Can You Get Great Gas Mileage in a Used Truck? 5 Models to Look For

Yes, you can get excellent fuel economy with a used truck, but it’s important to pick not only the right model but also to find one with the right engine. The good news is that you have plenty of great options to choose from when looking for a used truck with impressive gas mileage since this has been a big focus for manufacturers over the last few years. That being said, it’s still vital that you choose the right used truck dealer to ensure you have a terrific selection of models that will best meet your needs and that you’ll have great people to help you.

Here at DePaula Ford, we pride ourselves on offering fantastic used trucks and have friendly people who can help you find the pickup with everything you need. Even so, we know that many of our customers like to do some research before coming to us, and we’re happy to help give you tips on choosing the right truck. Remember that it’s important to get everything you require in a single pickup, so focus on finding power and capability, excellent interior options, and fuel economy that will go easy on your wallet. Here are some of our favorite choices for used trucks that are very efficient, with specific engines to look for.

#1 – Ford F-150 (2.7L V6 EcoBoost)

You’re probably not surprised to see a Ford model at the top of our list––we’re a Ford dealership, after all––but this one earned its way here. The Ford F-150 has been the best selling truck in America for more than 40 years, and there are lots of good reasons for that, not the least of which is the exciting selection of engines it offers. In particular, a used F-150 with its available 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine is a fantastic choice for fuel economy while also giving you plenty of power to enjoy. The performance of this model makes it a terrific option for work and enjoying the weekend.

What really stands out with Ford’s EcoBoost engines is the impressive combination of power and efficiency they deliver. You’ll find the 2.7L EcoBoost engine on models from 2015 and later; it delivered 325 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque in the early years but was boosted to 400 lb-ft of torque in 2018. Any of these years is a great choice, but we’d suggest one from after 2017 if you can find it. Despite the power upgrade, the 2018 F-150 with the 2.7L EcoBoost makes up to 22 MPG combined.

#2 – Toyota Tacoma (3.5L V6)

A used Tacoma is a great choice as long as you keep a few important things in mind while looking at your options. For starters, we should note that this is a midsize truck, while some of the other options we’re looking at today are full-size models. Midsize pickups are a great choice if you’re looking for excellent fuel economy since their smaller size makes them quite efficient. They can also fit into a wide range of lifestyles, including some where a full-size model might be too big.

The model year you look at is very important with the Toyota Tacoma as there are some big differences in the engines you’ll find. The 2016 model is the one to look for since it replaced the gas-guzzling 4.0L V6 with a more efficient 3.5L V6 and upgraded to a six-speed automatic transmission. This combination is rated for 21 MPG combined in the 2016 Tacoma. The standard 2.7L four-cylinder engine works great, but it gets the same 21 MPG combined and is not as powerful. It’s worth noting, however, that this 2.7L engine was available for many years before the 3.5L was introduced, so it’s worth considering if you’re shopping for an older used Tacoma.

#3 – Ram 1500 (3.0L V6 EcoDiesel)

If you’re willing to switch from gas to diesel, then you have some excellent fuel-efficient used trucks available. Diesel engines last a long time (100,000 miles is just warming up for one if it’s properly maintained) and are among the most efficient options on the road. While there are used Ford models you can find with diesel engines, another great choice is the Ram 1500 and the V6 EcoDiesel it’s had available for many years now. The model year and configuration of the truck you find will impact its gas mileage, so keep that in mind while looking at your options.

With the Ram 1500, the key year to keep in mind is 2019: that is when it changed from its fourth generation to its fifth generation, and the diesel engine was upgraded. In terms of efficiency, a 2015 Ram 1500 with the 3.0L V6 diesel engine can get an estimated 24 MPG combined; by comparison, a similar model from 2020 can get an estimated 26 MPG combined––not a huge difference, but worth mentioning. Models with two-wheel drive will also be more efficient than those with four-wheel drive, but the combination of two-wheel drive with the diesel engine can be hard to find.

#4 – Chevy Colorado (2.5L I-4)

Another great option if a used midsize truck will work for you, the Chevy Colorado has been around in its current form since the 2015 model year, giving you great options to choose from that have modern features and performance. If you find a Colorado with a 2.5L I-4 gas engine, you’ll get excellent fuel economy. The 2015 model is rated for 22 MPG with two-wheel drive. By comparison, a model with the same engine and four-wheel drive gets an estimated 21 MPG combined, so the difference is relatively minimal.

It’s worth noting that along with this impressive engine, the Colorado has also been offered with a diesel engine. Since this is a midsize model, it might be harder to find a used Chevy Colorado with its diesel engine––that’s a fairly niche choice––but they are out there. A used Colorado from 2016 with a diesel engine will get an estimated 25 MPG combined. You can see this is better gas mileage, but only if you can find one and a diesel engine works for you.

#5 – Honda Ridgeline (3.5L V6)

Our third pick for a midsize truck, the Honda Ridgeline, is a favorite among many drivers due to the simplicity of getting one with everything you need. The Ridgeline has just one engine on offer, which makes it a lot easier for shoppers since there aren’t extra decisions to be made. When shopping for a used pickup, you know every Ridgeline model from a given year or generation will have the same engine. Best of all, it’s a highly efficient engine that keeps you on the road longer.

Looking at the 2017 Ridgeline, you will find a 3.5L V6 engine that delivers 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, which is solid power for a midsize pickup. This will get you an estimated 22 MPG combined if you find one with two-wheel drive––a four-wheel drive Ridgeline gets 21 MPG combined, which isn’t much difference. The current generation has been going strong with the same engine since the 2017 model year, so any used Ridgeline since then will perform about the same.