahead for, should a Warlock be in your future, are egress and K-turns. Ingress is reasonably easy for all statures thanks to grab handles screwed into the cabin pillars. Fairly universal across the automotive landscape, but perhaps not heavily utilized in the crossover space, you will absolutely be stress-testing these hinged plastic assistants in the Warlock.

@theknockingrod2026 Ram 1500 Warlock — You Might Need a Step Ladder! #ram1500 #ramwarlock #trucktok #pickuptruck #trucklife

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I’m 6 feet tall and getting into this Ram requires a solid step up. Ground clearance may come in at only 10”, but the door sill rises 24” off the ground. As for exits, my wife Sarah, who is 5’ 7”, described the maneuver as “falling out”. Moral of the story? Find yourself a good set of side steps.

Playing Austin Powers

On the subject of K-turns: Should you find yourself in a parking lot, like say, the University of New Hampshire field house…in the dead of winter…with huge snow drifts…and no way out aside from turning around - forget 3-point turns. The Warlock is a behemoth.

My daily driver, a 2016 Mazda 6, is 16 feet long and 6 feet wide. Ram pegs the Warlock at nearly 19 ½ feet long with an extra 10 inches left-to-right versus the Mazda. Great for going up, over, and through things, these dimensions do not make for great parking lot maneuverability. Needless to say, I made Austin Powers proud in that Field House parking lot.

One upside to driving a land yacht such as the Warlock is that tailgaters disappear. I forgot to measure the height from the ground to the top of the closed tailgate, but it is surely many feet. Cars that didn’t like my pokey around-town driving were akin to gnats on the rump of a rhino, out of sight and out of mind. As for getting off-road, my opportunities to do so were limited, but I can tell you that 4-wheel high combined with those fat all-terrain tires makes light work of snow and mud.

Is This Budget-Oriented 2026 Ram 1500 Worth A Look?

I like the Ram 1500 Warlock. It’s not a vehicle I have a real need for, but that doesn’t negate its want factor. Little details like including old school cruise control alongside the adaptive variety, and regular buttons and dials instead of a haptic-controlled everything approach are a nice analog touch. Really, the Warlock manages to straddle the divide between the cutting-edge techno-wizard trucks of today and relatively simple trucks of the past. The fact that it’s packing a spectacular twin-turbo engine and serious off-road chops is pretty nice too.

Check out the debrief on the TKR Podcast!

About the author: Niel Stender is an automotive journalist. More of his work can be found at muckrack.com/niel-stender

Big, three-row SUVs are a dime-a-dozen these days, with automakers clamoring to capitalize on this seemingly insatiable segment. Some look good and some look mediocre. But Hyundai has one that’s rocking a monochromatic finish, sweet 21” rims, miles of gadgetry, and a subtly luxurious vibe that belies its mainstream positioning. That being the all-new Palisade dolled up in Calligraphy trim. It’s a looker, which the tremendous-as-always shots taken by my brother, Tyler Stender, make obvious. After a full week of testing, here’s what the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy gets right — and where it falls short.

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How The Palisade Calligraphy Stacks Up

This is the Korean automaker’s biggest, most expensive gas-powered vehicle, and based on my time running around with it, I’d say they’ve got a winner. Sitting atop the Palisade trim ladder, Calligraphy’s start at a shade over $56,000. But specced with Creamy White Pearl paint and AWD, like the version I had, you’re looking at just under $59,000. This is a lot of money, yes, but not in the context of the Palisade’s competition. A top-line Mazda CX-90 comes in just over the 59 large mark.

So what’d you get for such an outlay? Many things. Creature comforts run the gamut from Nappa leather hides to massaging front seats, climate-controlled middle seats, and heated wayback seats - all of which are power adjustable. A panoramic moonroof comes standard, as does a heated steering wheel, a second-row HVAC control panel, a Relaxation mode that transforms your throne into a La-Z-Boy, and really nice ambient light.

I’m not one to gush about colored cabin lighting, but dang, when the sun goes down, the recessed illumination inside the Calligraphy cabin is *chef’s kiss. There’s legroom aplenty, even in the third row, thanks to a power-sliding second-row, and serious cargo flexibility. Also, you can stuff 5 carry-on bags behind those rearmost seats when raised.

A Bonanza Of Automotive Technology

So yes, comfort and cargo are covered in this top-spec Hyundai Palisade. However, it is in the technology department where this three-row SUV really shines. There’s not enough room on my digital paper to get deep on every single system Hyundai brings to bear with the Calligraphy. So, some highlights:

Digital Rearview Mirror

Flip the little nighttime anti-glare toggle under what appears to be a regular old rearview mirror, and the glass surface will render a live video stream of what’s happening behind your Palisade. The view is high-res, though a bit strange at first as your normally static mirror is now a wide-angle lens on everything moving around out back. Get used to it though, and you might appreciate the ability to actually see out there when your seats are filled with people and stuff.

Head-Up Display

The head-up display, HUD for short, is nothing new in autodom. But Hyundai’s HUD takes this windshield projection tech to a new level. Beyond current speed, you can set it - or not - to show turn-by-turn navigation instructions, ADAS alerts, and info on who’s calling. To be clear, the Palisade Calligraphy is an absolute riot of technology with screens and information all over the place.

So while one more digital display may seem like overkill, I came to like having that info in my periphery, as it limits the need to glance down at the dash. The full-color HUD was easy to read in all conditions, except when wearing polarized sunglasses. In that scenario, the digits are legible, just a bit on the dim side.

Highway Driving Assist 2

Okay, so I like analog cars sans giant touchscreens and driver aids squawking at me unexpectedly. That fussy mentality extends to all the high-tech systems trying to help you drive. Like Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist (HDA) 2. In standard form, HDA blends adaptive cruise control with lane-following and centering. But HDA 2, only included on the Calligraphy, brings an automatic lane-change assist feature. If the idea of a car effectively driving for me was met with a furrowed brow, the concept of doing so AND changing lanes on its own was met with colorful language.

And yet, HDA 2 works incredibly well. Uncannily well even. Simply flick the turn signal stalk and let Hyundai’s computers take over. The system determines if a lane change is safe and then goes for it. Shifting lanes at highway speeds with my hands loosely hovering on the steering wheel - while it moves of its own accord - had those hands sweating. But I have to say, it was smooth, and the maneuver was executed flawlessly.

There’s so much more to the 2026 Palisade Calligraphy’s tech-forward intent, but my fingers can’t handle all the keyboard strokes required to get into the nuts and bolts of each. So instead, a quick hit of the best stuff.

Blind-Spot View Monitor

Displays a live feed of your blind spot in the gauge cluster when you trip the turn signal.

Dashcams

Front and rear integrated units with crisp resolution and parking surveillance.

Remote Smart Parking Assist

This key fob-operated trick won’t parallel or perpendicular park for you, but it can roll your Palisade - forward or back - out of tight parking lot jams.

@theknockingrod@Hyundai USA Remote Smart Parking Assist Review on the 2026 Palisade. #hyundai #hyundaipalisade #carreview #cartips #carsoftiktok

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UV Sterilization

The center console bin, with its clamshell-style lid, doubles as a UV sterilization chamber. Look closely and you’ll see little UV emitters in there. Set your no-doubt filthy device within, close it, press the UV button, and 10 minutes later you’ve got a very germophobe-friendly smartphone.

Driving The Palisade Calligraphy

So, what’s the Palisade Calligraphy like behind the wheel? Smooth, hushed around town, and comfy. The steering is a little sleepy, but if you want to carve corners on the way to the grocery store, get an Elantra N. Road impacts are what you’d expect of a shiny, new family SUV - soft, rounded, and not likely to bother occupants. When pushed hard, the Palisade feels poised, and the naturally aspirated 287-horse V6 under the hood pulls strongly. It also drinks strongly; I registered just 14 mpg around town.

That’s not great, but much like Hyundai makes cars for corner-carving, it offers the Palisade in hybrid flavor for those looking to stretch a gallon of gas. The cabin felt quiet at low speed, but was boomier than expected on the highway. That sense wasn’t too far off reality. Using the NIOSH Sound Level Meter app, I measured 66 dBA of cabin noise at 65 mph, the same as a Ram 1500 Warlock with big off-road tires. I realize an iPhone app isn’t exactly the sensor of choice for lab-coated scientists, but using that same sensor across multiple vehicles does give a relative reading, one that was louder than I would’ve guessed.

The Palisade Isn’t Perfect

I was impressed with the Palisade, but no car is perfect. Admittedly, my asterisks are just minor annoyances. Like trying to access the storage area positioned on the first-row floor in front of the center console. A console that extends so far as to make reaching down tricky. Trying to come at it from the sides doesn’t help since you can’t see what you’re fumbling around for. A guaranteed collector of forgotten doo-dads, it would appear.

Also, the power-operated second-row seats take quite a while to get out of the way. I found myself wishing for a simple manual lever to make it move. And can we ease up on the aggressiveness of the various alert systems? When my daughter didn’t get her door closed fully, the Palisade waited for me to back out of the driveway before lighting up the IP with red flashing lights, accompanied by stick-your-finger-in-an-outlet levels of shock from the piercing auditory alert. Because the door wasn’t fully closed. Sometimes, you can go too far with technology.

Is This Range-Topping 2026 Palisade Worth A Look?

My time with the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy has come to a close, but I enjoyed it while it lasted. Exuding Range Rover vibes from the outside and coddling with creature comforts galore on the inside, it’s one nice SUV. The technology left me wildly impressed - except for that door ajar tantrum - and really, in the grand scheme of what this $59,000 Hyundai offers, that’s not a big deal. For the family ISO a vehicle that steps up the luxury digs a notch, the Palisade Calligraphy is worth a look.

Be sure to check out our quick debrief on the Palisade Calligraphy with The Knocking Rod podcast!

About the author: Niel Stender is an automotive journalist. More of his work can be found at muckrack.com/niel-stender.

Have you seen a new Genesis G80 on the road? No? You will now. And when you do, I’d bet you’ll do a double take. It’s a sharp-dressed sedan, particularly in the Tasman Blue finish I ogled during a week-long drive with one.

Specifically a 2025 G80 3.5T Sport Prestige. The one with big 20s, shimmery black trim, and a burly boosted V6. This is a car that looks good and knows it, as evidenced by all the BMWs and Benzes giving it a hard stare along the way.

Genesis is on a tear I’d say. After driving a GV80 Coupe a few months back, I was left genuinely impressed. I’m not really an SUV guy and definitely not an SUV coupe guy, but I have to say, that raked-back GV80 had me changing my tune.

I have yet to drive the G70 with a stick, but it’s on the shortlist. In the meantime, I had the fortune of spending some time with the Korean automaker’s mid-size sedan offering, the G80.

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Pardon Me While I Gush Over That Blue

Sports Sedan Goldilocks

At first glance, the in-your-face "Crest" front grille steals the show. It’s big, but not too big. It’s glitzy, but not too glitzy. Yes, friends, the G80 is the Goldilocks of luxury sport sedans.

The distinctively styled Multi Lens Array headlamps make the G80 instantly identifiable. Sort of like when every police cruiser was a Crown Vic and you could spot it a mile away. Just way less scary.

The look carries to the front fenders with a pair of side marker lenses and all the way around to the back for a matching set of taillights. Look down and the exhaust finishes mirror the shape of the front grille.

Symmetry makes me happy, but then, I’m a nerd. Observe and marvel at the fabulously complex rear end on the G80. A little convex here, a little concave there, and a righteous vibe all around.

Dig Those Propeller-Inspired Wheels

The G80 Has Moves

Now, about that V6. Displacing 3.5 liters and strapped with a pair of turbos, it puts out a healthy 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. To all four wheels via 8-speed automatic.

With rear-wheel steering, adaptive dampers, and staggered width rubber. The rear meats measure a fat 10.8 inches wide and the front rotors? 14.2 inches. The G80, it’s got moves.

Put your foot in it and the 2025 G80 will sling to 60 in less than 5 seconds, which is exciting. But Genesis adds some dazzle in the form of seat bolsters that automatically give you a squeeze when they sense you’re giving it the beans.

Do so and the car handles admirably in the twisties. A hardcore sports sedan the G80 is not. But a ready-to-dance rear-wheel-biased four-door? Indeed.

I spent some time wringing it out in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and found the G80 to be that perfect blend of luxury and impetus for taking the long way home. The steering is nicely weighted and direct, if a bit insulated from the road surface.

Check Out The Trick Rear-Wheel Steering

The rear-wheel steering makes tight places nicer to navigate and the car is adjustable 52 ways to Sunday. The powertrain, the suspension, the engine noise, even the brakes. Set to Comfort, the brakes were a bit overly enthusiastic. However, in Sport mode, I was able to modulate them much better.

Ergo Throne

The G80 driver’s seat is the place to be as it has the same heating and ventilation as the front passenger, but is the only throne with massaging capability. Genesis calls it the Ergo Motion Driver Seat and it comes pre-programmed to kick on after 20 minutes of driving.

Right around that time you may start itching around, the seat back starts moving all massage-like. It's aimed at reducing fatigue and improving comfort. I approve.

Sedans > SUVs...Even With Kids

Of course, as a Certified Dad, it’s important to consider the children. How will they fit? What sort of disaster will befall this car with them inside? Is there a soundproof partition for the back seat like limos have? For example. Well, the back seat has ample legroom for my growing-like-a-weed middle schoolers.

All three of them can fit back there, but in the interest of preventing my head from exploding, it was 1 up front and 2 out back. Ideal for school, sports, and daily life activities that involve endless runs to and fro.

In a boon to my sanity, the normal fight over shotgun was made moot by the fact that the G80’s back seats are pretty darn nice. Heated with dedicated controls. Manual window sunshades and even a power-operated rear sunshade!

My eldest 13-year-old daughter proclaimed, “I feel like Jeff Bezos!” while I shuttled her about. Heady praise. Colored no doubt by the, shall we say, less glamorous vehicle she is normally chauffeured in. A vehicle that actually doesn’t even have a touchscreen TV in the dashboard. Something the 2025 Genesis G80 decidedly does not suffer from.

New this year is a standard 27” OLED sheet of glass running across the dash. Thin and low profile, it looks the rizz. (Sidebar: my kids love to say this word and I love to misappropriate it as much as possible.)

The graphics are super crisp and the response instantaneous. For those, like me, who’d rather not grease up the thing with their fingerprints, the console-mounted control dial performs redundant duty. Operates like a mouse, looks like a bit of jewelry. Very nice.

And Now...A Brief Safety Overview

2025 Genesis G80 Highlights

Really, the list of features and technology in the 2025 G80 3.5T Sport Prestige I drove is too long to get deep on here. Instead, the highlight reel:

Head-Up Display

All cars should have the G80’s head-up display. Super bright graphics are easy to read, even in direct sunlight. Information being displayed ranges from speed and navigation directions to incoming calls and your favorite song from Tay Tay. However, the traffic sign recognition aspect is the best part.

It displays a little speed limit sign, that changes in lockstep with real-world conditions. You know when you’re driving along, maybe a bit fast, and suddenly realize you have no idea what the speed limit is? This feature solves that problem.

Panoramic Roof

I love sunroofs, panoramic roofs, convertible tops, glass roofs, and really any structure that lets the light in. I have no idea why. But this G80 unit is cool. Press a button and the power sunshade splits in half, disappearing somewhere into the headliner.

Tilt the giant piece of glass up or slide it all the way back (recommended). Observe the “Oohs! and Aahhs!” of occupants. Enjoy the cool fresh air. Rinse and repeat

Bang & Olufsen Audio

In base form, the 2025 G80 has a 12-speaker stereo that is no doubt adequate. In the car I enjoyed it was an 18-speaker setup from Bang & Olufsen. With a 14-channel digital external amp and fancy speaker grilles.

Without fail, I was instructed to “Turn it down!” by the trio of small humans to whom I was teaching the finer points of Mötley Crüe. Oh yeah, it rocks.

Remote Smart Parking Assist

In its efforts to imbue the 2025 G80 with a calming sense of luxury on all levels, Genesis has managed the impossible with Remote Smart Parking Assist.

That being the removal of the teeth-grinding aggravation you may have experienced upon finding your car’s driver-side door utterly boxed in by another vehicle that has parked extra close.

Rather than vocally wonder if said vehicle’s driver received their license at Sears, you can tap into that calming sense of luxury by simply pressing a button on the G80 key fob. Watch the car gently roll forward and pull up to a place where you can in fact get in without a can opener. Namaste.

The G80 Want Is Strong

I quite like the 2025 Genesis G80. It’s not cheap at around $75,000, but neither are the luxury rides it competes with. Rides that are far less exciting to take in than the G80 I might add. Did I mention it has a heated front-row armrest? Oh yes, I want one.

Specifications As Tested

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