The 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel has proven to be a popular choice among truck enthusiasts, and official fuel economy ratings have now been released. Many expected that its fuel efficiency would be similar to that of the Chevy Silverado half-ton diesel or Ford F-150 with a Powerstroke engine, which made sense given the context. However, the EcoDiesel impressively achieves 32 miles per gallon on the highway in its most fuel-efficient configuration, and notably, it can travel over 1,000 miles per tank.
It’s worth mentioning that the Silverado could also achieve similar mileage with a 33-gallon tank option, boasting an EPA rating of 33 mpg on the highway. Yet, the Ram’s larger fuel tank gives it the edge, making it a leader in the distance capabilities among diesel-powered light-duty trucks, alongside several other commendable attributes.
The EcoDiesel engine, a third-generation 3.0-liter turbocharged V6, has seen significant enhancements for the 2020 model year. Highway fuel economy has improved by five mpg compared to the previous iteration, while torque has increased, establishing the EcoDiesel as the most powerful truck engine in its segment with 480 pound-feet of torque. This translates into a maximum towing capacity of 12,560 pounds, setting a new standard within the half-ton diesel category. These advancements can be attributed to several upgrades, including a new variable geometry turbocharger and redesigned intake ports.
The fuel economy figures discussed thus far apply to two-wheel-drive models, which are typically the lightest and most efficient in any automaker’s lineup. However, the four-wheel-drive version of the Ram EcoDiesel still delivers an impressive 29 mpg on the highway. This statistic is particularly significant, given that over 80 percent of full-size trucks sold in the United States are four-wheel-drive. For comparison, four-wheel-drive models from Chevrolet/GMC and Ford achieve 29 mpg and 25 mpg on the highway, respectively.
Pricing for the 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel begins at $36,890, plus an additional destination fee of $1,695. Notably, the diesel engine option is now available across all trims, including the off-road-oriented Ram Rebel, marking a first for this model..
