Ram intends to tackle the 1500 EcoDiesel HFE’s fuel efficiency without affecting the truck’s performance.
The Ram 1500 diesel is now a lot more highway-friendly thanks to the new 3.0-liter Eco Diesel V6 pumping out 260 hp and a massive 460 lb-ft of torque. According to the manufacturer, the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel HFE would be the most capable light-duty diesel truck with a towing capacity of 12,560 pounds. Another change is the introduction of a spacious Crew Cab layout, with a bed capacity of 67.4-inches, compared to the standard Quad Cab body and its 76.3-inch sized bed.
The Ram 1500 HFE EcoDiesel is now rated at 23 mpg in the city, and 33 mpg highway, for a 26 mpg overall. The improvement seen from the new EcoDiesel HFE gives three mpg more than the combined fuel efficiency from the standard HFE model, which might be a good reason to opt for the diesel engine. The combined efficiency almost matches the Chevy Silverado 1500, which pips the Ram 1500 HFE EcoDiesel’s combined rating by 1 mpg. Nonetheless, the HFE variant is still the most fuel-efficient Ram 1500 available in the market.
The Ram 1500 HFE EcoDiesel is not a high-level trim, made evident by the standard tonneau cover, 5-inch infotainment system, and limited color options. Although the black bumper and front grille scream entry-level, it will at least ride on massive 20-inch aluminum wheels—not bad for a truck mostly intended to be used as a workhorse.
The Ram 1500 HFE EcoDiesel starts at $42,240, including a destination fee of $1,695, and will go on sale in the second quarter of 2021. The slightly higher Tradesman trim will cost $45,725 and is the next best model concerning fuel economy after the base variant.
More details to come closer to the official launch.