Ram has finally brought back the EcoDiesel engine for the 2020 Ram 1500 after a brief hiatus, and the numbers look excellent on paper. The 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 produces 260 horsepower and a meaty 480 lb-ft of torque, giving the Ram 1500 the highest towing capacity of any half-ton diesel truck at 12,560 pounds.

For comparison, the Ford F-150 diesel offers 250 hp and 440 lb-ft with an 11,400-pound towing capacity while the GM twins make 277 hp and 460 lb-ft from a Duramax inline-six, which has yet to be rated for towing capacity. FCA has now announced pricing for the 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel and the news just keeps getting better.

The 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel starts at $36,890, plus a $1,695 destination fee. This puts the Ram well below the least expensive diesel-powered Silverado ($42,285) and the F-150 ($47,000). The least expensive Ram EcoDiesel is the Tradesman Quad Cab 2WD, where the diesel powerplant counts as a $4,995 option or a $3,000 premium over the previous top engine choice, the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with e-torque.

"The Ram 1500 EcoDiesel offers the best torque and towing among all half-ton diesel trucks," said Reid Bigland, Head of Ram Brand. "Now with a 10-year track record, the Ram brand has emerged as a truck powertrain technology leader. Overall, the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel has outstanding pick-up truck capability and is truly in a class of its own."

For the first time, Ram will now offer the EcoDiesel across all trim levels and configurations including the Ram Rebel. Even the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic will be available with the second-generation diesel engine starting at $39,140for the CrewCab 4X2. Fuel economy figures for the engine will be released later this year but it will be tough to dethrone the F-150 diesel, which achieves 30-mpg on the highway in 2WD configuration. The outgoing Ram EcoDiesel was rated at 27-mpg, so perhaps this new mill could trump the F-150.