Stellantis gave Ram a clear order: outsell Jeep.
To do that, pickups aren’t enough. Vans aren’t enough. Ram needs to invade territory it doesn’t own yet. That means building an SUV. Enter the Ramcharger.
CEO Tim Kuniskis hasn’t hidden this move. He’s dropping hints about a vehicle built to feel different. To drive different. And crucially, to be powered by V8s when the competition moves elsewhere. It’s a gamble. Or it’s genius. Depending on how you view muscle cars.
Here’s what we actually know about the beast.
The Name Game
Ramcharger.
It’s an old ghost returning. Dodge used the name from the 70s into the early 200s. The first generation vanished in the US after the early 90s. The third lingered in Mexico around the millennium turn.
Ram was originally saving the nameplate for their extended-range electric 1505 pickup. Then the mood shifted. Ram stepped back from electrification. The nameplate found a new home on a combustion-engine SUV instead. Fits the current vibe much better, really.
Built on Bones It Borrowed
The new truck sits on modified Jeep Grand Wagoneer hardware. Specifically, a tweaked version of the Ram 1500 platform.
Swapping a solid rear axle for independent suspension makes the ride smoother. It turns a work truck architecture into something people want to haul family members in. Ram won’t just slap badging on a Jeep, though. Expect unique tuning. Maybe exclusive hardware. The goal is distinction. Not duplication.
“How Ram will do that remains to see.”
Actually, it’s fairly obvious. They’ll make it aggressive. Loud. Fast.
Look at This Face
If you close your eyes, the size matches the Grand Wagoneer exactly. Same wheelbase. Same footprint. But open them up.
It looks like a Ram. Bold grille. Slim headlights. The classic boxy silhouette gets dressed in corporate styling cues. We’re guessing trim levels will dictate how crazy the front end gets. You probably can’t get one that doesn’t glare at traffic.
Power? Please.
This is where it gets interesting.
Forget the inline-six Hurricane engines in the Grand Wagoneer. Ram is going V8 heavy.
The Menu:
– 5.7L Hemi V8: Likely the base engine. 395 hp. Reliable. Loud enough.
– 6.4L V8: The step up. 470 hp for core trims.
Ram is ignoring the EV trend for this specific vehicle. While the Jeep gets plug-in hybrids, the Ramcharger sticks to gas. It’s a defiant choice. Some call it outdated. Call it loyal to the roots.
The Hellcat Returns
Yes. An SRT variant.
CEO Kuniskis confirmed it. No ambiguity there. This SUV will likely swallow the 6.2L supercharged Hellcat. 777 horsepower. Same engine as the Ram 1500 TR X and the new Rumble Bee.
It’s a super-SUV in a segment already full of them. Does it need more speed? Apparently, so does Ram.
When Can I Buy One?
Patience, though. Not for long.
Ram plans 25 product drops in 18 months. They’ve already rushed out the Hemi 1500, jumped into NASCAR, and launched the TRX refresh. The pace is frantic.
We’re betting the Ramcharger debuts in the next six months. If things move smoothly, it could arrive as a 2028 model. That feels imminent. It feels necessary for their sales targets.
Price Tag: Prepare Yourself
Ram hasn’t set prices yet.
But look at the Grand Wagoneer. Starts at $66,795 including destination.
We expect the Ramcharger to start around $65,000. It’s competing with the Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition directly. If you want the top-tier trim, prepare for four figures.
The SRT variant? Easily over $100,0Will you pay it for a V8 SUV while everyone else charges their cars?
That’s the question Ram is asking the market. And the answer determines whether they outsell their cousin or just add another expensive toy to the catalog.
