The Dodge Ram Wagon does 18.6 mpg combined (16.3 city, 22.2 highway), which works out to about $2,065 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 23 mpg while 5.2L 8-cyl does 13.1 — a difference of $1,261 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Dodge Ram Wagon engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 19 / 29.2 | 1995–1999 | $1,670 | |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 20.7 / 25.8 | 1984–1989 | $1,707 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 18 / 25 | 2003–2003 | $1,829 | |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 17.5 / 25.2 | 1995–2000 | $1,901 | |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 17 / 24 | 2003–2003 | $1,920 | |
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 13.4 / 15.8 | 1992–2002 | $2,667 | |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 11.4 / 15.4 | 1990–2002 | $2,931 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.172 |
| Fuel per year | $2,065 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,325 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$553 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,489 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 16.3 mpg | $2,356 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 22.2 mpg | $1,730 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.9 mpg (36%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Ram Wagon changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 17.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2002 | 12.5 / 14.5 | 2 | $2,844 | |
| 2001 | 12 / 16 | 2 | $2,743 | |
| 2000 | 17 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 1999 | 18 / 27 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 1998 | 18 / 27 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 1997 | 18.5 / 27 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 1996 | 18.5 / 27 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 1995 | 18.5 / 28 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 1994 | 13 / 16.5 | 2 | $2,743 | |
| 1993 | 12.5 / 16 | 2 | $2,743 | |
| 1992 | 12.5 / 15.5 | 2 | $2,844 | |
| 1991 | 11 / 15 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 1990 | 11 / 15 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 1989 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1988 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1987 | 20 / 24 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1986 | 21 / 24 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1985 | 20 / 24 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1984 | 21 / 31 | 1 | $1,536 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
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- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Dodge Ram Wagon get?
18.6 mpg combined on average — 16.3 in the city and 22.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–2003.
How much does a Dodge Ram Wagon cost in fuel per year?
About $2,065 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $10,325 over five years, or 0.172 dollars a mile.
Which Ram Wagon engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 23 mpg, against 13.1 for the 5.2L 8-cyl — a difference of about $1,261 a year.
Is the Ram Wagon good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.