Top 10 Most Fuel Efficient Pickup Trucks
Trucks aren’t known for fuel economy, but finding a pickup that isn’t a gas hungry beast is a top concern for many truck shoppers. So if you’re looking for a good way to save money, both in terms of overall vehicle cost and especially at the pumps, check out this list of our Top 10 fuel friendly pickups.
The six cylinder Nissan Frontier can achieve a solid 17 mpg when packaged up with the either transmission, or drive-train. That’s right, it doesn’t matter which model of the 4.0 Frontier you choose, you’re looking at exactly the same EPA numbers: 16 mpg city, and 20 mpg highway. That V6 gets 261 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. The V6 Frontier starts at $22,620 and while it’s not the most fuel efficient, most powerful, or cheapest car on this list, it does offer a nice balance of the three.
Tied at fourth place is the Toyota Tundra. The full size pickup has been known to be tough as nails, but with 18 mpg combined, it seems to be among the fuel-sippers of full-size pickups. The model that gets such good fuel economy will obviously be the 2WD, but it still packs 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque. It also gets 16 mpg in the city, and 20 mpg in the highway. This, the lowest trim of the Tundra, starts at $24,435
Tied with the 4.0L Tundra is the Ford F-150 decked out with the EcoBoost engine. The F-150 eeks out 18 mpg, which may not seem like a lot. However, when you take a look at the power numbers you’ll see why the EcoBoost is so significant. Netting 365hp and 420lb-ft or torque is really something when you can get such modest fuel-economy numbers at 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway
Sitting in a three way tie for third place comes the Toyota Tacoma with the 4.0L V6. The Automatic, 2WD equipped Tacoma can get a solid 17 mpg in the city, 21 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in combined driving conditions. Pair that with it’s 236hp and 266lb-ft of torque, and this Tacoma can help you get work done in a hurry. While this version of the Tacoma isn’t the most fuel efficient (look for its smaller engine brother in this list) it still has something to be proud of. Pricing for this model starts at $22,760
Appearing for a second time in our most fuel-friendly pickup trucks is the Ford F-150. When equipped with the 3.7L V6, you can get another mile per gallon compared to the EcoBoost version. The EPA numbers are 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. You will have to deal with lower power and torque numbers than the EcoBoost, at just 302 hp and 278lb-ft of torque. These are the sacrifices one has to make in order to get a combined 19 mpg.
The only inline-5 cylinder engine on the list is also among one of the most fuel efficient. The Colorado/Canyon’s 3.7L gets 242hp and 242 lb-ft torque all the while bringing back a combined 19mpg. That’s not bad for a the highly optionable trucks that starts at $26,160. The Chevy/ GMC numbers are quite nice on the highway across the board here: 17 mpg in the city, and 23 mpg on the highway.
If you thought the inline-5 version of the Colorado/Canyon was efficient, wait until you see the numbers on the 2.9L Inline-4. Although it has just 185 hp and 190 lb-ft. of torque it rewards patient drivers with 21mpg. Where the 2.9L really shines is the highway, getting 25mpg. That number alone really makes it a great option, but its 18 mpg in the city means that theres better options in this list for city drivers. The Colorado/Canyon is just $17,475 for the 2WD version, so if you can bear the relatively low power and torque numbers, you’ve got a handy, efficient pickup
The Nissan Frontier shares quite a lot with the Suzuki Equator, including it’s 2.5L four-cylinder engine. The frugal four achieves 19 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway, and a combined 21 mpg which is good enough to make it into a three-way tie in this list. For $18,740 (for the Nissan Frontier) and $17,899 (For the Suzuki Equator) you get a 152 hp, 171lb-ft of torque go-getter.
The most expensive pickup on our list is good enough for a close second place here. The $39,640 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra Hybrid, achieves quite a lot in the world of pick ups. Not only is the hybrid is likely to be the quietest pickup, it can also achieve a combined 21 mpg in either 2WD or 4WD versions. City economy is particularly nice for a full-sized pickup, at 20 mpg although 23 mpg on the highway isn’t anything to scoff about either.
The small engine version of the Toyota Tacoma takes home the trophy today. Earning a combined 22mpg this small pickup starts at $16,875. That’s just for the 2WD version, which has an outstanding (for a pickup) 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. There may be more powerful options in this list, since the Tacoma only has 159 hp, and 180 lb-ft. of torque, but nothing is as fuel-friendly as this Tacoma.
Sami has an unquenchable thirst for car knowledge and has been at AutoGuide for the past six years. He has a degree in journalism and media studies from the University of Guelph-Humber in Toronto and has won multiple journalism awards from the Automotive Journalist Association of Canada. Sami is also on the jury for the World Car Awards.
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The vehicle I want is the Homer. Great gas mileage 4 cylinder off road and trailer package with back up camera.
Anybody have any thoughts about the Mazda b-3000 pickups? It seems to be a forgotten truck.