As the cost of gasoline and diesel continues to rise, fuel efficiency has become an essential factor when choosing which truck to buy. Numerous factors affect a truck’s fuel efficiency, including engine size, weight, and aerodynamics. The most fuel efficient trucks in 2022 are worth considering if you’re in the market for a new truck but don’t want to get eaten alive by high fuel prices.
Let’s look at what a fuel efficient truck is, and then we’ll break out our list of the ten best fuel efficient trucks of 2022. Hop on board!
What Is Considered a Fuel Efficient Truck?
What is a fuel efficient truck? It depends on the vehicle’s size and class. A semi-truck is fuel efficient if it gets 6 miles per gallon while moving 70,000 lbs. However a small truck needs to get 25 miles per gallon to be considered efficient. Another factor to consider is weight. By weight, a semi-truck is far more fuel efficient than a Prius.
So, if you’re looking for the most fuel efficient truck, it depends on what you need to accomplish. If you’re hauling heavy loads, you will need to look at big truck numbers. However, if you’re only running around town, a smaller truck will do the job fine.
For the purpose of this article were going to stick to consumer vehicles.
Benefits of Using a Fuel Efficient Truck
There are many benefits to using a fuel-efficient truck. You’ll save money on fuel costs, but it also positively impacts the environment and your health by emitting less harmful emissions.
Save Money On Gas
Fuel efficiency has a direct impact on your bottom line. The less fuel your truck consumes, the less you’ll spend at the pump. This can add up to significant savings, especially if you do a lot of driving.
More Eco-Friendly
Fuel efficiency doesn’t just save you money; it also helps the environment. Fewer emissions mean less pollution, which is good for the planet and your local community. It’s a simple way of reducing your impact on the environment.
Spend Less Money Overall
Most fuel efficient trucks tend to have better acceleration and handling since they don’t have to lug around as much weight. You’ll not only save money on fuel, but you’ll also save on maintenance and repairs.
Join The Debate: We compared Diesel vs. Gas Trucks to decide which is better for towing? Can you guess who won?
How to Choose the Right Fuel Efficient Truck
Many factors go into choosing the most fuel efficient truck. The miles per gallon rating is crucial, but you also have to consider the size of the truck and some of its features. You want to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck, so it’s best to do your research before making a decision. Here are a few things to remember when choosing the most fuel efficient truck.
Miles per gallon rating: This is probably the most vital factor. Compare the mpg rating for city and highway driving, plus the overall combined rating. The higher the mpg, the less gas you’ll put in your tank and the more money you’ll save in the long run.
Size: Another factor is the size of the truck. A bigger truck will need more gas than a smaller one. But that doesn’t mean you have to get the smallest truck on the market. Pick a size that’s appropriate for your needs. Don’t get something too big or too small, and you’ll be fine.
Features: Certain features can help a truck be more fuel efficient. Things like aerodynamic design, low rolling resistance tires, and engine startups can affect how much gas your vehicle uses.
Choosing the most fuel efficient truck doesn’t have to be difficult if you know what to consider. Keep these things in mind, and you should find the perfect truck for your needs.
10 Best Fuel Efficient Trucks of 2022
Doing the research is half the battle when finding a truck that fits your needs. We’ve done our best to narrow your search by determining the ten best fuel efficient trucks in 2022. Most of these trucks are available in two or four-wheel drive versions and with varying cab and bed configurations. Navigate the list below to help find the best fuel efficient truck for you.
This is not a comprehensive list as there are other lighter-duty trucks that get great fuel efficiency, but we wanted to focus on trucks that can actually do some significant work for you.
Keep In Mind: The miles per gallon rating is generally the “up to” rating, so for different trims of the truck, there could be lower mpg ratings. Several factors affect mpg, including whether a truck is two or four-wheel drive, its powertrain make-up, its size and weight, and more.
#1 2022 Ram 1500
MPG: Up to 20 mpg city + 25 mpg highway
Special Features: The Ram 1500 comes in several trim packages to fit any taste and is highly focused on fuel efficiency. The powertrain ranges from a 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 engine with 260 horsepower to a 6.2L Supercharged HEMI V8 Engine with 702 horsepower.
About: Critics widely regard it for its leather-trimmed comfortable interior, spacious cabin, generous storage space, and excellent towing capacity. The towing capacity on the Ram 1500 ranges from about 7,700 pounds to 12,750 pounds. All of the 2022 trim packages come with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
#2 2022 GMC Canyon
MPG: Up to 20 mpg city + 30 mpg highway
Special Features: The GMC Canyon has made fuel efficiency a primary focus. It has a V6 engine with 275 horsepower and can tow up to 7,700 pounds, which makes it a rather powerful small truck.
About: It also has an eight-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The seats are comfortable, and there is plenty of legroom. The truck has a rear-view camera, push-button start, and remote start.
#3 2022 Toyota Tundra
MPG: Up to 18 mpg city + 23 mpg highway
Special Features: The 2022 Toyota Tundra is the first significant redesign in over a decade. Skipping many of the bells and whistles, it focuses more on fuel efficiency and useful everyday features. It comes in gas-only or hybrid V-6 powertrains, turbocharged, and paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
About: Though there aren’t many fancy excess features, the Tundra’s standard features include LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, and a spacious cabin with plenty of head and legroom. Towing capacity maxes out at about 12,000 pounds for the Tundra.
#4 Honda Ridgeline AWD
MPG: 18 mpg city + 24 mpg highway
Special Features: The Honda Ridgeline AWD is highly fuel efficient, considering that it comes standard with a V6 engine, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive.
About: The Honda Ridgeline has a unique bed design allowing for more space and versatility than traditional-sized trucks. It also has a spacious cabin seating up to five passengers, comes with Honda’s infotainment system, and employs active safety features.
#5 Ford Maverick
MPG: 40 mpg city + 30 mpg highway
Special Features: This truck is probably the most fuel-efficient gasoline truck on the market in 2022. The fuel efficiency also helps this truck achieve over 500 miles of range!
About: The Ford Maverick may be more of a crossover SUV with a truck bed than a heavy duty truck, but it boasts impressive fuel efficiency numbers. All Mavericks are hybrids and have stounding city fuel efficiency that makes them a great choice for suburban users.
#6 Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel 4×4
MPG: 22 mpg city + 28 mpg highway
Special Features: The 2022 Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel 4×4 is a fuel efficient version of the famous Jeep Gladiator. It features a 3.0L turbodiesel engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. It is the only open-air pickup truck in the industry.
About: Though it drives more like an SUV, this mid-size pick-up truck has a spacious cabin with plenty of room for luggage. The third-row seating is perfect for larger families, and it comes with an easy-to-use infotainment system with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
#7 Rivian R1T
MPG: ELECTRIC 74 mpg equivalent city + 66 mpg equivalent highway
Special Features: The Rivian R1T is the first all-electric pick-up truck. It is a sleek, futuristic-looking mid-size pick-up truck, rating with a range of 314 miles on a single charge. Being all-electric, it is one of the most fuel efficient pick-ups, but it comes with a price tag to match, starting at $67,500.
About: The R1T comes with an all-wheel drive system, a towing capacity of up to 11,000 pounds, and can go from 0 to 60 mph in just three seconds. It has eight modes, allowing drivers to adjust the ride height, suspension, pedal response, all-wheel drive, and more.
#8 2022 Nissan Titan
MPG: 16 mpg city + 21 mpg highway
Special Features: The 2022 Nissan Titan is another truck with a spotlight on fuel efficiency, despite its powerful 5.6L V8 engine. It has a nine-speed automatic transmission for smooth shifting and can tow upwards of 9,370 pounds.
About: The Titan has four trim packages, all with Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist semi-autonomous driver assistance system. This system can help brake, accelerate, and keep the Titan centered in its lane. The base model comes with a six-speed transmission and smaller tires.
#9 2022 Toyota Tacoma
MPG: 20 mpg city + 23 mpg highway
Special Features: The fuel-efficient 2022 Toyota Tacoma comes standard with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 159 horsepower and 180 pounds-per-foot of torque. The available 3.5-liter V-6 ups that to 278 horsepower and 265 pounds-per-foot of torque. Both engines have a six-speed automatic transmission.
About: The Toyota Tacoma is a mid-size pick-up available in two body styles: the extended cab and the crew cab. It has six trim levels. The TRD Off Road trim includes off-road suspension, skid plates, and 16-inch aluminum wheels with all-terrain tires.
#10 2022 Honda Ridgeline
MPG: 18 mpg city + 24 mpg highway
Special Features: The 2022 Honda Ridgeline is a pick-up that handles like an SUV. It has a 3.5L V6 engine giving it good fuel efficiency but lacks the towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
About: The Ridgeline is available with several bed and cabin configurations. It also comes with an infotainment system and an integrated navigation system. You’ll find various safety features, including front and rear airbags, lane departure warnings, and adaptive cruise control.
Pro Tip: Once you decide on what fuel efficient truck to buy, find out What Mods You Should Do to Your Truck First.
Is Buying a Fuel Efficient Truck Worth It?
The high fuel cost isn’t likely to go away soon, so buying a fuel efficient truck is worth the effort. With the strategies and details we’ve outlined, you know how to find the best option for you.
However, even the most fuel-efficient truck on the market isn’t going to be that efficient if its capabilities don’t match what you need. If you are doing city driving without towing a heavy load, one of the smaller, less powerful trucks might suit your needs fine, but if you are driving long distances and towing a heavy trailer, a truck with more power and a little lower mpg might be a better fit.
Match the truck to your needs, then narrow your search to vehicles that are a good fit before considering the bells and whistles you’d like to include. Happy shopping!
Which of the trucks on our list would best suit your needs? Tell us your favorite truck in the comments!
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Chad
Thursday 15th of December 2022
Why didn't the Ford F-150 Hybrid make the list? Also would love to see your evaluation of the 7.2 kW generator for powering a RV, can it replace a portable or on-board generator?