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If you’re thinking of purchasing a performance-packed 4-wheeler model from the varied segment of pickup trucks, chances are that you’ve already considered gas mileage to be out of the equation.
However, to your surprise, many pickup trucks out there now are able to tow up to 7,500 pounds along with a trailer, however when you are commuting, they can have mileage up to 30 mpg.
But there is a little drawback: you’ll require a diesel engine for the high EPA grade combination with tow ratings. Here the good thing is that nowadays Truck-makers also considering various other strategies for designing green pickups.
Thus, you’ll need various gas-powered alternatives if you don’t prefer diesel machines. All such versatile pickups are available with modern-day amenities as well. Here are a few trucks known for their spectacular fuel efficiency with their basic heavy-duty performance.
So what pickups can reach that needed 30mpg? The pickup trucks that can reach the 30mpg are the GMC Sierra with the Duramax Diesel, the Ram 1500 with the etorque engine, and the Silverado with the Dynamic Fuel Management. Of course if you want to go a little smaller, you can get the Ford Ranger with the 2.3 Liter ecoboost as well.
1. 2021 RAM 1500

The Ram 1500 has been known to be larger from the Outside and with a display size of 12-inch. The change was overdue long for Ram (which was formerly known as Dodge Ram) with 3rd pickup truck available for sales. Its fourth-generation make came at around 2010, although the sales spiked at 2 percent the previous year to around 501,000.
The 2021 Ram is 9 inches long, but the extensive usage of the durable steel reduces the weight by around 225 pounds when compared to the final third generation years.
All the V6 pickups are there with 48-volt system known as eTorque. On V8, cylinder is standard feature and the eTorque is also optional. For boosting fuel economy even in winters, Ram also gets transmission with a system for thermal warming for boosting the mpg in months of winter.
The ram interior is available with display of 12-inch center stack, there is also a new UConnect infotainment version with navigation system since it got released.
2. 2021 GMC Sierra
The 1500cc GMC Sierra is a robust full-sized pickup with distinguished tailoring features such as a great cargo bed viewer, trailer length indicator along jack-knife alert. The crew cab is available with the best-in-class front row head in addition to the spacious legroom, while its cargo bed volume also steals the show.
Some trucks can have the towing capacity of 11800 pounds of the Sierra, but only a few are at par with the Duramax diesel performance that gets to 30 mpg on highway. The Sierra 1500 GMC is a 5-seater available in levels of 6-trim. The most renowned style is SLT Crew Cab Short Box 4WD. It has a price range beginning from $52,495 with a V8 5.3L engine with Four Wheel Drive. The Sierra 1500 can deliver around 14 MPG in the city with 20 MPG on the highway.
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3. 2021 Chevrolet Silverado

The 2019 Silverado from Chevrolet is a tough contender with added 4 inches and 450 pounds lesser, all owing to its heavy-duty aluminum and steel in a few panels. The truck’s bed itself is not made of aluminum which gives the Chevy an edge over the F-150 with aluminum bed. (Heavy objects dropped from height also dent quicker than steel.)
For saving fuel, the Silverado also debuts the Dynamic Fuel Management of GM’s with the variable cylinder shutdown. Overall eight powertrain (in the engine and the transmission) options are there, including a six-cylinder inline diesel with the 10-speed automatic.
It is also expected that the powertrain gets to a fuel economy of 30 mpg. “It is also expected” is industry-speak meaning that is what is possible with the Chevy, but it doesn’t want to get quoted in case EPA numbers also wind up less than 30.
4. 2021 Ford Ranger

The 2019 Ford Ranger has only a single drivetrain with an EcoBoost 2.3L four-cylinder (turbocharged) performance engine available with 10-speed auto transmission.
There is a three-level trim: XL, XLT with Lariat, SuperCab with two-door with four-door configurations of SuperCrew. For all off-roaders, there are FX4 packages (all the trim lines), providing it with a few capabilities of F150 Raptor, with four driving modes: gravel/grass/snow, normal, ruts/muds, and sand.
The EPA states that the 4WD ranger gets around 22 mpg in city driving conditions and 26 mpg on the highway. Provided that 91% of buyers of midsized trucks also avoid vehicles having high maintenance costs, the shortfall can also cause dissatisfaction of the buyer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do diesel engines get better gas mileage
What most people don’t realize is that diesel fuel is more energy dense than gasoline. A gallon of diesel contains about 30% more energy than a gasoline powered engine. While they may be more efficient, diesel engines do have their draw backs such as their weight, and even smell.
Is 15 mpg good for a truck?
Trucks in the recent past would look at 15 miles per gallon as an acceptable mileage, however due to enhancements to trucks in more recent years, 15mpg would be seen as lower than it should be. Trucks now days should have no problem getting over 20mpg for the same style of truck that used to get 15.
Why don’t trucks get good gas mileage?
As you probably have seen in this article, there aren’t many trucks that get good gas mileage! This is because trucks tend to weigh more, have worse aerodynamics, and need powertrain components that are meant more for power than for efficiency.
Conclusion
All the full-sized pickups from the Chevrolet (Silverado) with Ram (Ram 1500) along with revived midsize pickup from the Ford (Ranger). All can attain 30 mpg fuel efficiency with the new combination of engine transmission.
Ram and Silverado are the third and second best sellers among the 300 SUVs, pickups, and cars in the US, behind the F-150 and the GMC Sierra. So if you’re search is on for a useful and capable pickup truck with reasonable gas mileage, you don’t need to look any further! These are the most fuel-efficient pickup trucks available in 2021 for purchase.