MPG comparison 8 speed GC to Ram

Per oh2o on Allpar news & rumors

2014 Grand Cherokee 8 speed 2WD

motor--5.7---3.6---3.0 Ecodiesel
City----15----17----21
Hwy----21----25----30


2013 Ram 1500 8 speed 2WD

motor--5.7---3.6---3.0 Ecodiesel
City----__----18----__
Hwy----__----25----__



The Ram did a little better than the GC with the 8 speed 3.6. It should also do a little better with the Hemi.. hopefully 16/22 to match the Ford f-150 Ecoboost.

Also assuming we get the lil diesel in the 1500, if it only matches the GC's mileage I will be real happy about that package. With 420 foot pounds of torque & 8 gears it should tow common load weights handily and very efficiently.

Thinking about it the Hemi 8 speed would be IMO a nicer and definitely better sounding truck to drive lightly loaded than the f-150 Ecoboost and the 3.0 Ecodiesel would tow better and much more fuel efficiently than the Ecoboost.

If I did my math correctly with the current price gap gas to diesel the diesel needs at least 4 mpg better to match the fuel cost. Looks like it did it although its probably not as peppy to drive empty compared to the 3.6.



EDIT I should have said in the title Hemi 8 speed GC only get 21 MPG

15-21 on the Ram? I can't see it being more then the GC, but then again Ram said it which match or beat the ecoboost which is 22. I was hoping for 23-24 highway if its only 21 I may just get a six speed at a reduced cost.

It's all just advertising #'s. They will likely do around 16-17MPG or less real world.

I test drove a Durango 3.6 with a window sticker of 32MPG on Saturday. I bet it would be hard pressed to break 20MPG consistently.

Originally Posted by gutty96

It's all just advertising #'s. They will likely do around 16-17MPG or less real world.

I test drove a Durango 3.6 with a window sticker of 32MPG on Saturday. I bet it would be hard pressed to break 20MPG consistently.

Remember those are canadian gallons.

Originally Posted by thebluegoat

Remember those are canadian gallons.

Yup my estimate and actual were both in the Canadian 4.5L gallon.

There is no advertising numbers. The numbers are based on actual tests and not set by manufacturers. Naturally individuals actual numbers will vary depending on a lot of variables. Regardless it is a good baseline for comparing one manufacturer to another.

The GC is heavy and I don't think its as clean aerodynamically as the Ram. Hopefully the Ram can pull off 16/22 to match the Ecoboost but I like the Ram better than the f-150 regardless and would much rather buy from Chrysler than Ford.

If the sole reason you want the 8 speed Hemi over the current trans is mpg then yes financially it would take along time to overcome the savings you will get with the 5/6 speed discounted. Just don't forget the new trans will also tow much better and should even accelerate better without requiring the 3.92 gears. So the 8 speed truck should tow & accelerate better than a 3.92 geared truck and mileage better than even a 3.21 geared truck.

Even if diesel was lower than gas , you need to factor in the cost of the diesel engine compared to the cost of the gas engine. At todays prices I can buy a heck of lot of gas for the cost of the diesel engine. I don't pull a trailer, so I have no need for the diesel.

While I applaud Ram for coming out with the diesel in a 1/2 ton. Especially for those that want or do pull a small trailer. I also like that they are upgrading to an 8 speed tranny. With all the changes, I still plan to keep my 09 Ram at least another 6 years. It will be interesting to see whats available then.

I plan on owning my 09 barring a crash for the next 30 or more

One important thing to look at when comparing the two vehicle is the rear axel ratio. With the 2014 GC the only available option is the 3.45. With the Ram a higher 3.21 is standard. So in theory the Ram has the posiblity of getting better then 21 mpg highway.

Originally Posted by wyat72

One important thing to look at when comparing the two vehicle is the rear axel ratio. With the 2014 GC the only available option is the 3.45. With the Ram a higher 3.21 is standard. So in theory the Ram has the posiblity of getting better then 21 mpg highway.

When ordering a 13 ram 8 speed it shows the 3.55 as standard and still 3.92 as optional. No option of the 3.21?

This was for a larmie crew 4x4

They started doing that in 13 with the 6 speeds. Not sure why. Like wyat I suspect the 8 speed to come with the 3.21. I can see it pulling off 16/22 especially with the start stop option but hopefully without it.

I just can't see the 1-2MPG difference it *might* improve, going to the 8spd being enough to justify the lose in value for someone driving a 09,10,11 or 12 to upgrade to a 13.

Now, if you are driving an older truck, and just looking for a new one, sure, go for it. But lets get really here, 22MPG is still really bad mileage, so who cares? If you need a truck, you have to accept bad MPG.

Originally Posted by schmitt

When ordering a 13 ram 8 speed it shows the 3.55 as standard and still 3.92 as optional. No option of the 3.21?

This was for a larmie crew 4x4

3.21 must be a no cost option then, because I know they are available for the 8 speed Hemi 4x4s.

Originally Posted by wyat72

3.21 must be a no cost option then, because I know they are available for the 8 speed Hemi 4x4s.

Like I said all it showed was 3.55 standard and the optional 3.92. No option for the 3.21 unless its not avaiable for that truck model

I do see it as and option on the 2wd

I am not sure how true this is today, but having owned 2 prior generation 5sp Hemi Rams and a 5sp Hemi GC and 5sp Hemi Commander, all of which were 4wd, both jeeps were full time 4 wheel drive. Both Ram's I had did get better mileage then the Commander and equal mileage to the GC. I am not so sure those would not be at least very similar numbers to what the Ram gets rated at with this new Hemi 8sp.