Fans of Ram trucks and diesel engines alike will be delighted by Ram’s 2020 lineup of diesel-fueled workhorses. Every current Ram truck model, with the exception of the Ram 1500 Classic, now includes a diesel engine option. From the Ram 1500 to the Ram 3500, you can enjoy the power and efficiency of a diesel. And unlike some competing half-ton trucks, the 2020 Ram 1500 offers its diesel engine as an option on every trim from the Tradesman to the Limited.
While each model has a great deal to offer truck enthusiasts, today, we’re going to take a deep dive into the much acclaimed and instantly recognizable Ram 1500 and its new available EcoDiesel V6 Engine. This engine is a favorite of truck aficionados, safety experts, and auto professionals alike. In fact, the 2020 Ram 1500 has maintained its status as the venerable Edmunds’ top-rated large pickup truck for the past several years. It also won the 2020 Best Cars Award from the U.S. News & World Report and the IIHS Best Safety Pick in 2019. Let’s see why.
2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel
The much-loved Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is a performance powerhouse even among other Ram trucks. While it offers a respectable but not overly ambitious 260 hp, the 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel shines when it comes to torque and is capable of towing an immense 12,560 lbs, outclassing many full-size trucks. Thanks to the impressive 480 lb-ft of torque of its diesel engine, the 2020 Ram 1500’s towing capacity now rivals that of a truck with a V8 engine.
And there is an added bonus to using a diesel engine – it allows for improved fuel economy without sacrificing its immense towing capabilities. The available 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 engine features a compacted graphite iron and aluminum twin-cam head block with B20 biodiesel capability. An improved compression ratio of 16.5:1 reduces carbon emissions, making the 2020 Ram 1500 more eco-friendly than ever.
The engine is paired with an excellent TorqueFlite 850RE 8-speed automatic transmission that allows for smooth handling at all speeds and all weather conditions. And while the 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel’s powertrain packs a punch, it offers a surprisingly quiet and smooth ride. The only light-duty truck with an available diesel powertrain across its lineup, the 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is a dream come true for diesel fans.
Fuel Economy
Ram changed a great deal about the inner workings of the 2020 Ram 1500 with its redesign, and one of the most noticeable changes is its improved fuel economy. The redesigned fuel injector nozzles, optimized combustion chamber, and the addition of a low-pressure, high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation system all contribute to the dramatic boost in the Ram’s fuel economy.
Indeed, after its most recent changes, the 2020 Ram EcoDiesel surpasses all other trucks in terms of fuel range. Thanks to its 32 MPG fuel economy and its available 33-gallon fuel tank, the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is capable of traveling over 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas. The next-generation brake vacuum pump system also boosts fuel economy with its low-friction blades.
Interior Styling and Cargo Space
Another design aspect that sets the 2020 Ram 1500 apart from other models is its plush interior styling. The Ram’s interior feels more like a luxury car than a hardworking pickup truck. With a spacious cabin, comfortable seats, and a seating capacity of six people, Ram’s offering beats out all other full-size pickup trucks in terms of interior comfort. While vinyl and cloth upholstery are standard across the line, available upgraded cloth upholstery, leather upholstery, and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel can be added to most trim levels.
Other available options include 8-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, a 60/40 split-folding rear bench, and power-adjustable pedals. In terms of cargo space, a 6-foot-4 inch truck bed comes standard with an option of a 5-foot-7 inch bed for the crew cab body style. Other exterior available options are a 60/40 multifunctional tailgate that opens normally or swings out to the sides, a tailgate step, cargo lights, and built-in RamBox storage bins.
Infotainment and Safety Features
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better truck when it comes to infotainment features. The 2020 Ram 1500 offers the latest version of the Uconnect system, an award-winning interface that provides advanced navigation, connectivity, communication, and navigation features. With an easy-to-use layout, a 12-inch touchscreen with crisp, clear graphics, and a customizable shortcut menu that enables you to quickly access your favorite features, Uconnect is one of the best infotainment systems in the automotive world today.
Uconnect’s standard features include three USB ports, a 5-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, a wifi hotspot, a sound system with six speakers, and a rearview camera. Additional options include two 115-volt traditional power outlets, dual-zone automatic climate control, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless device charging, a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and built-in navigation. With all of these features, no other truck can match the Ram 1500 for technology.
Award-Winning Safety
But it doesn’t matter how impressive a vehicle’s engine and infotainment features are if its safety ratings are horrible. Fortunately, that’s far from the case with the 2020 Ram 1500. As the winner of the IIHS Top Safety Pick, you can count on Ram trucks to keep you secure. Standard safety features across the line include a plethora of airbags; the Ram 1500 provides driver, passenger, front head, rear head, and front side airbags, ensuring proper protection in the event of a collision. Also standard is four-wheel ABS, four-wheel disc brakes, and brake assist, which can help reduce the chances of or mitigate the severity of a collision.
The 2020 Ram 1500 also gives you daytime running lights, electronic stability control, traction control, rear cross-traffic alert, a blind-spot monitor, and integrated turn signal mirrors on all trim levels. Additional available safety features include automatic emergency braking to bring your vehicle to a halt if your response time isn’t quite fast enough, adaptive cruise control that will automatically adjust the speed of your vehicle so you’ll maintain a safe distance from vehicles in front of you, and
lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist to gently steer your vehicle back where it belongs if you accidentally veer out of your lane.
Driving convenience is enhanced through a variety of other technologies, such as automatic high-beam headlights that automatically switch to low beams when they sense oncoming traffic and rain-sensing windshield wipers that automatically activate when the system detects rain. You can also take advantage of the surround-view parking camera system to get a clear picture of what is around you when parking. If you are looking for a truck with all the features of a luxury car, the Ram 1500 is the model for you.
Final Thoughts
Reid Bigland, head of Ram, says it best: “The Ram 1500 EcoDiesel offers the best torque and towing among all half-ton diesel trucks. Now with a 10-year track record, the Ram brand has emerged as a truck powertrain technology leader. The all-new EcoDiesel engine and Ram 1500 eTorque mild-hybrid powertrains deliver outstanding fuel efficiency alternatives for our Ram 1500 customers.” If you’re in the market for a truck that performs like a heavyweight and drives like a luxury car while offering award-winning safety and infotainment features, the 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is a great option.
