Pickups have long been associated with thirsty engines, yet hybrids, diesels and efficient gas V6 options are changing that picture. The list below collects 2026 models that earn strong combined mileage ratings in recent rankings from SlashGear, AOL and iSeeCars. Here are twelve of the most frugal choices for buyers who need a bed.
Read next on Morning Overview: New FCC rules on how people can stop robocalls and texts take effect Nov. 25
1. Ford Maverick: Hybrid Champion
SlashGear’s June 8, 2026 pickup mileage ranking says “The hybrid Maverick claims 38 MPG combined,” the best figure among non-electric pickups, with AWD offered.
The gas Maverick, by contrast, gets 26 mpg combined with front-wheel drive. That 12 mpg gap shows how much the hybrid choice matters for a small truck bought mainly for commuting. Because the Maverick is also offered in a front-wheel-drive gas version, the 38 mpg number applies to the hybrid and should not be read as the rating for every Maverick on a dealer lot.
2. Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Diesel Half-Ton
SlashGear says the diesel 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has “an estimated fuel efficiency of 25 MPG combined,” dropping to 24 MPG combined with 4WD in sport mode, according to its truck fuel economy list.
Few full-size pickups reach the mid-twenties, so the diesel is the efficiency choice in Chevrolet’s lineup. Drivers who tow or haul and still care about fuel stops get a rare combination here. The estimate comes from SlashGear’s June 2026 piece rather than an EPA table, so it is a published estimate that buyers should confirm against the window sticker.
3. GMC Sierra 1500: Duramax Sierra
The 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 with the 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel gets 25 MPG combined in the 2WD Turbo configuration, according to SlashGear’s June 2026 list of efficient pickups.
The figure applies to the two-wheel-drive version specifically, so four-wheel-drive buyers should expect something lower. It matches the Silverado diesel at 25 MPG, as both share the same engine. Hybrids and diesels dominate the top of this particular gallery, which underlines that engine choice, rather than body style, drives the biggest swings in truck mileage.
4. Hyundai Santa Cruz: Unibody Oddball
The unibody 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is rated 25 MPG combined, using the U.S. Department of Energy’s figures as quoted in a SlashGear fuel economy roundup.
Its car-based construction explains the efficiency edge over many truck-based rivals. Shoppers who want a small open bed, rather than serious hauling capability, may find the Santa Cruz a sensible fit. The source cites Department of Energy numbers, which gives the rating a government footing that many other estimates in this gallery lack, though it is quoted second-hand.
5. Toyota Tundra: Hybrid Tundra
AOL’s March 17, 2026 most-efficient truck ranking lists the 2026 Toyota Tundra Hybrid at 22 mpg combined, noting it follows the brand’s recipe of hybridization and bulletproof reliability.
A 22 mpg rating is respectable for a full-size truck. Owners who want a large pickup from a brand known for durability get a hybrid option without moving to a smaller model. The ranking was published in March 2026 and covers the 2026 model year, so it describes the current generation and not an older Tundra with a different drivetrain.
6. Ram 1500: Base V6 Ram
The 2026 Ram 1500 with the base 3.6-liter V6 is rated 22 mpg combined in AOL’s March 2026 list of fuel-efficient trucks, with a HEMI V8 optional.
AOL describes the V6’s efficiency as respectable. Buyers who skip the V8 can expect the better mileage, a trade-off worth weighing against towing needs before choosing an engine. The same AOL list is the source for several entries here, and its approach is to highlight engines with better mileage than the typical full-size gas-only truck.
7. Ford Ranger: Turbo Ranger
The 2026 Ford Ranger, with 270 hp, is rated 23 mpg combined in AOL’s March 2026 most-efficient truck list.
That output paired with the mileage figure makes the midsize Ranger a balanced choice. It sits level with the Tacoma Hybrid on this list, a useful comparison for buyers shopping the midsize segment. AOL’s list covers the 2026 model year and was published in March 2026, so the figure reflects the current Ranger and not a figure borrowed from an earlier edition.
8. Toyota Tacoma: All-Wheel Tacoma
The 2026 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid, with all-wheel drive standard, is rated 23 mpg combined in AOL’s March 2026 truck efficiency list.
Because AWD comes standard rather than as an extra, the rating reflects a drivetrain many truck owners want anyway. It ties the Ranger at 23 mpg, so the choice comes down to preference and price. AOL’s note that all-wheel drive is standard makes the 23 mpg number more meaningful, as many competing hybrids charge extra for the same traction hardware.
9. Honda Ridgeline: Pilot-Based Pickup
iSeeCars’ Best Gas Mileage Trucks page for 2026 lists the Honda Ridgeline at 21 mpg combined, among its midsize pickups.
That places the Ridgeline just below the Tacoma and Ranger at 23. Shoppers looking at it should weigh the figure against the other qualities that set it apart from body-on-frame competitors. iSeeCars gathers the figure on a ranking page for the 2026 model year, so the Ridgeline’s number can be compared with the other pickups the same page covers.
10. Nissan Frontier: Frontier Figure
iSeeCars lists the Nissan Frontier at 21 mpg on its Best Gas Mileage Trucks for 2026 iSeeCars truck page, level with the Ridgeline and Chevrolet Colorado.
Three midsize trucks tied at 21 mpg means fuel economy alone will not separate them. Buyers comparing the trio can lean on price, towing needs and equipment to settle the matter. The Frontier is a gas-only midsize pickup on this list, so its 21 mpg is the benchmark that the hybrid-equipped rivals earlier in the gallery are beating.
11. Chevrolet Colorado: Colorado Check
iSeeCars lists the Chevrolet Colorado at 21 mpg on its Best Gas Mileage Trucks for 2026 mileage ranking, behind the Tacoma and Ranger at 23.
A two-mpg gap to the leaders is modest for a midsize pickup. Colorado shoppers can treat the number as typical for the class instead of a standout, then compare trims on cost and features. The same page that lists the Colorado also lists the Tacoma and Ranger, so all three can be compared using identical methodology from a single iSeeCars source.
12. Ford F-150: F-150 and Hybrid
iSeeCars lists the Ford F-150 at 21 mpg on its Best Gas Mileage Trucks for 2026 truck efficiency page, while its F-150 hybrid gets 25 mpg in both city and highway driving.
The four-mpg improvement shows what the hybrid adds to America’s best-known pickup. Owners who rarely need maximum capability may find the hybrid’s steadier mileage more rewarding at the fuel pump. The page covers 2026 models, so the F-150 hybrid’s 25 mpg highway and city rating describes the current truck and sits well above the gas figure on the same list.
More from Morning Overview
- Cadillac cut the price of its cheapest EV, which goes up to 317 miles on a charge
- Winter weather advisories cover I-80, I-70 and the Bighorns with up to 15 inches of snow
- Arizona’s governor declared a statewide emergency after Flagstaff logged its wettest Nov. 1 on record
- Zero Motorcycles unveiled an electric motorcycle targeted at under $8K and a street-legal dirt bike at EICMA
