trucks

Nissan Frontier Gas Mileage

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First introduced in 1998 as a compact pickup, the Nissan Frontier grew to become a mid-sized truck with a 2005 redesign. The Frontier’s gas mileage ratings fall a shade behind the Toyota Tacoma, with the current model’s highway ratings topping out at 23 miles per gallon (MPG) in the 4-cylinder manual transmission-equipped 2WD. The 2008 Nissan Frontier is available with two engines: a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder rated at 152 horsepower (HP) and a 4.0-liter DOHC 24-valve V-6 engine rated at 261 HP.

While a diesel engine is not currently available in Frontiers sold in North American a torquey 2.5 liter DOHC intercooled turbo-diesel is available under the hood of the Frontier overseas, where it is known as the Navara. As a point of comparison, manual transmission-equipped diesel King and Double cab Navaras are rated at 23.9 urban / 32.8 extra urban MPG in the UK. That’s roughly 19.9 city and 27.3 highway here in the States.

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Nissan Titan Gas Mileage

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The rugged full-sized Nissan Titan was introduced in 2004 to compete with the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Dodge Ram pickup trucks. Nissan boasts about having the most powerful standard V-8 in its class, but the Titan’s gas mileage ratings lag behind the competition, with the E85-capable versions offering the dubious distinction of single-digit city ratings.

The 2008 Nissan Titan is available in crew cab and king cab configurations, and is equipped with a brawny 5.6 liter DOHC 32-valve V-8 engine that produces 317 horsepower. Flex Fuel capability is available as an option. All versions of the 2008 Titan (4×2 and 4×4) are rated at 12 miles per gallon in the city and 17 miles per gallon on the highway. The Titan is slated for a redesign for the 2009 model year. It is likely that a diesel engine option will be added at that time.

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Mazda B Series Pickup Truck Gas Mileage

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The Mazda B Series pickup doesn’t just deliver some of the best gas mileage ratings of all small pickup trucks sold in America, it’s also one of the longest running small pickup model lines sold here in the States. Their are two engine choices in the current B Series range. The regular cab 2WD 2.3 liter four-cylinder manual-transmission B2300 produces 143 horsepower and delivers a very respectable 26 miles per gallon on the highway. The B4000 is fitted with a 4.0 liter six cylinder engine rated at 207 horsepower.

Even though the Mazda B Series tops the charts of 2008 pickup truck gas mileage, it’s overshadowed by the B Series trucks produced in the early 1980s, when the B Series delivered highway mileage was as much as 60% higher than the current ratings. It was not unusual for Mazda B2000 pickups to achieve as much as 40 miles per gallon, back in the day.

The fuel efficient 2.5 liter turbo diesel engine, currently available in the B-Series overseas, could help Americans in search of a pickup truck that achieves better than 30 miles per gallon.

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Ford Ranger Gas Mileage: 1986 – 2011

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The compact Ford Ranger pickup truck was introduced to America in the midst of the gas crunch, roughly twenty-five years ago. Fuel efficient Mazda and Mitsubushi diesel engines were options in the earliest years of the Ranger. Ford also sold a battery-powered electric version, the Ranger EV, between 1998 and 2000.

The domestic 2011 Ford Ranger is available with either a 2.3 liter four cylinder or 4.0 liter six cylinder engine. The manual transmission-equipped 2.3 liter 2010 Ranger is rated at 22 city and 27 highway miles per gallon. The Ford Ranger sold in Europe is a rebadged Mazda that uses an economical 2.5-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine.

The jury’s out on whether or not America will ever get the well-received redesigned World Ranger. Ford is likely concerned that the new Ranger would cut into sales of the F-150.

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Toyota Tundra Gas Mileage

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The Toyota Tundra was introduced to America in 2000 as Toyota’s first full-sized pickup truck. It was redesigned for the 2007 model year to be significantly larger, in order to better compete with the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Dodge Ram.

The current Tundra is available with 5.7 and 4.7 liter V-8 engines, as well as a 4.0 liter V-6. While all three engines produce a generous amount of horsepower, their gas mileage just might be considerably less that what you might expect from a Toyota. In order to gain market share, Toyota would do well to offer a turbo diesel engine in the Tundra.

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