How does Ford's light-duty Power Stroke measure up to Ram's newly-revised second-gen EcoDiesel?
Same but Different
Ford's 3.0-liter Power Stroke diesel and Ram's EcoDiesel might share an identical displacement, but that's pretty much where the similarities begin and end. Dodge's oil burner has been around since 2014 in the Ram, while Ford's smaller diesel was introduced in the F-150 in 2018. So we thought it would be interesting to take a closer look at these two light-duty diesels and see what makes them so unique.
Photos: Ford
Power Struggle
The first thing most truck buyers look at in terms of engine choices is their specific output. And with its latest update, Ram's EcoDiesel just edges out Ford in that department. Ford's 3.0-liter produces 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque compared to the Ram's 260 hp and 480 lb-ft. Clearly, Dodge had Ford in its crosshairs with the updates, as the previous-gen EcoDiesel produced 240 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.
Photos: Ford
>>Join the conversation about the Powerstroke vs the EcoDiesel right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Towing and Payload
Another major factor diesel truck buyers take into consideration is towing and payload capability. And thanks to its power increase, the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel takes the crown here, carrying a max towing rating of 12,560 pounds versus Ford's 11,400 pounds. Payload capacity is much closer, as the Ram barely edges out the Ford with 2,040 pounds vs. 2,020.
Photos: Ford
>>Join the conversation about the Powerstroke vs the EcoDiesel right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Shifting Gears
Ford mates its excellent 10-speed automatic transmission to most of its F-150 engine offerings, and the Power Stroke diesel is no exception. The Ram, on the other hand, comes with an 8-speed unit. Those two additional gears make a big difference in the F-150, and the transmission is obviously a more modern design.
Photos: Ford
>>Join the conversation about the Powerstroke vs the EcoDiesel right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Fuel Economy
Regardless of its transmission advantage, the F-150 comes just short of besting the new EcoDiesel in terms of fuel economy. It's EPA rated at 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, while the Ram nets 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. But that's close enough to call this comparison a wash, as we all know fuel economy figures vary greatly in the real world.
Photos: Ford
>>Join the conversation about the Powerstroke vs the EcoDiesel right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Pricing
Diesel engines are pricey options in any truck, and the F-150 and Ram are no exception. Outfitting your F-150 with a 3.0-liter Power Stroke will set you back an even $4,000, while Ram's EcoDiesel costs quite a bit more, adding $5,000 to the MSRP. Of course, the prices you find on actual trucks sitting on dealer lots will vary, and you may be able to find a much better deal on one or the other if you're savvy and do a little bit of cross-shopping.
Photos: Ford
>>Join the conversation about the Powerstroke vs the EcoDiesel right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Bottom Line
Trying to choose an absolute winner based on these specs isn't as easy as one might think. The Ram offers up a noticeably better towing capacity and slight fuel economy advantage, but it also costs more. If Ford decides to stick with its 3.0, we imagine that its next update will trump the EcoDiesel once again. But for now, we'll defer to the world's best-selling pickup truck in this ongoing battle, unless that extra bit of towing is the make or break decision for your own personal situation.
Photos: Ford
>>Join the conversation about the Powerstroke vs the EcoDiesel right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
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