Options for Ram 1500 Engines

The new Ram 1500 has many features to excite buyers seeking a true workhorse of a truck. If you’re looking for a truck with the ability to tow and haul, 2020 Ram trucks have plenty of options to satisfy even the toughest jobs. Here, we’re going to take a deeper look at the 2020 Ram 1500 engine offerings to explore which engine can best serve the needs of each buyer, especially if you’re looking for more fuel efficiency and savings at the pump. Most of Ram’s engine options utilize new technology, which is taking them into the lead against competitors when it comes to efficiency without sacrificing power.

New Hybrid Engines

3.6L Pentastar V6 Engine with eTorque

Ram is bringing trucks into the future with the new 3.6-liter six-cylinder hybrid that runs on both gas and electric. Ram uses the term “mild hybrid” to describe the technology of this newly-optimized engine. Using a 48-volt battery is what sets this engine apart. Previous generations of hybrid engines use 100-volt or higher battery systems, while the 48-volt battery reduces fuel consumption by utilizing the combustion engine when it accelerates or decelerates.

The higher voltage engines allow for fully electric driving, while the 48-volt engine is designed to simply reduce fuel use. Though this may seem like a draw-back, it actually saves on the space typically required for the larger battery on vehicles capable of fully electric operation. Having a mild hybrid allows for the savings of fuel without compromising cabin space.

Rather than operating with a traditional alternator, the new V6 engine uses the 48-volt battery to power a belt-driven generator. This generator allows for the truck to deliver the kind of power a truck is expected to have, particularly with payload and towing capacities. Aside from savings at the pump, the 48-volt engine also reduces CO2 emissions by an average of 20%. This newer technology can be manufactured with less expense in comparison to the higher-voltage hybrids, so the savings is passed on to the buyer.

What new Ram buyers need to know is that the 3.6-liter V6 engine comes standard on all trims. It uses variable valve timing and a two-step variable valve lift to put out enough power to be the best in class standard V6 horsepower engine on the market today. This engine will deliver 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque and has a towing capacity of 7,730 pounds. Additionally, a limited factory warranty of 60,000 miles or 5 years comes standard with this engine.

3.0L EcoDiesel V6 Engine

Ram has improved upon its previous versions of this engine, which is now in its third generation. It does add to the cost of the base 3.6-liter engine by nearly $5,000 for certain trims, but the power commanded by diesel may be reason enough to choose it anyway. Nearly everything about this engine has seen some upgrading since the last generation, with improvements to the water-cooled turbocharger, fuel injectors, intake ports, and combustion chambers.

An impressive 260 horsepower hits at 3600rpm with 480 lb-ft of torque at 1600rpm. This is definitely better than the previous output. Compared to the standard V6 mild hybrid, this engine has a towing capacity of 12,560 pounds. Ram pairs this engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and it averages about 26 MPG, which is 30% better fuel economy than the comparable V8 engine. Buyers will be pleased to note this engine comes with a 100,000-mile or 5-year limited factory warranty.

Hemi V8 Engines

5.7L HEMI V8 Engine

For the buyers who prefer gas-powered engines, the Hemi V8 is still available as an option. All the expectations of towing and payload capacities will remain, and the cast iron engine block with dual spark plugs continues to hold its place in the line-up of heavy-duty engines. The horsepower for this engine tops out at 395 with 410 lb-ft of torque. If you’re used to the Hemi, you know this beast will require a higher speed to really do its best work, but the intake manifold does its job at lower speeds to help offset this torque-heavy mammoth.

The towing capacity of the standard Hemi V8 is 11,610 pounds, though this engine may be a harder sell when considering the better gas mileage and higher towing capacity of the other engine options. The best this engine gets is an average of roughly 17 MPG, a far cry from the other engine options but not bad for an engine with this much power. It does come with a limited factory warranty of 60,000 miles or 5 years, but buyers may be more savvy to look into the 5.7-liter V8 with eTorque.

5.7L HEMI V8 Engine with eTorque

If you would rather save more at the pump, the available 5.7-liter Hemi with eTorque is another mild hybrid engine that employs fuel-saving tech to keep more money in your wallet when you need a workhorse of a truck. This engine will average out at about 19 MPG, which is a big difference from the entirely gas-powered version. For those concerned about the start-stop feature of this vehicle, it is virtually undetectable while driving.

Other gas-saving features will run in the background with little or no impact on the driving experience or performance of the truck. Cylinder deactivation will kick in between 1,000-3,000 rpm, and it works in tandem with two electronic vibration dampers to help relieve extra vibration from the engine. Active noise canceling in the truck cabin can take care of any remaining noise from the engine’s operations, so driving may be quieter than you expect.

An eight-speed automatic transmission comes standard with the V8, which optimizes shift changes while your truck increases or decreases speed. It rallies around efficiency without losing on performance. In fact, you might prefer the performance of the efficiency and power available with this capable and technologically-attuned engine.

Much like the gas-powered V8, the horsepower roars in at 395 with 410 lb-ft of torque. That adds an extra 130 pound-feet of torque, bringing the towing capacity up to 12,750 pounds. With these numbers, Ram achieves best-in-class V8 combined with a 4×4 fuel economy. As with the other gas-powered engines, this will be covered by a limited factory warranty of 60,000 miles or 5 years.

Summary

The work needs of your truck will determine which engine best suits your expectations. For towing trailers like RVs, ATV haulers, or light landscaping machinery, it’s possible you may only need the V6. Checking the weight of whatever you plan to tow is the best option, and then add the weight of whatever supplies would also be loaded either into the trailer or in the truck bed.

If you plan to tow larger RVs or trailers, the V8 will be the better choice. Any buyers planning to run a snowplow would be better served by one of the heavier-duty trucks, like the 2500 or 3500. The 1500 is meant for lighter duty, though it can handle a fairly heavy workload. Test-driving one of the mild hybrids at Orange Coast CJDRF will give buyers an opportunity to see just how powerful and capable one of these engines can be, though the gas-powered V8 is still there if you prefer it. 2020 Ram 1500 trucks are definitely taking the lead! When you are ready to drive one, contact us or swing by for a visit!