The 2016 Ram 1500 is a capable pickup thanks to its three powerful engines. The least costly 3.6L V6 is a strong base offering with 305 hp and a towing capacity of nearly 7,200 pounds. Our favorite is the potent 5.7L V8, but the 3.0L EcoDiesel is tempting with its 29 mpg highway rating.
Key Points
- Three engine options in the 2016 Ram 1500 include an entry-level 3.6L V6, a potent 5.7L Hemi, and mpg-friendly 3.0L EcoDiesel.
- The 3.6L makes for a great starter engine, delivering a combined mpg rating of 21 and towing as much as 7,160 pounds.
- Upgrading to the 5.7L Hemi should cost about $1,400, and you’ll get an extra 90 horsepower and roughly 3,000 pounds of towing capacity.
- Ram’s 3.0L EcoDiesel is unmatched in terms of fuel economy, reaching 29 mpg at highway speeds, but doesn’t match the towing of the V8.
3.6L Pentastar V6 Offers Adequate Towing Capability for Weekend Warriors and Enough Pep to Make the Trip Fun
For a base offering, the Pentastar V6 is strong with 305 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 269 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,175 rpm. This engine, mated to an eight-speed ZF transmission, achieves 20 mpg combined with a two-wheel drive, 19 mpg with the four-wheel drive, and progressively worse for E85 options. The combined mpg for E85 options is 13 and 14 mpg for two and four-wheel drive options, respectively. The highest offering for this engine is the HFE model, with a combined 21 mpg.
With the right truck specification, 3.55 or 3.92 axle ratio, and towing hitch equipment, this engine can tow 7,160 pounds (3.25 tons) making it a viable option for most owners that need to tow small campers and jet skis around on the weekend.
While the Pentastar is used in many of the current generation Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram offerings, its redesign for the 2016 model year eradicated the few problems it used to contend with. According to FCA’s press release, torque increased by 14.9 percent below 3,000 rpm, added variable valve lift (VVL) increasing fuel economy, and installed exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) which increased efficiency and eliminated knock when the engine was under real-world loads.
The Pentastar is still used as a base engine in the Ram 1500 today and is lauded as an extremely reliable and high-output engine.
Award-winning 5.7L Hemi V8 Excels in Performance but Struggles with Known Engine-ticking Problems
For about $1,400 more on the used market is the highly-regarded 5.7L Hemi V8, paired to either an eight-speed ZF transmission or a six-speed automatic. This engine produces 395 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 410 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,950 rpm with a generous maximum towing capacity of 10,190 pounds (4.62 tons)––again if properly equipped.
In 2009, FCA’s 5.7L Hemi V8 won Ward Auto’s Sixth place “10 Best Engine Award” putting it in company with others like Mercedes, BMW, and Audi.
While the 5.7L Hemi V8 is mostly reliable, it is plagued with engine tick and stalling problems that we’ve covered in another article. While these are well documented and widespread complaints, it was never enough to warrant a recall.
3.0L EcoDiesel V6 Delivers Best-in-Class Mileage and Tows 9,210 When Properly Configured
Added in 2014 and still available in current Ram trucks, the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 offers 240 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and a whopping 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,000 rpm. Also impressive, is the 29 highway mpg rating from the EPA.
The EcoDiesel engine, paired with a 3.92 axle ratio and proper towing equipment, can tow 9,210 pounds (4.18 tons), just shy of the V8s capabilities. These stats answered strong consumer demand for a light-duty diesel engine in the truck segment and made the Ram 1500 America’s most fuel-efficient pickup.
The diesel option for the 2016 Ram 1500 is the only engine in this lineup that carries recalls from the NHTSA. Out of two total, the first refers to the laminating on the crank position sensor tone wheel, which can fail and cause the engine to stall.
The other recall mentions that the EGR can crack, increasing combustion in the intake manifold and, ultimately, causing a fire. Nearly 60,000 trucks were affected by the first recall and over 107,000 by the EGR issue.
Few Engine-related Recalls Exist, but Many NHTSA Complaints Note Engine, Powertrain, and Propulsion System Problems
While the 2016 Ram does have 14 recalls, only two relate to the engine, as we’ve covered. The real issue is that there are already over 650 registered complaints with the NHTSA, 450 of which concern the engine, propulsion system, powertrain, and engine cooling system, or 90+ pages. These range from stalling, ticking, and exhaust odors as mentioned, to the engine not starting or hesitating to start, whining, or failing entirely.
Needless to say, that’s a lot of engine/powertrain complaints for a vehicle that’s only five years old and is definitely something to be wary of.
Ram issued 13 engine and engine cooling technical service bulletins for the 2016 model 1500, including a faulty push-button ignition that may require several attempts to start the vehicle, and bucking while hard accelerating on models with the 3.0L EcoDiesel.
Out of Three Capable, Mostly Reliable Engines, the 5.7L is the Best Due to its Unmatched Performance
All the engines offered in the 2016 Ram 1500 are viable and tailored to specific truck shoppers. The consumer that doesn’t need the power of a V8 and wants to save some gas money will be happy with the 3.6L Pentastar. The 5.7L Hemi V8 does have a brand on its reputation with engine ticking issues that are difficult to diagnose and potentially expensive to repair, but its towing increases drastically over the 3.6L.
We’d recommend a thorough mechanical inspection before buying one used. The 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel has lots of torque at low rpm, which is expected from a diesel engine. The towing isn’t quite up to par in comparison to the Hemi, but many prefer to tow with a diesel because of low-end torque.
Overall, the 5.7L Hemi is our favorite engine in the lineup, mostly due to its performance, which not only makes towing a breeze but makes driving a bit more fun as well.
Photos: Stellantis
