Written by the CarsLens Team · Updated June 17, 2026

The short answer

It is nearly a tie. At the base gas-V6 level the Ram 1500 edges the F-150, around 22–23 mpg combined to 22. The F-150 PowerBoost hybrid moves ahead at about 24 mpg combined, but the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel beats every gas and hybrid option at 26 mpg combined and 32 mpg highway.

Does the Ford F-150 get better gas mileage than the Ram 1500?

Not really — they are nearly even. On the 2025 EPA numbers a base 3.6L V6 Ram 1500 returns about 22 mpg combined in 2WD versus 22 mpg for a 2.7L EcoBoost F-150, so the Ram edges it slightly. The F-150 PowerBoost hybrid leads at roughly 24 mpg, while the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel tops all of them at 26 mpg.

For most shoppers, the engine and drivetrain you pick matter far more than the badge. The figures below come from EPA fuel-economy ratings; PowerBoost hybrid numbers are reported as approximate pending the exact EPA listing for your configuration.

How do the F-150 and Ram 1500 compare by engine?

By engine, the two trucks trade the lead. The base 3.6L V6 Ram 1500 manages 21–23 mpg combined depending on drivetrain, just ahead of or even with the 2.7L EcoBoost F-150 at 22 mpg combined. The F-150 PowerBoost hybrid jumps to about 24 mpg, and the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel leads everything at 26 mpg combined.

Engine / config (2025) City Hwy Combined
Ram 1500 3.6L V6 HFE 2WD202623 mpg
Ram 1500 3.6L V6 2WD202522 mpg
Ram 1500 3.6L V6 4WD192421 mpg
Ram 1500 3.0L EcoDiesel 2WD223226 mpg
F-150 2.7L EcoBoost 2WD202622 mpg
F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid 2WD~25~26~24 mpg
F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid 4WD~23~24~23 mpg

Ram figures via the EPA Ram 1500 listing and F-150 figures via the EPA F-150 listing; PowerBoost combined ratings are approximate and vary by cab, bed, and drivetrain.

Does the Ford F-150 PowerBoost hybrid get significantly better MPG?

Modestly, not dramatically. The PowerBoost hybrid returns about 24 mpg combined in 2WD, roughly 2 mpg better than the 22 mpg of a base 2.7L EcoBoost F-150. Its biggest gain is in stop-and-go traffic, where it reaches about 25 mpg city — but on the highway it matches the gas truck closely at about 26 mpg.

  • City driving: The hybrid's electric assist helps most here, around 25 mpg versus 20 for the base gas engine.
  • Highway driving: The advantage nearly vanishes; both land near 26 mpg, where regenerative braking does little.
  • Added utility: PowerBoost includes Ford's Pro Power Onboard generator, a buyer draw beyond fuel economy.

Ratings and configuration details are listed by the EPA and summarized in this J.D. Power F-150 vs Ram 1500 comparison.

Which truck costs less to fuel per year, the F-150 or Ram 1500?

The Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is cheapest to fuel on mileage alone. At 26 mpg combined and 15,000 miles a year, it burns about 577 gallons versus roughly 625 for the 24-mpg hybrid F-150 and 682 for a 22-mpg gas truck. Diesel prices, however, often run higher than gas, narrowing that gap at the pump.

Engine Combined MPG Gallons / yr (15k mi) Est. annual fuel (at $3.50/gal)
Ram 1500 EcoDiesel26~577~$2,020
F-150 PowerBoost hybrid24~625~$2,190
Ram 1500 3.6L V6 HFE23~652~$2,280
F-150 2.7L EcoBoost22~682~$2,390

Estimates use a single $3.50/gallon price for illustration; diesel and gas prices differ regionally, so check current EIA fuel prices for your area. Actual cost depends on driving mix and how you load the truck.

Ford F-150 vs. Ram 1500: which should you buy?

For efficiency alone, pick the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel at 26 mpg combined and 32 mpg highway — best for long-haul and towing miles. Choose the F-150 PowerBoost hybrid, near 24 mpg, if you drive mostly in the city or want the onboard generator. Among base gas V6s the two are essentially tied at 22–23 mpg.

  • Pick the Ram 1500 if: you want the most efficient option overall (EcoDiesel) or the best highway mileage.
  • Pick the F-150 if: you do mostly city driving, want the only hybrid here, or value Pro Power Onboard.
  • Either if: you stick with the base gas V6 — fuel economy is nearly identical.

Cross-shop the broader trade-offs in our Ford F-150 vs Chevy Silverado and Silverado vs Ram 1500 comparisons.

Frequently asked questions

Which gets better highway MPG, the Ford F-150 or Ram 1500?

It is nearly a tie among gas engines. The 2.7L EcoBoost F-150 and 3.6L V6 Ram 1500 both land around 25 to 26 mpg highway in 2WD. The Ram 1500 EcoDiesel pulls clearly ahead at 32 mpg highway, the best of any gas, hybrid, or diesel option across both trucks.

Does the Ram 1500 diesel get better fuel economy than the F-150 hybrid?

Yes. The 2025 Ram 1500 3.0L EcoDiesel 2WD is EPA-rated at 26 mpg combined, ahead of the F-150 PowerBoost hybrid's approximately 23 to 24 mpg combined. The diesel's 32 mpg highway is its biggest edge, though the hybrid wins in heavy city driving at about 25 mpg city.

How much does the F-150 PowerBoost hybrid save on gas compared to the base F-150?

At about 24 mpg combined, the PowerBoost hybrid beats the 22 mpg of a base 2.7L EcoBoost F-150 by roughly 2 mpg. Driving 15,000 miles a year at $3.50 a gallon, that gap is near $200 in fuel savings annually, before the hybrid's higher purchase price.

What is the best fuel economy F-150 engine?

The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 returns up to 24 MPG highway, the best among conventional F-150 powertrains. The F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid achieves an EPA-rated 24 MPG city / 24 MPG highway combined — making it the most fuel-efficient F-150 option short of the Lightning EV.

What is the most fuel-efficient Ram 1500?

The Ram 1500 eTorque mild hybrid with the 3.6L Pentastar V6 leads at up to 22 MPG city / 32 MPG highway (4x2) — one of the best highway ratings in the full-size truck segment. The 5.7L HEMI eTorque returns up to 17 city / 23 highway.

How much does fuel economy difference cost per year between F-150 and Ram 1500?

At 15,000 miles/year and $3.50/gallon, a 2 MPG difference in combined economy costs roughly $250–$350 more annually in fuel. Over a 5-year ownership period, choosing the more efficient powertrain can save $1,250–$1,750 in fuel costs.

Do full-size trucks get better gas mileage on the highway?

Yes significantly. Most full-size truck engines are tuned for highway efficiency — the Ram 1500 eTorque V6 achieves 32 MPG highway but only 22 city. Highway-heavy drivers should prioritize highway MPG ratings over city or combined figures.

Sources

CarsLens is editorial guidance, not individualized advice. This comparison draws on EPA F-150 fuel-economy ratings, EPA Ram 1500 ratings, EIA fuel prices, and a J.D. Power comparison. PowerBoost hybrid figures are approximate and vary by configuration.