Pickup utility meets manageable running costs
Up until a few years ago, efficiency and pickup trucks were mutually exclusive. Other than a few diesel options, pickups were notoriously thirsty, but the arrival of a new generation of hybrid trucks has changed this picture. In choosing the best trucks for gas mileage, we focused on the available hybrid options in the market. We also considered efficiency, value, and overall capability in our scoring to arrive at the best buys in this category for the 2027 model year.
Winner: Ford Maverick Hybrid
Cole Attisha
No other pickup comes close to the Ford Maverick Hybrid for sheer efficiency. While some argue it’s not a true pickup due to its unibody construction, the open bed at the back says otherwise. In front-wheel-drive form, it gets EPA-rated figures of 42/35/38 mpg city/highway/combined and a 524-mile range. Even the all-wheel-drive variant manages 40/34/37 mpg, numbers on par with a small hybrid crossover.
The hybrid powertrain consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor combining for 191 horsepower. We rated this powertrain at 9.7 out of 10 in a recent test drive of the Maverick Lariat, enjoying the immediate electric torque from a standstill, which is ideal for urban environments. The transition between electric and gas power is smooth and we achieved 36 mpg in an AWD model, very nearly matching the official rating. Combined with the nimble handling and small size by pickup standards, it’s a very easy vehicle to live with.
Kristen Brown
The Maverick Hybrid has a pleasant, utilitarian interior with good storage space, but the many hard plastics reflect the vehicle’s low starting price. Its maximum towing capacity of 4,000 lbs may also be a limiting factor, but that looks much more competitive when compared to hybrid SUVs at the same price point.
Pricing for the 2027 Ford Maverick Hybrid is estimated to start at just below $30,000.
Maverick Pros
- Exceptional efficiency for a truck
- Responsive acceleration in city driving
- Handles like a small crossover
- More practical than a small crossover
- Low starting price
Maverick Cons
- Lots of hard interior plastics
- Infotainment screen angle isn’t ideal
- Seats could be comfier
Maverick Ratings
- Efficiency: 5/5
- Value: 5/5
- Capability: 3.5/5
Who’s It For?
Anyone considering a hybrid crossover should give the Ford Maverick a test drive. This is particularly true for people who need to transport furniture, bikes, or other toys—without the burden of driving a big, heavy pickup.
Recommended Trim
The base Maverick XL is rather basic, so we’d recommend going for the next level up, which is the XLT. For many, AWD will be a worthwhile extra, bringing the total to $32,865 (for 2026). The XLT adds extras like Intelligent Access, aluminum wheels, and a 2K hitch receiver with a four-pin connector.
Runner-up 1: Toyota Tacoma Hybrid
Toyota
As impressive as the Ford Maverick is, not everyone will be able to accept the few sacrifices that come with such a small truck. For them, the Toyota Tacoma Hybrid is a meaningful step up in power, capability, and performance—while still maintaining decent economy by truck standards.
The 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged hybrid powertrain is known as the i-Force Max. Delivering 326 hp combined, it can reach 60 in around 7.2 seconds, but tougher TRD trims are slower. With four-wheel drive, this Toyota pickup gets up to 22/24/23 mpg, around 2 mpg more than non-hybrid 4WD variants. In hybrid form, the Tacoma can tow up to 6,000 lbs, while the Trailhunter and TRD Pro are brilliant off-road machines.
Toyota
The current Tacoma is more refined than the old one, but it’s still quite a tall, wide truck so isn’t as maneuverable as a Maverick would be.
Buying a Tacoma Hybrid will cost you more than the non-hybrid models, with estimated 2027 prices starting at $48,000.
Tacoma Pros
- Better efficiency than non-hybrid rivals
- Decent acceleration in more road-biased versions
- Hugely capable off-road models
- Better tech and refinement than older Tacos
Tacoma Cons
- Hybrid isn’t much more efficient than non-hybrid models
- Much more expensive than gas-only Tacoma
- Some midsize rivals can tow more
Tacoma Ratings
- Efficiency: 4/5
- Value: 3.5/5
- Capability: 4/5
Who’s It For?
The Toyota Tacoma Hybrid can be either a rugged off-roader or a premium-feeling everyday truck, depending on the trim you choose. It will suit the needs of midsize pickup fans well, especially those wanting to squeeze out a few more miles per gallon.
Recommended Trim
Choose the Limited if you want an efficient and well-equipped family vehicle. All other Tacoma Hybrids are TRD models, and the most capable of the bunch is the range-topping TRD Pro, which stands taller than the rest and has a modified suspension.
Runner-up 2: Ford F-150 Hybrid
Ford
Ford offers a powertrain to suit every F-150 buyer, including the PowerBoost Hybrid. This powerful powertrain is up to the job of moving the big truck around with gusto, thanks to outputs of 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque. That’s from the combination of an electric motor and a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6. It gets up to 23/25/24 mpg, which is at least 3 mpg more than the most efficient non-hybrid F-150. Thanks to a large tank, you can cover over 700 miles on a full charge.
In our drive of an F-150 PowerBoost Lariat, the Ford’s effortless acceleration and instant responsiveness were seriously impressive for such a big vehicle. There’s no turbo lag to contend with, making the Ford feel unstoppable and providing immediate passing power. The Ford’s ride doesn’t quite match its powertrain, though. It’s not intolerable, but the Ram 1500 is more comfortable.
Ford
Elsewhere, the F-150 Hybrid is as versatile and capable as expected from Ford’s best-selling pickup. It can tow up to 11,600 lbs in hybrid form, almost twice the Tacoma Hybrid’s effort, which shows the big step up from a midsize truck. There’s plenty of space in the cabin and a large bed, along with useful extras like the Pro Power Onboard system that turns the truck into a mobile generator.
As this is one of the more powerful engines in the F-150 lineup, it will cost around $54,505 (including the destination charge) for the cheapest SuperCrew model. That’s 2026 pricing, so 2027 models will likely hit $55k.
F-150 Pros
- Diesel-like efficiency
- Range of over 700 miles
- Potent acceleration and passing power
- Competitive towing and payload figures
- Upper trims boast loads of features
F-150 Cons
- Ram 1500 rides more comfortably
- Pricier than non-hybrid models
F-150 Ratings
- Efficiency: 4.5/5
- Value: 3/5
- Capability: 4/5
Who’s It For?
Buyers needing a capable full-size pickup with excellent performance and economy figures will appreciate the F-150 Hybrid. It’s a solid alternative to diesel-powered GM trucks but outperforms them in a straight line.
Recommended Trim
There are a wide variety of F-150 Hybrid trims and configurations to choose from, but the Lariat is a pleasing middle ground. It comes with features like a 360-degree camera, heated/ventilated front seats, and a standard 12-inch center display. In 4×2 form, this well-rounded full-size pickup will cost close to $70,000 with the destination charge included—this is an estimated price for 2027.
Honorable Mentions
Toyota Tundra Hybrid
Toyota
Toyota’s full-size hybrid pickup can get up to 22 mpg combined from its 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain. It makes 437 hp combined so is even more powerful than the F-150 PowerBoost. Performance is rapid and the coil-spring rear suspension aids the ride, especially when unladen. It can tow up to 11,450 lbs and will start at an estimated $60,000 for the 2027 model year. The F-150 Hybrid starts cheaper and is more efficient, so the Toyota Tundra falls just short of its rival.
Conclusion
If nothing but a pickup will do but you don’t want expensive gas bills, these models offer the best balance between those often conflicting needs. The Maverick wins because of its particularly efficient hybrid powertrain, attractive starting price, and ease of use—it’s all the vehicle that many Americans need. At a higher price point, the Tacoma and F-150 command hefty premiums for their hybrid powertrains, but they reward you with impressive power. As long as electric pickups are not more widely embraced, these hybrids allow truck buyers to take a gentler, more practical step into electrification.
About the author
Karl Furlong
Senior Editor, Autoblog