Pentastar vs Hemi, which should you choose?
Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
PowrRam
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 12, 2018
- Posts
- 767
- Reaction score
- 625
- Location
- Minneapolis
- Ram Year
- 2018 Big Horn
- Engine
- 3.6L V6
I'm simply reporting my experiences, with my driving style and speeds, with a hemi for 3 days and with my Pentastar for 3 years. I drive about 70% city at 40 mph and 30% highway at 65 mph.
I'd guess there is a 2-3 mpg difference on the highway between the hemi and the V6. That's a 10% - 15% difference or more. I call that significant.
Last edited:
ramffml
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2019
- Posts
- 2,811
- Reaction score
- 5,145
- Location
- ramforum
- Ram Year
- 2019
- Engine
- hemi 5.7
I owned the v6 for 5 years and the hemi for 3 years so far and lived/traveled in the same patterns for all these years. 3 days with a hemi is not a whole lot, I'm not trying to write off your experience but I can get pretty different swings in MPG based on my mood, weather (wind is a big factor), and where I'm going.
Your high city usage is basically confirming what I suggested, on the freeway there is next to no difference (I saw about 1 mpg diff), in the city there might be about 3.
I think we all like to push the numbers based on what we're driving so arguments like this will never be settled, but I got pretty bad MPG in my jeep considering my Ram makes almost twice the power. When you look at the ratio of MPG vs power, no contest that the hemi is putting out far better numbers.
El_Lobo_Gris1500C
Senior Member
No argument from me, with these engines it is what it is. A lot of the issue is like you said, how you drive it, how heavy your right foot is and how aggressively you drive, and of course city traffic vs highway/freeway traffic and speeds.
Just by driving smoother, not gunning it off a green light and MDS on I got my average up from 7.2 mpg to 8.1 MPG in a day or so. But it’s deceiving, as when I take a trip on the weekend with the family at 90% highway driving and reset, I can get it up around 15 MPG in one day. So it all depends on various factors here.
Bottom line is, if the person wanted fuel efficiency and that’s super important to them, then don’t buy the Hemi, and probably don’t buy a truck lol.
I enjoy my truck so fuel costs and MPG are a trade off for the feel and aesthetic I wanted and why I bought my truck with a 5.7L engine.
Ramtastico
Member
I love my 3.6… SUPER quiet… can’t hear a thing at idle, and it will move when I want it to and I get about 23 combined city/hwy. The hemi is more fun, and I drive it more aggressively so my mileage drops considerably. I don’t tow much, so my only downside to the 3.6 is the tranny will hunt around in high winds or hills.
I have thrown 1400 lbs of drywall in the box and it was like it wasn’t even there… however that’s diff than towing.
in conclusion…
my frugal ‘keep it simple’ side says 3.6 all day every day.
the hemi will cost you..
its more fun which will lead you to buy lots of accessories, then a dirt bike and trailer, then the wifey will say ‘what about me’ and ask for expensive things, then to keep up with the forumites you will need more stuff to tow… jet skis, campers, skid steers… YOLO… now your kids have no inheritance and no college money… all because you wanted a hemi!
I have thrown 1400 lbs of drywall in the box and it was like it wasn’t even there… however that’s diff than towing.
in conclusion…
my frugal ‘keep it simple’ side says 3.6 all day every day.
the hemi will cost you..
its more fun which will lead you to buy lots of accessories, then a dirt bike and trailer, then the wifey will say ‘what about me’ and ask for expensive things, then to keep up with the forumites you will need more stuff to tow… jet skis, campers, skid steers… YOLO… now your kids have no inheritance and no college money… all because you wanted a hemi!
Last edited:
ramffml
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2019
- Posts
- 2,811
- Reaction score
- 5,145
- Location
- ramforum
- Ram Year
- 2019
- Engine
- hemi 5.7
I can appreciate both engines, in a v6 I love that it's quiet and smooth and unnoticable. At times I miss that in my truck. I'd hate to have a noisy v6 and a quiet v8 but I'm fine with a quiet v6 and a noisy v8. Both really are great engines (hemi tick notwithstanding).
As for the Hemi costing you; well that's backwards in my case. I own the truck exactly because I have a need for it (towing), I didn't get the truck first and the toys second.
PoMansRam
Senior Member
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2018
- Posts
- 2,089
- Reaction score
- 2,549
- Location
- East Aurora NY
- Ram Year
- 2019
- Engine
- Hemi
They are pretty silent at idle, but I attribute that more to the E-fan as opposed to the constantly running engine driven fan on the hemis.
In terms of the 8spd hunting around more on the pentastar Rams, to me pentastar or hemi are the same in this regard. Plus the hemi will toggle in/out of MDS which can be another layer of annoyance.
If the way you drive can get you 23mpg tank to tank with a Pentastar Ram 1500, you will get 19-20mpg with a hemi. I would say on average, the V6 gets 10-15% better fuel economy.
The only thing that's not frugal about the pentastar is when it comes time for spark plug, coil or oil filter housing replacement. That gets very expensive, but what isn't if you can't DIY today. I'm OK when it comes to DIY vehicle maintenance, but I'd prefer not to tackle any of that myself on a Pentastar Ram.
No doubt about the maintenance. I don’t know what is a bigger PITA, 16 spark plugs to change or 6 that need to be replaced by removing the intake manifold and let’s be honest once you remove that manifold you’re almost guaranteed to see the leaking oil cooler housing on the Pentastar. Just makes sense to dig down a little deeper and replace that too while you have it apart. The OEM oil cooler cost will more than make up for the extra 10 spark plugs.
RLJ10X
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2014
- Posts
- 1,940
- Reaction score
- 1,683
- Location
- Southern Indiana
- Ram Year
- 2011
- Engine
- 5.7 Hemi
I have a truck to preform duties that my Mustang, and Wrangler cannot. My Ram is not a drag racer, nor a family car. It's my personal work vehicle. A Hemi can do more work than a Pentastar. Thus, I own a Hemi.
2 nights ago, I helped a friend bring home a WR250R home from the far side of Louisville. An hour and twenty minutes one way; About 15 minutes of Stop and Go driving, the rest was I64 @ 75 mph down and 70 mph back. Hand calculated, I got 16.9 mpg. He was buying the gas, not I. I don't normally drive that fast. If I had driven 65 instead of 75, I would have gotten 19 mpg.
My personal motto reguarding buying a vehicle is: Get the biggest engine you can, with the lowest rear end gears available.
2 nights ago, I helped a friend bring home a WR250R home from the far side of Louisville. An hour and twenty minutes one way; About 15 minutes of Stop and Go driving, the rest was I64 @ 75 mph down and 70 mph back. Hand calculated, I got 16.9 mpg. He was buying the gas, not I. I don't normally drive that fast. If I had driven 65 instead of 75, I would have gotten 19 mpg.
My personal motto reguarding buying a vehicle is: Get the biggest engine you can, with the lowest rear end gears available.
El_Lobo_Gris1500C
Senior Member
I agree and all depends on what you intend to use the truck for, and what is more important to you (power vs economy)
I got a 5.7L Hemi with 3.92 factory gearing and glad I did now, I recently added bigger wider tires (35” x 12.50” on 9” wide 20” wheels) and the 3.92’s might have been overkill for the factory tires and wheels, but are now probably acting like 372’s or something with the new wheel and tire combo, and it still moves and hauls @$$ lol!!
I use mine for travel and for towing our travel trailer. I wanted the 5.7 and 3.92 and the other stuff it has so that it would better do the stuff I use it for. with the low rear end and 5.0 first gear, it does not do stop and go traffic well but tows my trailer fine and I get 19-21 on the highway when not towing. I burn regular gas in it and it handles and rides very well for a truck and I have owned many. just sayin..
FL-RAM
Senior Member
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2020
- Posts
- 388
- Reaction score
- 433
- Location
- PENSACOLA, FL
- Ram Year
- 2022 Bighorn Night Edition
- Engine
- V8
Just got my first Hemi...and I'll never go back. My previous truck was a 2020 Tradesman with the V6. At 305 HP the V6 is no slug, but it doesn't compare the 5.7 Hemi. I think the V6 is more than sufficient for 95% of what people use their truck for, in fact I never felt underpowered with it. But there is just something about the feel and sound of a big V8 Hemi. Nobody buys a truck for great gas mileage, so worrying about 2mpg is kind of silly. Even at $4 per gallon, it comes out to around $6-7 per fill-up difference. The joy of driving a V8 is well worth the extra couple hundred dollars a year in fuel.
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2011
- Posts
- 2,643
- Reaction score
- 8,068
- Location
- Central S.C.
- Ram Year
- 2009
- Engine
- Hemi 5.7
Around here it's more of a difference per fill-up IF you're using the 89 octane. I recall when there was about $.10 difference per gallon between the three, now it's more like .40-.50. Fortunately for me, mine runs fine on regular and I only put in the mid-grade when towing or it's really hot outside.
Still, if I'd been able to find a V6 with the options I wanted at a price I wanted to pay, I'd be driving it now. On the other hand, I will agree - even with the stock exhaust, the Hemi sounds great when I get aggravated and hammer it. But I'm sure the V6 would sound good with an aftermarket setup.
Still, if I'd been able to find a V6 with the options I wanted at a price I wanted to pay, I'd be driving it now. On the other hand, I will agree - even with the stock exhaust, the Hemi sounds great when I get aggravated and hammer it. But I'm sure the V6 would sound good with an aftermarket setup.
Bmags
Senior Member
Hemi all day
Bmags
Senior Member
A truck this heavy shouldn’t have a v6 option. Resale will be far better with the hemi too
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2011
- Posts
- 2,643
- Reaction score
- 8,068
- Location
- Central S.C.
- Ram Year
- 2009
- Engine
- Hemi 5.7
And yet it seems that an I6 is in it's future....
star_deceiver
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 18, 2019
- Posts
- 566
- Reaction score
- 964
- Location
- Airdrie, Alberta
- Ram Year
- 2021
- Engine
- 3.6 Pentastar
Traded in the 6.4 for a 3.6
Of the 123’800kms on the 6.4 I only had a trailer attached for 10’600kms. Since I also downsized the trailer 13’ shorter, I no longer need to rattle down the road in a 1 ton truck. Nor do I need to buy premium.
No complaints, the Warlock floats down the road on a cloud compared to the 3500!
There are still very good values for trade-ins and deals to be had on new trucks.
Of the 123’800kms on the 6.4 I only had a trailer attached for 10’600kms. Since I also downsized the trailer 13’ shorter, I no longer need to rattle down the road in a 1 ton truck. Nor do I need to buy premium.
No complaints, the Warlock floats down the road on a cloud compared to the 3500!
There are still very good values for trade-ins and deals to be had on new trucks.
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2016
- Posts
- 6,904
- Reaction score
- 18,994
- Location
- Maine
- Ram Year
- 2015
- Engine
- Pentastar 3.6 V6
As many have said all depends on your usage ! I am very happy with the Pentastar ! I DO NOT Tow,( Maybe a small boat later !) or go off roading so works for me !
MPG with the Hemi if light footed is not too bad , And the fun factor is better lol. I have driven a few from the car auction >
So IMO Buy what you want and do not worry about the haters of the V6 !
MPG with the Hemi if light footed is not too bad , And the fun factor is better lol. I have driven a few from the car auction >
So IMO Buy what you want and do not worry about the haters of the V6 !
Last edited:
PoMansRam
Senior Member
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2018
- Posts
- 2,089
- Reaction score
- 2,549
- Location
- East Aurora NY
- Ram Year
- 2019
- Engine
- Hemi
The 1500's really do ride nice. Nice looking warlock.
I don't think I've ever seen a crew cab warlock in my area or any CC / pentastar 4th gen for that matter. They're all quad cabs.
