Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Most Fuel-Efficient Pickups

by Auto News on December 10, 2012

They may be practical choices for hauling and towing, but when it comes to fuel efficiency, pickups often fail to impress. But pickup ownership doesn?t necessarily have to mean pain at the pump. Here are the most fuel-efficient pickups on the road for the 2013 model year:

The Toyota Tacoma 2WD can be equipped with a four-cylinder engine capable of producing adequate power and outstanding fuel efficiency for its segment. Achieving an average of 21 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway, the Toyota Tacoma gets a combined 23 mpg fuel economy rating, or 2 mpg more than its closest rival. With a reasonable price tag of $17,525, consumers will also take advantage of the car?s excellent reliability and good build quality. While the four-cylinder is not the best choice for heavy hauling and loading, the model may be best suited for value-minded drivers. The more powerful V6 is also a reasonably fuel-efficient choice for drivers with work needs.

High fuel economy and a V8 engine seem contradictory, but the next of the most fuel-efficient pickups in America boasts both traits. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid produces a combined 21 mpg from a V8 engine and twin electric motors. This car uses electric power assist, low rolling resistance tires, and other tricks to achieve a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy. A cylinder deactivation reduces the engine to the power of a V4 to save fuel when necessary. The car can also drive up to 30 mph on electric power alone because of the hybrid setup. The gas engine shuts off at low speeds when not needed before returning to gasoline power at higher speeds, but critics say that this acceleration is still slow. Additionally, the high $40,000 price tag of the Silverado 1500 Hybrid combined with the limited increase in fuel economy may make it a questionable value for all but the most green-minded buyers.

Recently named the 2013 Motor Trend Truck of the Year, the Ram 1500 pickup not only boasts superior comfort and technology features but also offers good fuel economy. A combined 21 mpg can be achieved with a flex-fuel V6 engine on the HFE model. Completely redesigned for the 2013 model year, the new Ram achieves 20 percent better fuel economy through stop/start technology, a lighter body, and a smoother eight-speed automatic transmission. The new Ram 1500 also manages to provide more horsepower than the previous version, allowing for swift merging on freeways. The Ram 1500 starts at $23,585, but the most fuel-efficient models can run near $30,000.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy

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