The 2019 Ram 1500 is one of the best selling cars in America, but in 2020, Ram’s only making upgrades to its top of the line truck. The 2020 Ram 1500 will have improvements in many areas, including gas mileage. In fact, the EcoDiesel version of this truck is touting some of best gas mileage we’ve ever seen in a truck. However, there’s one catch.

A great engine option for the 2020 Ram

The 2020 Ram 1500 will now have an option for a 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine, according to Car and Driver. This great diesel engine will allow the Ram 1500 to compete with Ford’s great selection of diesel engines. Car and Driver says that this V6 diesel engine will allow the Ram 1500 to get an impressive 22 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on highways. That equals to a fuel economy of 27 MPG combined.

For comparison, the most fuel-efficient engine option for the F-150 gets about 22 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on highways. On top of that, compared to the 2019 Ram 1500, the highest fuel economy you can get is 25 MPG on highways, according to U.S. News. This massive improvement in fuel economy will mean significant fuel savings for drivers.

Furthermore, despite the fact that this V6 diesel engine gets about 260-hp, it has the best torque rating in its class, according to Car and Driver. It delivers 480 lb-ft of torque, and that’s far more torque than what similar Chevy and Ford trucks can deliver. This high torque rating allows the 2020 Ram 1500 to tow over 12,500 lb with its V6 diesel engine.

The catch

This 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine is a great addition to the Ram 1500, but, as Car and Driver noted, the fuel economy that’s listed is only for the two-wheel drive model. That’s a big problem considering the fact that many truck owners won’t want a two-wheel drive truck.

Trucks with two-wheel drive can tow heavy loads just as well as trucks with other configurations, according to Consumer Reports. However, trucks with two-wheel drive will suffer on harsh or slippery terrain. Many truck drivers won’t just be driving their trucks on the highways or on a paved road, so this issue with two-wheel drive will affect many Ram 1500 owners. 

That said, Ram is also offering all-wheel drive on the 2020 Ram 1500. Although this will solve some problems, all-wheel drive will hurt the Ram 1500’s fuel economy. According to Car and Driver, the 2020 Ram 1500 with the V6 diesel engine and all-wheel drive will get a fuel economy of 21 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. That’s a combined 25 MPG. 

Is the 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel worth it?

Equipped with its V6 diesel engine and two-wheel drive, the 2020 Ram 1500 will cost just under $39,000. Car and Driver says that this makes the 2020 Ram 1500 the cheapest diesel engine on a light-duty truck in its class. Getting a Ram 1500 with all-wheel drive and then adding the V6 diesel engine onto it will cost more than that, though.

But, given the fact that the Ram 1500 is award-winning in multiple areas, it’s hard to say that other trucks can even compete with it. In fact, the CEO of General Motors thinks that the interior design and features of the Ram 1500 are so nice that GM’s own trucks just can’t compete with Ram’s.

The other benefits of a diesel engine, such as superior torque and towing ratings, also make the V6 diesel engine a great buy for the 2020 Ram 1500. When everything’s considered, the 2020 Ram 1500 is still one of the best diesel pickups available.