What Are the Best MPG Pickup Trucks?
What Truck Shoppers Need to Know
- Recent volatility in fuel prices has made fuel economy a growing concern among all car shoppers — pickup-truck buyers included.
- Cars.com has compiled this list of the 10 most fuel-efficient new pickup trucks by specific trim level and configuration.
- Choosing a smaller pickup (that still suits your needs), a hybrid powertrain or a two-wheel-drive model can save you money at the gas pump.
Pickup-truck buyers have traditionally been more concerned with things like towing and payload capacity than fuel economy, but recent price volatility and rising costs have drivers of all vehicles trying to avoid additional pain at the pump. To make searching easier, we’ve put together the following list of the most fuel-efficient trucks you can buy as of July 2026.
Related: Pickup Truck Buying Guide: How Much Truck Do You Need?
Not surprisingly, our list includes smaller compact and subcompact pickups, plus ones with hybrid or diesel powertrains (all-electric pickups have been excluded given they never take fuel in the first place). But thanks to manufacturers’ ongoing efforts to maximize efficiency in trucks as well as cars and SUVs, you’ll find mid- and full-size pickups from all of the major manufacturers on our list — just keep in mind that trims and powertrains delivering the best fuel economy are not always the least expensive versions.
10 Best MPG Pickup Trucks
1. 2026 Ford Maverick XL
2. (Tie) 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT
2. (Tie) 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation
2. (Tie) 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz SE
5. 2026 Ford F-150 STX
6. (Tie) 2026 Toyota Tacoma SR
6. (Tie) 2026 Ford Ranger XL
8. (Tie) 2026 Ram 1500 Tradesman
8. (Tie) 2026 Toyota Tundra Limited
10. (Tie) 2026 Chevrolet Colorado WT
10. (Tie) 2026 Honda Ridgeline Sport
10. (Tie) 2026 Nissan Frontier S
Remember also that many factors contribute to fuel efficiency, including your driving style, how and where you use your truck, and how it’s equipped. Towing, hauling and off-roading will all affect gas mileage. Aftermarket oversize wheels and tires may look great, but those will also cost you. Our estimates are all based on EPA mileage estimates for stock vehicles equipped exactly as noted below; your mileage, as the saying goes, may vary.
1. 2026 Ford Maverick XL
- Price: $29,990 (including $1,845 destination fee)
- Combined fuel economy: 38 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Ford Maverick: The EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine is again available with front-wheel drive after being offered only with all-wheel drive in 2025. Other changes are limited to trim-level equipment shuffling.
One of just two compact pickups sold in the U.S., the Ford Maverick has been a hit with buyers since it arrived for 2022. The winning combination pairs a 4.5-foot cargo bed with a four-door cab and seating for five, wrapped up in an affordable and fuel-efficient package that’s easy to handle and park. For the best fuel mileage, skip the base 250-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and go with the 191-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain that’s available in the XL, XLT and Lariat trims. With its standard FWD and continuously variable automatic transmission, the hybrid Maverick earns an EPA-estimated 38 mpg combined.
2026 Ford Maverick Specs and Reviews | Shop for a 2026 Ford Maverick Near You
2. (Tie) 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT
- Price: $53,740 (including $2,795 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 25 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Changes for 2026 are limited to minor tweaks to trims and packaging.
Proving that you don’t have to give up the utility of a full-size pickup in order to get decent mileage, the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 earns a spot on our list of the 10 most fuel-efficient trucks you can buy. To get a Silverado with the best fuel mileage, go with the LT trim, rear-wheel drive and the available turbo-diesel 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission. When so equipped, the EPA says the Silverado is good for 25 mpg in combined driving.
2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Specs and Reviews | Shop for a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Near You
2. (Tie) 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation
- Price: $56,335 (including $2,795 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 25 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500: For 2026, changes to the Sierra 1500 are limited to two new exterior colors.
Like its Chevrolet Silverado counterpart, the full-size GMC Sierra 1500 is available with a turbo-diesel 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, which is the way to go to optimize fuel economy. When matched with standard RWD, the combination returns the same EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined as the Chevy, easily besting other full-size pickups. In addition to impressive fuel economy, the GMC provides all the benefits of a full-size truck, including a standard bed and a spacious cabin with room for up to six occupants.
2026 GMC Sierra 1500 Specs and Reviews | Shop for a 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 Near You
2. (Tie) 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz SE
- Price: $31,350 (including $1,600 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 25 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz: Changes for 2026 include a newly available Terrain Mode, plus a new eight-speed automatic transmission for the XRT and Limited trims.
More like an SUV with a small cargo bed than a conventional pickup, the Hyundai Santa Cruz delivers a more comfortable driving experience than many trucks, but its ability to haul loads and its 3,500-pound towing capacity give it some real utility. The best combination for saving on fuel is to skip the available turbo engine and AWD, and stick with the base 191-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and FWD; that gets you an EPA-rated 25 mpg in combined city and highway driving.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Specs and Reviews | Shop for a 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Near You
5. 2026 Ford F-150 STX
- Price: $57,810 (including $2,795 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 24 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Ford F-150: RWD is now standard on three pricier trim levels: Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum.
Long a favorite not just with truck buyers but everyday drivers, as well, the full-size Ford F-150 is a versatile and capable choice that can also be good for those looking to save fuel — you just have to be careful navigating a variety of trims, powertrains and configurations. The most fuel-efficient setup is to skip the base XL trim and go with the STX. It’s the least expensive trim available with the hybrid powertrain, combining a turbo 3.5-liter V-6 with an electric motor. Matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission and RWD, the combination returns an EPA-rated 24 mpg combined.
2026 Ford F-150 Specs and Reviews | Shop for a 2026 Ford F-150 Near You
6. (Tie) 2026 Toyota Tacoma SR
- Price: $34,190 (including $1,745 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 23 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Toyota Tacoma: The Tacoma rolls into 2026 largely unchanged save for some minor equipment updates.
A longtime buyer favorite thanks to its combination of rugged reliability, off-road capability and solid long-term value, the Toyota Tacoma is a good choice for almost anyone who doesn’t need a full-size truck. The most fuel-efficient version is a base rear-drive SR, which comes with the base 228-hp, 2.4-liter four cylinder engine. (Most of the other 11 trims come with a more powerful version of the same engine.) When paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and RWD, the 2026 Tacoma SR earns an EPA-rated 23 mpg combined.
2026 Toyota Tacoma Specs and Reviews | Shop for a 2026 Toyota Tacoma Near You
6. (Tie) 2026 Ford Ranger XL
- Price: $35,445 (including $1,895 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 23 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Ford Ranger: The Ranger carries over into 2026 with no significant changes.
Redesigned for 2024, the Ford Ranger was improved with numerous updates and a higher starting price, and it remains a good choice for buyers needing something bigger than a Maverick but smaller than an F-150. Only one configuration is available, combining a 5-foot cargo bed with a four-door crew-cab layout with seating for five. The standard powertrain uses a 270-hp, turbo 2.3-liter four-cylinder with a 10-speed automatic transmission and RWD; that’s the combo to stick with for maximum fuel efficiency, good for an EPA-rated 23 mpg combined.
2026 Ford Ranger Specs and Reviews | Shop for a 2026 Ford Ranger Near You
8. (Tie) 2026 Ram 1500 Tradesman
- Price: $44,820 (including $2,795 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 22 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Ram 1500: The biggest update has the worst impact on fuel economy with the return of the Hemi V-8, but the Express and Black Express trims also return to the lineup.
Ram’s gone through some whiplash trying to cope with parent automaker Stellantis’ shifting strategies in recent years, and nothing’s more emblematic of that than the return of the gas-thirsty Hemi V-8. But there are three other engine options available, and the best among them for fuel economy is the reliable Pentastar V-6 with e-Torque available on the Tradesman, Express and Big Horn/Lone Star trims, which in 2WD form will net you a combined EPA rating of 22 mpg.
2026 Ram 1500 Specs and Reviews | Shop for a 2026 Ram 1500 Near You
8. (Tie) 2026 Toyota Tundra Limited
- Price: $60,755 (including $2,195 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 22 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Toyota Tundra: A tow hitch is now standard with all trims, and the Limited trim gets standard leather upholstery.
Like competing full-size models, the 2026 Toyota Tundra is available in a variety of cab configurations, bed lengths and trim levels, offering more than enough towing and hauling capability for most buyers along with plenty of comfort and convenience features. For the best fuel economy, go with a Tundra in Limited trim with the 437-hp, 3.4-liter V-6 hybrid powertrain and RWD. In this configuration, the Tundra earns an EPA-rated 22 mpg in combined city and highway driving.
2026 Toyota Tundra Specs and Reviews | Shop for a 2026 Toyota Tundra Near You
10. (Tie) 2026 Chevrolet Colorado WT
- Price: $34,495 (including $2,095 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 21 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado: The Colorado got a new special edition for 2026, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S.
Larger than a Ford Maverick or Hyundai Santa Cruz yet smaller than Chevrolet’s own Silverado or any full-size pickup, the mid-size Colorado is a good option for buyers looking to balance size, capability and budget. The Colorado is offered in one configuration: a four-door crew cab with a short cargo box. A variety of trims and options allow for plenty of customization, but go with the base WT trim and RWD for the best fuel economy. With the Colorado’s 310-hp, turbo 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission, the Colorado WT is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined.
2026 Chevrolet Colorado Specs and Reviews | Shop for a 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Near You
10. (Tie) 2026 Honda Ridgeline Sport
- Price: $42,290 (including $1,495 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 21 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Honda Ridgeline: Not much changes for the Ridgeline’s 20th anniversary except for a couple of color changes and modest price increases.
The mid-size Honda Ridgeline recently got confirmed for a third generation, but like the Hyundai Santa Cruz, the current truck that’s been around since the 2017 model year is renowned for its untrucklike manners and styling. All second-gen Ridgelines are powered by a 280-hp, 3.5-liter V-6, and almost every trim lands with combined fuel economy of 21 mpg combined (the TrailSport’s more rugged features penalize it 1 mpg).
2026 Honda Ridgeline Specs and Reviews | Shop for a 2026 Honda Ridgeline Near You
10. (Tie) 2026 Nissan Frontier S
- Price: $33,895 (including $1,745 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 21 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Nissan Frontier: Changes to the Frontier for 2026 are limited to tweaks to features and option packages.
One of the cheapest pickups you can buy, the Nissan Frontier undercuts mid-size competitors like the Chevrolet Colorado and Ford Ranger with a starting price that’s only a little more than the compact Ford Maverick or Hyundai Santa Cruz. All trims are powered by a 3.8-liter V-6, which is good for 310 hp and 281 pounds-feet of torque and paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a choice of standard RWD or available 4WD. In base S trim with RWD, the Frontier gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined.
2026 Nissan Frontier Specs and Reviews | Shop for a 2026 Nissan Frontier Near You
More on Pickup Trucks From Cars.com:
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- Here Are the 10 Cheapest Pickup Trucks You Can Buy Right Now
- 5 Questions for Finding the Best Pickup for You
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