Most Fuel-Efficient Pickup Trucks
The compact pickup truck segment is led by the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Maverick achieves 25 mpg combined with its 238-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD). Interestingly, while the Maverick is known for its 38-mpg hybrid powertrain, its gas-only version still offers impressive fuel efficiency. The Hyundai Santa Cruz matches the Maverick’s 25 mpg combined rating with front-wheel drive (FWD), using a 191-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Mid-Size Pickup Trucks
The Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma take the lead in the mid-size pickup truck category with 23 mpg combined in their base, rear-wheel drive (RWD) configurations. Both vehicles are equipped with turbocharged four-cylinder engines. Four-wheel drive (4WD) models see a slight reduction in fuel efficiency, with the Ranger dropping to 22 mpg and the Tacoma to 21 mpg. The Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, GM’s mid-size twins, achieve 20 mpg with their turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engines.
Full-Size Pickup Trucks
In the full-size pickup truck segment, the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 are the most fuel-efficient gas-powered options, achieving 21 mpg combined in their RWD configurations. The F-150 XL RWD gets its 21 mpg from a 325-hp, turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 engine. The Ram 1500 Tradesman also achieves 21 mpg, while the Tradesman HFE version can reach up to 23 mpg.
The quest for the most fuel-efficient diesel pickup truck continues, as manufacturers balance power, capability, and fuel economy in this competitive market.
