Shopping for a Ram 1500 and wondering what kind of dodge ram 1500 gas mileage you’ll actually see? The sticker on the window tells one story, but your wallet at the gas station might tell another. Let’s cut through the marketing and get real about what these trucks deliver in everyday driving.
The 2025 Ram 1500 Powertrain Shakeup
Ram just pulled off the biggest engine swap in decades. The beloved 5.7L HEMI V8 is gone, replaced by the new 3.0L “Hurricane” twin-turbo inline-six. It’s not about nostalgia—it’s about stricter emissions regulations forcing automakers to squeeze more miles from every gallon.
The Hurricane engines promise V8 power with better efficiency. But do they deliver?
What the EPA Says About 2025 Models
Here’s the official dodge ram 1500 gas mileage breakdown for 2025 models:
| Engine | Drivetrain | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L V6 eTorque | 2WD | 20 | 26 | 23 |
| 3.6L V6 eTorque | 4WD | 19 | 24 | 21 |
| 3.0L Hurricane (Standard) | 2WD | 18 | 25 | 21 |
| 3.0L Hurricane (Standard) | 4WD | 17 | 24 | 19 |
| 3.0L Hurricane (High Output) | 4WD | 15 | 21 | 17 |
The surprise? The old-school 3.6L V6 still wins the efficiency crown. It’s the best non-hybrid gas engine in its class.
The Hurricane’s Real-World Reality Check
Those EPA numbers look decent on paper. But early testing reveals a gap you need to know about.
Car and Driver ran their 75-mph highway test on the 2025 Hurricane-powered Ram. It managed just 18 MPG—a whopping 6 MPG below its 24 MPG highway estimate. In mixed driving, it averaged 16 MPG.
Why the huge difference? Small turbocharged engines ace the EPA’s light-load lab test but guzzle fuel when those turbos kick in during real driving. You get V8 power, but you’re also getting V8 (or worse) fuel consumption.
What the Old HEMI V8 Actually Got
To understand where Ram’s headed, you need to know where it’s been. The 2023-2024 models with the 5.7L HEMI V8 set the baseline.
Official Ratings for Recent Models
| Engine | Drivetrain | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7L HEMI (no eTorque) | 2WD/4WD | 15 | 22 | 17 |
| 5.7L HEMI eTorque | 2WD | 18 | 23 | 20 |
| 5.7L HEMI eTorque | 4WD | 17 | 22 | 19 |
The eTorque Trick
Ram’s 48-volt mild-hybrid system added 2-3 MPG in city driving but barely touched highway numbers. It helps with stop-and-go traffic by smoothing engine restarts and adding electric torque from a standstill. On the highway? It’s basically along for the ride.
One owner summed it up perfectly: if you’re mostly cruising interstates, the eTorque savings are “trivial.”
What Owners Really Saw
Professional testing painted a clearer picture. Car and Driver’s 75-mph highway loop revealed V8 models consistently fell 2-4 MPG short of their EPA estimates.
The 3.6L V6? It actually hit its 24 MPG rating. The V8s? Not so much. They managed around 18-20 MPG in the same test—proof that those sticker numbers were optimistic.
The Diesel That Got Away
From 2014 to 2023, Ram offered something special: the 3.0L EcoDiesel. If dodge ram 1500 gas mileage is your top priority, this discontinued option remains unmatched.
The Efficiency King
The EcoDiesel’s final ratings were jaw-dropping:
- 2WD models: 22 city / 32 highway / 26 combined
- 4WD models: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined
Some 2WD configurations hit 33 MPG highway—numbers the 2025 lineup can’t touch.
Why Ram Killed It
The official line? Ram needed to “focus on electric vehicles.” But dig deeper and you’ll find reliability issues, complex emissions systems, and diesel fuel price volatility all played a role.
Modern diesel emissions equipment (DPF filters, SCR systems) costs a fortune to fix out of warranty. One forum poster warned that diesels struggle with short trips, leading to clogged emissions gear.
The reputation took a hit. As one YouTube analysis noted, buyers started choosing Chevy’s Duramax instead because they trusted it more.
When EcoDiesel Shined
For the right driver, it was brilliant. Owners reported 30+ MPG on road trips and 9-15 MPG while towing—double what V8s managed with the same trailer.
If you’re hunting used trucks and log serious highway miles, a 2020-2023 EcoDiesel is still the efficiency champ. Just budget for potential emissions repairs.
What Actually Kills Your MPG
EPA numbers assume perfect conditions. Your real-world dodge ram 1500 gas mileage depends on stuff the lab test never sees.
The Tire Tax
One 2023 owner shared a brutal lesson. He bought a V6 eTorque 4WD rated at 19 city / 24 highway. Then he immediately swapped to all-terrain tires—same size, just more aggressive tread.
His mileage plummeted to 14-16 MPG in town and 16-18 MPG on the highway. A simple tire change erased the V6’s entire efficiency advantage, dropping him below V8 territory.
Heavier A/T tires with chunky tread create massive rolling resistance. That $1,500 tire upgrade can cost you thousands in extra fuel over the truck’s life.
The Towing Reality
Hitching a trailer is the biggest MPG killer. The rule of thumb? You’ll lose about 2% for every 100 pounds you tow.
Real-world examples tell the story:
- A 2021 Ram Limited (V8) averaged 8 MPG towing a travel trailer at 60-65 MPH
- The EcoDiesel managed 9-15 MPG with similar loads
- One owner’s truck dropped 10 MPG on the freeway once the trailer was hooked up
The big question for 2025? How will the Hurricane handle towing? It’s a small engine relying on turbos for torque. Those turbos will be screaming under load, likely delivering the same 8-10 MPG as the HEMI it replaced.
The Off-Road Penalty
Choose a Rebel trim and you’re accepting a permanent MPG hit. Even the 2025 Rebel with the Hurricane manages just 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined.
Compare that to a base Tradesman with the V6 (19/24/21) and you’re losing 2 MPG constantly. The Rebel’s lifted suspension and aggressive factory tires create drag and resistance that never goes away.
Forum posts from 2022 Rebel owners report averaging 11 MPG in real-world driving. Those factory Duratracs alone cost “about -2 MPG.”
You’re paying for that aggressive look every time you fill up.
How Ram Stacks Up Against Ford and Chevy
The Ram doesn’t compete alone. Here’s how its dodge ram 1500 gas mileage compares to the big two rivals.
Ram vs. Ford F-150
Ford offers more powertrain choices, including a full hybrid that changes the game:
| Truck & Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 3.6L V6 | 20 | 26 | 23 |
| Ford 2.7L EcoBoost | 20 | 26 | 22 |
| Ram 3.0L Hurricane | 18 | 25 | 21 |
| Ford 3.5L EcoBoost | 17 | 25 | 20 |
| Ford 3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid | 25 | 26 | 25 |
The Ram’s base V6 edges Ford’s base turbo engine by 1 MPG combined. The Hurricane and Ford’s 3.5L EcoBoost are basically tied.
But Ford’s PowerBoost hybrid? It’s the undisputed gas-powered efficiency champion at 25 MPG combined. Ram has no answer for it.
One cross-shopper who owned both trucks nailed it: “The 2.7 F-150 is unquestionably better on fuel… If you want more power, the Ram is the way to go.”
Ram vs. Chevy Silverado
In pure gas-engine matchups, Ram dominates Chevy:
| Truck & Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ram 3.6L V6 | 20 | 26 | 23 |
| Chevy 2.7L Turbo | 18 | 21 | 19 |
| Ram 3.0L Hurricane | 18 | 25 | 21 |
| Chevy 5.3L V8 | 16 | 21 | 18 |
Ram’s base V6 crushes Chevy’s base four-cylinder by 4 MPG combined. The Hurricane beats Chevy’s popular 5.3L V8 by 3 MPG combined.
But Chevy kept their ace: the 3.0L Duramax diesel at 23 city / 29 highway / 26 combined. It’s the overall segment winner—the exact market Ram abandoned when they killed the EcoDiesel.
The Efficiency Scoreboard
For 2025 full-size trucks:
- Overall Champion: Chevy Silverado 3.0L Duramax (26 MPG combined)
- Gas Champion: Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid (25 MPG combined)
- Non-Hybrid Gas Champion: Ram 1500 3.6L V6 (23 MPG combined)
Ram wins the bronze medal. It’s got the best traditional gas engine, but it’s missing both diesel and hybrid options.
Which Ram Engine Should You Actually Buy?
The best dodge ram 1500 gas mileage depends on how you’ll use the truck. Here’s the honest breakdown.
For Daily Commuters
Best Choice: 2025 Tradesman 2WD with the 3.6L V6 eTorque
You’ll get 20 city / 26 highway / 23 combined. It’s the cheapest to buy and the cheapest to fuel. The 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque handle daily driving and light hauling just fine.
Fleet managers and cost-conscious buyers have known this for years. It’s why work trucks still come with the V6.
Used Alternative: 2020-2023 EcoDiesel 2WD if you drive tons of highway miles. The 33 MPG highway rating is untouchable, but only buy one with full service records. And avoid it if you make lots of short trips—diesel emissions systems hate that.
For Towing and Hauling
Best Choice: 2025 model with the 3.0L Hurricane Standard Output
It pumps out 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque with an 11,550-lb towing capacity. The V6’s 269 lb-ft isn’t enough for serious work.
Just be realistic: expect 8-10 MPG while towing, same as the old HEMI.
Used Alternative: 2020-2023 EcoDiesel 4WD for serious highway towing. The 480 lb-ft of diesel torque and 9-15 MPG towing efficiency make it the smart choice for RV haulers.
For Off-Road Enthusiasts
Reality Check: If you want a Rebel, accept the fuel economy penalty.
The 2025 Rebel’s 17/24/19 rating is best-case. In real driving with aggressive use, you’re looking at 15-16 MPG. Some owners report as low as 11 MPG.
The lifted suspension and chunky tires look great but kill efficiency. That’s the trade-off.
For Performance Junkies
The Hurricane High Output delivers 540 horsepower but manages just 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined. The RHO off-road version with its massive tires and lift drops to 14/16/15.
These trucks exist for people who prioritize speed over savings. Fuel economy isn’t part of the conversation.
The Bottom Line on Ram 1500 MPG
Here’s what you need to know about dodge ram 1500 gas mileage:
The 3.6L V6 remains the efficiency king, beating the new Hurricane and every competitor’s base engine. If MPG matters most, it’s the clear choice.
The 3.0L Hurricane delivers on its power promise (420 hp) but early testing shows it underperforms EPA estimates significantly in real-world driving.
The discontinued EcoDiesel is still the all-time champion for highway efficiency, but only if you find one with solid maintenance history and you drive long distances regularly.
Your driving habits and modifications matter more than engine choice. Aggressive tires can cost you 2-4 MPG. Towing drops you to single digits regardless of engine. Off-road trims carry permanent penalties.
And if maximum efficiency is your goal? Ford’s PowerBoost Hybrid and Chevy’s Duramax diesel both beat every Ram option. Ram bet on turbocharged gas engines while its competitors went hybrid and diesel.
The window sticker gives you a starting point. But your right foot, your tire choice, your trailer, and your trim level determine what you’ll actually see at the pump.
