For a long time, the Ford F-150 Raptor had the high-speed off-road truck segment to itself, but the arrival of the 2026 Ram 1500 RHO shook things up. Ram's new contender doesn't just show up looking the part; it brings a newer engine, stronger warranty coverage, and a starting price that undercuts its biggest rival. Here's why the RHO is suddenly giving the Raptor some real competition.
Key Takeaways:
- With a base price of $76,685, RHO undercuts the Raptor base by over $5,000 and offers more horsepower.
- For 2026, the RHO gets a solid 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
- The RHO's jaunty inline-six lays waste to the Raptor's V6 from the get-go.
What Updates Have Been Made to the 2026 Ram 1500 RHO?
Ram gives the RHO small updates for '26, starting with a new dealer-installed MagnaFlow cat-back exhaust option. (If you want the truck to sound as aggressive as it looks, that's an easy box to check.) It also adds five new exterior colors in Canyon Lake, Delmonico Red Pearlcoat, Molten Red Pearlcoat, Serrano Green Metallic, and Silver Zynith. It also backs the RHO with a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The RHO is offered in a single trim, starting at $76,685 (as of March 9, 2026).
Ford's updates to the Raptor are also minimal and mostly limited to small interior tweaks and tech refinements. The overall setup remains the same as last year.
Pricing for the Raptor lineup is higher across the board:
F-150 Raptor: $81,800
F-150 Raptor R: $113,525
What's Under the Hood of the 2026 Ram 1500 RHO and the Ford F-150 Raptor?
The RHO uses Ram's high-output twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter "Hurricane" inline-six to produce 540 horsepower and send power through an eight-speed automatic transmission. For suspension duty, Ram equips the truck with Bilstein Blackhawk e2 adaptive shocks along with a custom air-spring rear suspension that allows for up to 14 inches of rear axle travel. With 35-inch tires and a factory lift, the truck sits at 11.8 inches of ground clearance, the highest in the Ram 1500 lineup.
Ford's standard Raptor engine is a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 cranking out 450 horsepower and paired with a 10-speed automatic. While it gives up power compared to the RHO, it uses a five-link rear coil-spring setup with Fox internal-bypass dampers designed for high-speed off-road driving.
The Raptor R moves into another league with a supercharged V8 delivering 720 horsepower and riding on 37-inch tires that increase ground clearance to 13 inches. (That extra performance comes at a steep price, though.)
| 2026 Ram 1500 RHO | 2026 Ford F-150 Raptor |
|---|---|
| 3.0-liter twin-turbo "Hurricane" inline-six | 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 |
| 8-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Bilstein Blackhawk e2 adaptive shocks | Fox internal-bypass dampers |
| Custom air-spring rear suspension | Five-link rear coil-spring suspension |
| 35-inch tires with 11.8-inch ground clearance | 37-inch tires and 13-inch clearance on Raptor R |
Is the 2026 Ram 1500 RHO Good For Towing?
Towing isn't a top priority for these types of trucks, but both models can still handle real work. The Ram 1500 RHO tows up to 8,360 pounds and offers a max payload rating of 1,490 pounds.
The Raptor R edges ahead slightly in towing, at 8,700 pounds. However, both the standard Raptor and the Raptor R trail the Ram when it comes to payload--it has a limit of 1,400 pounds.
Should I Buy a 2026 Ram 1500 RHO or a 2026 Ford F-150 Raptor?
Looking at the numbers, the 2026 Ram 1500 RHO comes out swinging. It delivers more horsepower than the standard Raptor, starts at a lower price, and adds a much longer powertrain warranty. Are you ready to get behind the wheel? Here at Alan Jay CDJR in Clewiston, we're here to put a Ram in your driveway! With our Alan Jay Way, highlighting no hidden fees and transparent pricing, you can find the perfect one!