The 10 Trucks With the Best Fuel Economy for 2022

You needn't sacrifice utility for efficiency.

Sami Haj-Assaad | 

Jul 20, 2022 | 5 min read

Ford

Though they appeal to the masses for their versatility and capability, pickup trucks tend to have a significant appetite for fuel. With gas and diesel prices creeping up, it may pay off to pay attention to mileage estimates when shopping for your next bedded vehicle.

When it comes to efficiency figures, and the EPA, the most impressive numbers come from electric vehicles (EVs). Though incredibly efficient, (the 2022 Rivian R1T, for instance, gets a combined 70 MPGe) EVs and their limitations mean they may not be ideal for every buyer. We instead focused on trucks that provide a traditional ownership, and refueling, experience.

Here are the 2022 trucks with the best fuel economy for sale without a charging port.

Ford

1. Ford Maverick Hybrid

37 mpg

While the Ford Maverick isn’t as big, powerful, or capable as other trucks on this list, it takes the top spot for fuel economy. With its base hybrid powertrain and front-wheel drive (FWD), the compact pickup delivers a combined 37 mpg, according to the EPA. Ford offers all-wheel drive (AWD), but with that option comes a traditional (non-hybrid), turbocharged, four-cylinder and a poorer fuel-economy showing of 25 mpg combined. Towing capacity for the hybrid is 2,000 lbs, while the less-efficient turbocharged engine doubles that figure to 4,000 lbs.

Ram

2. Ram 1500 Diesel

26 mpg

If you’re looking for a half-ton truck with decent mileage, you may want to consider diesel power. The Ram 1500 with the 260-hp EcoDiesel V6 returns an impressive 26 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive (RWD). Those seeking more power can opt for a gas-powered six- or eight-cylinder engine, but these are less efficient, seeing at best 23 mpg and 20 mpg, respectively. Besides, with 480 lb.-ft. of torque, the diesel-equipped 1500 can tow up to 12,560 pounds, which is more than enough for most people. Take note, however, that hitching anything to the rear end will surely take a toll on fuel economy.

Chevrolet

3. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Diesel

26 mpg

There’s more than one diesel-powered truck with the best fuel economy in town, of course. Truck shoppers can get a turbo-diesel inline-six in the Chevrolet Silverado, too, and see up to 26 mpg combined. That EPA estimate is on par with the Ram’s, but the Silverado fares slightly worse on the highway, returning 31 mpg while its competitor sees 33. On the plus side, this Chevy can tow more than 13,000 pounds when properly configured.

GMC

4. GMC Sierra 1500 Diesel

26 mpg

The diesel-powered GMC Sierra performs just as well as the Silverado in combined fuel economy—as you’d expect, given that the two are mechanically identical. It’s 1 mpg less efficient on the highway, though; we suspect that’s because GMC offers more premium trimmings and equipment, which add weight and impact fuel economy.

Ford

5. Ford F-150 Hybrid

25 mpg

The Maverick isn’t the only Ford truck with a hybrid. The half-ton F-150 offers one, too. With the hybrid powertrain and RWD, the full-size pickup sees 25 mpg combined, the best fuel economy in the F-150 family apart from the electric Lightning. This is 3 mpg better than what a 2.7L EcoBoost V6 model earns. The hybrid is powerful, as well: Its 430-horsepower rating is second only to that of the high-performance, off-road-oriented Raptor, which, with 16 mpg combined, is far from fuel-friendly.

Jeep

6. Jeep Gladiator Diesel

24 mpg

Truck buyers can bomb around on an off-road trail and still see decent fuel economy with the Jeep Gladiator, at least when it’s equipped with the EcoDiesel six-cylinder. This is the same 260-hp engine offered in the Ram 1500—albeit with less torque—and with it, the 4WD-only Gladiator achieves up to 24 mpg combined. The only downside to this choice is the Jeep’s more modest towing capacity: The most the diesel model can pull is 6,500 pounds.

Chevrolet

7. Chevrolet Colorado Diesel

23 mpg

The Chevrolet Colorado is available with a 181-hp, turbocharged, four-cylinder diesel. With this engine, the mid-size truck achieves 23 mpg combined with RWD and 22 mpg with 4WD. The gas-powered versions aren’t far behind in fuel economy, with RWD models capable of 22 mpg combined and 4WD Colorados, 21 mpg.

GMC

8. GMC Canyon Diesel

23 mpg

The mechanical twin of the Colorado, the Canyon also offers GM’s turbo-diesel and sees up to 23 mpg combined. This engine, which puts out 369 lb.-ft. of torque and is good for a tow rating of up to 7,700 pounds, seemingly does more with less; the diesel-powered Gladiator makes 442 lb.-ft. and can’t tow nearly as much weight as this Canyon.

Hyundai

9. Hyundai Santa Cruz

23 mpg

A newcomer to the world of pickups, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is based on the Hyundai Tucson compact crossover. Its unibody construction affords the truck several benefits, including decent fuel economy for a truck. It achieves 23 mpg combined with a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine and FWD or AWD. However, the Santa Cruz is limited in how much it can tow, with non-turbo models managing just 3,500 pounds. Those with the optional boosted four and AWD can tug 5,000 pounds, but they perform a little worse in fuel economy, with 22 mpg combined.

Ford

10. Ford Ranger

23 mpg

In RWD guise, the Ford Ranger returns 23 mpg thanks to its turbocharged, four-cylinder engine. That’s a significant drop from the smaller Maverick pickup, but the Ranger is far more capable, boasting a max tow rating of 7,500 pounds. (The Maverick Hybrid can tug only 2,000 pounds.)

Sami Haj-Assaad

Sami Haj-Assaad is an award-winning automotive journalist who has contributed to several automotive, electric vehicle, luxury lifestyle, and technology publications. His work isn't just limited to the written word, as he's also hosted YouTube videos and podcasts. Having grown up in the '90s, he has a strong sense of attachment to that era's style, though he also loves to geek out about the modern, futuristic tech and powertrains rolling out today.