Ram 1500 Inline-Six: Marginal Efficiency Improvement vs. Hemi V-8

The 2025 Ram 1500’s new inline-six engine offers similar fuel economy to the Hemi V-8 but with a slight edge in highway driving and more power.

Despite expectations, the new Ram 1500’s 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine offers only marginal efficiency improvements over the traditional 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. While the new engine matches the V-8’s combined fuel economy of 19 MPG, it slightly outperforms it on the highway but falls short in city driving.

The EPA’s latest figures reveal that the 2025 Ram 1500, equipped with the standard-output version of the inline-six and four-wheel drive, maintains the 19 MPG combined efficiency of its V-8 predecessor. Notably, the new engine lags behind the Hemi in city efficiency by 1 MPG but leads by 2 MPG on the highway.

For those seeking more power, the high-output variant of the new engine offers 540 horsepower and 521 pound-feet of torque but with a reduced combined efficiency of 17 MPG. This contrasts with the standard engine’s 420 horsepower and 469 pound-feet of torque.

Comparing the 2025 Ram 1500 to its full-size truck rivals, it aligns closely with the competition in terms of fuel efficiency and power, particularly against the Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra and Ford F-150. Diesel variants and hybrids from competitors, however, surpass the new Ram in fuel economy.

As the 2025 Ram 1500 heads to dealerships, it remains to be seen if Ram enthusiasts will embrace the new inline-six, given its similar efficiency but enhanced power compared to the beloved Hemi V-8.