In case you haven’t heard, diesel powertrains are back for full-size pickup trucks. Chevrolet, Ford, and Ram are all offering diesel engines for their full-size pickups. While each powertrain has its upsides, Ram just priced its EcoDiesel engine for the Ram 1500 and it's the cheapest option from the Big Three.
Pricing for a Ram 1500 with the new 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 starts at $38,585 including destination. That’s for a Tradesman Quad Cab 2WD trim, but the EcoDiesel engine will be available throughout the entire lineup, which means regardless of cab, bed, or drive, consumers will be able to spec their truck with an engine that runs on diesel. Even the off-roading Rebel trim is eligible for the diesel engine, which is a first.
Compared to the other engines that are offered on the Ram 1500, the diesel is $4,995 more than the 3.6-liter V6 with the mild-hybrid system and between $3,000 to $3,300 more than a pickup with the 5.7-liter V8 and the eTorque system. While expensive, the diesel is better than the V6 when it comes to towing and is only a few hundred pounds off of the V8. The V6 can tow a maximum of 7,730 pounds, while the V8 is rated at 12,750 pounds. The diesel is capable of towing 12,560 pounds.
Look at the prices of Ford and Chevrolet’s diesel engines, and the Ram’s the cheapest. Neither Ford nor Chevy offer their respective diesels throughout the entire range like Ram does, so you’re stuck with a trim, cab, bed length, and whatever packages they require. For the Ford F-150, the cheapest option is the XLT 2WD Supercab that costs $46,255. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500’s cheapest configuration with the diesel – an LT 2WD Double Standard with the standard bed – starts at $45,200. So the Ram undercuts the Silverado by $6,615 and the F-150 by $7,670. Not chump change by any means.
In addition to having an advantage in pricing, the diesel-powered Ram 1500 also has some other upsides. As we stated earlier, the motor is available on all 1500 configurations. That’s not the case for the F-150, which can only be equipped with the diesel engine on XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum trims. The Silverado 1500 also has limitations, as only the LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country trims have the diesel engine as the option.
Performance-wise, the Ram’s EcoDiesel V6 has the most torque at 480 pound-feet and towing capacity at 12,560 pounds. The 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel in the Silverado 1500 is the most efficient at 33 mpg combined and has the most horsepower (277), but lags behind when it comes to towing with a rating of 9,300 pounds. The F-150 doesn’t excel in one area, but finds itself sandwiched in the middle. Ford’s option has a towing capacity of 11,400 pounds and makes 250 hp and 440 pound-feet of torque.
RAM 1500 Dropping Diesel Option After 2023
2020 RAM 1500 EcoDiesel Promises To Outshine F-150, Silverado
2020 Chevy Silverado Diesel Fuel Economy Offers Up To 33 MPG
2021 Ford F-150 Diesel Won't Be Available At Launch
GM's New Duramax Diesel Promises Segment-Leading Truck Power
