Which pickup trucks get the best fuel economy? Here are the tops for gas mileage (or diesel)

There's no denying that pickup trucks are an integral part of our culture. They've been instrumental in building our infrastructure and giving the public access to remote locations and myriad recreation activities. Trucks aren't known for being particularly fuel efficient though, with boxy silhouettes and considerable weight negatively affecting their gas mileage ratings. The times are changing and not only are trucks getting more economical, but there are also several new smaller alternatives.

What is the most fuel-efficient truck?

So what's the most fuel-efficient pickup truck on sale in the U.S? It depends on which class of trucks you're looking at. For this list, we're focusing only on internal-combustion trucks. The small crop of all-electric trucks are certainly worth considering, but it's not so easy comparing EVs to ICE trucks here. In most cases, these trucks are the two-wheel-drive versions since they return the best mileage, but there are a few four- or all-wheel-drive models that we call out.

Not surprisingly, the revival of the compact pickup has altered the truck landscape. In many cases, these petite trucks may be just the right size for many shoppers. That's great because most owners would rather not lug around a ton of weight that they don't necessarily need.

The simplest answer to the question posed above is the Ford Maverick Hybrid. It tops this list with an impressive 37-mpg EPA estimate for combined city and highway miles. With only 191 horsepower and a continuously variable transmission, it's not as capable off-road or for towing as other trucks, but if you just need something to haul stuff around, you really can't do any better. Its 4.5-foot bed has a slight advantage over its only rival, the Hyundai Santa Cruz, which has a 4-foot bed and an estimate of 23 mpg. So now we know what truck uses the least amount of gas.

• 2023 Ford Maverick

• 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain

• 37 mpg combined (EPA estimate)

What is the most fuel-efficient midsize truck?

Let's say you need more capabilities than small trucks offer. The growing midsize class is topped by the Jeep Gladiator and its 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 that is rated at 24 mpg. With standard four-wheel-drive, a 5-foot bed and a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds (that's triple what the Maverick can pull), the Gladiator is far more capable, though it's more focused on off-roading than typical truck duties. That makes the Jeep Gladiator the best 4x4 truck with good gas mileage. Or in this case, diesel fuel mileage. Note, however, that Jeep's EcoDiesel won't be around much longer as it is being phased out of the automaker's range for good.