In the past, pickup trucks' key function was towing and hauling. Today, they've become do-it-all vehicles that often end up on long commutes. This ushered in a new demand for fuel-efficient trucks that's only become stronger as fuel prices continue rising.
So, what trucks can navigate the Canadian roadways with a trailer in tow while still delivering low fuel-consumption rates? We evaluated all the pickups available in Canada to find the best trucks for fuel economy that are still functional used pickups.
2022-2023 Ford Maverick
The Ford Maverick debuted in the 2022 model year with a super-thrifty hybrid pickup that paired a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and delivered a fuel consumption rating of 6.3-6.4 L/100 km combined. That makes it the most fuel-efficient truck ever sold in Canada.
While it has the best fuel economy, the downside to the Maverick is it’s a light-duty pickup. With a hybrid powertrain delivering only 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque on tap, it’s not for heavy lifting. It can tow up to 907 kg and haul up to a 680 kg payload.
Otherwise, the Maverick Hybrid is a good truck with many standard features, such as an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, cruise control, two USB charging ports, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and more.
2020-2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Diesel
While the entire Chevrolet Silverado 1500 lineup isn't necessarily fuel efficient, its optional 3.0-litre six-cylinder Duramax diesel engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission thrusts it to the top of our list. It delivers a healthy 8.8 L/100 km combined in 2021, but the 2020 and 2022 models' consumption increases to 8.9-9.2 L/100 km combined. This makes the Silverado one of the most fuel-efficient pickups in Canada to date.
All this comes while delivering 277 horsepower and a stout 460 pound-feet of torque. This power helps it easily tow up to 9,500 pounds.
2020-2023 RAM 1500 HFE EcoDiesel
The RAM 1500, like the Silverado 1500, isn't overly fuel efficient across its lineup, but its diesel engine raises it to one of the most fuel-efficient trucks in Canada. With its 3.0-litre diesel six-cylinder engine, the RAM 1500 HFE EcoDiesel's combined consumption rate ranges from 8.9 L/100 km to 9 L/100 km, depending on the truck's year and configuration.
This full-size pickup's engine also delivers outstanding power with 260 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque on tap. This power and the RAM's rugged chassis combine for a 12,560-pound towing capacity.
2020-2023 GMC Sierra 1500 Diesel
Sticking with the diesel theme, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500's cousin, the GMC Sierra 1500, enters our list with its iteration of the 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine. In the Sierra 1500, this setup delivers a combined fuel consumption rate of 9.1 to 9.2 L/100 km, putting it among the most fuel-efficient trucks in Canada.
Like the Silverado, this engine delivers 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, which helps the Sierra reach a 9,000-pound tow rating.
2021-2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid
The Ford F-150 has a new hybrid on the market that debuted in 2021 list. This pickup pairs a 3.5-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine and an electric motor for a 9.3-10.1 L/100 km combined fuel-consumption rating.
This setup also combines for incredible power, as it delivers 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque. This power helps the F-150 Hybrid tow up to 12,700 pounds.
2016-2022 Chevrolet Colorado
Full-size trucks aren't the only ones that offer fuel-efficient usefulness. Midsize pickups not only offer a smaller, easier-to-manage footprint, but they also deliver great fuel economy. The midsize Chevy Colorado is a leader in this area, as its 2016 to 2018 models with the optional 2.8-litre diesel engine delivers 9.4 to 10.1L/100 km fuel-consumption rates with rear-wheel drive (RWD).
This engine delivers just 181 horsepower, but its torque reaches 369 pound-feet, giving it plenty of starting power to move a heavy load. With this setup, the Colorado could tow up to 7,700 pounds.
2016-2022 GMC Canyon
The Chevy Colorado has a GMC cousin in the 2016-2022 GMC Canyon, which also had the optional 2.8-litre diesel engine. This midsize truck's fuel consumption mimics the Colorado at 9.4 to 10.1 L/100 km, making it one of Canada’s most fuel-efficient trucks.
The Canyon also matched the Colorado’s 181 horsepower, 369 pound-feet of torque, and 7,700-pound towing capacity.
2018-2019 Ford F-150 Diesel
The Ford F-150 pops back onto our list with its 2018-2019 variant that boasted a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine option. This unit delivered a healthy 240 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. Plus, this powertrain helped it tow up to 11,400 pounds.
What we're here for, though, is fuel economy. This diesel-fueled pickup delivers up to a respectable 9.5L/100 km fuel consumption rating.
2022-2023 Ford Maverick (Gas)
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The Ford Maverick pops back on our list in its non-hybrid variant. This version comes with a 2.0-litre turbocharged Ecoboost four-cylinder engine that pumps out 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This heads through an eight-speed automatic transmission and out to the rear or all four wheels with optional all-wheel drive (AWD).
This powertrain’s fuel consumption rate checks in at 9.6 L/100 km combined. Plus, it has a decent towing capacity of 1,814 kg with the 4K Tow Package installed. Without the package, its towing capacity mirrors the hybrid’s at 907 kg.
2021-2023 Jeep Gladiator Diesel
Jeep recently returned to the midsize pickup segment with its Wrangler-based Gladiator. In 2021, it offered a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that reduced its fuel consumption to just 9.8L/100 km combined.
On top of being fuel efficient, this EcoDiesel six-cylinder was quite powerful, delivering 260 hp and 442 pound-feet of torque. This engine and the Gladiator's rugged construction allowed it to tow up to 6,500 pounds.
2003-2010 Ford Ranger
From 2003 through 2010, the Ford Ranger was surprisingly fuel efficient. Its 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission deliver a 9.9-10.3 L/100 km combined fuel consumption rate.
This engine was no powerhouse at 143 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque, which allows it to tow up to 717 kg.
Because this truck is on the older side, expect only the most basic features, but the cost should be among the lowest on this list.
2003-2010 Mazda B2300
If you put a Mazda B2300 and Ford Ranger side by side, you’ll notice some eery similarities. That’s no coincidence.. they are the same truck with very mild styling differences. Under the skin, they are completely identical, including their powertrain.
This means the B2300 has all the same powertrain and fuel consumption specs as the Ranger, just with a different badge.
2004-2015 Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma has long been one of the most popular midsize pickups on the market, and for a good reason. Not only is it capable off road, but it's also fuel efficient with its base 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine with the five-speed manual transmission delivering 10.2-10.9 L/100 km in fuel consumption.
The downside is the Tacoma's 2.7-litre engine has never been very powerful, ranging from 150 horsepower in 2004 to 159 horsepower in 2015.
2019-2022 RAM 1500 HFE eTorque
The RAM 1500 pops back on our list without the diesel engine. Instead, this is the mild-hybrid RAM 1500 HFE eTorque model that combines a 3.6-litre V6 engine with a small electric motor to deliver a 10.4L/100 km fuel consumption rating.
This setup combines for 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque.
2022-2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
It may not be the traditional pickup truck, but the Hyundai Santa Cruz still qualifies as one. It comes standard with a 2.5-litre turbo four-cylinder engine that packs 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. This flows through standard AWD, giving it a 2,268-kg towing capacity with trailer brakes.
Despite being surprisingly capable, this crossover SUV-turned-pickup consumes fuel at 10.6 L/100 km. Plus, it has all the latest safety and infotainment system features.
Get Your Fuel-Efficient Truck at Clutch
When searching for the most fuel-efficient trucks, start your search at Clutch. We have a wide range of pickup trucks with great fuel economy that will fit your needs.
Plus, all our vehicles have been through a 210-point inspection and reconditioning process to ensure they're ready for the road. If something goes wrong, we back this up with a 90-day or 6,000-km warranty.
After completing Clutch's 100% online truck-buying process, we deliver the pickup to you -- no need to set foot in a showroom. You then get a 10-day 750 km test-own period. If you don't love your fuel-efficient truck from Clutch, you can return it for a full refund or exchange it for another vehicle.
Check out our vast inventory of pickup trucks and find the fuel-efficient pickup that meets your needs.
