Trucks aren’t usually known for their great gas mileage, and some are worse than others. Here’s our list of the 10 worst gas mileage trucks ever.
These pickup trucks were selected based mainly on their Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ratings. To calculate ratings, the EPA puts vehicles through a combination of its own laboratory tests and test results from the vehicle manufacturer to determine city and highway fuel economy estimates. The EPA also monitors manufacturers to make sure they are compliant with government-mandated fuel economy standards.
It’s important to note that this list doesn’t include alternative fuels like those running on compressed natural gas (CNG) models, which usually have higher miles-per-gallon ratings than conventional fuel (regular gasoline and diesel) trucks. The EPA list also doesn’t have an exclusive pickup truck category prior to 1994. So, this list only goes that far back.
10 – 2023 Ford F150 Raptor R
The Ford F-150 Raptor R is one of the most popular trucks on the market. These full-sized trucks come with V8 turbocharged engines, 10-speed transmissions, and 4WD. It’s also available as a SuperCrew Cab. The EPA estimates that the Ford F-150 Raptor R gets 10 MPG in the city, 15 MPG on the highway, and 12 MPG combined.
This also means that it’s one of the least efficient trucks on the market, but its power and performance make up for the lack of fuel efficiency. It’s a great option if you’re looking for an off-road-ready truck that can take on tough terrain. But if fuel economy is your primary concern, you should look elsewhere.
9 – 2002 Dodge Ram 1500
The 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 is a full-size pickup manufactured by Dodge. It has a V8 engine and a five-speed manual transmission. The Ram 1500 is available in both two- and four-wheel drive configurations, and it can run on gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG).
The EPA rated the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 at 10 mpg in the city, 14 mpg on the highway, and 12 mpg combined. As such, it has some of the worst fuel economy. The Dodge Ram 1500 is a powerful and capable workhorse, but with its low fuel economy rating, you may want to consider other options if you’re looking for an efficient pickup truck.
8 – 1994 to 1996 Dodge Ram 2500
The 1994 to 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 is a large truck that was built for power and durability. It has a V8 engine with a transmission that can handle heavy loads. The EPA rating for the city is 10, highway is 14, and combined is 12.
The Dodge Ram 2500 has a three-door extended cab and is available in two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive configuration. Its main fuel type is gasoline, although diesel engines were also available during this period. It’s not the most efficient truck, but it can handle tough jobs with ease.
For fuel efficiency, the Ram 2500 is among the worst in its class. Thanks to its V8 engine, it delivers good power but consumes a lot of fuel. It’s not the ideal choice for those who value fuel economy over performance.
7 – 2021 to 2022 Dodge Ram 1500 TRX
The 2021 to 2022 Dodge Ram 1500 TRX is another powerful truck that unfortunately doesn’t deliver when it comes to fuel economy. According to EPA estimates, this model gets 10 MPG in the city, 14 MPG on the highway, and 12 MPG combined.
So if you’re in search of a truck that can help you save money at the pump, the Ram 1500 TRX is not the model for you. That said, it does have an eight-speed automatic transmission, a V8 “Hellcat” engine, and is available in both two- and four-wheel drive configurations.
6 – 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
The 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 is yet another full-size truck that’s been around for over a decade. It’s powered by a 6.0L V8 engine that delivers 300 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque.
The truck is also available with a 4.10 axle ratio, which improves its fuel economy. The Silverado 2500 has a standard 6-speed automatic transmission and a choice of either 2WD or 4WD. It has a towing capacity of over 10,000 lbs and has a payload capacity between 3,103 and 3,605 lbs.
While these are impressive stats, the Silverado 2500 doesn’t fare as well in its fuel economy. Per EPA estimates, the truck gets 10 mpg in the city and 13 mpg on the highway for a combined fuel economy of only 11 mpg. It’s not the worst in its class, but it’s still one of the least efficient pickups available.
5 – 2001 GMC Sierra 1500
The GMC Sierra 1500 is a full-size pickup truck that was first introduced in 1998. It shares a platform with the Chevy Silverado 1500 and has been one of the best-selling trucks in the United States.
The Sierra 1500 comes standard with a 4.3L V6 engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission. It’s available with a two- and four-wheel drive version and can be had with either a regular or extended cab. The Sierra 1500 is available with either gasoline or diesel engines.
For the 2001 model, the EPA rated the Sierra 1500 as having just 10 mpg in the city, 13 mpg on the highway, and 11 mpg combined. That makes it one of the top five trucks with the worst miles per gallon combined ratings. So it’s no surprise that many drivers favor more efficient models as they try to save money at the gas station.
Meanwhile, modern versions of the Sierra 1500 have done little to improve fuel efficiency, with EPA ratings of as low as 12 mpg combined, depending on the engine and drivetrain.
4 – 2014 Roush Performance F150 Pickup
The Roush Performance F150 Pickup is a great option for those who want a truck that can handle both the city and the open road.
It comes with a 5.0L V8 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission, making it perfect for anyone who wants power and efficiency. However, its EPA fuel economy rating of 10 city, 13 highway, and 11 combined is far from the best on the list.
In fact, the poor EPA rating earns the 2014 Roush Performance F-150 the dubious honor of being one of the 10 worst gas mileage trucks available today. If you’re hoping to invest in a truck that’s gentle at the pump, look elsewhere.
3 – 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
The 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 is another full-size truck that comes with a V8 engine and a five- or four-speed automatic transmission. It’s available in both two-wheel and four-wheel drive configurations, and it runs on gasoline.
According to the EPA, the 2005 Chevy Silverado 2500 gets 10 miles per gallon in the city, 12 miles per gallon on the highway, and 11 miles per gallon combined.
This rating puts the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 in third place when it comes to trucks with the worst gas mileage. If you need power and don’t care about fuel economy, then this truck might just be right up your alley. But if you’re like most modern drivers and you want a full-size truck that can provide a good balance between power and fuel efficiency, this truck is probably not your best choice.
2 – 2005 GMC Sierra 2500
The GMC Sierra 2500 is a heavyweight truck that’s known for its power and durability. It’s also one of the least efficient models on this list, with an EPA rating of 10 city and 12 highway. Combined, you can expect to get 11 MPG.
Under the hood, you’ll find a 6.0-liter V8 engine that produces 300 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque, paired with either a four-speed or six-speed automatic transmission, depending on the model.
All models feature rear-wheel drive, but four-wheel drive is available as an option. The Sierra 2500 is available in both regular- and extended-cab configurations, with a payload capacity of over 3,000 pounds.
Unfortunately, all the power comes at a cost—namely that you’ll be spending more money on fuel. The Sierra 2500 may not be the ideal choice if you’re looking for an economical truck, but if you need a workhorse that can handle the toughest jobs, it’s worth considering.
1 – 2004 to 2006 Dodge Ram 1500
The 2004 to 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 comes in first place as the worst gas mileage truck. It has a combined rating of 9 to 10 mpg, mainly due to its poor city and highway ratings of 8 to 9 mpg and 11 to 14 mpg, respectively.
Its engine is a 4.7L V8 and comes with either an automatic transmission or manual transmission. The Ram 1500 also has a variety of configurations, including two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive, as well as various fuel types like regular unleaded, E85 Flex Fuel, and diesel.
The 2004 to 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 is a powerful and versatile truck, but it fails to bridge the gap between performance and fuel economy.
Consider Electric and Hybrid for Better Fuel Economy
Some honorable mentions include the older model year Nissan Titan and Chevrolet Colorado, although both fare much better compared to the top 10 entries.
So, what are your options to improve fuel economy? You can try modern compact trucks. The smaller bodies combined with more fuel efficient motors are gaining traction these days. The Ford Maverick ranks highly in fuel efficiency, even the non-hybrid variant with the turbocharged engine.
The better answer is likely electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids. EVs are becoming more popular, and with good reason. EVs have the potential to significantly reduce fuel costs over time. In addition, they are a cleaner option than traditional gas-powered cars and trucks.
If you’re in the market for a truck and you need good fuel economy, consider investing in a more compact truck or an EV. There are many electric and fuel-efficient versions of the trucks you’ve come to know and love, so you don’t have to sacrifice performance for efficiency.
