Most Fuel-Efficient Trucks with All-Wheel Drive
Check this list of the top fuel efficient vehicles from Indy Auto Man experts. Among the best trucks known for their gas mileage, only a selected few truly emphasize fuel efficiency. While hybrid systems have become common in modern truck models in the US, they are primarily designed to enhance torque and power on demand rather than to reduce fuel costs.
Overall, it’s relatively easy to find trucks that achieve over 20 mpg combined these days. In this article, we will consider the results of only all-wheel drive versions.
Chevy Silverado - the most fuel efficient pickup truck with a wide range of engine options
The leader among all-wheel drive vehicles with the highest fuel efficiency is the Chevrolet Silverado, which has an inline 6-cylinder engine with a volume of 3.0 liters, producing 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. The Silverado fuel consumption figures are impressive: 29 mpg on the highway, 23 mpg in the city, and 25 mpg combined.
The 2025 Chevrolet Silverado offers a wide range of powertrains, beginning with the 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder known as TurboMax. This compact, fuel-efficient engine delivers an impressive 310 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque while achieving 20 mpg combined. As one of the more affordable autos in the powertrain lineup, it provides savings at the dealership and at the fuel pump—an advantage not shared by all fuel-efficient trucks on the market.
Toyota Tacoma - second best truck for gas mileage
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma achieves an EPA-estimated fuel economy of up to 20/23/21 MPG when equipped with the i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and four-wheel drive. This model marks the Tacoma's complete redesign and its fourth generation featuring a new platform shared with the Tundra and Sequoia, updated styling, a larger infotainment screen, and, most notably, new powertrains.
Although one might assume this Toyota hybrid would provide the best fuel efficiency, it's tuned for enhanced power rather than optimal economy and is only available on higher trim levels, which tend to be heavier and equipped with larger tires. Instead, the mid-level engine, delivering 278 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque in the SR5 and above, proves to be the most fuel-efficient, as it comes with lighter variants that have more street-friendly tires. As a result, the Tacoma stands out as the most fuel-efficient truck in the midsize category for 2025.
RAM 1500 - rounds out the top three fuel-efficient trucks
Third place goes to the 2020 RAM 1500 with the same 3.0L V6 turbodiesel as the Wrangler. The fuel consumption in combination with the size of the Ram is fantastic: 29 mpg on the highway, 21 mpg in urban conditions, and 24 mpg in the combined cycle.
The highway fuel economy of the 2025 Ram 1500 HFE is quite impressive, achieving 26 mpg and surpassing the F-150 Hybrid. However, the aging Pentastar V-6 engine falls short of a full-size truck. One reason the V-6-equipped Ram 1500 only manages a mediocre 20 mpg in the city is that the engine struggles to move even an unloaded truck in urban settings, like Indianapolis. In contrast, the available Hurricane twin-turbo I-6 engine presents a superior option for the Ram 1500, offering better performance despite its more V-8-like fuel consumption.
Ford F-150 - the most popular and fuel-efficient pickup
Not far behind is the most popular car in the US – the Ford F-150. The powertrains range from gasoline to hybrid, including the electric Lightning, providing options for all preferences. Like the Silverado, the F-150 truck starts with a 2.7-liter turbocharged V-6 as its smallest engine. This Ford variant produces 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, achieving an impressive 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. These fuel economy figures are noteworthy for a truck that stands out as a strong contender in the full-size segment. Additionally, the 2.7L EcoBoost has now become the standard engine for the F-150.
Ford is noticeably lighter than Ram and Silverado due to the aluminum cabin and body, and the curb weight of the F150 is almost identical to the compact Toyota Hilux or Mitsubishi L200.
If you look at the 2025 Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid, you'll notice that it strikes a commendable balance between fuel efficiency and power. With an impressive 570 lb-ft of torque, this hybrid truck can tow nearly anything with confidence, all while achieving a remarkable 0–60 mph time of just 5.3 seconds—putting it on par with some sports cars. Remarkably, Ford F-150 stands out as the most fuel-efficient in the full-size gasoline truck category, even surpassing the smaller compact Santa Cruz.
Chevrolet Colorado - most fuel-efficient midsize truck
The underdog in EPA fuel economy tests is the small Chevrolet Colorado pickup. Despite its lightweight, good aerodynamics, and compact size, this pickup truck turned out to be less fuel-efficient than its big brother, the Silverado. Modern turbo diesels have achieved unprecedented efficiency, and the Colorado continues to be equipped with the old 2.8-liter Duramax 4-cylinder engine and, no less important, a 6-speed automatic transmission. The consumption figures are as follows: 28 mpg on the highway, 19 mpg in the city, and 22 mpg combined.
For 2025, the Colorado offers a single-engine option with two tuning variations. Both configurations deliver nearly identical combined mpg, but the upgraded version boasts an impressive 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. While it may not be the top contender for fuel economy in the midsize truck segment, it excels in nearly every other aspect while maintaining commendable fuel economy. So, Colorado truck occupies the 5th position of the top fuel efficient truck in our rating.
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The advantages of trucks are not limited to overcoming difficult off-road conditions or towing heavy goods. They can serve you as convenient everyday transport. These top five fuel-efficient trucks on the Indiana secondary market will fully meet your expectations as a value-for-money purchase. But if you want to enlarge your search, browse our full inventory of used trucks for sale in Indianapolis.
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