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Once-upon-a-time, premium gas was only something owners of highly-tuned sports cars needed to worry about. But an increasing number of engines seek to make big power with less displacement. This requires high compression. And to keep a high compression engine from knocking, you need premium gas. In fact, the Ford F-150 is the final half-ton truck with no engine options that require premium gasoline.

According to the EPA, every Nissan Titan and Toyota Tundra need premium gasoline. This is especially intriguing because these two half-tons–both built in the U.S. by Japanese automakers–have otherwise opposite engines. The Nissan Titan (which will be discontinued after this year) is a V8 holdout, powered by a 5.6-liter naturally-aspirated bent eight. But Nissan recommends all owners pour only premium gas into this old-school engine.

For 2022, Toyota ditched the Tundra’s V8 for a 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6. This engine, which is similar in displacement and output to the F-150’s EcoBoost, differs from the PowerBoost in that it can only run on premium fuel. It makes 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. In a 2WD configuration it claims 24 mpg on the highway.

A gas station pump with a video ad unit
Gasoline pump | Marina113 via iStock

Chevrolet/GMC trucks are also intriguing. According to the EPA, almost all trims of the Silverado/Sierra 1500 can take regular gas. This includes the base engine, which is actually a huge, turbocharged, I4. But in 2014, GM bumped the compression of its top-of-the-line 6.2-liter V8 from 10.7:1 to 11.5:1. It told all drivers of the new engine to run only premium fuel. This “EcoTec3” engine makes 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque while claiming 20 mpg on the highway.

The half-ton Ram 1500’s base engine is a 3.6-liter “Pentastar” V6. If you want a more powerful engine, you opt for the 5.7-liter “Hemi” V8. Both of these engines burn regular gas just fine. But the top-trim Ram 1500 TRX has a 6.2-liter supercharged “Hellcat” V8. And this monstrous 700+ horsepower hotrod engine only runs on premium. As Ram phases out its V8 era, it’s introduced its next crazy off-road truck. The Ram 1500 RHO makes a mere 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torque. But it does so with a 3.0-liter “Hurrican” I6. It claims 16 mpg on the highway and only burns premium fuel.

So that brings us to the Ford F-150. “America’s favorite truck.” Ford was ahead of the pack on lower displacement, turbocharged engines. In 2010, Ford introduced the 3.5-liter turbocharged “EcoBoost” for the F-150. With 400 horsepower, 500 lb-ft of torque, and a claimed highway rating up to 25 mpg, its no surprise it quickly became a favorite option among F-150 buyers.

To catch up with the TRX, Ford did drop a supercharged V8 in its F-150 Raptor R. But the EPA claims that premium gasoline isn’t required in this engine. Perhaps that’s because the compression is just 9.5:1. But Ford does “recommend” premium in this truck. And with a $109,145 MSRP, its doubtful that drivers who can afford one will be pinching pennies at the pump.

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.