The 2013 Ram 1500 has three capable engine options that include a V6 and two V8s. While the V6 may be a practical option for some drivers, the 5.7L Hemi is the best choice for most truck owners.
Key Points
- The 2013 Ram 1500‘s entry-level engine is a 3.6L V6 putting out a tad over 300 horsepower. Its fuel economy averages a solid 19 mpg and towing maxes out at 6,500 pounds.
- Ram’s 4.7L V8 engine is a questionable upgrade overall, adding just five horsepower, 61 lb.-ft. of torque, and 900 pounds of top-end towing capacity.
- With 395 hp and 10,450 pounds of max towing, the 5.7L Hemi is the best choice for most drivers looking for a pickup with the most capability.
- All three engine options are paired to either six- or eight-speed automatic transmissions, in two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive configurations.
2013 Ram 1500’s Redesigned 3.6L V6 Is Fuel Efficient and Powerful, Making the Entry-level Engine a Good Option
The 2013 Ram 1500 features a redesigned Pentastar V6 featuring over 40% more horsepower, torque, and fuel economy than previous generations. The engine does well for an entry-level option, producing 305 horsepower and 269 lb.-ft. of torque.
The V6 can be found in either two-wheel or four-wheel drive configurations, as can all the engine options. However, the V6 is standard with only one transmission option, an eight-speed automatic.
The high point for the 3.6L is its fuel efficiency. The V6 option is the most fuel-efficient option available on the Ram 1500, with a 4WD fuel economy rating of 16 city and 23 highway, for a combined 19 miles per gallon.
Though the 3.6L does produce the lowest tow rating, at 6,500 pounds, it is still fairly impressive for a base model engine. It can be found on four of the 12 total trims, with the least expensive trim being the fleet-focused Tradesman. Kelley Blue Book lists the average price of a 2013 Ram Tradesman at $17,500.
4.7L Flex Fuel V8 Engine Offers Little Over the V6 and is Easily Outperformed by the Hemi
There isn’t much reason to purchase a Ram 1500 with the 4.7L V8, because it does not offer much over the V6 or Hemi options. The mid-range engine produces 310 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque, which is not much more than the entry-level V6. Additionally, the 4.7L V8 receives a combined 4WD fuel economy rating of 16 miles per gallon, which is about the same as the Hemi.
As a flex-fuel vehicle, the V8 is E85-compatible and is rated at a combined 11 miles per gallon. However, the E85’s annual fuel cost will increase by nearly 20%.
The towing capacity of the 4.7L is greater than that of the V6, at up to 7,400 pounds. However, this pales in comparison to the Hemi’s capability.
The 4.7L is found on the Tradesman trim of the Ram 1500 and has a Kelley Blue Book market value of between $15,000 and $19,000–similar to that of a truck equipped with the V6.
2013 Ram’s 5.7L Hemi Provides the Greatest Amount of Power and Largest Towing Capacity
The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 provides 395 horsepower and 407 lb.-ft. of torque, which is the highest offered on the Ram 1500, and competitive for its class. Another high point of the 5.7L is the towing capacity. Depending on the configuration, a Hemi-equipped Ram 1500 will tow up to 10,450 pounds.
The Hemi V8 features fuel-saving cylinder shut-off and variable valve timing, producing a fuel economy rating of 17 mpg combined in 4WD with the eight-speed automatic, and a combined 15 mpg when paired with the six-speed automatic.
The 5.7L can be found on all available trims, except the HFE model. Because the number of configurations varies widely, so will the price, but the average cost of a Ram in these trim levels is around $22,000, according to KBB.
Zero Engine-related Recalls and Few Registered Complaints Show the Ram to be Relatively Problem-free
The 2013 Ram 1500 has encountered zero engine-related recalls for any of the three offered engines. Owners generally report that the truck is reliable and have experienced few issues. And of the nearly 600 registered complaints, just 91 concern the engine, with most mentioning cracked exhaust manifolds, which is an area potential buyers may want to inspect before purchasing a Ram.
If You’re Driving a 2013 Ram 1500, it Should be the 5.7L Hemi Engine
The 5.7L Hemi is the best engine offering for the 2013 Ram 1500. While the V6 performs well for its class and is also a reasonable option, it falls flat in some areas. The power of the mid-range V8 is lacking, as is the towing capacity when compared to the Hemi, making it the poorest choice of the three.
A 2013 Ford F-150 with the twin-turbo V6 is your answer if you want a truck that’s easy on gas and has better power, making for a highly capable truck.
Photos: Stellantis
