THE MOST FUEL-EFFICIENT MIDSIZE PICKUP TRUCK IN 2024

With prices in general constantly on the rise, one area where you can save a little is when buying your next new truck, if it's the vehicle you need or desire. However, purchasing your new truck not only involves considering the purchase price but also the total cost of ownership, as these expenses in the long run determine how much you'll spend per year on fuel, repairs, and more.

Although not as popular as their full-size counterparts, midsize trucks strike a fine balance between utility and drivability. They're easier to maneuver in crowded parking lots and can navigate narrower trails. Their smaller size typically translates to better fuel efficiency, although the segment has been moving away from diesel powertrains and gradually transitioning to hybrid or fully electric systems in line with the global electrification movement. Still, some brands aren't all-in on EVs yet.

Due to this strong trend, 2023 marked the final model year of the 24-MPG Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel, leaving the path clear for the 2024 Ford Ranger as the most efficient midsizer.

The 2024 Ford Ranger Takes The Lead As The Most Efficient In Its Class

Owning a truck can be both incredibly rewarding and frustratingly stressful. Despite their many positive attributes, one thing that's well-known about these vehicles is that their fuel efficiency simply can't compare to that of a more tamed, light, and aerodynamic sedan or some smaller crossover SUVs.

However, there's no need to succumb to inefficiency; we must keep pushing forward and save wherever possible. Whether you're a truck enthusiast or you simply need one for work, like it or not, every time you fill up on gas, you have to pay for it, and the lower the truck's fuel efficiency, the more you spend in that regard.

2024 Ford Ranger Specs

(Data sourced from Ford)

It Covers 414 Miles On A Single Tank While Averaging 22 MPG

Competition among midsize pickups appears to be nearly as fierce as it is in the full-size truck segment. The ultimate winner, of course, is the consumer, who has the luxury of choosing from several outstanding contenders, each with its own set of strengths.

Claiming the top spot for midsize trucks in this 2024 lineup is the Ford Ranger. While it comes in various configurations, it's the one equipped with a rear-wheel drive setup that achieves the best numbers. According to the EPA, the 2WD Ford Ranger achieves 25 miles per gallon on the highway and 21 in the city, resulting in a combined 22 MPG. Additionally, with a single tank of gas, it's capable of reaching 414 miles, which may not be a standout figure compared to other trucks, but it's certainly noteworthy.

There's also the four-wheel drive option which, in terms of combined fuel efficiency, also achieves 22 MPG, but with the slight difference that it reaches 24 MPG on the highway instead of 25.

The 2.3-Liter EcoBoost Engine Contributes Significantly To Its Success

The engine is a fundamental component that largely determines the fuel efficiency of your next truck. This, combined with the truck's construction itself, which affects air resistance and aerodynamics, as well as weight, ultimately defines the fuel efficiency that will be achieved.

The Ford Ranger was brought back for its fifth generation as a 2019 model after a nearly decade-long hiatus. Its reintroduction as an affordable, midsize pickup, positions it between the Ford Maverick and Ford F-150 in Ford’s lineup. Interestingly, rather than offering a wide range of engines for the Ranger's trim lineup in the fourth generation, Ford decided to equip the base models with one highly capable, all-around performance-oriented powertrain. So, instead of offering four or five different engine options as in previous generations, the Ranger now features a single do-it-all engine in the form of a highly capable turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline four-cylinder.

The EcoBoost Engine Roars With 270 Horsepower

Entry-level Rangers come equipped with a turbocharged EcoBoost 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that Ford Motor has applied to power compact, midsize, and full-size cars, pickup trucks, and even SUVs. This engine boasts a dual overhead cam (DOHC) design, arranged in an inline configuration. Derived from the Mazda L engine, the Ranger's engine has been a member of the Ford EcoBoost family of turbocharged engines since 2015.

2.3-Liter EcoBoost Engine Specs

(Data sourced from Ford)

This powertrain enables both configurations, rear-wheel drive, and four-wheel drive, to achieve values of around 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and can manage a maximum tow rating of 7,500 lbs with a payload capacity of 1,905 lbs, although with the four-wheel drive system, the truck's maximum payload rating decreases to 1,711 pounds. The performance capabilities of the EcoBoost put the Ranger on par with its midsize counterparts, making it one of the most capable trucks in its segment.

It can’t be overstated just how much more efficient the Ranger has become since returning to the market. Sure, you can opt for an older Ranger with a decent V-6, but they still don’t quite compare to the gains you get with the newer EcoBoost models, especially when it comes to fuel efficiency.

The Upsizing Phenomenon: Trucks Are Growing Larger And Heavier

Trucks and vehicles in general have been getting bigger and heavier over the years, a trend that is evident when analyzing, for example, compact vehicles, which are now as large as midsize vehicles of the early 2000s. While there are many benefits associated with trucks, such as increased interior room and cargo space, there are also disadvantages like parking and maneuverability around town and small city spaces.

The 2024 Ford Ranger is no exception to this trend, as this year it has become even larger than the previous model, nearing a point where it is about to touch the full-size segment to compete with the GMC Sierra 1500 and the Silverado 1500.

If Classified As Midsize, The Ford Maverick Would Lead In Efficiency

Ford has enjoyed tremendous success with its pickup trucks, with the F-150 full-size pickup dominating the market for decades. Two years ago, the automaker leveraged its extensive truck expertise to introduce its first unibody compact truck, the Ford Maverick. Perfectly sized for consumers needing light truck capability, the Maverick quickly became a hit and currently outsells the larger Ford Ranger pickup.

Although classified as belonging to the compact segment, it edges into the midsize segment. While Ford maintains that it's a compact truck, as easily verified on its official website, many are already starting to treat it as a midsize. If so, it would instantly become the most efficient midsize truck.

That's right, its numbers outshine those presented by the Ranger, and by quite a margin. While the Ranger achieves 22 MPG, the Maverick boasts a considerably higher combined value for midsize segment standards, at 26 MPG, with 23 in the city and 30 on the highway. That makes a significant difference in the long run when it comes to a truck!

2024 Ford Maverick Specs

(Data sourced from Ford)

Part of the Maverick's appeal is that it doesn't drive like a truck. Built on the same platform as the Ford Bronco Sport and Ford Escape, the Maverick is more akin to a crossover SUV that happens to have a truck bed rather than an enclosed cargo area.

Tackling Low Fuel Efficiency: Strategies for Improvement

Something that all truck enthusiasts have long accepted is that their fuel efficiency will always be considerably lower when compared to cars and SUVs. Having to shell out a hefty sum just to fill your tank with enough fuel is undoubtedly a frustrating ordeal, and the reality is that this is due to various factors related to how trucks are built.

Factors Contributing To Lower Fuel Efficiency In Trucks

• Poor aerodynamics: The shape of a truck creates far more underbody air resistance compared to a car or SUV, and this is an intrinsic feature of trucks that cannot be changed to improve fuel economy. This plays a significant role, and it is estimated that around 60% of the power needed to cruise at highway speeds is actually used to overcome air drag. This value increases with the size of the vehicle or the speed at which it travels. Trucks also have a larger frontal area that needs to 'cut' through wind resistance, which definitely doesn't help with fuel efficiency.
• Increased body weight: A fairly obvious factor that can greatly impact the number of miles per gallon your truck can achieve is its total weight. Naturally, the heavier your vehicle, the fewer miles you'll be able to cover in a set period of time, as your vehicle will have to work even harder to gain speed.
• Rolling resistance: When you drive, there's an invisible force acting upon your tires known as rolling resistance, which aims to resist the motion of your tires rolling on the surface. This force is much greater for a truck than for a sedan, for example, due to its larger size, weight, and tire configuration.

Outside-The-Box Thinking: Clever Methods For Extending Your Gas Tank's Range

Nowadays, in an effort to save every dollar possible, people are getting creative, and there are various measures encompassed within what is known as "hypermiling" that aim to increase the miles you can get out of a tank of gas. While some may seem extreme and even dangerous for the driver or others on the road, there are simpler ones that can help increase the fuel efficiency of your truck.

For instance, adhering to the principle of long gears and low revolutions is fundamental for efficient driving. At higher speeds, the engine achieves its optimal performance, but it also encounters greater wind resistance, causing the engine to exert more effort and resulting in increased fuel consumption. Therefore, the key is to maintain the RPMs as low as possible.

Additionally, driving in gears that may not typically be considered for slower routes is crucial. While it may seem counterintuitive, cruising in a higher gear at 40 miles per hour is a common practice in the realm of hypermiling, though it's advisable to maintain a reasonable speed to avoid frustrating fellow road users.

There are many more methods to extend the use of your gas tank, and starting with a truck like the Ranger, a leader in its segment for efficiency, is a good first step.

2024-04-29T07:01:11Z dg43tfdfdgfd