You need something to carry lots of stuff, so you’re up for either a truck or SUV. But with the gas crunch just starting to grab everyone’s throat, which one gets better gas mileage? The answer is: It depends. Generally, SUVs get better mileage for a number of reasons. But not always. Here is a breakdown of miles-per-gallon figures for 2022 trucks and SUVs.

Do trucks get better mileage?

First, there is no one size fits all. For SUVs, there are compact, midsize, and full-size. Within the full-size category, gas mileage numbers get broken out by luxury SUVs as well as straight-ahead full-size SUVs. 

For trucks, it is similar; with small, midsize, and full-size pickup truck categories. And that small truck segment is just getting started after a long hibernation. So there could be some other gas mileage winners in the MPG contest soon. But for now, we’ve listed the top SUVs and trucks in each category.

Do SUVs get better mileage?

Generally, SUVs have an edge when it comes to gas mileage. Especially in the case of the Lexus luxury SUVs, which have surprising mpg numbers for the SUV category overall. However, for full-size trucks and SUVs, the mileage numbers are very similar. In that case, it comes down to price, payload, and towing numbers. 

And as the Ford Maverick shows, if you can handle a smaller pickup, the mileage numbers are excellent. Both Chevy and Ram have similar trucks in foreign markets. We can’t understand why each hasn’t hopped onto the small truck bandwagon.

But if you can hold out for another year or so, and can afford the extra price, most truckmakers are testing full-size electric pickups right now. They should begin rolling out at the beginning of 2023. Of course, by then we may be in better or worse conditions with respect to gas prices. 

2022 Pickup best mileage

Full-Size Pickup

Ram 1500:  19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway

Ford F-150:    19 mpg city, 22 mpg highway

Toyota Tundra: 17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway

Chevy Silverado: 15 mpg city, 20 mpg highway

GMC Sierra: 15 mpg city, 19 mpg highway

Midsize Pickup

Hyundai Santa Cruz: 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway

Ford Ranger: 20 mpg city, 24 mpg highway

GMC Canyon: 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway

Honda Ridgeline/

Nissan Frontier: (tie) 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway

Small Pickup

Ford Maverick: (overall truck winner) 23 mpg city, 30 mpg highway

2022 SUV best mileage

Small SUV

Ford Escape Hybrid: 37 mpg city, 44 mpg highway

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: 41 mpg city, 37 mpg highway

Ford Escape Plug-In: 40 mpg average

Honda CR-V Hybrid: 40 mpg city, 35 mpg highway

Midsize SUV

Toyota Venza (all are hybrids): 40 mpg city, 37 mpg highway

Toyota Highlander Hybrid: 36 mpg city, 35 mpg highway

Kia Sorento Plug-In: 34 mpg average, 75 equivalence

Large SUV

BMW X7: 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway

Ford Expedition: 17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway

Mercedes GLS-Class: 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway

Large Luxury SUV

1. Lexus UX 250h: 43 mpg city, 41 mpg highway

2. Lexus NX 350h: 41 mpg city, 37 mpg highway

3. Lexus NX 450h+: 36 mpg average, 84 mpg equivalent

4. Lincoln Corsair: 33 mpg average, 78 mpg equivalent