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Trying to find a fuel-efficient truck under $40,000 can seem impossible. The options below are some of the best gas mileage trucks of 2023, usually equipped with the base engine. If fuel economy is the priority, towing and other creature comforts might be left in the dust. However, the options below from Ford, Hyundai, and Ram deliver good fuel economy while still providing the capability that pickup truck buyers need.

Two Ford Ranger models made the list of best gas mileage trucks of 2023

Kelley Blue Book didn’t have a long list of trucks with good fuel economy for 2023, but some good options are available. The 2023 Ford Ranger SuperCab and SuperCrew landed at the top of this list. Ford’s Ranger truck in the SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations managed to get 23 miles per gallon combined. That works out to 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, which is not bad for a truck of this size.

Ford’s Ranger is a capable midsize truck with room for five passengers. It can also tow 7,500 pounds. To propel the 2023 Ranger, Ford put in a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder engine. It makes 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque and comes with either rear-wheel drive or available four-wheel drive, which brings the fuel economy down.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz is one of the best gas mileage trucks of 2023

Regardless of the styling, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz still made the list of best gas mileage trucks of 2023. Drivers like the Santa Cruz for its utility, thanks to the truck bed, even though it rides more like an SUV. Buyers get the best of both worlds with this truck. Hyundai calls the Santa Cruz a Sport Adventure Vehicle, so don’t think it doesn’t deliver on comfort and capability.

A four-cylinder engine is included and gets 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. The front-wheel drive version gets 22 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway, which is the version that made this list. An upgraded turbo engine is available for those who are more interested in towing than fuel economy. All-wheel drive is also available but doesn’t translate to better fuel economy (21 mpg city, 25 mpg highway). If you want the best gas mileage trucks of 2023, stick to the base engine option.

Ram’s 1500 Quad Cab gets good fuel economy

This Ram 1500 is one of the best gas mileage trucks of 2023
A 2023 Ram 1500 | Ram

Though it might not seem like it, the 2023 Ram 1500 Quad Cab actually gets 22 mpg combined. The 3.6L V6 gets 305 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, plenty for a full-size pickup truck. That 22 mpg combined works out to 20 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway. Ram is known for making a comfortable truck, and this 1500 Quad Cab is no exception.

The automaker offers the 2023 truck with a variety of engine choices, but the rear-wheel drive version with the base 3.6L V6 engine gets good fuel economy. Otherwise, the RWD 3.0L turbodiesel V6 is a close second with 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.

These are a few of the best gas mileage trucks of 2023, but there could be more hitting the airwaves soon. 2023 is shaping up to be the year of the truck, even if gasoline fuel economy isn’t a priority.

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