Trucks With the Best Gas Mileage in 2023

As SUVs and pickup trucks continue to outsell cars, many buyers are looking for a better combination of rugged looks, larger size, and more capability, but without the outrageous fuel bills.

We’ve compiled a list of the most fuel-efficient trucks on the market for the 2023 model year, including full-size pickup trucks, midsize trucks, and a couple of small trucks.

We ranked each truck only in its most efficient form to avoid repeats of the same model in different configurations. Be sure to check fueleconomy.gov for official ratings. Compare trucks with the exact specs you need to make sure you get the best truck for you, with the best fuel economy.

1. 2023 Ford Maverick
2. 2023 GMC Sierra 1500
3. 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500
4. 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid
5. 2023 Jeep Gladiator
6. 2023 Ram 1500
7. 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
8. 2023 Ford Ranger
9. 2023 Toyota Tundra
10. 2023 Toyota Tacoma

1. 2023 Ford Maverick

Up to 37 Combined MPG

The Ford Maverick gets extremely impressive fuel mileage and is a useable little truck. For buyers who do not need the utility of a larger truck, the Maverick provides economy car fuel mileage with a healthy dose of capability, even in its most efficient trim.

The Maverick offers the best fuel mileage of any truck with EPA estimated mileage of 33 MPG highway, 40 in the city, and 37 on the combined testing cycle. At a base price of $23,690, the Maverick is also the least expensive entry into the truck market in the U.S.

Even in its base trim with the hybrid engine, the Ford Maverick offers an acceptable towing capacity of 2000 pounds and an impressive 1500 pounds of payload capacity. The hybrid powertrain is only available in front-wheel drive. This will limit off-road potential as well as winter weather traction.

Power comes from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 191 horsepower paired with a CVT transmission. The Ford Maverick would make a great truck for city dwellers worried about parking and navigating tighter spaces, but who still need much of the capability of a modern pickup truck.

At this level of fuel efficiency and price point, the Maverick is also a great fit for any buyer who wants a new car at a relatively low cost. It could easily be cross-shopped with compact sedans like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, not just against its closest competitor, the Hyundai Santa Cruz. Opting for all-wheel drive and the more powerful engine upgrades capability and still offers 24 MPG combined.

Browse 2023 Ford Maverick listings here.

2. 2023 GMC Sierra 1500

Up to 26 Combined MPG

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 is a full-size truck that gets up to 29 MPG on the highway, 24 MPG city, and 26 MPG combined. To get this level of fuel economy, the truck must be optioned with the 3.0-liter six-cylinder Duramax diesel engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

This also means the base trim level is off the table. To get the best available fuel economy at the lowest MSRP, select the SLE trim with rear-wheel drive and add the diesel engine and you will be looking at a price tag of a little over $55,000 including destination fees, but before any additional options.

Though that is a high price, this is a real truck. SLE trim includes a double cab, a standard-length bed, and some nice features like a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, heated front seats, and a 13.4-inch infotainment system.

The engine has 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque. The lowest towing capacity for the model is 8,700 pounds and the payload is at least 1,320 pounds depending on the configuration and other options. Buyers whose main concern is getting the most fuel-efficient full-size truck should consider the Sierra with its economical diesel engine option.

Browse 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 listings here.

3. 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Up to 26 Combined MPG

The Chevy Silverado shares much with its corporate cousin, the GMC Sierra, including the efficient diesel straight-six engine and 10-speed transmission. This means the Silverado matches the Sierra in power, torque, and fuel economy. Despite what you might expect from the Diesel engine, the Duramax-equipped Silverado does well in rankings and reviews for its quiet and refined operation.

When equipped with the Max Trailering Package, 20-inch wheels, two-wheel drive, and the right bed and cab configuration the turbo-diesel can tow up to 13,300 pounds. Payload is also impressive at 1870 to 2280 depending on options. Like the Sierra, the Silverado is not available in base trims with a more efficient motor, and buyers will have to step up to at least LT trim to option the fuel-sipping diesel.

This means a base price in the $55,000 area, but equipment like 13.4-inch touchscreen infotainment, keyless entry and start, chrome exterior trim, and a standard trailering package with hitch guidance. Interestingly, the Sierra and Silverado offer better available MPG than their smaller siblings the GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado.

Browse 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 listings here.

4. 2023 Ford F-150 2WD Hybrid

Up to 25 Combined MPG

The best-selling vehicle in America can also be configured to be one of the trucks with the best gas mileage in the country. Ford’s PowerBoost hybrid powertrain consists of a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine and a 35 kW electric motor paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The EPA estimates the hybrid F-150 gets 25 MPG in all three phases of testing, highway, city, and combined. This represents about 20 percent better fuel economy than the next best MPG configuration in the F-150 lineup, the EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6.

Despite its efficiency, the hybrid powertrain is no slouch with a total output of 430 horsepower and 570 lb-ft of torque. Maximum payload and towing for the hybrid F-150 are also impressive with up to 12,700 pounds of towing capacity and 2120 pounds of payload capacity.

Unlike the efficient powertrains from Chevy and GMC, the hybrid is available on work truck grade trims, but can only be optioned on XL trim level when optioned with the crew cab configuration. In this configuration, the hybrid powertrain adds $4,495 to the base price, for an MSRP of $43,180 including destination and acquisition fees, but no other optional equipment.

Browse 2023 Ford F-150 2WD Hybrid listings here.

5. 2023 Jeep Gladiator

Up to 24 Combined MPG

The Jeep Gladiator is the first model in this fuel-efficient pickup lineup to make the cut, while also coming equipped with standard four-wheel drive. This midsize pickup offers diesel-powered MPGs to compete with other trucks, even when offering 4WD.

The EcoDiesel V6 lacks the refinement of the offerings in the full-size GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado, but no other midsize pickup on the market currently offers a diesel engine. The 3.0-liter engine makes 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque.

Towing capacity is at least 4000 pounds and payload is at least 1100 pounds depending on the configuration. Fuel efficiency is EPA estimated at 28 MPG highway, 22 city, and 24 combined, tied with the AWD Ford Maverick in each category for best fuel economy for a truck powering all four wheels.

Besides its good fuel economy, the Jeep Gladiator is built for real offroad driving, with standard Dana 44 axles, heavy-duty transmission, and the aforementioned four-wheel drive. The Gladiator also has some obvious features no other truck on this list possesses, like a removable top.

Opting for the Gladiator with higher MPG ratings means selecting Overland trim or higher, and paying an additional $4650. Buyers considering the Jeep Gladiator, but wanting a few more miles out of every gallon should think about opting for the diesel engine.

Browse 2023 Jeep Gladiator listings here.

6. 2023 Ram 1500

Up to 24 Combined MPG

Though Ram plans to discontinue the diesel engine in the Ram 1500, it is in production until sometime in 2023 and may still be found on dealer lots for now. If you can find one, it is still one of the most fuel-efficient full-size pickups on the market for the 2023 model year. Check under the hood of Tradesman trim or higher for the diesel engine, and make sure it is combined with two-wheel drive, to get the most efficient model.

The engine makes an impressive 260 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. In one test the EcoDiesel outperformed the fuel mileage of an otherwise identically specced Ram 1500 optioned with the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 by between 25 and 30 percent. That significant difference may help justify the additional $4,995 cost of upgrading. Ram had initially expected to discontinue the diesel option in January of 2023, but it is still on their website, so get one while you can.

Browse 2023 Ram 1500 listings here.

7. 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Up to 23 Combined MPG

The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a different kind of truck. Its closest competitors are the larger Honda Ridgeline and the smaller Ford Maverick, and it is a unibody compact pickup that emphasizes driving dynamics and comfort above its technical specs.

When equipped with front-wheel drive the Santa Cruz gets EPA estimated fuel economy of 26 MPG highway, 22 city, and 23 MPG in combined testing. These numbers are somewhat disappointing when compared to the trucks ranking above, but the Santa Cruz starts at just $27,035 and is most efficient in its least costly configuration. You won’t be paying extra for a premium engine with improved fuel economy.

The Santa Cruz is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In this configuration, it can tow up to 3500 pounds.

Where the Santa Cruz really shines is in interior build quality and comfort. The standard four-door crew cab has good room for front and rear passengers. The bed is short at four feet long, but the Santa Cruz is a great option for those who occasionally need a light-duty truck, but don’t want to sacrifice in daily driving comfort.

Browse 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz listings here.

8. 2023 Ford Ranger

Up to 23 Combined MPG

The Ford Ranger is powered by a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 270 horsepower. Though you may expect better fuel economy from such a small engine, the Ranger offers better fuel economy and a higher maximum payload and towing capacity than the Nissan Frontier or Toyota Tacoma.

A properly configured Ranger can tow up to 7500 pounds. For the most efficient configuration, look for two-wheel drive models with 26 MPG highway, 21 city, and 23 combined MPG.

The Ranger comes in an extended cab with seating for four and a six-foot bed or crew cab with seating for five and a five-foot bed. In base XL trim the Ranger is a spartan environment, but that keeps the price low with a base MSRP of $28,895. Overall the Ranger offers an excellent combination of price, capability, and efficiency. A fully redesigned Ranger is coming for the 2024 model year, so buyers looking at the Ranger may want to wait and see what the new model will have to offer.

Browse 2023 Ford Ranger listings here.

9. 2023 Toyota Tundra

Up to 22 Combined MPG

The Toyota Tundra is most effective when configured with rear-wheel drive and the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain. This drivetrain consists of a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine, electric motor, and 10-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid Tundra makes 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. Maximum towing capacity is 12,000 pounds depending on other options and payload capacity is up to 1940 pounds.

Because the most efficient powertrain is also the top optional powertrain, the Tundra starts at $56,710 in its least expensive hybrid trim. The fuel economy of 24 MPG highway, 20 city, and 22 combined is a bit disappointing at this high price, but the 2023 Tundra compares favorably to the previous generation which got 17 MPG highway, 13 city, and 15 combined. Toyota trucks are making moves in the right direction when it comes to fuel efficiency.

Browse 2023 Toyota Tundra listings here.

10. 2023 Toyota Tacoma

Up to 21 Combined MPG

Speaking of outdated Toyota designs, we arrive at the last truck on our list, the Toyota Tacoma. The current generation of Tacoma has been on the market since 2016 and has had a few significant changes since. The most economical version of the Tacoma is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine making a wheezy 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque.

When paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive the Tacoma gets EPA estimated fuel economy of 23 MPG highway, 20 city, and 21 combined. Between the low power figures and middling fuel economy, it is difficult to recommend the current iteration of the Tacoma.

Buyers considering a base model Tacoma are likely looking for a simple truck that they can expect to run forever. We would recommend buyers wait for the reveal of the expected all-new Tacoma for the 2024 model year, before committing to the current generation. Expected improvements include a more modern powertrain with both improved fuel economy and more power.

Browse 2023 Toyota Tacoma listings here.