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The folks over at Gear Junkie used the EPA’s official ratings to find the 10 new trucks that can send power to all four wheels with the lowest fuel consumption on the market.
These 4×4/AWD models come in almost every powertrain imaginable, from gas engines to diesel, and hybrids to electric trucks. Here’s a tease, starting from number 10 on the list, working up to number one.
10. Honda Ridgeline AWD (21 MPG) – The Ridgeline’s 3.5L V6 makes 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, AWD is standard, and it is matched with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
The Ridgeline can tow up to 5,000 lbs with this combination. It also has a maximum payload of 1,583 lbs, which makes it competitive with most of the more conventional trucks on this list.
The Ridgeline returns an EPA estimated 18 mpg city, 24 highway, for a combined 21 mpg. It starts from $37,640 (all prices plus destination).
9. Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon 2.8L Duramax Diesel 4×4 (22 MPG) – The Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon offer the same fuel-efficient 2.8L Duramax diesel with massive displacement for just four cylinders. The payoff for these four big pistons is just 181 horsepower but a whopping 369 pound-feet of torque at just 2,000 rpm.
Gear Junkie said this truck could rank higher on the list, but the only available transmission is a six-speed automatic. In a world of eight-, nine-, and even 10-speeds, this just isn’t enough for max mpg.
Maximum towing for these diesel midsize pickups is 7,700 lbs for the 4×4 models, while the top payload is 1,490 lbs. Fuel economy is 19 mpg city, 28 highway, and 22 combined.
A Colorado outfitted with the diesel engine starts from $39,610, while GMC says to check your dealer for pricing.
8. Ford Ranger 4×4 (22 MPH) – The Ford Ranger has a small-displacement turbocharged gas engine with plenty of gears to achieve its fuel economy.
It uses a 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission and the massive gear ratio spread that comes with it. The combination is good for 7,500 lbs of towing when equipped with 4WD and as much as 1,650 lbs of payload.
Ford’s little engine offers 270 horsepower, and the turbocharger helps it make 310 pound-feet of torque. The Ford Ranger is estimated to give you 20 mpg city, 24 highway, and 22 combined and starts from $29,355 for an extended cab XL.
7. Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid 4×4 (23 MPG) – While hybrid powertrains are known for producing astounding fuel economy in small cars, Ford went a different way with the F-150 PowerBoost. Instead of making less power than the 3.5L non-hybrid EcoBoost engine, the PowerBoost’s hybrid assist gives this pickup 30 horsepower more for a total of 430 horsepower.
Torque is also boosted by 70 pound-feet, thanks to the electric motor, for a total of 570 pound-feet.
Offered only on SuperCrew four-door trucks, the 4×4 PowerBoost can tow up to 12,400 lbs when properly equipped. Its peak payload is 1,830 lbs, on par with most of the full-size trucks on this list.
The Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid should return 23 mpg city, 23 highway, and 23 combined. The PowerBoost driveline adds $4,495 to the price of a SuperCrew pickup, giving the truck a starting price of $45,735.
For the full list, please visit Gear Junkie here.
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