Hybrids and fuel-sipping small cars may get a lot of attention, but improving the gas mileage of pickup trucks can have a huge impact.
That's why the 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is major news for pickup buyers.
And while EPA fuel economy ratings aren't available yet, this diesel light-duty truck returned 28 mpg highway in a recent Motor Trend test.
MORE: 2014 Pickup Truck Gas Mileage: Ford Vs Chevy Vs Ram, Who's Best?
The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 is the same one used in the Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel, and is the only diesel engine offered in a half-ton truck this year. It produces 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque.
Even if the EPA rating varies from that 28-mpg highway figure, drivers may be able to replicate it in the real world. Many diesels do significantly better than their EPA highway ratings.
![2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2014-ram-1500_100441347_l.jpg)
2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel
Both trucks were equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the sole option.
That's compared to 20 mpg combined (17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway) for a rear-wheel drive Ram 1500 equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 (305 hp, 269 lb-ft) and eight-speed automatic, and 19 mpg combined (16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway) with four-wheel drive.
Buyers can also specify a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, with 395 hp, 410 lb-ft, and a choice of six- or eight-speed automatics.
The six-speed Hemi returns 16 mpg combined (14 mpg city, 20 mpg highway) with rear-wheel drive and 15 mpg combined (13 mpg city, 19 mpg highway) with four-wheel drive.
With the eight speed, the numbers are 17 mpg combined (15 mpg city, 22 mpg highway) for rear-wheel drive, and 17 mpg combined (15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway) with four-wheel drive.
So far, the Ram EcoDiesel's closest Detroit rival is the rear-wheel drive 2014 Chevrolet Silverado C15, which is rated at 20 mpg combined (18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway). The Chevy has a 4.3-liter V-6 with 285 hp, 305 lb-ft, and a six-speed automatic.
The four-wheel drive Silverado K15 loses one mpg in the city and combined categories, and two mpg in the highway category.
The 2014 Ford F-150's 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 is rated at 18 mpg combined (16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway) with rear-wheel drive and the obligatory six-speed automatic, and loses one mpg in each category with four-wheel drive. It has 365 hp and 420 lb-ft.
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