Ram 1500 vs Nissan Frontier
The Ram 1500 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 26 mpg combined versus 21 mpg for the Nissan Frontier, a 5 mpg advantage and costs about $300 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Ram 1500 leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2027
Ram 1500
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD · 142 configurations
2015–2026
Nissan Frontier
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD · 57 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Ram 1500 | Nissan Frontier |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 26 mpg ✓ | 21 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 23 mpg ✓ | 19 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 33 mpg ✓ | 24 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,650 ✓ | $2,950 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 384 g/mi ✓ | 423 g/mi |
| Engines offered | Mild Hybrid, SIDI, 5.7, 6.2 | SIDI, SIDI; ISS and AGS, 2.5, 4.0 |
| Transmissions | Automatic 8-spd, Automatic 6-spd | Automatic (S9), Automatic 5-spd, Manual 5-spd |
| Drivetrains | 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular, Premium, Midgrade | Regular, Gasoline or E85 |
| EPA class | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2027 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 142 | 57 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
1500 vs Frontier: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Ram 1500 or the Nissan Frontier?
The Ram 1500 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 26 mpg combined versus 21 mpg for the Nissan Frontier, a 5 mpg advantage and costs about $300 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Ram 1500 runs about $2,650 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,950 for the Nissan Frontier — a difference of roughly $300 per year.
What engines do the 1500 and Frontier offer?
Ram 1500: Mild Hybrid, SIDI, 5.7, 6.2. Nissan Frontier: SIDI, SIDI; ISS and AGS, 2.5, 4.0.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Ram 1500 as Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD and the Nissan Frontier as Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More 1500 comparisons
Comparison id: ram-1500-vs-nissan-frontier