5 best fuel efficient trucks – what trucks get the best gas mileage?

At Cochran Chevrolet, we understand that, although our eastern Ohio customers have been impacted by rising gas prices, they also rely on their pickup trucks for work, recreation, and household errands. And while pickup trucks haven’t always been known for their excellent fuel efficiency, fortunately, times are changing—so are engines. We’ve watched over the last few years as vehicle manufacturers have developed engines that feature advanced fuel-saving technologies, such as direct injection, turbocharging, and idle stop, not to mention hybrid engine technology.

Although electric pickups are hitting the market every year, not everyone wants to deal with range anxiety or install a vehicle charger in their home. So, if you’re curious about the most fuel-efficient gas-powered trucks you can find on the market during this model year, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled this list of five of the most fuel-efficient trucks, so you can enjoy gas mileage that’s gentle on your wallet while also benefiting from all the convenience a pickup truck has to offer.

2023 Honda Ridgeline

Not only is the 2023 Honda Ridgeline a highly rated pickup truck, praised for its roomy cabin and unibody construction, but it also boasts the most fuel-efficient V-6 engine in its class. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline achieves an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway for a combined total of 21 mpg. Equipped with a 19.5-gallon gas tank, you’ll get over 400 miles of range on a single tank.

While it’s fully capable of leaving gas stations in its dust, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline also packs a decent amount of power under its hood. The engine can achieve up to 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, and it has a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. Definitely not as brawny as the full-size pickups, but surely nothing to sneeze at.

2023 Ford Maverick Hybrid

This isn’t your auntie’s Prius. The 2023 Ford Maverick Hybrid is a powerful pickup truck that offers the highest fuel efficiency on this list, thanks to its standard 2.5-liter full-hybrid engine. Equipped with this engine, the Ford Maverick gets an impressive EPA-estimated 37 mpg combined. That means when the Maverick’s 13.8-gallon gas tank is topped off, you’ll be able to drive for over 500 miles before having to fill up again. Plus, because the 2022 model year offers the same fuel efficiency rating, you can save at the tank while also saving on a used Maverick.

If you want to save on gas and don’t need too much engine power, the 2023 Ford Maverick could be a good option. But for those who need more pull from their pickup, the Maverick might prove inadequate. The 2.5-liter hybrid engine outputs only 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque and provides a limited 4,000 pounds of maximum towing capacity.

2023 Chevrolet Colorado

This year marks the introduction of a new generation of Chevrolet Colorados. The new Chevrolet Colorado comes with an upgraded standard engine and eight-speed transmission that provides a slight increase to its fuel efficiency, as well as a redesigned body and interior. The EPA estimates that the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado, when equipped with two-wheel-drive and the standard 2.7-liter turbo inline-four engine, achieves 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. The four-wheel-drive version is slightly less efficient at an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.

What pickup truck enthusiasts are likely to love most is the fact that the 2023 Colorado offers respectable gas mileage while also providing best-in-class towing capacity for a midsize pickup. Equipped with a 2.7-liter turbo engine that outputs 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, the Colorado Z71 and Trail Boss trims can tug an impressive 7,700 pounds.

2023 GMC Sierra 1500 Diesel

While it’s a bit unconventional to talk about full-size pickup trucks with admirable fuel efficiency ratings, it’s not unheard of, especially when you consider going the diesel route. In fact, full-size diesel pickups can achieve better gas mileage ratings than some of their smaller competition.

The 2023 GMC Sierra Diesel, for example, has an available 3.0-liter Duramax turbo diesel engine that gets better gas mileage than the Ridgeline, with an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. And with a generous 24-gallon fuel tank, that translates to over 600 miles of driving range on a single tank. You could drive round-trip from Youngstown to Cincinnati, Ohio, without ever needing to fill up the tank.

2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Diesel

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 diesel also offers impressive gas mileage for a pickup truck of its size. Plus, for this model year, Chevy gave a boost to the Silverado’s optional Duramax diesel powertrain. The new and improved Duramax 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-six gets even more miles to the gallon than the 2023 GMC Sierra. The EPA has estimated that the 2023 Silverado 1500 can achieve 23 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. When combined, that’s an astounding range of over 650 miles on a single, 24-gallon tank of gas.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 diesel also packs a ton of power. The 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine can output 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque. When equipped properly, this beastly engine earns a praiseworthy maximum towing capacity of 13,300 pounds and a maximum payload of 2,260 pounds. That’s an impressive combination of engine power and efficiency sure to satisfy truck owners who use their pickups for tough work but don’t want to kiss their paychecks goodbye at the pump.

Whatever type of truck you’re looking for, whether it be a gas-sipping hybrid or a respectably rated towing machine, our friendly team at #1 Cochran  can help you find what you’re looking for. Not only do we have a wide inventory of used vehicles from all kinds of manufacturers, but we also have a vast stock of new Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC vehicles.

When you’re ready to check out some powerful pickups or any other type of vehicle your family needs, stop on over to #1 Cochran Chevrolet in Youngstown, OH, where our staff will be happy to help you find the perfect car for you.

Image by Kenny Eliason is licensed with the unsplash license