MotorTrend Tests the 1500's

I didn't see any Dodges in the Article, but the 1500 by Ram Trucks is still my top pick. I don't need the most powerful and fastest truck. I want something that will pull and will still get decent mileage, towing or not. I think Ram Trucks hit something using the VM A630 engine in their 1500 truck.

Why not choose really good low and mid range torque...and acceleration? I don't drive fast, but all other things equal...

AndrewM wrote:
The EcoDiesel was the slowest in every performance test - by a lot. With no fuel cost savings compared to the EcoBoost. Why would I want buy the EcoDiesel? What am I missing?

You're right the Dodge diesel is slower than the Chevy and Ford. Performance figures of the Ram, are 0-60 mph in 8.8 seconds, 1/4 mile in 16.6 seconds. That's not bad, probably a little better than average for the mix of new vehicles out there today.

To me and many others it's more than satisfactory. In a truck I don't need the acceleration of a Top Fuel dragster. I want really good low and mid range torque.

Everybody has different wants.

That article only makes me think the ecodiesel is even more pointless. A few grand cost premium for it. Much slower than the competition. Costs no less in fuel to operate than the much much more powerful 2.7 ecoboost, 900 lbs of payload on the ram. A CAR magazine may like it but it ain't much of a TRUCK.

Add in the fact that it has all the same huge repair liabilities of the much more powerful 1 ton diesels without anywhere near the power.

Sounds like a loser to me.

The EcoDiesel was the slowest in every performance test - by a lot. With no fuel cost savings compared to the EcoBoost. Why would I want buy the EcoDiesel? What am I missing?

I read the article. Interesting read. If I was in the market for a half ton, full size pickup after reading that article...it would be the Dodge with the 3.0 liter TurboDiesel.

Hands down.

No contest.

Great MPG, lot's of low and mid range torque, 8 speed ZF transmission. What's not to like.

Our neighbour has a 2013 Dodge 1500 with 4WD and the 3.6 DOHC V6. He loves it and he tows small trailers with it.

BTW, I've never had a Mopar anything. Always GM, Ford or a few imports over many years of buying and driving.

I think Mopar has some of the best vehicles out there now. In fact, we are seriously considering buying a new Jeep Cherokee (V6), 4WD next time around.

I drive what I like not what others like. I only pay attention to comments about problems in a product. Not just one problem but repeated problems. Any auto maker will make a lemon out of thousands of good versions. At times they make more lemons than good products. I try to avoid those.

Bionic Man wrote:
The article

The resident RAM and EcoDiesel haters might not want to read this.

Interesting read. In a world of bigger, badder 1500 series pick ups, Ram seems to be going in the opposite direction with their EcoDiesel. I'm assuming they must think there is a market for a PU that doesn't need to tow the space shuttle or break the sound barrier in between stop signs?

When comparing the weight and MPG, remember that the Ford was not a crew cab.

I liked this statemetn.
Despite what truck advertising would have you think, customer research is consistent across the board: Most light-duty trucks drive around empty most of the time. Think about it: Of all the trucks you saw on the road today, how many were hauling something besides air? With that in mind, we started with a drive around town and down the freeway with empty trucks. The differences between the three trucks were stark.

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/trucks/1501_comparison_2015_ford_f_150_vs_ram_1500_chevrolet_silverado/#ixzz3KBwC9IRR

Thanks for the link - that's an interesting read. My reactions as I read through it:

- The fuel economy between the Ford and Ram seems to be a wash. At current prices in my area ($3/gas, $3.70/diesel) and the observed 19 mpg versus 23 mpg - over 10,000 miles, the fuel cost works out to $1579 for the Ford and $1608 for the Ram. Gas prices will probably rise again as we move into next summer so the Ram may have the slight edge at that point, but the difference is really minor.

- I'm surprised at how fast the 2.7 is. I'm also surprised at how light it is - 4900 lbs isn't much heavier than my wife's Pilot.

- Holy payload, Ram. 960 lbs? Yes, that's a minivan laughing at you.

- Ditto on tow rating, Ford. 5,000?

- The Chevy seems way behind and it's a pretty new design. That has to be alarming to GM.