Most people buying trucks are probably looking for high towing capacity, and that’s exactly what most full-size pickups offer. However, folks considering the 2021 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel will get something else, too.

Here’s a look at how the 2021 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is so fuel-efficient that it actually gets better gas mileage than some compact SUVs. 

The 2021 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel’s engine

The standard Ram 1500 is a great truck as it is, but it could be better. That’s why Ram offers an EcoDiesel version of the truck. And as the name implies, it replaces the standard 3.6-liter V6 with a 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine. The standard gas-powered V6 harnesses more horsepower than this diesel, but the latter gets far more torque. 

According to Ram, this diesel engine gets about 480 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to deliver impressive towing and payload figures. The automaker says this diesel engine allows the 1500 to carry over 2,000 pounds of stuff in the truck bed and trailer over 12,500 pounds. The automaker also claims that the 1500 EcoDiesel can tow more stuff than the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado. 

The Ram 1500 EcoDiesel’s fuel efficiency

The Ram 1500 EcoDiesel’s MSRP starts around $42,000, Motor1 reports. But that number includes more than a powerful diesel engine. The 1500 EcoDiesel version comes with about the same interior features as the regular Ram 1500. That means a comfortable, well-designed interior.

Because of the similarities between the regular model and the EcoDiesel version, that $42,000 price tag seems like a steep increase over the base trim’s $32,595 MSRP. But the diesel engine will pay dividends in other ways. Ram says that this diesel engine also gets about 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway, for a combined 27 mpg. 

For comparison, the standard 1500’s 3.6-liter gas engine gets about 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. That means the EcoDiesel engine gets about the same fuel economy in city driving, but it’s significantly more fuel-efficient on the highway. These numbers are for the rear-wheel-drive versions. The all-wheel-drive versions are slightly less fuel-efficient. 

How fuel-efficient is this diesel truck?

Despite being a full-size pickup truck that can tow over 12,500 pounds, the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel’s fuel economy is impressive. In fact, its 32 highway mpg is actually better than some of the most popular compact SUVs. For example, MotorTrend shows that crossovers such as the Mazda CX-5, Chevy Equinox, and Hyundai Kona have either the same or worse highway mpg as the EcoDiesel. 

But to be fair, those SUVs all have a better fuel economy in the city. For example, the CX-5 gets about 25 mpg in the city. Plus, though the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel gets better highway fuel economy than the CX-5, the Mazda is a significantly cheaper vehicle, starting around $25,000. 

Regardless, the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel’s 32 highway mpg is still impressive, and it’ll save owners money in the long run. Though its great fuel economy shouldn’t be the sole reason you buy a 1500 EcoDiesel, it certainly doesn’t hurt.