That 2016 Ram 1500 for sale you’re considering could very well be the most-fuel efficient full-size pickup truck on the market if you go with the diesel variant. With the introduction of the diesel V6 powertrain, the Ram 1500 launched past the competition in terms of fuel economy. With the current low price of gas being a fickle and skittish creature, the fuel economy on a truck is now just as important as the towing capacity. Which is why in 2016, automakers keep striving to make their trucks as fuel-efficient as possible. However, only a few can even make it into the same ballpark as the Ram 1500’s fuel-efficiency — and the rest can’t even come close.
Without further ado, here is the Ram’s stellar fuel economy when it’s equipped with the EcoDiesel engine, and the four other trucks in 2016 that lag behind it.
Number One: 2016 Ram 1500
In particular, it’s the 2016 Ram 1500 HFE EcoDiesel trim that lands this model the title of the most fuel-efficient full-size pickup truck. While the 23 mpg combine (20 mpg city, 28 mpg highway) is impressive when the powertrain is paired to the other optional trims; it’s the 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway (24 mpg combined) from the EcoDiesel engine, paired with the HFE trim, that everyone’s talking about. This nets the 1500 HFE an unheard of EPA-estimated fuel-economy rating in the full-size pickup truck world and is a rating that hangs a gloomy cloud over the heads of its competitors.
Sure, Chevy and Ford fanatics can argue until they are blue in the face about the great fuel economy rating translating to poor engine power. But, the people driving the 2016 Ram 1500 HFE with a 3.0-liter turbocharged EcoDiesel V6 engine under the hood are going to laugh at them. This engine is still able to put out 240 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. How? Because it’s a diesel. The high torque output correlating with great fuel economy isn’t unheard of with a diesel engine and neither is the low horsepower.
Will it win any races? Probably not, but the extra power at lower levels allows it some great tire squealing action at low RPMs, along with a towing capacity of 9,210 pounds. Therefore, even if it does have slightly-lower horsepower than the gas-powered competition out there, it makes up for it with an excellent blend of torque and fuel-efficiency — which is something that gas-powered full-size pickup trucks lack in comparison.
Number Two: 2016 Ford F-150
I know Ford fans, I know. It must burn to see the F-150 sitting second on any list that’s out there. But, it just doesn’t cut it when it comes to fuel-efficiency. However, you can sleep easy tonight knowing that the 2016 F-150 was second only to the Ram 1500 in fuel-efficiency.
Regardless of which engine option you choose, the F-150 just can’t beat the Ram 1500. But, the optional 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 engine that puts out 325 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque does come close. Equipped on the RWD model, this engine is able to get 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (22 mpg combined).
And even though it gets over 100 more horsepower than the EcoDiesel engine, it puts out less torque. Therefore, it can’t come close to touching the towing capacity of the 2016 Ram 1500 HFE. In comparison, it sits at a measly 8,500 pounds, which is almost 700 pounds less than the Ram with 420 lb-ft of torque.
It’s upsetting for you, so take your time to process this Ford fans and take heart in knowing that Chevy fans have even more reason to be disappointed...
Number Three: 2016 Chevy Silverado
Coming it at number three on the list is the 2016 Chevy Silverado 1500. Unlike Ford and Ram, though, the best possible fuel economy comes from the Silverado’s base engine, standard on all but the LTZ and High Country trims.
With the 4.3-liter V6 equipped and squeaking out 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque, the Silverado is able to get up to 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway (20 mpg combined) on a two-wheel drive model.
It appears things get even worse for the Silverado. Seeing as the torque output is even lower than the F-150, it’s only able to top out at a 7,600 pound towing capacity with even less fuel economy.
Number Four: 2016 GMC Sierra
At number four on the list, the 2016 GMC Sierra is tied for fuel-efficiency with the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The Sierra’s engine is only able to put out 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway as well. However, unlike the Silverado, the Sierra can get that fuel economy with an EcoTec3 5.3-liter V8 engine, which ironically gives it the best V8 fuel economy of any full-size pickup truck.
Even if it isn’t the most fuel-efficient full-size pickup truck on the market; 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway is still impressive for a V8 engine.
Number Five: 2016 Toyota Tundra
Finally, number five on the list is a real gas guzzler. The 2016 Toyota Tundra is a behemoth of a full-size truck and therefore needs a big engine. So, it’s no surprise that the standard engine choice is a 4.6-liter V8 engine that produces 310 horsepower and 327 lb-ft of torque. The fuel economy? A miserable 15 mpg city and 19 mpg highway.
To make things even worse, that bulky V8 engine only gets a towing capacity that’s almost 3,000 pounds less than the Ram 1500’s.
As You Can See…
After closer inspection of the other trucks and their engines, it’s apparent that they aren’t as fuel-efficient as the 2016 Ram 1500 paired with an EcoDiesel. The difference in towing capacity is noticeable as well, considering none of the other engines can come close to matching the HFE’s towing capacity of 9,210 pounds.
But, this is expected. Especially since the Ram 1500 is the first truck in its class to be paired to a diesel powertrain, a smart move that other automakers will have to follow if they want to beat Ram in the MPG race.
