Ram 1500 vs Toyota Tundra: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Toyota Tundra is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $2,920 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Tundra Hybrid, 22 MPG combined), against $3,000 for the Ram 1500 (1500, 22 MPG combined). That is $80 a year, or $400 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.
- Hybrid
- Standard pickups
Ram 1500
Lowest fuel cost configuration
1500
$20.00 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
10 configurations in MY2026
- Hybrid
- Standard pickups
Toyota Tundra
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Tundra Hybrid
$19.47 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
12 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
- Toyota Tundra$2,920 a year · $19.47 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$80
Toyota Tundra costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$400
$80 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Ram 1500 | Toyota Tundra |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | 1500 | Tundra Hybrid |
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Combined rating | 22 MPG | 22 MPG |
| City rating | 20 MPG | 20 MPG |
| Highway rating | 25 MPG (better) | 24 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $3,000/yr | $2,920/yr (better) |
| Cost per 100 miles | $20.00 | $19.47 (better) |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $3,000–$6,760 | $2,920–$4,200 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 10 | 12 |
| EPA class | Standard pickups | Standard pickups |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Ram 1500 | Toyota Tundra |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 21 MPG · $3,190/yr 1500 | 20 MPG · $3,220/yr Tundra |
| Hybrid | 22 MPG · $3,000/yr 1500 | 22 MPG · $2,920/yr Tundra Hybrid |
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
- Higher highway rating: 25 MPG vs 24 MPG
- Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $3,190 vs $3,220
Toyota Tundra
- Lower annual fuel cost: $2,920 vs $3,000
Level on: combined rating (22 MPG), city rating (20 MPG)
Year by year
| Model year | Ram 1500 | Toyota Tundra | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 12–22 MPG | $3,000–$6,760 | 19–22 MPG | $2,920–$4,200 |
| 2025 | 15–23 MPG | $2,890–$5,430 | 19–22 MPG | $2,980–$3,440 |
| 2024 | 12–23 MPG | $2,890–$6,760 | 19–22 MPG | $2,930–$4,200 |
| 2023 | 12–24 MPG | $2,890–$6,760 | 19–22 MPG | $2,940–$3,410 |
| 2022 | 12–26 MPG | $2,890–$6,760 | 19–22 MPG | $3,030–$3,410 |
| 2021 | 12–26 MPG | $2,890–$6,760 | 14–15 MPG | $4,420–$4,670 |
| 2020 | 17–26 MPG | $2,890–$4,410 | 14–15 MPG | $4,370–$4,510 |
| 2019 | 17–23 MPG | $2,900–$4,420 | 14–16 MPG | $4,080–$4,510 |
| 2018 | 14–23 MPG | $3,310–$5,140 | 14–16 MPG | $4,080–$4,510 |
| 2017 | 15–23 MPG | $3,310–$4,850 | 15–16 MPG | $4,080–$4,480 |
| 2016 | 15–24 MPG | $3,140–$4,860 | 15–17 MPG | $3,950–$4,460 |
| 2015 | 15–24 MPG | $3,140–$4,850 | 15–17 MPG | $3,950–$4,430 |
| 2014 | 15–23 MPG | $3,140–$4,840 | 15–17 MPG | $3,770–$4,450 |
| 2013 | 15–21 MPG | $3,140–$4,840 | 15–17 MPG | $3,770–$4,470 |
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Ram 1500 or the Toyota Tundra?
The Toyota Tundra is cheaper: about $2,920 a year against $3,000 for the Ram 1500, a difference of $80 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 Toyota Tundra save over five years?
About $400 ($80 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 Toyota Tundra?
Both are rated 22 MPG combined. City: 20 MPG vs 20 MPG. Highway: 25 MPG vs 24 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 Toyota Tundra in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Standard pickups.
Explore these cars
- Ram 1500: ratings, trims and every model year
- Toyota Tundra: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Ram 1500: all configurations
- 2026 Toyota Tundra: all configurations
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