The next Ram SUV is being built around V8 power while Jeep’s Grand Wagoneer stays on a different engine path. That split is the real story, because both vehicles will share a lot underneath but chase totally different buyers.
Stellantis is trying to avoid the old badge-engineering trap. If this works, Ram gets its own identity back in a segment it has been missing for years.
Ram’s SUV finally gets a real personality
I’m looking at this as more than just another new three-row SUV. Ram has spent years as a truck-and-van brand, and this gives it a missing piece that could pull in families, towing buyers, and loyal V8 fans at the same time.
Here’s the catch: this SUV cannot feel like a Jeep in different clothes. Tim Kuniskis made that clear by saying the two vehicles need to “look, feel, and act different,” and that matters because shoppers in this price band notice everything.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Subject vehicle | Ram 3-row SUV |
| Core engine strategy | V8-focused lineup |
| Base V8 output | 395 hp from 5.7-liter |
| Mid-tier V8 output | 470 hp from 6.4-liter 392 |
| Top performance option | 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat |
| Grand Wagoneer path | Hurricane I6 and V6 EREV |
| Expected debut | 2028 model year |
Jeep keeps the six-cylinder lane to itself
The real story is how cleanly Stellantis is separating the brands. Jeep keeps the Hurricane I6 setup, including the high-output version, while Ram goes heavily into V8 territory. That gives each SUV a different sound, character, and appeal before anyone even opens the door.
What Ram isn’t saying yet is how aggressive the final trim walk will be. The engine list already hints at serious range, from 395 hp all the way to Hellcat territory, and that creates a clear performance ladder Jeep is not trying to mirror.
GM and Ford set the blueprint Ram wants
I can see why Ram is looking at General Motors and Ford for the template. Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade prove that shared platforms can still support distinct personalities, while Ford splits the Expedition from the Lincoln Navigator in a similar way.
But here’s the catch: Ram has to do more than share bones. The interior, bodywork, and tuning need to make the SUV feel like a Ram from the first mile, because the market has already seen what happens when brands lean too hard on sameness.
The pricing gap is smaller than expected
The Grand Wagoneer is not the cheap answer here. It now starts in the mid-$60,000s, which puts it in the same general territory as the big-name full-size SUVs from Chevy and Ford.
That leaves Ram with little room to win on price alone, so the real battle becomes image, engine character, and buyer loyalty. If Ram gets the cabin and stance right, the V8 pitch becomes the headline, not the discount.
Why this matters for Stellantis right now
Stellantis needs more than one strong truck brand in the U.S., and Ram has been missing an SUV for too long. This new model could widen the brand’s reach without stepping directly on Jeep’s toes.
It also shows that the company has learned from years of generic platform sharing. Ram and Jeep can share architecture, but they have to sell different emotions, and that is exactly what this SUV is designed to prove.
| Model | Engine Focus | Power Range | Key Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 3-row SUV | V8-based | 395 hp to 700+ hp | Biggest performance ceiling |
| Jeep Grand Wagoneer | Hurricane I6 | Up to 540 hp | Different luxury identity |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | V8 lineup | Varies by trim | Mainstream family benchmark |
| Ford Expedition | Gas-powered SUV | Varies by trim | Established full-size rival |
The verdict is simple: this Ram SUV matters because it gives the brand a future beyond pickups while keeping Jeep’s lane intact. The V8 strategy gives it an emotional edge in a market that still responds to power, sound, and presence. If Stellantis lands the design and interior, this could become one of the most important new SUVs in the lineup. Anyone tracking full-size family SUVs should watch this one closely as it moves toward a 2028 debut.
If Ram delivers the V8 SUV it’s hinting at, this will be a must-watch launch for truck fans and full-size SUV shoppers alike. Keep an eye on the prototype story, because the next update could define Ram’s image for years.
