Tank Ledger

Dodge Power Ram50 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Dodge Power Ram50 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 1986 to 1989. Across those years its best rated version returned 18 mpg (1986) and its thirstiest returned 16 mpg (1989). The EPA record holds 8 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Standard Pickup Trucks.

18best combined mpg (1986)
16worst combined mpg (1989)
17latest year best (1989)
8configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1986218 mpg17 mpg#13 of 14 (8th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Pickup Trucks
1987218 mpg18 mpg#9 of 22 (62th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks
1988218 mpg17 mpg#9 of 21 (60th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks
1989217 mpg16 mpg#9 of 19 (56th pct)4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Pickup Trucks

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Dodge Power Ram50 placed highest in 1987 at #9 of 22, and lowest in 1986 at #13 of 14. It spent 3 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 8 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
19892.6L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS)151716718.818.6$3,900555.4375n/a
19892.6L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)162017676.517.5$3,650522.7647058823529n/a
19882.6L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS)161817676.517.5$3,650522.7647058823529n/a
19882.6L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)172018638.916.5$3,450493.72222222222223n/a
19872.6L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(FFS)171918638.916.5$3,450493.72222222222223n/a
19872.6L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)172118638.916.5$3,450493.72222222222223n/a
19862.6L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular(FFS)171817676.517.5$3,650522.7647058823529n/a
19862.6L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(FFS)172118638.916.5$3,450493.72222222222223n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 0 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
1988 → 198918 → 17 mpg-1 mpg676 gal

What Power Ram50 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1989 Dodge Power Ram50 burns 676 to 719 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

Pump priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$3.00/gal$2,029$2,156$127
$3.50/gal$2,368$2,516$148
$4.00/gal$2,706$2,875$169

EPA’s own estimate for the 1989 model year is $3,650 to $3,900 a year in fuel, or $8,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Standard Pickup Trucks

Across the 36 nameplates EPA classifies as Standard Pickup Trucks, the median best combined rating is 21 mpg. At 17 mpg the Dodge Power Ram50 is 4 mpg below the median, which is worth about $451 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other Dodge nameplates

Every Dodge model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.