Hybrid and electric pickups are on the horizon, but 2020 is the year of the diesel. This model year, diesel engines are available in the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, and Ram 1500, with each offering six-cylinder oil burners. The Ram 1500 EcoDiesel V-6 pioneered the combination in 2013, and it's back with more power after a brief hiatus. We've previously tested an EcoDiesel Ram in the burly Rebel trim. This particular Ram 1500 Limited sheds the off-road hardware, and as a result, improves on the Rebel's fuel economy and performance.



HIGHS: Smooth and quiet operation, best ride and interior in the class.

In Ram 1500 Limited-trim pickups the diesel engine costs an extra $4995 over the base 3.6-liter V-6. Displacement remains 3.0 liters, but Ram has tweaked almost everything else compared to the prior-generation engine, including its water-cooled turbocharger, fuel injectors, intake ports, and combustion chambers. The compression ratio has increased from 16.0:1 to 16.5:1, and output is up eight percent to 260 horsepower at 3600 rpm. More importantly, torque climbs 14 percent to 480 lb-ft at 1600 rpm, which is best in class, and it peaks 400 rpm sooner than before. The third generation of this DOHC engine, which also is smoother and quieter than before, is assembled at Fiat Chrysler's Cento facility in Ferrara, Italy.

Brad Fick Car and Driver

While Rams with the EcoDiesel start at $38,585, this stacked Limited crew cab, which comes standard with a smooth-riding air-spring suspension and 20-inch Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza all-season tires, cost $67,530—about $2000 more than the Ram Rebel EcoDiesel we tested previously. Smaller-diameter tires and a roughly 50-pound weight advantage give the 5734-pound Limited a considerable dynamic advantage over the taller off-road–oriented Rebel, which rides on a knobbier set of 18-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTracs. The Limited EcoDiesel sticks to the skidpad with 0.75 g in grip and stops from 70 mph in 179 feet. Both metrics easily outperform the Rebel's lackluster 0.69-g and 208-foot measurements.

Although both trucks featured four-wheel drive and were equipped with the same eight-speed automatic transmission and 3.92:1 rear-axle ratio, the Limited's 31.8-inch diameter tires are 1.4 inches shorter than the Rebel's, which effectively lowers the Limited's final-drive ratio and improves its acceleration. It easily beats up on its diesel brother with a 7.7-second run to 60 mph, a half-second quicker than the Rebel, and it's more than a second quicker than the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel 4x4 crew cab we tested back in 2015. The 2020 Limited's 15.9-second quarter-mile pass at 85 mph also outperforms the Rebel's 16.2-second run at 83 mph.

Brad Fick Car and Driver

LOWS: More expensive and slower than gas V-8, optimistic EPA estimates.

With the Limited's standard air springs, which lowers the truck 0.6 inch at speeds above 50 mph, the Limited achieved 25 mpg in our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test, just topping the Rebel's 24-mpg return. Although both EcoDiesels delivered significantly better mileage than you'll get with the Ram's optional 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, neither truck approached its EPA highway fuel-economy estimate of 29 mpg.

This is clearly the best Ram EcoDiesel ever, and overall, this new wave of diesel-powered half-tons are a compelling option for full-size pickup buyers. But they come at a cost, demanding a steep premium over their gas-powered siblings. As our testing reveals, the EcoDiesel's value equation is optimized when you skip the Ram 1500's available off-road hardware.

Specifications Specifications 2020 Ram 1500 Limited EcoDiesel 4x4 Crew Cab VEHICLE TYPE

front-engine, rear/4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door pickup PRICE AS TESTED

$67,530 (base price: $63,655) ENGINE TYPE

turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve diesel V-6, iron block and aluminum heads, direct fuel injection

Displacement

182 cu in, 2987 cc

Power

260 hp @ 3600 rpm

Torque

480 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm TRANSMISSION

8-speed automatic CHASSIS

Suspension (F/R): controls arms/live axle

Brakes (F/R): 14.9-in vented disc/14.8-in vented disc

Tires: Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza, 275/55R-20 113T M+S DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 144.6 in

Length: 232.9 in

Width: 82.1 in

Height: 77.6 in

Passenger volume: 126 cu ft

Curb weight: 5734 lb C/D

TEST RESULTS

Rollout, 1 ft: 0.3 sec

60 mph: 7.7 sec

100 mph: 24.5 sec

Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 8.9 sec

Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.9 sec

Top gear, 50–70 mph: 5.5 sec

¼-mile: 15.9 sec @ 95 mph

Top speed (governor limited): 108 mph

Braking, 70–0 mph: 179 ft

Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.75 g

*stability-control-inhibited C/D

FUEL ECONOMY

Observed: 23 mpg

75-mph highway driving: 25 mpg

Highway range: 650 miles EPA FUEL ECONOMY

Combined/city/highway: 24/21/29 mpg Expand Collapse

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