Ram Sets Price for 2020 EcoDiesel Pickups

Matthew Guy
by Matthew Guy

Fresh off giving Chevy a good drubbing in the American sales race, Ram has announced pricing for its new batch of EcoDiesel half-ton pickup trucks.

We’ll save you a click and tell you above the fold that the cheapest way to get into a new Ram EcoDiesel is by way of two-wheel drive Tradesman wearing Quad Cab clothes. That truck stickers for $36,890 plus destination. There’s more to it than that, of course, so you’ll want to hit the jump to learn why Ram feels the need to offer not one but two different EcoDiesels in their showrooms at the same time.

Alert readers will be aware that Ram is selling its new and old 1500 half-tons side by each, a decision that has rewarded them with sales prowess over their crosstown rivals at Chevy. Thing is, the new Gen3 engine will not be fitted to the old truck — for reasons that should be quite clear — which soldiers on with the Gen2 EcoDiesel. That mill makes significantly different power numbers than the Gen3, so it would behoove the smart shopper to carefully investigate any dealer claim of “ZOMG NEW ECODIESEL FOR [insert unbelievably low price here].”

Focusing on the new Ram 1500, the EcoDiesel engine will represent a $4,995 option box, which works out to a $3,000 or $3,300 premium over the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 eTorque, depending on trim. We mention this because the Gen3 EcoDiesel is available across all models and configurations of the new Ram 1500 (not the Ram 1500 Classic, which retains the old Gen2 EcoDiesel), including a first-time offering in the Ram Rebel.

Fuel economy ratings will be announced closer to when trucks go on sale early in the fourth quarter of this year. As for power, this mill is good for 260 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and 480 lb-ft of torque at just 1600 rpm. These figures are a 20 hp and 60 lb-ft improvement over the Gen2 engine, respectively.

That torque figure is the highest of all half-ton diesels, by the way.

Company spox are mum on official mileage numbers for now, but it will surely outstrip the old engine’s figures of 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. For comparison, the 3.0-liter GM Duramax inline-six is rated at 23 mpg city, 33 highway for two-wheel drive half-tons, while Ford’s 3.0L Powerstroke half-ton is good for 22 mpg in town and 30 mpg on the open road.

The new Ram EcoDiesel 1500 pickups should appear on dealer lots in the fourth quarter of this year. Check back on these digital pages for a First Drive review next week.

[Images: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]

Matthew Guy
Matthew Guy

Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.

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  • Dal20402 Dal20402 on Aug 17, 2019

    Dead fuel walking in any segment smaller than Class 3.. It's not clear that any manufacturer can meet emissions requirements without fraud, and the marginal fuel savings over a comparably powerful gasser aren't worth the stink.

    • See 4 previous
    • Dal20402 Dal20402 on Aug 18, 2019

      @Carrera "in an emission free testing state" Great, so the trucks don't "come alive" unless you're stinking out the rest of the public.

  • Carrera Carrera on Aug 18, 2019

    All gas stations where I live dispense diesel. All but the clubs. Yes, always use a reputable tuner. Diesel isn't in my future right now because I drive only 7 miles to work and that would choke a new diesel who needs hwy driving for regeneration

  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
  • JTiberius1701 Middle of April here in NE Ohio. And that can still be shaky. Also on my Fiesta ST, I use Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires for the winter and Bridgestone Potenza for my summer tires. No issues at all.
  • TCowner We've had a 64.5 Mustang in the family for the past 40 years. It is all original, Rangoon Red coupe with 289 (one of the first instead of the 260), Rally Pac, 4-speed, factory air, every option. Always gets smiles and thumbs ups.
  • ToolGuy This might be a good option for my spouse when it becomes available -- thought about reserving one but the $500 deposit is a little too serious. Oh sorry, that was the Volvo EX30, not the Mustang. Is Volvo part of Ford? Is the Mustang an EV? I'm so confused.
  • Mikey My late wife loved Mustangs ..We alway rented one while travelling . GM blood vetoed me purchasing one . 3 years after retirement bought an 08 rag top, followed by a 15 EB Hard top, In 18 i bought a low low mileage 05 GT rag with a stick.. The car had not been properly stored. That led to rodent issues !! Electrical nightmare. Lots of bucks !! The stick wasn't kind to my aging knees.. The 05 went to a long term dedicated Mustang guy. He loves it .. Today my garage tenant is a sweet 19 Camaro RS rag 6yl Auto. I just might take it out of hibernation this weekend. The Mustang will always hold a place in my heart.. Kudos to Ford for keeping it alive . I refuse to refer to the fake one by that storied name .
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