What Is the Most Fuel-Efficient Pickup Truck for 2025?

The most fuel-efficient pickup truck for the 2025 model year is the Ford Maverick hybrid, achieving an EPA-estimated 38 MPG combined. For drivers prioritizing fuel economy, the current market offers compelling options across gas, diesel, hybrid, and electric powertrains. This guide breaks down the top contenders in each category, using official EPA ratings to help you find the right balance of efficiency and capability for your needs. It's important to remember that real-world fuel economy, or "your mileage may vary," is influenced by driving habits, terrain, and payload.

What Is the Most Fuel-Efficient Gas Pickup Truck?

For buyers not ready to adopt electrification, traditional gasoline engines still deliver impressive efficiency, especially in smaller truck segments.

The Best: Ford Maverick, 25 MPG combined (AWD) While renowned for its hybrid variant, the gas-powered Maverick holds its own. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (an engine that uses a turbine to force more air into the combustion chamber, increasing power and efficiency) produces 238 horsepower. Paired with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD), it earns an EPA-estimated 25 MPG combined. Based on the Ford Escape SUV platform, this compact truck offers a maximum towing capacity of 4,000 pounds.

Other Top Contenders:

• Hyundai Santa Cruz, 25 MPG combined (FWD): The Maverick's only direct competitor, the Santa Cruz uses a 191-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. All-wheel-drive models are rated at 24 MPG combined.
• Best Mid-Size: Ford Ranger & Toyota Tacoma, 23 MPG combined (RWD): The base models of these two trucks, both using turbocharged four-cylinder engines, lead the mid-size segment. Adding four-wheel drive (4WD) reduces these ratings to 22 MPG and 21 MPG, respectively.
• Best Full-Size: Ford F-150 & Ram 1500, 21 MPG combined (RWD): The most efficient gas-powered full-size trucks outperform some mid-size models. The F-150 achieves this with its turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 engine.

What Is the Most Fuel-Efficient Diesel Pickup Truck?

Diesel engines are renowned for high torque and efficiency, particularly under heavy loads like towing. For 2025, one manufacturer dominates the light-duty diesel segment.

The Best: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 / GMC Sierra 1500, 26 MPG combined (RWD) General Motors (GM) offers a turbocharged 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six diesel engine that produces 305 horsepower and a robust 495 pound-feet of torque, enabling a maximum towing capacity of up to 13,300 pounds. This powertrain, coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission, achieves up to 26 MPG combined in rear-wheel-drive configurations. Even with 4WD (24 MPG combined), it remains more efficient than any other non-electric full-size truck.

What Is the Most Fuel-Efficient Hybrid Pickup Truck?

Hybrid trucks use a combination of a gasoline engine and an electric motor to maximize fuel economy without the need for plug-in charging, making them ideal for a wide range of drivers.

The Best: Ford Maverick, 38 MPG combined (FWD) The Ford Maverick hybrid is the undisputed leader in fuel efficiency for non-plug-in trucks. Its powertrain combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) (a transmission that provides a seamless range of gear ratios for optimal engine efficiency), producing 191 horsepower. For 2025, an AWD version is available, rated at 37 MPG combined.

Other Top Contenders:

• Best Mid-Size: Toyota Tacoma Hybrid, 23 MPG combined (4WD): The redesigned Tacoma offers a powerful i-Force Max hybrid system generating 326 horsepower and a 6,000-pound towing capacity.
• Best Full-Size: Ford F-150 PowerBoost, 23 MPG combined (4WD): This hybrid pairs a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 with an electric motor for a total of 430 horsepower, offering full-size capability with enhanced efficiency.

What Is the Most Fuel-Efficient Electric Pickup Truck?

Electric trucks are rated using MPGe (Miles Per Gallon Equivalent), a standard that converts electrical energy consumption into a familiar MPG format, where 33.7 kilowatt-hours of electricity equals one gallon of gasoline.

The Best: Rivian R1T, 87 MPGe Efficiency in an electric vehicle is crucial, as heavier battery packs can diminish range. The Rivian R1T Dual-Max with a 140-kWh battery pack is the current leader with an EPA rating of 87 MPGe and an estimated 420 miles of range. Its relatively lighter weight compared to rivals contributes to this high efficiency. It's important to note that the Tesla Cybertruck is classified as a heavy-duty vehicle by the EPA and does not receive an official MPGe rating.

Other Top Contenders:

• Chevrolet Silverado EV, 70 MPGe: Despite sharing battery technology with less efficient models, the Silverado EV achieves an impressive 422-mile range.
• Ford F-150 Lightning, 70 MPGe: With a 131-kWh battery pack, the Lightning has a 320-mile range but matches the Silverado EV's efficiency rating.

Which Fuel-Efficient Truck Is Right For You?

Choosing the most efficient truck depends entirely on your primary use case. Based on our assessment experience, here is a practical summary:

• For maximum fuel savings and daily commuting: The Ford Maverick Hybrid is the clear winner.
• For frequent towing and highway driving: The GM 3.0L Duramax Diesel offers the best combination of fuel economy and high-torque capability.
• For full-size capability with hybrid benefits: The Ford F-150 PowerBoost provides a strong balance.
• For zero-emissions driving and lower operating costs: The Rivian R1T is the most efficient electric pickup, assuming its range meets your needs.

Ultimately, you must weigh fuel economy against other critical factors like payload, towing requirements, and cabin space to make the best decision.