Author: Lori Kinney
Source
To encourage drivers to make the transition to electric vehicles, the American government offers tax credits to car buyers, and invests in improved EV charging infrastructure as well as domestic EV production. Transitioning to EVs is expected to lower driving expenses as well as carbon emissions, as the Department of Energy estimates that EVs cost about half as much to drive as gasoline-powered vehicles.
One objective of this wider initiative to address the climate crisis is to see EV sales make up 50% of all U.S. vehicle sales by the year 2030.
Out of all consumer vehicle categories, pickup trucks are far and away the least fuel efficient. Estimates from the Environmental Protection Agency indicate that pickups from the 2022 model year got on average only 20 miles per gallon, which is roughly 5 MPG lower than the average for truck-based SUVs.
Currently, the selection of electric vehicle options are limited for pickup truck buyers. The few models available, such as the Rivian R1T and GMC Hummer, have base prices starting at over $70,000. While the initial cost of EVs may deter some prospective truck buyers, there are some gas-powered pickups available now that offer significantly better fuel efficiency than they have in the past.
Analyzing EPA and Department of Energy data sourced from fueleconomy.gov, 24/7 Wall St. identified the most fuel efficient pickup trucks currently on the market. Nearly 180 available pickup truck configurations were assessed, with each model ranked based on its most fuel efficient build, as determined by the estimated combined MPG. Vehicles classified as EVs, plug-in hybrids, and diesel vehicles were excluded from analysis.
For new vehicles with release dates before Oct. 4, 2023, we used 2024 model years. All other pickups were ranked using data for the 2023 model year. Supplemental data on engine and drivetrain configuration and estimated fuel costs were also from fueleconomy.gov.
Estimated base price is from automotive industry publication, Car And Driver.
The fuel efficience of any vehicle is affected by a range of factors, some influenced by driving habits, while others are related to the vehicle’s design. Vehicle specific factors could include weight, ground clearance, drivetrain, engine size and aerodynamics.
Of the 15 pickup truck models listed, the average combined fuel efficiency ranges from as low as 17 MPG up to 37 MPG. Remarkably, the less efficient vehicles tend to be full-size trucks with larger engines, with the more efficient ones falling under the small truck category and often equipped with smaller engines. The top two trucks on this list both feature hybrid engines.
The MPG ratings used to rank these vehicles are based on their most fuel efficient configurations, but many of these trucks offer options with significantly lower gas mileage. The Ford F150, for example, ranks well on this list with its rear-wheel drive, 3.5 liter 6 cylinder engine, and a combined rating of 25 MPG. Yet, the F-150 is also offered in four-wheel drive version with a 5.2 liter 8 cylinder engine that gets a combined 12 MPG.
These are the most fuel efficient pickup trucks:
15. Nissan Titan
- Best available efficiency (MPG): 17 combined; 15 city; 21 highway
- Most fuel-efficient engine size: 8 cylinder; 5.6 liter displacement
- Most fuel-efficient drive-train: 2-wheel drive, rear
- Est. fuel costs: $3,800 per year; $9,250 more than avg. over 5-years
- Model year considered: 2024
- Est. base MSRP: $47,665
14. Jeep Gladiator
- Best available efficiency (MPG): 19 combined; 17/16 city; 22/23 highway
- Most fuel-efficient engine size: 6 cylinder; 3.6 liter displacement
- Most fuel-efficient drive-train: 4-wheel drive
- Est. fuel costs: $2,350 per year; $3,750 more than avg. over 5-years
- Model year considered: 2023
- Est. base MSRP: $40,785
13. GMC Canyon
- Best available efficiency (MPG): 19 combined; 18 city; 22 highway
- Most fuel-efficient engine size: 4 cylinder; 2.7 liter displacement
- Most fuel-efficient drive-train: 4-wheel drive
- Est. fuel costs: $2,850 per year; $4,500 more than avg. over 5-years
- Model year considered: 2024
- Est. base MSRP: $39,000
12. Chevrolet Colorado
- Best available efficiency (MPG): 20 combined; 18 city; 23 highway
- Most fuel-efficient engine size: 4 cylinder; 2.7 liter displacement
- Most fuel-efficient drive-train: 4-wheel drive
- Est. fuel costs: $2,700 per year; $3,750 more than avg. over 5-years
- Model year considered: 2024
- Est. base MSRP: $31,000
11. Chevrolet Silverado
- Best available efficiency (MPG): 20 combined; 18 city; 22 highway
- Most fuel-efficient engine size: 4 cylinder; 2.7 liter displacement
- Most fuel-efficient drive-train: 2-wheel drive, rear
- Est. fuel costs: $2,700 per year; $3,750 more than avg. over 5-years
- Model year considered: 2024
- Est. base MSRP: $37,445
10. GMC Sierra
- Best available efficiency (MPG): 20 combined; 18 city; 22 highway
- Most fuel-efficient engine size: 4 cylinder; 2.7 liter displacement
- Most fuel-efficient drive-train: 2-wheel drive, rear
- Est. fuel costs: $2,700 per year; $3,750 more than avg. over 5-years
- Model year considered: 2024
- Est. base MSRP: $38,345
9. Honda Ridgeline
- Best available efficiency (MPG): 21 combined; 18 city; 24 highway
- Most fuel-efficient engine size: 6 cylinder; 3.5 liter displacement
- Most fuel-efficient drive-train: all wheel drive
- Est. fuel costs: $2,100 per year; $2,500 more than avg. over 5-years
- Model year considered: 2023
- Est. base MSRP: $40,175
8. Nissan Frontier
- Best available efficiency (MPG): 21 combined; 18 city; 24 highway
- Most fuel-efficient engine size: 6 cylinder; 3.8 liter displacement
- Most fuel-efficient drive-train: 2-wheel drive, rear
- Est. fuel costs: $2,550 per year; $3,000 more than avg. over 5-years
- Model year considered: 2024
- Est. base MSRP: $31,105
7. Toyota Tacoma
- Best available efficiency (MPG): 21 combined; 19/20 city; 23/24 highway
- Most fuel-efficient engine size: 6 o6 4 cylinder; 3.5 or 2.7 liter displacement
- Most fuel-efficient drive-train: 2-wheel drive, rear
- Est. fuel costs: $2,100 per year; $2,500 more than avg. over 5-years
- Model year considered: 2023
- Est. base MSRP: $30,095
6. RAM 1500
- Best available efficiency (MPG): 22 combined; 20 city; 25 highway
- Most fuel-efficient engine size: 6 cylinder; 3.6 liter displacement
- Most fuel-efficient drive-train: 2-wheel drive, rear
- Est. fuel costs: $2,450 per year; $2,500 more than avg. over 5-years
- Model year considered: 2024
- Est. base MSRP: $39,900
5. Toyota Tundra
- Best available efficiency (MPG): 22 combined; 20 city; 24 highway
- Most fuel-efficient engine size: 6 cylinder; 3.4 liter displacement
- Most fuel-efficient drive-train: 2-wheel drive, rear
- Est. fuel costs: $2,450 per year; $2,500 more than avg. over 5-years
- Model year considered: 2024
- Est. base MSRP: $41,815
4. Ford Ranger
- Best available efficiency (MPG): 23 combined; 21 city; 26 highway
- Most fuel-efficient engine size: 4 cylinder; 2.3 liter displacement
- Most fuel-efficient drive-train: 2-wheel drive, rear
- Est. fuel costs: $1,900 per year; $1,500 more than avg. over 5-years
- Model year considered: 2023
- Est. base MSRP: $28,895
3. Hyundai Santa Cruz
- Best available efficiency (MPG): 23 combined; 22 city; 26 highway
- Most fuel-efficient engine size: 4 cylinder; 2.5 liter displacement
- Most fuel-efficient drive-train: 2-wheel drive, front
- Est. fuel costs: $2,350 per year; $2,000 more than avg. over 5-years
- Model year considered: 2024
- Est. base MSRP: $27,985
2. Ford F150 Pickup
- Best available efficiency (MPG): 25 combined; 25 city; 25 highway
- Most fuel-efficient engine size: Hybrid 6 cylinder; 3.5 liter displacement
- Most fuel-efficient drive-train: 2-wheel drive, rear
- Est. fuel costs: $1,750 per year; $750 more than avg. over 5-years
- Model year considered: 2023
- Est. base MSRP: $35.830
1. Ford Maverick
- Best available efficiency (MPG): 37 combined; 40 city; 33 highway
- Most fuel-efficient engine size: Hybrid 4 cylinder; 2.5 liter displacement
- Most fuel-efficient drive-train: 2-wheel drive, front
- Est. fuel costs: $1,200 per year; $2,000 less than avg. over 5-years
- Model year considered: 2023
- Est. base MSRP: $24,170
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