The V8 is back — and used RAMs offer a serious alternative
The RAM 1500 with the 5.7-litre HEMI V8 has quietly returned to the Dodge UAE lineup. If you’ve been waiting for it, good news. If the new sticker price makes you flinch, better news: a 2023 RAM 1500 on CarSwitch lists for about AED 215,000 — roughly 28% less than buying new. Here’s what the comeback means and who should care.
The short version
- The RAM 1500 HEMI V8 is back on sale in the UAE as of late September 2026.
- New pricing sits around AED 300,000 — a 2022 used RAM 1500 lists for about AED 175,000, saving you roughly 42%.
- V8 models carry about a 7% price premium over four-cylinder equivalents on the used market.
- Pickups make up only about 1% of listings but 4% of buyer searches — demand outstrips supply.
- If you’re cross-shopping a used Dodge Charger V8, a 2021 model lists around AED 90,000.
Why the HEMI V8 disappeared — and why it’s back
RAM pulled the V8 option from most Middle East configurations when Stellantis started shifting toward electrified powertrains globally. The UAE market pushed back. Buyers here want the rumble, the towing capacity, and the straightforward mechanical simplicity of the 5.7-litre HEMI. So RAM brought it back.
The new RAM 1500 HEMI V8 starts around AED 300,000 in the UAE. That gets you 395 horsepower, an eight-speed automatic, and a truck that doesn’t need to apologise for anything on Sheikh Zayed Road or a desert weekend.
Who the new V8 RAM is for
If you want a factory warranty, the latest tech package, and that new-truck feeling, the 2026 model is the obvious pick. But not everyone needs to spend AED 300,000 to get a V8 pickup.
According to CarSwitch listings data (July 2026), a used 2023 RAM 1500 lists for around AED 215,000 with only about 17,500 km on the clock. That’s a truck that’s barely been run in, for about 28% less than new.
“Pickup buyers in the UAE know exactly what they want. When the V8 comes back, search interest spikes — but so does interest in used V8s sitting at a lower price.”
Ramiz Islam, Head of Marketing at CarSwitch
The V8 premium on used cars in the UAE
Here’s something worth knowing before you shop. Across used cars in Dubai and the wider UAE, V8 models carry about a 7% price premium over four-cylinder versions (CarSwitch listings data, July 2026). That’s real but not extreme — it means the market values the V8, and it holds its price better at resale.
For context, a six-cylinder doesn’t carry any meaningful premium at all. The jump happens when you step up to eight cylinders. If you’re buying a V8 now, you’re also buying slightly stronger resale later.
Used RAM 1500 vs new: the numbers
| Model | Year | Used listing price (AED) | New price (AED) | Saving vs new | Typical km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAM 1500 | 2023 | 214,900 | 299,900 | 28% | 17,580 |
| RAM 1500 | 2022 | 174,950 | 299,900 | 42% | 58,525 |
| Dodge Charger | 2022 | 129,495 | 240,950 | 46% | 49,939 |
| Dodge Charger | 2021 | 89,998 | 240,950 | 63% | 53,465 |
The 2022 RAM 1500 is the sweet spot if budget matters more than low mileage. You save over AED 124,000 compared to new. The 2023 model has barely been driven, so you’re getting near-new condition with about AED 85,000 off.
Dodge Charger: the V8 sedan alternative
Not everyone needs a pickup. If you want a V8 from the Dodge stable in sedan form, the Charger is the natural cross-shop. A 2021 Charger lists around AED 90,000 — that’s about 63% less than a new one cost. At around 53,000 km, it’s well within the comfortable ownership window.
The 2022 Charger sits around AED 130,000 with similar mileage. Both are strong options if you want a Dodge in the UAE without the full-size truck commitment.
Pickup demand outpaces supply
One thing to keep in mind: pickups are only about 1% of all listings on CarSwitch, but they make up 4% of what buyers are actively searching for. That gap means good used RAMs don’t sit around long. If you spot one that fits, move on it.
V8 models carry a 7% price premium over four-cylinder equivalents on the used market.
A used 2023 RAM 1500 lists for AED 214,900 — AED 85,000 less than new.
Pickups are 1% of listings but 4% of buyer searches — demand is four times supply.
What to check on a used RAM 1500
Accident history matters. Cars with minor accident history on CarSwitch typically list about 9% lower than accident-free examples. On a RAM 1500 at AED 175,000, that’s roughly AED 15,000 — real money. Every car on CarSwitch is inspection-verified, so you’ll know exactly what you’re looking at before you commit.
Also check whether the manufacturer warranty is still active. Warranty-backed cars carry about a 5% premium, but that coverage can save you far more than 5% if something goes wrong in the first year.
Should you buy the new V8 or a used one?
If you want the 2026 spec, the latest safety tech, and a full factory warranty, buy new. If you want the same HEMI V8 rumble with AED 85,000–125,000 still in your pocket, a used 2022 or 2023 RAM 1500 does the job. Both are on the road in Dubai right now.
Browse inspection-verified Dodge and RAM listings on CarSwitch. Every car comes with a detailed inspection report, transparent pricing, and real people to walk you through it. No hidden surprises — just your next car, smoothly done.
Yes. As of late September 2026, the RAM 1500 with the 5.7-litre HEMI V8 is back in the UAE lineup. New pricing starts around AED 300,000.
A 2023 RAM 1500 on CarSwitch lists for around AED 215,000 — roughly 28% less than new. A 2022 model lists for about AED 175,000, saving you around 42%.
On the used market, V8 models carry about a 7% price premium over four-cylinder equivalents. That suggests stronger resale value over time.
They can be. Pickups make up about 1% of listings but 4% of buyer searches, so demand is well ahead of supply. Good ones tend to move quickly.
