Chrysler’s 6.4L HEMI V8 in a RAM 2500 Power Wagon: Thirsty, but Surprisingly Tolerable

Chrysler currently produces the largest OE gasoline V8 engine commercially available, and it stuffs it in a multitude of vehicles from Dodge Chargers to RAM trucks.

The 6.4L HEMI V8, known by the codename “Apache”, is a medium-duty 90-degree pushrod V8 with two large valves per cylinder, 16 spark plugs, 410 horsepower and 429ft-lbs of torque. Featuring all-forged internals, cross bolted main journals, a nodular cast-iron block and aluminum heads – Chrysler went all out on what would become one of the best V8s on the block in some time.

It is a gasoline V8 in a 3/4 ton truck though, right? So it has to be thirsty… or so you would think.

We are here to tell you that yes, absolutely – it is. But not as bad as you would think.

The vehicle of choice in this story is a 2017 RAM 2500 Power Wagon, which when stock had 285/70R17D Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires and a gear ratio of 4.11. Stock, the vehicle saw 12-13mpg returns in the city, and 16-17mpg on the highway.

In it’s current iteration, the Power Wagon is now rolling on 37×13.50R20E Falken Wildpeak MT’s and 20×9.5” Trail Ready Beadlock wheels, and returns roughly the same fuel economy numbers.

So yes, the Apache is thirsty – but its a thorn in your side you can live with.