Even though diesel is still considered the fuel of Satan in America, the huge success of the new Ram 1500 EcoDiesel upon launch shows that Americans are ready to embrace diesel for the sole reason that it causes less damage to their wallets. The 18-mpg EcoDiesel truck bagged 8,000 sales in the first three days since they started taking orders, filling the initial allocation.

Customers are putting so much trust in this new powertrain, a lot of them ordered the car without even a test drive. The diesel engine in the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel not only sets new economy standards in this class, it is also fairly capable, boasting a peak torque of 420 pound-feet. That gives the truck 9,200 lbs. of towing capacity.

Ram 1500’s superb fuel economy is not only due to the refined powetrian, but also to a few other fuel saving measures including TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, stop-start system, thermal management system, pulse-width modulation and active aerodynamics, including grille shutters and air suspension.

2014 Ram 1500 can also be ordered with a 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 petrol engine. This one offer more brisk performance, but economy-wise, it loses to the diesel.