Against 438 other V6 cars rated 2010–2012, the Ram trails their 20.4 mpg average by 4.4 mpg, about $518 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1994, the 3.9L 6-cyl (1994–2001), does 16.1 mpg and the thirstiest, the 5.2L 8-cyl (1994–2001), 14.1: $338 a year apart.
Every Dodge Ram engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 14.4 / 19.1 | 1994–2001 | $2,385 | |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 14.2 / 19.3 | 2002–2012 | $2,385 | |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 13.6 / 19.3 | 2006–2012 | $2,462 | |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 13 / 17.5 | 2002–2005 | $2,648 | |
| 5.2L 8-cyl | 12.1 / 17 | 1994–2001 | $2,723 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Ford F-150 gets 18 mpg, the RAM 1500 19 mpg and the Ford Ranger 21 mpg, next to 16 mpg for the 2012 Ram. The Ram costs the most of them to run: $571 a year more than the Ford Ranger.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2012) | $0.200 |
| Fuel per year | $2,400 |
| Fuel over five years | $12,000 |
| Against other V6 cars, 2010–2012 | +$518 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,086 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2012 Dodge Ram gives up 6 mpg in town: 20 on the highway against 14 in the city, $823 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2012) | 14 mpg | $2,743 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 20 mpg | $1,920 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6 mpg (43%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Ram changed over the years
The Ram peaked in 2012 at 16 mpg (14 city, 20 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2005 at 15 — 1 mpg apart, or $160 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 14 / 20 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 2011 | 14 / 20 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 2010 | 14 / 20 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 2009 | 14 / 20 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 2008 | 14.5 / 19 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 2007 | 13.5 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,477 | |
| 2006 | 13.5 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,477 | |
| 2005 | 13.5 / 18 | 2 | $2,560 | |
| 2004 | 13.5 / 18 | 2 | $2,560 | |
| 2003 | 13.5 / 18 | 2 | $2,477 | |
| 2002 | 13.5 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,477 | |
| 2001 | 13 / 17.5 | 2 | $2,560 | |
| 2000 | 13 / 18 | 2 | $2,560 | |
| 1999 | 13 / 19 | 2 | $2,560 | |
| 1998 | 13 / 17.5 | 2 | $2,560 | |
| 1997 | 13 / 18.5 | 2 | $2,560 | |
| 1996 | 14 / 18 | 2 | $2,477 | |
| 1995 | 13.5 / 18 | 2 | $2,560 | |
| 1994 | 13.5 / 18 | 2 | $2,477 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
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How we count
This page rests on 38 EPA ratings of the Dodge Ram — 5 engines across 1994–2012. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $4,086. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2012 Dodge Ram get?
16 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1994 the Ram has averaged 15.4 mpg.
Is the 2012 Ram more efficient than the 2011?
About the same: 16 against 16 mpg combined.
Which Ram year has the best gas mileage?
The 2012, at 16 mpg combined (14 city, 20 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the Ram get better gas mileage than the Ford F-150?
No: 16 mpg for the 2012 Ram against 18 for the 2013 Ford F-150, about $267 a year more to run.
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