There's a lot to consider when you're on the hunt for a preowned pickup. While some drivers are drawn to robust off-road packages or cutting-edge infotainment features, others place more value on a truck's cargo capacity or towing and hauling ability. No matter what sort of features you're looking for, there's one crucial component that can never be treated as an afterthought: the engine. The full-size Ram 1500 has been graced with some of the industry's most performance-minded powertrains, from hearty V8 and twin-turbocharged V6's to diesel offerings that provide a level of fuel efficiency that few trucks can match. If you're considering a used Ram 1500 for sale and are a little overwhelmed by all the engines on offer, you've come to the right place. Join us as we recap all the engines that have made the fourth- and fifth-generation Ram 1500 such a success in the competitive pickup market and learn how the full-size model has evolved and adapted over the last 15 years.
Fourth Generation (2009 - 2018)
2009 - 2012
The fourth-generation Ram 1500 got off to a solid start with the brand offering a diverse lineup of potent powertrains. The truck's base engine was anything but basic, with Ram dropping a 3.7-liter PowerTech V6 under the hood. Boasting a cast iron block, aluminum cylinder heads, and sequential fuel injection, the 3.7-liter engine provided drivers with a respectable 210 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque.
The PowerTech approach was also employed for the Ram's entry-level V8, specifically a 4.7-liter PowerTech V8. With the ability to produce 310 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque, the PowerTech V8 represented a decidedly more powerful alternative to the base V6. While these two engines prioritized affordability and fuel economy, the legendary HEMI V8 solidified the reputation of the fourth-gen Ram 1500. The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 nearly doubled the base engine's output with 390 hp, not to mention 407 lb-ft of torque that allowed the pickup to pull as much as 8,800 lbs.
2013
Ram has never rested on its laurels when it comes to the full-size 1500, continually updating the truck to meet the demands of a changing market. By 2013, the pickup's 3.7 V6 was starting to look a little underpowered, leading Ram to nix the base engine in favor of the 4.7-liter V8. Those seeking a suitable V6 replacement were treated to the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that brought some real improvements in terms of fuel economy with a best-in-class 18 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway. Throw in 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, and the Pentastar V6 quickly became the most well-rounded option in the Ram lineup. The HEMI V8 was also enhanced for 2013, gaining a new electric power steering system and a slight jump in horsepower for a grand total of 395 hp.
2014
Diesel fans were rewarded for their patience in 2014 when Ram rolled out the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6. The Pentastar V6's short run as the most efficient Ram engine came to an end, with the EcoDiesel providing an unbeatable 20 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway. The diesel delivered a modest 240 hp, but was torque-rich with 420 lb-ft of raw pulling power that enabled the Ram 1500 to tow up to 9,200 lbs. Ram also discontinued the 4.7-liter V8 for 2014, which made the ultra-efficient Pentastar V6 the new base engine.
2017 - 2018
The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 was briefly discontinued in mid-2017 but returned to the lineup in 2018 to regain its spot as the Ram 1500's most efficient engine. A decade into the truck's run, the three-engine lineup was starting to fall behind in terms of efficiency and power, but it wouldn't take long for Ram to respond with an entirely new, fifth-generation model set to hit the streets in 2018.
Fifth-Generation (2019 - Present)
2019
Ram put the competition on notice in 2019 when it introduced the all-new, fifth-generation Ram 1500. The full-size truck quickly caught the attention of drivers and critics alike, racking up an impressive array of awards, including MotorTrend's Truck of the Year honors and a Car And Driver's 10Best trophy. The Ram 1500 was largely recognized for its versatility and sleek, modern design, but it was the goods under the hood that really cemented the truck's hard-earned reputation.
At first glance, the roster of engine options seems to be largely unchanged from the previous fourth-generation model with a 3.6-liter V6 and 5.7-liter HEMI V8, but the addition of some mild hybrid technology makes all the difference in terms of torque and fuel efficiency. The base 3.6-liter V6 comes standard with Ram's new mild hybrid system, and while it returns the same 305 hp, the belt-drive motor generator and 48-volt battery pack add 90 lb-ft of torque and ups the fuel economy from 17 to 20 MPG in the city. The 5.7-liter V8 is largely the same story, gaining 130 lb-ft of torque and bumping the Ram 1500's EPA rating by two miles across the board. The V8 could also be had without the hybrid system, but it's hard to argue against a little electrical assistance if you're looking to save some money at the pump while upping the truck's utility.
2020
Ram quickly followed up on the 1500's new-and-improved 3.6-liter V6 and 5.7-liter V8 with a refreshed EcoDiesel engine for the 2020 model year. The 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 has long been one of the Ram's most popular engine options, with its torque-heavy design maxing out the truck's pulling power. Still, three important changes made the new Gen3 EcoDiesel the talk of the town when the 2020 Ram 1500 first debuted. Ram overhauled the diesel's turbocharger, lightened the engine block, and upgraded the cylinder heads to gain 20 extra horsepower for a total of 260 ponies. The new design was even more impactful in terms of torque with the EcoDiesel achieving 480 lb-ft of torque to the previous model's 420 lb-ft. These changes didn't have a noticeable impact on fuel economy, but the diesel was already one of the Ram 1500's most efficient options, with an EPA-estimated 20 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway.
2021
The new year saw Ram enter the world of super trucks with a new TRX model designed to put a high-performance spin on one of the industry's favorite pickups. The Ram 1500 TRX featured all the heavy-duty equipment a driver could need for a little off-the-grid fun, from an improved suspension with Bilstein remote-reservoir dampers to an electronic-locking rear differential, 35-inch all-terrain tires, and 11.8 inches of ground clearance, but it's the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 that really ties the whole trim together.
The beloved Hellcat V8 lived up to its name with 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, and quickly nabbed the title of "world's fastest pickup" with a zero-to-60-mph time of 4.5 seconds. Drivers were forced to sacrifice a little towing capacity in the name of all that speed, but the TRX's rugged construction and full-size design meant the truck could still pull up to 8,100 lbs and carry 1,310 pounds of payload with ease.
2022 - 2024
The Ram laid low for a couple years, avoiding any substantial changes to its engine lineup with the exception of the diesel's departure. While the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel was initially offered for the 2023 model year, Ram nixed the option shortly after its debut to reduce the lineup down to the 3.6-liter V6, 5.7-liter HEMI V8, and 6.2-liter HEMI V8.
2025
The culling continued into 2025, with Ram dropping the V8 from the lineup, but its replacement quickly made the HEMI little more than a distant memory. Ram fully embraced the benefits of forced induction, swapping out the V8 for a new 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six that's full of gusto thanks to the new Hurricane engine. The inline-six sticks pretty close to the outgoing V8 in terms of fuel economy but ups the ante in terms of output with both 420- or 540-hp models to choose from.
The Hurricane is also a standout in terms of torque, bringing between 469 and 521 lb-ft to the table, but it's the engine's penchant for speed that really sets the new twin-turbo apart. The 420-hp Standard Output version can sprint to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, while the 520-hp High Output model takes just 4.2 seconds. It might be tough to take advantage of that sort of rubber-burning potential during the course of your daily commute, but if you're looking for a full-size pickup that can give some souped-up sports cars a run for their money, the Hurricane is ready to blow them away.
A Wide Range of Performance Options to Consider
A commitment to continual innovation has made the Ram 1500 one of the most popular pickups in the full-size segment. By integrating the latest engine designs, turbochargers, and mild hybrid technology, Ram has managed to give the truck a marked advantage in a segment where tradition tends to trump creativity. The Ram 1500 offers a satisfying blend of power and efficiency and can be easily customized to meet the needs of a diverse driving public. In the market for a readymade hauler that can move mountains? Keep an eye out for the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with Ram's mild hybrid technology, which allows the pickup to tow up to 12,750 lbs. If you're looking to avoid the gas station, the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 can't be beat with 26 MPG combined.
Ram also looks to double down on its efficiency-focused approach as it moves into 2026 with a new, all-electric version of the Ram 1500 set to debut later this year. Details are hard to come by, but it already seems like the battery-powered Ram will give the current model some stiff competition, with even the base powertrain offering up to 654 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque. Only time will tell how emerging technology and consumer demands will shape the future of the Ram 1500's engine lineup, but if recent history is anything to go on, drivers should be optimistic about the full-size pickup's continued success.
