2021 Dodge Ram 1500 Gas Mileage Vs. the Competition

2020 Dodge Ram 1500

As you read about the Ram 1500 MPG compared to the competition, you’ll learn:

Comparing Fuel Efficiency of Different Trucks

One of the best things about American pickup trucks is that it seems like there’s one to handle almost any type of job you can imagine. Being able to select from different cabin types, engine options, bed lengths, and other feature sets makes it easier to customize your vehicle for the task at hand. Of course, many of those choices also affect fuel economy, which is important to many drivers. Whether you’re trying to reduce your carbon footprint or just want to save some money at the pump, fuel economy will eventually be a factor.

Given the nature of these machines, many truck owners often glance right over the efficiency at first. It’s easy to get caught up in figures like horsepower, torque, and maximum towing capability. If you need a truck that can pull over 10,000 pounds with ease, that’s going to be one of the most important requirements that drive your decision. 

But what if you’re also using your truck to commute? Or what if you need all of the towing capacity, but you can’t stand stopping for fuel every time you hit the road?

Think about the Dodge Ram 1500 fuel economy performance before it’s too late. Poor efficiency can become the type of inconvenience that sucks a lot of the joy out of owning a great truck. With that in mind, compare the Dodge Ram MPG to other options from the class. This will give you a unique look at how the best trucks draw more power out of every single drop of fuel.

Dodge Ram 1500 MPG

The 2021 Ram 1500 offers drivers a choice between five different engines, which is part of the reason the fuel economy varies so much. Naturally, 5.7L HEMI fuel economy is far superior to what you can get from the Supercharged 6.2L HEMI, but not quite as efficient as one of the smaller V6 engines you can get in this truck. First, consider the following five engines below to determine which of them offer enough power to meet your requirements:

  • 5.7L HEMI V8 Engine With eTorque

      • This engine uses the eTorque Mild Hybrid Technology System to provide slightly more power than the traditional 5.7L HEMI V8 listed below.
      • 12,750 pounds of towing capacity
      • 410 pound-feet of torque
      • 395 horsepower

  • 5.7L HEMI V8 Engine

      • 11,610 pounds of towing capacity
      • 410 pound-feet of torque
      • 395 horsepower

  • 3.6L Pentastar V6 Engine With eTorque

      • 7,730 pounds of towing capacity
      • 269 pound-feet of torque
      • 305 horsepower

  • 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 Engine

      • 12,560 pounds of towing capacity
      • 480 pound-feet of torque
      • 260 horsepower

  • Supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 Engine

    • 702 pounds of towing capacity
    • 650 pound-feet of torque
    • 118 MPH top speed

Now, to see how efficiently each of the options above can perform, consider the following fuel ratings from fueleconomy.gov.  If cutting the cost of ownership by paying less for fuel is a top concern, also be mindful of whether each engine runs on regular gas, midgrade gas, premium gas, or diesel.

  • 2021 Ram 1500 With 2WD, the 3.6L Six-Cylinder Engine, and an Automatic Eight-Speed Transmission

      • Fuel Type: Regular Gas
      • City MPG: 20
      • Highway MPG: 25
      • Combined MPG: 22

  • 2021 Ram 1500 With 2WD, the 3.0L Six-Cylinder Engine, and an Automatic Eight-Speed Transmission

      • Fuel Type: Diesel
      • City MPG: 22
      • Highway MPG: 32
      • Combined MPG: 26

  • 2021 Ram 1500 With 2WD, the 5.7L Eight-Cylinder Engine, and an Automatic Eight-Speed Transmission

      • Fuel Type: Midgrade Gas
      • City MPG: 17
      • Highway MPG: 23
      • Combined MPG: 19

  • 2021 Ram 1500 With 2WD, the 5.7 Eight-Cylinder Engine, and an Automatic Eight-Speed Transmission

      • Fuel Type: Midgrade Gas
      • City MPG: 15
      • Highway MPG: 22
      • Combined MPG: 17

  • 2021 Ram 1500 With 4WD, the 3.6L Six-Cylinder Engine, and an Automatic Eight-Speed Transmission

      • Fuel Type: Regular Gas
      • City MPG: 19
      • Highway MPG: 24
      • Combined MPG: 21

  • 2021 Ram 1500 With 4WD, the 3.0L Six-Cylinder Engine, and an Automatic Eight-Speed Transmission

      • Fuel Type: Diesel
      • City MPG: 21
      • Highway MPG: 29
      • Combined MPG: 24

  • 2021 Ram 1500 With 4WD, the 5.7L Six-Cylinder Engine, and an Automatic Eight-Speed Transmission

      • Fuel Type: Midgrade Gas
      • City MPG: 17
      • Highway MPG: 22
      • Combined MPG: 19

  • 2021 Ram 1500 With 4WD, the 5.7L Eight-Cylinder Engine, and an Automatic Eight-Speed Transmission

      • Fuel Type: Midgrade Gas
      • City MPG: 15
      • Highway MPG: 21
      • Combined MPG: 17

  • 2021 Ram 1500 HFE With 2WD, the 3.6L Six-Cylinder Engine, and an Automatic Eight-Speed Transmission

      • Fuel Type: Regular Gas
      • City MPG: 20
      • Highway MPG: 26
      • Combined MPG: 23

  • 2021 Ram 1500 TRX With 4WD, the 6.2L Eight-Cylinder Engine, and an Automatic Eight-Speed Transmission

      • Fuel Type: Premium Gas
      • City MPG: 10
      • Highway MPG: 14
      • Combined MPG: 12

  • 2021 Ram 1500 Classic With 2WD, the 3.6L Six-Cylinder Engine, and an Automatic Eight-Speed Transmission

      • Fuel Type: Regular Gas
      • City MPG: 17
      • Highway MPG: 25
      • Combined MPG: 20

  • 2021 Ram 1500 Classic With 2WD, the 5.7L Eight-Cylinder Engine, and an Automatic Eight-Speed Transmission

      • Fuel Type: Midgrade Gas
      • City MPG: 15
      • Highway MPG: 22
      • Combined MPG: 17

  • 2021 Ram 1500 Classic With 4WD, the 3.6L Six-Cylinder Engine, and an Automatic Eight-Speed Transmission

      • Fuel Type: Regular Gas
      • City MPG: 16
      • Highway MPG: 23
      • Combined MPG: 19

  • 2021 Ram 1500 Classic With 4WD, the 5.7L Eight-Cylinder Engine, and an Automatic Eight-Speed Transmission

      • Fuel Type: Midgrade Gas
      • City MPG: 15
      • Highway MPG: 21
      • Combined MPG: 17

  • 2021 Ram 1500 HFE With 2WD, the 3.0L Six-Cylinder Engine, and an Automatic Eight-Speed Transmission

    • Fuel Type: Diesel
    • City MPG: 23
    • Highway MPG: 33
    • Combined MPG: 26

As you can see, there are a lot of different factors at play. The combined gas mileage for the Ram 1500 ranges from a lowly 12 MPG to a respectable 26 MPG depending on the choices you make when you build your truck. The biggest things that play into the fuel efficiency are the engine you choose and whether you go for a drivetrain with two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Beyond those features, the trim level you select won’t make much of an impact. The Rem Rebel MPG will probably be the same as the Ram Laramie MPG if you choose four-wheel drive and the quad cab with 6’4” box for both.

How Is Fuel Efficiency Measured?

Different sources measure fuel economy in their own ways. Some review sites have defined loops they drive on real streets and highways to see how your truck is likely to perform during normal driving. The ratings above from fueleconomy.gov (which is run by the U.S. Department of Energy) actually measure fuel economy in a lab. This allows them to control the conditions and run a series of tests specified by federal law.

The good thing about this testing by the U.S. Department of Energy is that it’s very standardized, so each vehicle is on a fair playing field. The nice thing about some of the real-world testing done by the manufacturers themselves and other review sites is that it’s taking place in the same kind of settings in which you’ll actually be driving your truck. Manufacturers can submit the results of their own tests to the EPA, which reviews the results. The EPA then compares the results to their own tests in the National Vehicles and Fuel Emissions Laboratory to see if they can confirm the reported results from the manufacturers.

To estimate the gas mileage of trucks, the EPA follows these steps:

  • The truck’s drive wheels are placed on a machine called a dynamometer, which is to driving what an exercise bike is to cycling. 
  • Engineers add some resistance to account for aerodynamics and the vehicle’s weight.
  • On the dynamometer (also known as the dyno, for short), a driver performs driving routines called cycles, which are intended to simulate normal driving in a city or on the highway.
  • The driver follows a careful schedule, keeping the vehicle at the appropriate speed for each part of the test.
  • A hose is collected to the exhaust pipe to catch all of the emissions. The exhaust is measured for carbon levels, from which the lab scientists can determine the exact amount of fuel burned. This has been determined to be more precise than simply checking the fuel gauge.

Trucks With the Best Gas Mileage in the United States

If you’re not impressed by the Dodge Ram 1500 MPG, consider a truck with a more efficient engine. For over 100 years, engineers employed by Chevrolet have been working hard to get more performance out of less fuel. Their continued work is evident in things like the Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel engine, which can achieve up to 23 MPG city and 33 MPG highway for a combined gas mileage of 27 MPG.

This engine is even more efficient than the 2021 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel engine, and the Chevrolet version also manages to churn out more horsepower. This is just one example that proves you don’t have to sacrifice performance for efficiency. For another example, just consider the 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 (L87), which is equipped with Dynamic Fuel Management.

Thanks in large part to Chevrolet’s innovative Dynamic Fuel Management technology, this massive engine may be the best combination of power and efficiency you’re ever likely to find. It can get up to 18 MPG combined (15 MPG city and 21 MPG highway) while still delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. A Chevy Silverado with this engine has a maximum towing capability of 13,300 pounds, which is more than even the most powerful 2021 Ram 1500.

Not only can it tow more than the 2021 Ram 1500, but it will actually use less fuel, too. It doesn’t seem like this should be possible, but the numbers don’t lie. When you want a capable, reliable, and fuel-efficient vehicle, it’s hard to beat the 2021 Chevy Silverado.

New Trucks for Sale near Phoenix, AZ

If you’re impressed by the fuel efficiency and other stats of the 2021 Silverado, just wait until you see how it drives. Luckily for you, there are Valley Chevy dealer locations all over the valley, so it’s never been easier to find a superior truck. From Surprise, AZ to Chandler and even Coolidge, find the location nearest you today and come in for a test drive!

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