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Some of the most fuel-efficient pickup trucks available today provide better fuel economy than most people think possible. Not all trucks have to cost a fortune at the pump. 

Modern pickup trucks come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from lightweight, compact models to hybrid powertrains to turbodiesel options that don’t have to break the bank.

To help you better determine the average fuel cost of owning a pickup truck, we have assembled a list of 2023’s most fuel-efficient pickup trucks using an EPA-estimated combined rating to compare gas mileage and sorting the trucks by the U.S. Department of Energy’s estimated annual fuel cost.

9(tie). 2023 Ram 1500

The 2023 Ram 1500 4WD with a 3.0-liter, six-cylinder turbodiesel engine, combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission, gets approximately 24 mpg for city and highway driving combined.

Average annual fuel cost: $2,800

9(tie). 2023 Jeep Gladiator

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel 4WD pickup truck gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined city/hwy rating for the 3.0-liter, six-cylinder turbodiesel engine paired with an eight-speed transmission.

Average annual fuel cost: $2,800

7(tie). 2023 GMC Sierra 1500

With a 3.0-liter, six-cylinder turbodiesel engine paired with an automatic 10-speed transmission, the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 2WD achieves an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 26 mpg combined city/hwy.

The 4WD configuration gets 24 mpg, with an average annual fuel cost of $2,800 and an estimated driving range of 576 miles. 

Average annual fuel cost: $2,550

7(tie). 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 2WD is the most fuel-efficient diesel-powered pickup truck available, offering 26 mpg combined city/hwy with a total driving range of 624 miles. This EPA-estimated rating is based on the configuration that includes a 3.0-liter, six-cylinder turbodiesel engine paired with an automatic 10-speed transmission.

The 4WD variant achieves a combined rating of 24 mpg combined city/hwy with a slightly higher average annual fuel cost of $2,800.

Average annual fuel cost: $2,550

6. 2023 Chevrolet Colorado

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado 2WD achieves 22 mpg combined city/hwy with a 2.7-liter, four-cylinder gas-powered engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Average annual fuel cost: $2,450

4(tie). 2023 Ford Ranger

The 2023 Ford Ranger 2WD, equipped with a 2.3-liter, four-cylinder turbo engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 23 mpg combined city/hwy.

The 4WD has an estimated rating of 22 mpg combined city/hwy and an estimated driving range of 396 miles.

Average annual fuel cost: $2,350

4(tie). 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz FWD gets 23 mpg combined city/hwy from a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder, gas-powered engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The driving range is approximately 407 miles.

The AWD variant offers the same capabilities.

Average annual fuel cost: $2,350

3. 2023 Ford Maverick HEV

The 2023 Ford Maverick HEV FWD gas-powered hybrid pickup truck utilizes a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder EcoBoost engine paired with an automatic transmission with variable gear ratios to generate 162 hp. The estimated driving range is 511 miles, with a combined fuel economy rating of 37 mpg city/hwy.

Average annual fuel cost: $1,450

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning 4WD extended-range electric pickup truck offers a 320-mile driving range, achieving an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 70 MPGe combined city/hwy.

The Platinum 4WD edition has a slightly lower driving range of 300 miles, with a combined 66 MPGe city/hwy fuel economy rating.

Average annual fuel cost: $1,000

1. 2023 Rivian R1T

The U.S. Department of Energy rates the 2023 Rivian R1T as the most fuel-efficient electric pickup truck of the year, offering 78 MPGe combined city/hwy with a total range of 352 miles. The Rivian R1T pickup truck features a part-time four-wheel drive with a 418kW battery that powers the electric motor and 21-inch dual large tires.

Average annual fuel cost: $900

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