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2019 Ram 1500 Hemi Holds the Line on Fuel Economy
Mar 23, 2018
2019 Ram 1500 Hemi Holds the Line on Fuel Economy
Identical Efficiency Numbers for 5.7L V-8 with Eight-Speed Auto
Somewhat surprisingly, the 2019 Ram 1500 will achieve identical fuel economy numbers when equipped with the 5.7L Hemi V-8 and eight-speed automatic transmission as the 2018 1500 with the same powertrain. While its 17-mpg combined number is good enough for a V-8–powered fullsize truck, we'd have expected some improvement from 2018 given the new pickup has active aerodynamics and a smoother, more slippery body.
According to the EPA, the 2019 pickup will achieve 15 city/22 highway/17 combined mpg when equipped with two-wheel drive, while the four-wheel-drive truck will get 15 city/21 highway/17 combined mpg. The EPA rates the 2018 truck exactly the same, right down to the disparity between two- and four-wheel drive.
Still, we can’t call this a totally fair comparison, as we’re still missing lots of data, including the EPA’s rating of the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado. We’re also missing the new Ram’s 3.6L V-6 base engine stats; expect a fair fuel economy boost compared to the outgoing 3.6, thanks to the eTorque mild-hybrid system. The eTorque technology will also be available on the 5.7L Hemi, but those fuel economy rankings are also yet to be determined. And obviously, since each of those aforementioned pickups comes in a variety of wheelbases and cab styles, your mileage may vary.
Were we gamblers, we’d bet the current domestic truck V-8 efficiency rankings will roll into 2019 unscathed. With no significant changes to the Ford F-150 planned for the next model year and the new Ram 1500 holding the line, the door is wide open for the lightened, aerodynamically designed 2019 Silverado 1500 to jump ahead, particularly thanks to its trick Variable Cylinder Management system.
As always, once we know more, we’ll report back.
Source: Environmental Protection Agency