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 for a week left me doubly pleased.
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.
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.
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.
About the author: Niel Stender is an automotive journalist. More of his work can be found at muckrack.com/niel-stender.