2014 Jeep Wrangler (20 mpg hwy) vs 2015 Ram 1500 (25 mpg) differences?

[Daox]

I have a coworker who bought a Jeep Wrangler last year with the 3.6L Pentastar engine and 5 speed automatic. He has seen the commercials for the 2015 Ram 1500 with the 3.6L Pentastar, and saw the 25 mpg highway EPA rating versus his Wrangler's 20 mpg highway rating.

He was wondering why his Jeep is rated so much lower than the Ram is. I am sorely lacking in Chrysler knowledge. Do you guys have any insight into why there is such a large difference in the mileage? The Jeep is 4wd and the Ram is only 2wd with those ratings, but it doesn't seem like that should account for a 5 mpg difference.

[mcrews]

final rear ratio...... come on, that was easy!

1. ram was specifically designed to get better mileage than all trucks
2. check weight of both
3. ram has 8 speed tranny
4. I believe the ram actually lowers at speed
5. tire size (back to final ratio)

[adam728]

5 spd vs 8 spd
4.10's standard vs 3.23's standard
Both have basically the same size tire (255-75 vs 265-70, oth 17's, both just shy of 32" tall)


But the biggest reason?
Huge concentration on aero on the Ram, claimed cd as low as 0.36.
The JK? cd of 0.495 and 0.50 are what I'm finding online.


My 01 Wrangler was even worse. 0.58 cd, and a 3 speed auto. At absolute best I could eek 17 mpg from it. Typically it was a 14-15 mpg ride. With trailer in tow I managed a lot of sub-10 mpg tanks. A friend with a Dodge diesel took my trailer to a race in Utah once with me, managed nearly 19 mpg, with way more power too. Made me sad for myself.

[MetroMPG]

EDIT: HA! You beat me to it by 1 minute, adam728!

---

That RAM has (had?) best in class drag: (cD = 0.363) -- from http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ion-24177.html

The Dodge may have more frontal area, but I'm certain the Jeep's drag coefficient is significantly higher.

The 2-door Jeep of that body style is 0.55. The 4-door JK is 0.495 -- from http://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-ta...-105364/page4/

So, aero strikes again. There's that plus all the other things.

[Xist]

I am seeing 4,277 pounds for the Jeep and 5,441 for the Dodge--the truck is 27% heavier!

[adam728]

Originally Posted by Xist

I am seeing 4,277 pounds for the Jeep and 5,441 for the Dodge--the truck is 27% heavier!

Compare a 4 door Jeep and 2wd, reg cab Ram.

Go to a 4 door 4wd Ram and you can get up over 5700 lbs.

[Xist]

Originally Posted by adam728

Compare a 4 door Jeep and 2wd, reg cab Ram.

Go to a 4 door 4wd Ram and you can get up over 5700 lbs.

It took me a while just to get that number, I found the Jeep weight right away, although it specified each axle individually, I had not seen that. I am not trying to find the four-door, so I will go off of your numbers. 5,701 pounds is 33.3% heavier and 5,749 lbs is 34.4% heavier.

[adam728]

Originally Posted by Xist

It took me a while just to get that number, I found the Jeep weight right away, although it specified each axle individually, I had not seen that. I am not trying to find the four-door, so I will go off of your numbers. 5,701 pounds is 33.3% heavier and 5,749 lbs is 34.4% heavier.

You can find the the curb weight on Ram's web site. I can post some links tomorrow, using my wife's iPad right niw

[Xist]

Originally Posted by adam728

You can find the the curb weight on Ram's web site. I can post some links tomorrow, using my wife's iPad right niw

Either way, the Dodge is much heavier, but gets significantly better fuel economy.

You fail, Jeep.

[niky]

The Dodge doesn't have twin live axles with a heavy-duty transfer case and lockers.

Those things add up to horrendous fuel economy, whatever the weight of the car.