Which Truckmaker Has the Most Fuel-Efficient V-8 HD Pickup?
Not long ago, we took a closer look at the fuel-economy testing from our 2017 3/4-Ton Premium Truck Challenge, and found the 2017 Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn, with its burly 6.7-liter inline-six Cummins turbo-diesel, did an impressive job in both empty and loaded testing when compared to other pickups in the Challenge.
Big diesels are not for everyone, especially if you need your pickup to do a variety of jobs. For many, the livability and convenience of a good, old-fashioned gas V-8 is just the right power plant to have under the hood.
Our look back at the Premium Truck Challenge prompted us to review our 2017 3/4-Ton Work Truck Challenge, which pitted heavy-duty pickups with gas V-8 engines against each other. Here's what further examination of our fuel-economy testing revealed:
2017 Ford Super Duty F-250 XL: 15.2 MPG Empty/Loaded Average
With its 6.2-liter V-8, the Ford ran away from the field. Not only did the Super Duty's new high-tech 6.2-liter single-overhead cam (with roller rocker shafts for the valve train), 16-valve V-8 get the best empty and loaded (with more than 2,000 pounds in the bed) fuel economy, it was the smoothest and most livable of the test.
2017 Nissan Titan XD S: 14.7 MPG Empty/Loaded Average
Equipped with a 5.6-liter V-8, the Nissan's biggest advantage was the segment's only seven-speed transmission; it made solid shifts and was comfortable running up and down the gears quickly as demand and speeds changed. This was the only all-aluminum, dual-overhead cam, direct-injection engine of the segment. Our fuel-economy results would have been better had Nissan sent us a 4x2 pickup as requested instead of the 4x4 we received.
2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 WT: 14.1 MPG Empty/Loaded Average
By far the oldest engine technology in the segment, the 6.0-liter V-8 tried-and-true pushrod made its first appearance in HD pickups almost 20 years ago. If it wasn't such a solid workhorse, providing long-lasting performance appropriate for the more cost-effective end of the 2500/3500 lineup, GM would have ditched this engine long ago. Although outgunned in torque and horsepower, it hung in there on fuel efficiency.
2017 Ram 2500 Tradesman: 13.9 MPG Empty/Loaded Average
Our judges were quite clear: The Ram's 6.4-liter V-8 Hemi made the best noise when driven around town and at the track. As the only player in this segment with cylinder-deactivation technology, we hoped it would perform better, but it only falls into Eco mode when off throttle or gliding down long hills. During our loaded run, it worked the hardest, delivering our worst "loaded" numbers at 12.1 mpg.
Cars.com photos by Angela Conners
Comments
Ford has really perfected that 6.2. I hope the new 7.0 is as good as this!
LOVE
FORD!
It's going to be impressive to see what the 4.8/5.0 ecoboost will do in this truck!
I'm guessing real mpg in the 13-15 range while delivering 80% of the performance of the scorpion when towing, albeit at 2-4 mpg...
Why is it that these trucks get bigger but the engine compartment is so unbelievably cramped with garbage everywhere?
Horrible packaging.
The only truck that seems to have a shot at reasonably changing spark plugs is the Chevy.
A Chevy Cruze is more accessible to do basic tuneup work on than these behemoths!
The only truck that seems to have a shot at reasonably changing spark plugs is the Chevy.
Posted by: andrwken
@andrwken
When was the last time you had to "change" plugs in a modern V8? My 2009 Silverado is still running silky smooth on its original plugs. Same plug wires.
Electronic ignitions have been around for more than 40 years. Getting rid of points, coils and distributor caps ended all of that concern for most truck owners.
Today's electronics are superior.
@papajim - 100% correct answer. You simply don't need to tune up modern engines except every 100,000 miles or so. If it takes and extra hour to remove some components to get to them... big whoop!
I wanna see DOHC, Vari timing, and DI ALL make it into more engines this size. Kind of a shame how little cylinder deactivation does and how rarely it functions. I would have thought on level ground it would have been more active and relevant.
Compared to these engine bays, my Tundra is an open field
FAKE NEWS! If memory serves me correct you guys had the tow haul mode on leaving all 8 cylinders on instead of going to 4 in light load situations.
MORE FORD PROPAGANDA.
" but it only falls into Eco mode when off throttle or gliding down long hills. During our loaded run, it worked the hardest."
WRONG! My H.D. with 37's goes into eco mode on level ground cruising at 40/45 mph.
So, add 1mpg for 4x2 in the Nissan, and it wins!
Ford has that 10 speed automatic.
GM has their own 8 speed, or shared 10 speed.
Ram/Dodge/Chrysler/FCA has the ZF 8hp70 or 75.
Please don't make a buying decision about your new 3/4 pickup over a mileage test in a magazine or online. During the life of your truck you'll have much bigger fish to fry.
fords always get better fuel economy, you don't burn much fuel behind a Chevy tow truck.
I drove a chevy extended cab 2wd 2500 with the 6.0 v8 from Idaho down to southern arizona and back. All highway. Averaged just over 13 mpg. Truck was loaded just with 4 adults and some luggage. Pitiful fuel economy.
papajim-- You're one pathetic loser.
You don't buy a 3/4 truck for gas mileage. You buy it for towing or hauling period.
papajim doesn't haul or tow.
Please do your homework before you post missleading totally iinaccurate crap. My three year old chev silverado gets an average of
10 to 12liters per hundred. And yes cylinder deactivation exsists in my truck. Pisting crap shows how unintelligent you are. I'M JUST SAYING.
You don't buy a 3/4 truck for gas mileage. You buy it for towing or hauling period.
------------
Gross, who would want to haul a period.
That junk Ford had 3.30 highway gears in that test vs Ram, and GMs 4.10s. Sad part is it could only do one MPG better then a 15 year old GM engine with worse axle ratio for MPG! Get that Ford did better trash out of here, redo the Ford with 4.10s then we'll talk.
Fords are junk!
More silly fake news
Why dont you post what rear end ratio gears each truck has,,thats what make the biggest difference in mpg..
For example my 08 Silvy with 4.8 V8 and 4 speed auto gets 26 mpg,,thats with my house on the back..
In other news, Ford is moving American jobs to China:
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/ford/2017/06/20/ford-moving-production-focus-china-wayne-michigan/103032080/
That junk Ford had 3.30 highway gears in that test vs Ram, and GMs 4.10s. Sad part is it could only do one MPG better then a 15 year old GM engine with worse axle ratio for MPG! Get that Ford did better trash out of here, redo the Ford with 4.10s then we'll talk.
Posted by: johnny doe | Jun 21, 2017 3:43:42 PM
Let me educate you. Only the Chevy Silverado had a 4.10 and the Ram and Ford Super Duty both had a 3.73. Super Duty doesn't use 4.10s.
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2017/03/2017-34-ton-work-truck-challenge-overview.html
At the end of the day, the fuel mileage difference with 3.73's vs. 4.10's makes no difference. Look the Ram with 3.73 got .2 mpg worse than the Chevy but the Ford with 3.73 did .6 mpg better. Ford with the aluminum lighter body has enough power and can now go to 3.73 and 4.30 and skip the 4.10. A 4.10 will only really help on the initial start out and climbing hills. I test drove a Ram 4.10 before I ordered my truck. I told myself no way would I drive a truck daily with 4.10 rears. GM lost to Ford again. Get over it.
Something's not right here... Out of our whole 3/4 ton fleet all the 6.2 fords get 11-12 mpg, the 6.0 Chevys get 7-9 believe it or not and the 6.4 rams get around 14 mpg.
Never buy a GM truck. GM gives you a 6.0 with 4.10s that suck. GMs 6.0 engine is not strong enough to pull with 3.73s so that is why they got rid of the 3.73 ratio on that truck.
If I was going with a towing rig it would be the 6.2 gas Super Duty with a solid front axle and 4.30s. For a daily driver it would be the 3.73.
If you want stunts, go see a movie. But if its America's best selling and best built trucks you want, go see your Ford dealer.
more Ford Spam news lol. whatever
more Ford Spam news lol. whatever
out here in the real world the results are VERY DIFFERENT
Dave B. how did you educate me? Ford still used better MPG gearing. Fords are weak and suck more gas when apples to apples, that's fact!
Dave B. how did you educate me? Ford still used better MPG gearing. Fords are weak and suck more gas when apples to apples, that's fact!
The Ford had tiny little Low Rolling Resistance tires, the others had 70 series tires that will support a load better then Ford's choice of smaller, lightweight tires that will get you stuck about anywhere.
The Ram also was ran in tow haul mode with a load, which it didn't need to be in.
The result is the Chevy and Ford use top gear in both of their mileage runs.while Ram was running in 5th gear, not 6th.
Pays to look at the big picture.
@papajim: he didn't say anything about points, so what's the deal?
Plugs are suggested to be replaced at 100,000 miles in most vehicles, including new Rams.
However, coil on plug cost a lot more when it is time.
Plugs that go 100K cost more then $2 a piece.
The Ford had 70 series tires.
The Ram had 245-70-R17 tires.
http://cars.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e201bb0980a3b3970d-pi
The Ford had 245-75-R17. So Ford's were actually bigger.
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2017/03/2017-ford-super-duty-f-250-photo-gallery.html
http://cars.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e201bb098372f0970d-pi
Thanks for playing, boyz.
None of you gurls get the point. My '81 F150 4.9 six towed and hauled more weight than any of these trucks are rated at many times over for 150,000 miles and I NEVER did any maintenance on it but normal maintenance it averaged 19+ mpg over it's lifetime. I do NOT make this up. I have hauled 6,000# bobcats in the bed, and towed 14,000# + loads many, many times. I changed the oil every 10k like the manual said...and never once changed a belt or brakes.
When it was new I replaced the gear ratio to a 3.5 done by a Ford shop in Topeka. Bought the truck new from Laird Noller Ford.
None of you gurls get the point. My '81 F150 4.9 six towed and hauled more weight than any of these trucks are rated at many times over for 150,000 miles and I NEVER did any maintenance on it but normal maintenance it averaged 19+ mpg over it's lifetime. I do NOT make this up. I have hauled 6,000# bobcats in the bed, and towed 14,000# + loads many, many times. I changed the oil every 10k like the manual said...and never once changed a belt or brakes.
When it was new I replaced the gear ratio to a 3.5 done by a Ford shop in Topeka. Bought the truck new from Laird Noller Ford.
Posted by: Guest | Jun 21, 2017 8:35:52 PM
HAHAHA
6K pounds in the bed of a truck famius for its weak "swiss cheese" frame. You know, the 80-81 Fords woth HUGE holes drilled on the framw to lighten them up for better fuel economy.
http://www.garysgaragemahal.com/uploads/6/5/8/7/65879365/6730279_orig.jpg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?photoid=57369&.jpg
My '81 F150 4.9 six towed and hauled more weight than any of these trucks are rated at many times over for 150,000 miles and I NEVER did any maintenance on it but normal maintenance it averaged 19+ mpg over it's lifetime. I do NOT make this up.
Posted by: Guest
@Guest
Calling you out!
I owned a 1979 F150 six cylinder 4 speed, and it was beefed up a bit for the off-road lifestyle.
Never got 19 MPG---even going downhill with the wind behind me. It vibrated and shook like a whore's dream from day one. There was something wrong with the driveshaft.
Did not burn oil but did have to replace the carb, the power steering pump and the water pump. It was the envy of the hunting camp, but no way did it ever get more than about 15mpg on the highway.
HAHAHAHA!!!...I'm actually enjoying watching all the cry baby fangirls of shaky GOVT motors & RAM it girls LOL; they just can't accept Ford kicked their butts once again....hey not too late to switch over :-) - the best keep getting better!!
If you want the most sold fleet queen buy a Ford. If you want a work truck that out works Ford and Chevy you buy the longest lasting truck.
All Guts
All Glory
All day long
"First-place finishes: Highest gross vehicle weight rating, lightest truck, highest payload, highest max towing, highest gross combined weight rating, max torque on dyno
If there was a classically defined work truck in our competition, the Ram 2500 was it"
Step up to Ram. Experience the Guts and Glory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wcm6TLP4OU
Kind of a shame how little cylinder deactivation does and how rarely it functions. I would have thought on level ground it would have been more active and relevant.
Posted by: Clint | Jun 21, 2017 11:32:29 AM
My 6.2 GM engine spends more time in V4 than V8 when driving around town at speeds 45 mph or slower. It gets an honest 21.5 mpg at 70 mph. Yes, occasionally it switches into V4 mode at 70. It works just fine.
Lets see... I fueled up at $2.29 this morning, so fuel costs run from $.15 for the Ford to $.165 for the Ram. That means for every 10.000 miles, There's a difference of $150. If you these trucks a LOT, you might wind up with $400 a year in fuel cost variation. But if there are ANY reliability maintenance or insurance variability, it could wipe it out.
Fake news )) For example my 08 Silvy with 4.8 V8 and 4 speed auto gets 26 mpg, thats with my house on the back.
It is surprising that the RAM has the worst mpg of the group considering it is the lightest.
The Ram looks to be the weakest engine as it still only gets max hp and then goes fo 4000 rpm safety mode.
I have a single cab Titan XD 4x4. Those numbers are close to my experience. I get north of 14 at highway + speeds and around 11.5 in the city not being terribly light on the throttle.
Towing an open car trailer at 7,000 lbs I get around 11 mpg on the highway.
I have a single cab Titan XD 4x4. Those numbers are close to my experience. I get north of 14 at highway + speeds and around 11.5 in the city not being terribly light on the throttle.
Towing an open car trailer at 7,000 lbs I get around 11 mpg on the highway.
It's a shame downgraded the 2017 F-250 gas truck's transmission. Nothing but a glorified half-ton's 6-speed now. So much for all those claims that Ford "overbuilds" their trucks.
My Chebby is so awesome! I sleep with my Chebby, tuck it in at night, pat its little ole rear diff.
Sigh...I so luv my Chebby.
You non-Chebby owners are lonely suckers.
It's a shame Ford downgraded the 2017 F-250 gas truck's transmission from the 6R140 to the recalled 6R100. It's nothing but a glorified half-ton's 6-speed, being essentially the 6R80. So much for all those claims that Ford "overbuilds" their trucks, the "Super"duty in particular.
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