2019 Classic 5.7 or 3.6?

JS4024 said:

Don’t buy a truck for gas mileage if you can’t afford the 3 mpg difference between the hemi and the V-6. Regardless, I would always go with the hemi no matter what. If you are worrying about a few mpg difference, don’t buy a truck...

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See, for me it wasn't about the mileage (who cares, it's a truck). I went with the Pentastar because the was a big cost savings by doing that. They were actually charging a premium for the Hemi, and since I'd had a bunch of Hemis before I decided to go with the 6. No regrets.

Man anything I buy I always get the most powerful motor option but man if you can’t afford the hemi I totally get that

If you're not going to be towing heavy loads, I'd go with the 3.6L.

I'm on my second Ram lease with the 3.6 V6 engine. Since it's a business lease vehicle I was cost conscious the first time around. Previously I had seven Ford F150 leases--all had V8's--and was sick and tired of 14-15 mpg, which is why I got a Ram with a V6. Once I got my 2015 Ram I was astounded to find I was getting 20 mpg overall in 80% city, 20% highway driving. This Ram with the V6 also accelerated at least as fast as my previous F150 XLT with the 5.0L engine.

During this first lease my Ram needed a new thermostat so I had a Ram with a hemi as a loaner for a couple of days. Yeah, it was fun tromping on the gas going down freeway ramps a couple of times, but after I got my jollies doing that I reset the EVIC and found when I turned in the vehicle I was getting 14 mpg (overall) driving my usual workaday paths around town. No, thank you.

When my lease was nearing its end I was searching for another Ram and I couldn't find what I wanted in a V6, so I started looking at hemis. First of all, the hemi is a $1,495 option. Then there is $500 for the upgraded transmission. So, $2,000 more for the entrance fee.

Now figure over 12,000 miles per year, the V6 would use 600 gallons of gas whereas the hemi would use 800 gallons. At $2.50 a gallon that is an extra $500 per year in gasoline. For me, I didn't like those numbers. I eventually found a V6 that I liked and leased it.

V6
Avoid extra cost & maintenance issues. Practical but not necessarily most fun. I need my truck to be a daily driving reliable member of the team (my family) without potential issues so my vote is V6.

Semper Fi

I have the pentastar and have owned the hemi and the Cummins and they are all great for what they're designed to do... like others said you don't tow heavy the 6 is fine and plenty of get up and go.

I have a 2016 Hemi QC 2wd 3.21 8 speed. I get 17 in the city and 22 hwy. I have had no mechanical problems (bought it new) with the truck. I vote Hemi , but I say go with what you like. If you drive the v6 and you are happy then go for it. I drove one and it felt gutless and only netted 2mpg more than I currently get. I think they are both outstanding motors, but both have some drawbacks. My friend put 170k on his Hemi with only oil changes, filters, and spark plugs as maintenance. He also did not burn nor leak a drop. We tend to forget that a web forum will condense the problems (only the people with the issue are posting) not the thousands of others who are trouble-free.

I'm on my second ram hemi. The first was a 2014 with 150000 kms when i traded it in. Not one single issue with the engine or the truck at all for that matter.
Right now I'm driving a 2018 Black Express with the hemi and just over 71000 kms. Again not a single issue.
Just basic oil changes when the computer says it's time. These engines DO NOT like synthetic. It actually messes with the MDS. Something to think about.
I drove the v6 and was considering it, but I found the hemi on the lot for less than $1000 more and that was that.
Up to you, but my experience with the 5.7 has been nothing but positive.

I purchased a new 2016 Ram 1500 with 3.6. So far it has been just great. I recently drove from the mid west to California and averaged 27 MPG in 1,523 miles of freeway driving at between 65 and 75 MPH. I have a 4,000 LB old Hi-Lo camper I pull and still knock down 20MPG !
I am an old mechanic and I avoided the Hemi. Other than more towing capacity I can't see what the advantage is to owning one. With todays traffic and congestion do you really need all that power ? I went for simple and basic strip down truck with an old fashion key. So far I have had ZERO issues. A good friend of mine is a Ram tech at a dealership. He said the 3.6 is much more reliable.

My 2018 V6 single cab gets about 25 mpg at 60 with little wind. turns into a Rat Motor when stomped to pass another vehicle. Very quick, and ruckus...I love it. Has a trailer button for keeping it in 5th gear power range while towing anything of considerable weight.

5.7 and if I could get a 6.4 I'd have that and I don't tow I just like response from the pedal on the right. I had a Pentastar in a Jeep JK once so I know what they are all about.

I have driven several V6 Rams and I will say that I was impressed with the power for such a small motor but the gas mileage was not great with my lead foot. I was only seeing 17 or 18mpg around town. I can get 14 in the Hemi no matter how I drive it, good and bad. I would not look at any V6 truck with anything less than the 8 speed and 3.55's.

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I have driven both. I had to have mine in for some body work and they gave me a V6 truck exactly the same setup as mine but I have the 5.7. The V6 has surprisingly good pickup however I noticed it was actually a little noisier than the Hemi and as expected required more RPM to get up to speed. I am glad I actually got the Hemi, when I went to the dealer I did not care which, my sales guys put me in the Hemi. It bought when they were giving massive rebates back in March, and the Hemi was actually more common on the lot then the V6

Would not even consider a Ram with out 5.7, 4x4 and 3.92’s. That’s just me though. Don’t understand a v6 is a 1/2 ton.


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JayLeonard said:

I am curious what the 3.6 gets for actual mileage?
My last truck was an 05 with the 3.7 and 3.92 rear and would get 15 mpg. Sometimes less.
My "new" hemi gets better.

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I have a 2015 with the v6,I get 18.7 mpg around town and 22 on the hwy.

Markzrt11 said:

There are some nice trucks with the v6/3.21 for sale. Why is there so much towing capacity difference between the 3.21 and the 3.55? Can't you lock out 7,8 gears on a 3.21 truck and be about the same as a 3.55? I tow a couple 4 wheelers on a single axle trailer in the summer, a snowmobile or two on the same trailer in the winter. We rent a travel trailer once per summer, usually around 4,000 pounds and stay in-state. I'd like the Hemi but just apprehensive about the problems.

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I have the 3.6/3.55 and its the one you want if you tow. For what your towing the 3.21 will do the job but the 3.55will do it better and get the same MPG. I am a mild hyper miler and get 24/25 no tow with 70 to 80 % Hwy. The power is amazing for a 3.6 naturally asperated motor and the 8 speed is fantastic. If you really want mongo power go with the 5.7 its a good motor. On resale you will save up front and I doubt you will lose more than you saved on the resale as a lot people like me want the 3.6. I tow up to 4000# and its no problem but mostly its my daily driver.

boblonben said:

5.7 hands down..... something about the 5.7 makes it better overall. And the exhaust issues, yep some folks have them, but MOST do NOT.

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I know literally dozens of people who own 5.7 Rams and have never even heard of the issues people complain about here.

And I've never had an issue with mine, or my last one.

I'd have to think that the Mopar 5.7 is one of the biggest selling engines of all time.

I read Motor Trend, and Car and Driver quite often. They NEVER report any where near 25-27 mpg in a Dodge 1500 unless it's the eco Diesel. So when I hear that, I think, ok, maybe that happened. Once. They're probably going by the lie-o-meter on the dash. But 25-27 is NOT what the average Joe is getting on a consistent basis. If you want the BS to come out, start an mpg thread.

I've read twice now in Motor Trend, that the V6 got worse fuel economy that the 5.7. Once in the Ram 1500, and again in a Durango. I don't know what to make of that either.


My 2014 Wrangler with a V6, M6, 3.73 gears gets 21 if I try. It seems like a physical impossibility that a pick up weighing 1650 more pounds gets 6 more mpg. But it's the Internet. Anything is possible.

I have read several posts on this and other threads about how you need to consider the increased value on trade in and how much more the V8 will bring you in when it is time for a new truck. The Hemi is a $1,495 option on the 2020 Ram. KBB puts a 2018 Hemi Ram w/same miles and exact same options at exactly $1,450 higher than the V6. NADA only gives the Hemi owner $1,400 premium at trade in.
Don't do it for money, you will lose. Buy it for what you need and what makes you smile.

RLJ10X said:

I read Motor Trend, and Car and Driver quite often. They NEVER report any where near 25-27 mpg in a Dodge 1500 unless it's the eco Diesel. So when I hear that, I think, ok, maybe that happened. Once. They're probably going by the lie-o-meter on the dash. But 25-27 is NOT what the average Joe is getting on a consistent basis. If you want the BS to come out, start an mpg thread.

I've read twice now in Motor Trend, that the V6 got worse fuel economy that the 5.7. Once in the Ram 1500, and again in a Durango. I don't know what to make of that either.


My 2014 Wrangler with a V6, M6, 3.73 gears gets 21 if I try. It seems like a physical impossibility that a pick up weighing 1650 more pounds gets 6 more mpg. But it's the Internet. Anything is possible.

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have to admit am quite impressed with the mileage of my ( new to me ) 2016 crew cab 6'4" with the hemi, first two fill ups a bit over 20mpg combined driving, which was almost unheard of even 20 years ago in a truck of this weight class, especially with the nothing less than very impressive power of the hemi. the old old 60's mussel cars topping over 400cid have nothing over the 5.7.

seabrook said:

Man anything I buy I always get the most powerful motor option but man if you can’t afford the hemi I totally get that

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It wasn't about affording (bought it cash), it was about a BS upcharge to put in the Hemi.