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Ram 1500 vs GMC Sierra: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Ram 1500 is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $3,000 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (1500, 22 MPG combined), against $3,340 for the GMC Sierra (Sierra, 20 MPG combined). That is $340 a year, or $1,700 over five years.

Both are classed as Standard pickups by the EPA. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.

Illustration: Standard pickups
  • Hybrid
  • Standard pickups

Ram 1500

Lowest fuel cost configuration

1500

22 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
City
25 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$3,000

$20.00 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

10 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Standard pickups
  • Gas
  • Standard pickups

GMC Sierra

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Sierra

20 MPG
Combined
18 MPG
City
21 MPG
Highway

Plug-in versions (electric or plug-in hybrid) are not used for this headline; see the powertrain table below.

Annual fuel cost
$3,340

$22.27 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

25 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Ram 1500$3,000 a year · $20.00 per 100 mi
  • GMC Sierra$3,340 a year · $22.27 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$340

Ram 1500 costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$1,700

$340 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Ram 1500 and GMC Sierra compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Ram 1500 GMC Sierra
Lowest-cost configuration 1500Sierra
Powertrain HybridGas
Combined rating 22 MPG (better)20 MPG
City rating 20 MPG (better)18 MPG
Highway rating 25 MPG (better)21 MPG
Annual fuel cost $3,000/yr (better)$3,340/yr
Cost per 100 miles $20.00 (better)$22.27
Annual cost range, all configurations $3,000–$6,760$1,360–$5,360
Configurations in MY2026 1025
EPA class Standard pickupsStandard pickups

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Ram 1500 and GMC Sierra
Powertrain Ram 1500 GMC Sierra
Gas 21 MPG · $3,190/yr 1500 20 MPG · $3,340/yr Sierra
Hybrid 22 MPG · $3,000/yr 1500 Not offered in MY2026
Electric Not offered in MY2026 68 MPGe · $1,360/yr SIERRA EV Ext Range (11kW Charger)
Diesel Not offered in MY2026 25 MPG · $3,730/yr Sierra

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Ram 1500

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $3,000 vs $3,340
  • Higher combined rating: 22 MPG vs 20 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 20 MPG vs 18 MPG
  • Higher highway rating: 25 MPG vs 21 MPG
  • Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $3,190 vs $3,340
  • Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the GMC Sierra does not

GMC Sierra

  • Offers electric configurations in MY2026; the Ram 1500 does not
  • Offers diesel configurations in MY2026; the Ram 1500 does not

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Ram 1500 and GMC Sierra
Model year Ram 1500 GMC Sierra
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 12–22 MPG $3,000–$6,760 15–25 MPG $1,360–$5,360
2025 15–23 MPG $2,890–$5,430 15–26 MPG $1,440–$5,360
2024 12–23 MPG $2,890–$6,760 15–25 MPG $3,310–$5,360
2023 12–24 MPG $2,890–$6,760 15–26 MPG $3,290–$5,300
2022 12–26 MPG $2,890–$6,760 14–26 MPG $3,240–$5,600
2021 12–26 MPG $2,890–$6,760 14–26 MPG $3,100–$5,020
2020 17–26 MPG $2,890–$4,410 15–26 MPG $3,100–$4,750
2019 17–23 MPG $2,900–$4,420 15–21 MPG $3,100–$4,750
2018 14–23 MPG $3,310–$5,140 17–20 MPG $3,290–$4,740
2017 15–23 MPG $3,310–$4,850 17–20 MPG $3,290–$3,920
2016 15–24 MPG $3,140–$4,860 17–20 MPG $3,290–$3,840
2015 15–24 MPG $3,140–$4,850 17–20 MPG $3,290–$3,840
2014 15–23 MPG $3,140–$4,840 17–20 MPG $3,300–$3,940
2013 15–21 MPG $3,140–$4,840 14–21 MPG $3,100–$4,610

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year. Electric configurations are not included in the MPG range of a year that also has other powertrains.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Ram 1500 or the GMC Sierra?

The Ram 1500 is cheaper: about $3,000 a year against $3,340 for the GMC Sierra, a difference of $340 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Ram 1500 save over five years?

About $1,700 ($340 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Ram 1500 or the GMC Sierra?

The Ram 1500 is rated 22 MPG combined against 20 MPG for the GMC Sierra. City: 20 MPG vs 18 MPG. Highway: 25 MPG vs 21 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Ram 1500 and the GMC Sierra in the same class?

Yes. The EPA classes both as Standard pickups.

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More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles