Are you looking to buy a new half-ton truck and would like to know which model has the best gas mileage? We sifted through the half-ton truck data of 2022 to bring you a list of eight half-ton trucks with the best mileage.
Here is the list of half-ton trucks (in no particular order) with the best gas mileage in 2022:
- Ram 1500
- Ford F-150
- GMC Sierra 1500
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- GMC Sierra 1500 Limited
- Ram 1500 Classic
- Nissan Titan
- Ford F-150 Raptor
It is important to take note, however, that the mileage of half-ton trucks has a value for city driving conditions and another value for highway driving. Additionally, the models listed above are further subdivided into different trims where various engines can sometimes fit into the truck per trim -and different engines have different fuel efficiency. Keep reading to have a more detailed look at these eight trucks. Learn about the engine options of the half-ton trucks in the list and their mileage ratings.
Half-ton trucks and mileage
Gas mileage is not always a straight metric, especially at the advent of electric vehicles and hybrids. The introduction of a secondary fuel source, like solar or batteries, has increased the distance that a full tank can take you.
Ram 1500
The new Ram 1500 has several upgrades from 2021. It comes in five different trims and four different engine options in 8-speed transmission and RWD or 4WD drivetrains.
The 3.0-liter Turbo V6 EcoDiesel engine has the best mileage of the four different engine options. It has been rated at 23 mpg for city driving and 33 mpg for highway on the RWD HFE diesel configuration according to EPA tests.
EPA tests on the 3.0-liter Turbo Diesel, non-HFE, rate it at 22 mpg for city driving and 32 mpg for highway driving.
The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 RWD HFE variant is rated at 20 mpg for city driving and 26 for highway driving. It drops to 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway on the 4WD variant.
The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 in RWD can do 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. It remains almost the same at 18 mpg in the city and 22 mpg for highway on the 4WD variant.
Ford F-150
Ford’s F-Series has been the best-selling pickup truck in the US for more than four decades in a row. It is also America’s best-selling vehicle for almost the same number of years straight. The latest F-150 comes in five trims and six different engines. Drivetrains come in 4WD and RWD.
According to the EPA, the 3.5-liter PowerBoost full hybrid V6 is rated at 24 mpg for city driving and 24 mpg highway in the 4WD model. The 2WD brings forth 25 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
The 3.0-liter Power Stroke diesel rates at 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. While the 2.7-liter V6 brings forth 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg highway fuel economy with its 2WD version. The 3.3-liter Ti-VCT V6 gas engine manages 20 mpg city driving mileage and 24 mpg highway on the 2WD version.
The 2.7-liter V6 and the 3.3-liter Ti-VCT V6 both drop by one mile per gallon on the 4WD drivetrain.
The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 manages a consistent 20 mpg, whether it is paired with a 2WD or 4WD drivetrain.
The 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V8 engine only manages 11 mpg for city driving and 17 for highway with the 4WD drivetrain. It manages to improve to 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg for highway on the 2WD version.
All of Ford F-150’s engines are paired with a 10-speed drivetrain.
GMC Sierra 1500
The new GMC Sierra 1500 offers new tech features in its five different trims. It also provides a lot of different configuration options.
4.3-liter V6 Flex-fuel paired with a 6-speed transmission manages only 16 mpg for city driving and 21 mpg for highway on the 4WD drivetrain setup. The 2.7-liter Inline-4 with 8-speed transmission is rated by the EPA to have 20 mpg in the city and 23 mpg for highway.
The 3.0-liter Inline-6 Diesel is the most efficient, with an EPA rating of 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg for highway on the RWD drivetrain. It manages 22 mpg in the city and 26 mpg for highways on the 4WD model.
The 5.3-liter V8 on the 8-speed gearbox achieved EPA ratings of 17 mpg in city driving conditions and 23 mpg for highway driving.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The Silverado has consistently managed to get to the second or third place -when the Ram 1500 pushes it down to third. The Silverado comes in five trims and five engine options.
The 3.0-liter TurboDiesel in 10-speed A/T gearbox and the 2WD drivetrain have the best mileage at 23 mpg in the city and 33 mpg for highway. The 2.7-liter turbo in 8-speed transmission manages a 20 mpg city and 23 mpg highway EPA rating.
The 5.3-liter V8 managed only to get 11 mpg for city driving and 13 mpg for highway on the 4WD configuration. The 4.3-liter V6 and the 6.2-liter V8 have an average EPA rating of only 15 mpg.
GMC Sierra 1500 Limited
The new GMC Sierra 1500 Limited is a carryover version of the 2018 model of the GMC Sierra 1500. It comes in only two trims and one engine option.
Its 5.3-liter V8 engine paired with a 6-speed gearbox has an EPA rating of 15 mpg for city driving and 22 mpg for highway on the 2WD variant. It achieves 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg for highway on the 4WD version.
Ram 1500 Classic
The Ram 1500 Classic is the continuation of the previous iteration of the Ram 1500. It was rebadged as the Ram 1500 Classic and is sold alongside the new version, Ram 1500. The Ram 1500 Classic comes in five different trims and two engine options.
The 2WD version of the 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar returns 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg for the highway. Its 4WD version achieves 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg for highway.
The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 paired with an 8-speed transmission on a 2WD configuration achieves 15 mpg for city driving and 22 mpg for highway. The 4WD variant brings an EPA rating of 15 mpg mileage for city driving and 21 mpg for highway.
Nissan Titan
The Nissan Titan often hovers near the bottom of the sales chart compared to the other seven on this list. It has bold styling and great safety features but still fails to capture attention. It comes in five different trims, but it only offers one engine paired with a 9-speed gearbox.
The 2WD setup of the 5.6-liter V8 has an EPA rating of 16 mpg in the city and 21 mpg for the highway. Its 4WD counterpart managed to get 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg for highway.
Ford F-150 Raptor
The new Ford F-150 Raptor starts the third generation based on the successful 14th generation of the F-150 platform.
The raptor has only one trim and one engine option—the 3.5-liter Twin-Turbo EcoBoost V6 gas engine. It is rated at 15 mpg for city driving and 18 mpg for highway. It drops to 15 mpg in the city and 16 for highway driving when configured with 37-inch tires.
Which trucks last the longest?
The Honda Ridgeline is at the top of the category of trucks that has the highest likelihood of lasting 200,000 miles. An independent study has shown that at least 3% of Honda Ridgeline has surpassed the 200,000-mile mark.
The Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Tundra are tied at second place. The same study shows that 2.6% of Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Tundra have reached the 200,000-mile mark and are still on the street.
Trucks have a higher chance of reaching the 200,000-mile mark if they are properly maintained.
The Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic 5W-40 Diesel Engine Oil can help keep your truck running smoothly. Check it out on Amazon with this link.
Are there any trucks with 30 mpg?
The following trucks have 30 mpg or better:
- 2020 Chevrolet Silverado with 33 mpg for highway driving
- 2021 Ram 1500 with 33 mpg highway
- 2020 Ram 1500 with 32 mpg highway
- 2020 Chevrolet Colorado with 30 mpg highway
- 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 with 30 mpg highway
If you're wondering about the average size of a half-ton truck, we have a great article here that talks about this.
What is the most reliable truck engine?
The Ford EcoBoost V6 is a V6 engine that can outperform a V8 engine in horsepower and torque. It is installed in Ford’s F-series.
The Cummins B Diesel engine has a cast-iron block and can produce a torque of 400 to 1000 lb-ft. It was originally installed on Dodge Rams in the 90s.
Toyota’s UR 5.7L V8 has 32 valves, a V8 camshaft, aluminum block, and variable valve timing that give a lot of power to this engine.
Half-ton trucks are now more powerful than before. If you're wondering if it can pull a fifth-wheel trailer, our article here should be able to answer your question.
Conclusion
The introduction of hybrid engine systems has improved the fuel economy of half-ton trucks while keeping the same torque and horsepower. It is important to look at a truck’s performance in city driving and highway driving conditions when deciding which one has the best mileage.