Ward's Best Engines 2014

What strikes me as interesting is that of the 10 best engines, only 3 aren't turbo'd, supercharged, or diesel.

Starting to think more and more that the 3.0L diesel in the Ram 1500 is going to be a game-changer. A full-size pickup capable of towing a nice-sized TT or boat and getting mid-20s MPG not towing cannot be ignored.

I know that I was set on a 6.4L Hemi 2500 in 2014 but I will absolutely drive a Ram 1500 diesel when they hit lots and give it every chance to win me over.

Yes, I'm going to buy a new truck less than 2 years after spending $1800 on 4.30 gears for my F250 LOL...

Dog Folks wrote:
I will hold back judgement on the Ram engine until it establishes some reliability.

So far it is an "unproven" engine.

I can remember the same thing being said about the Duramax, though it's manufacturer had also been around for a while (Isuzu).

don't know that much about the diesel engine being put in the 1500 Ram, other than knowing it's manufactured is a company with a lot of history manufacturing diesel engines.....that WOULD help spur some of the talk..

John_G wrote:

ScottG wrote:
I have to question how any engine can be "the best" when there aren't many of them on the road or any miles piled up to speak of.

In some cases this isn't the first year they've made the list. 5th year in a row that the Audi 3.0L TFSI has made the list and the Honda engine has also made the list 5 times (not consecutively)...

I was speaking more in regards to the Ram Diesel. This is the first year for that eng tune in a truck. I just cant see it being judged as successful in any way until it has some history.

ScottG wrote:
I have to question how any engine can be "the best" when there aren't many of them on the road or any miles piled up to speak of.

In some cases this isn't the first year they've made the list. 5th year in a row that the Audi 3.0L TFSI has made the list and the Honda engine has also made the list 5 times (not consecutively)...

Me Again wrote:

Dog Folks wrote:
I will hold back judgement on the Ram engine until it establishes some reliability.

So far it is an "unproven" engine.

However it is made by a company that has been building lots of diesel engines for many years. We in NA are way behind the rest of the world in using diesel powered vehicles.

And do we know if this is a new engine or one from their stable?

On edit: Looks like this engine was designed in the late 2000's for GM Caddies, before the bottom dropped out!

Chris

It was initially designed by GM. This fact came out on another thread a few months ago.

But it never hit the road. Besides all that, if it won't tow our camper, my wife won't let me buy it! LOL

I have to question how any engine can be "the best" when there aren't many of them on the road or any miles piled up to speak of.

Dog Folks wrote:
I will hold back judgement on the Ram engine until it establishes some reliability.

So far it is an "unproven" engine.

However it is made by a company that has been building lots of diesel engines for many years. We in NA are way behind the rest of the world in using diesel powered vehicles.

And do we know if this is a new engine or one from their stable?

On edit: Looks like this engine was designed in the late 2000's for GM Caddies, before the bottom dropped out!

Chris

I will hold back judgement on the Ram engine until it establishes some reliability.

So far it is an "unproven" engine.

l001952119 wrote:

ib516 wrote:
Tow vehicle engines are in bold...

Audi S5 3.0-liter TFSI supercharged DOHC V-6
BMW 535d 3.0-liter turbo-diesel DOHC inIine-six-cylinder
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2-liter OHV V-8 (same engine as Chevy Silverado 1500)
Chevrolet Cruze 2.0-liter turbo-diesel DOHC inline-four-cylinder
Fiat 500e 83-kilowatt electric motor
Ford Fiesta 1.0-liter turbocharged DOHC inline-three-cylinder
Honda Accord 3.5-liter SOHC V-6
Porsche Cayman 2.7-liter DOHC H-6 boxer
Ram 1500 3.0-liter turbo-diesel DOHC V-6
Volkswagen Jetta 1.8-liter turbocharged DOHC inline-four-cylinder

On the 3.0L Diesel in the RAM 1500, they commented:

"The 3.0L V-6, sourced from Fiat-owned VM Motori in Italy for the Ram 1500, is the first modern light-duty diesel engine for a fullsize pickup. The engine also appears in the new Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV.

Ideally mated with a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission, the 3.0L turbodiesel goes about its business with little effort or humdrum and propels the 6,000-lb. (2,722-kg) truck with ease.

Some WardsAuto editors achieved better than 24 mpg (9.8 L/100 km) in mixed driving, which is remarkable in a truck this large. Count on the Ram 1500 to deliver even better fuel economy during steady highway driving. The EPA numbers are not yet available for the Ram diesel."

Thank you for the information. I ordered a 6.2 engine in a 1500 Silverado. It is scheduled for assembly this Monday. Probably a real gas guzzler (not yet rated) but I will make it up the hill! Also ordered the Max Trailering package with a tow rating of 12,000 pounds!

This is not the same exact motor in the Corvette. The Corvette has 450 hp.

ib516 wrote:
Tow vehicle engines are in bold...

Audi S5 3.0-liter TFSI supercharged DOHC V-6
BMW 535d 3.0-liter turbo-diesel DOHC inIine-six-cylinder
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2-liter OHV V-8 (same engine as Chevy Silverado 1500)
Chevrolet Cruze 2.0-liter turbo-diesel DOHC inline-four-cylinder
Fiat 500e 83-kilowatt electric motor
Ford Fiesta 1.0-liter turbocharged DOHC inline-three-cylinder
Honda Accord 3.5-liter SOHC V-6
Porsche Cayman 2.7-liter DOHC H-6 boxer
Ram 1500 3.0-liter turbo-diesel DOHC V-6
Volkswagen Jetta 1.8-liter turbocharged DOHC inline-four-cylinder

On the 3.0L Diesel in the RAM 1500, they commented:

"The 3.0L V-6, sourced from Fiat-owned VM Motori in Italy for the Ram 1500, is the first modern light-duty diesel engine for a fullsize pickup. The engine also appears in the new Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV.

Ideally mated with a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission, the 3.0L turbodiesel goes about its business with little effort or humdrum and propels the 6,000-lb. (2,722-kg) truck with ease.

Some WardsAuto editors achieved better than 24 mpg (9.8 L/100 km) in mixed driving, which is remarkable in a truck this large. Count on the Ram 1500 to deliver even better fuel economy during steady highway driving. The EPA numbers are not yet available for the Ram diesel."

Thank you for the information. I ordered a 6.2 engine in a 1500 Silverado. It is scheduled for assembly this Monday. Probably a real gas guzzler (not yet rated) but I will make it up the hill! Also ordered the Max Trailering package with a tow rating of 12,000 pounds!