Five 2020 Trucks That Get Terrible Gas Mileage
Power, performance, and dependability are essential for any truck. However, these aren’t the only characteristics you should keep in mind. Fuel economy is also an important factor. Why is gas mileage in a truck something you need to think about?
For one thing, as gas prices increase, getting more miles to the gallon makes a huge difference when you have to fill up at the pump. Also, the lifestyle of many vehicle owners has changed.
A versatile truck lets you haul your gear to work, pick up the kids from school, and go on camping trips with your family. If you use your truck a lot, it makes sense to pick a model with excellent fuel economy.
We’ve analyzed many makes and models coming out in 2020 to help you avoid getting stuck with poor gas mileage. Here are five 2020 trucks with the worst fuel economy:
#1 – Nissan Frontier Gas Mileage
It would be bad enough if you just had to deal with the Frontier’s old trim and unattractive exterior. After all, the Frontier is a full decade overdue for a redesign. Then there are the engine choices.
It’s hard to fall in love with something that only has a base four-cylinder engine with 152 horsepower and virtually no towing capacity to speak of. You can opt for a 261-horsepower V6, but then you make poor gas mileage even worse.
Even at its best, the Frontier still sits at the bottom of the fuel economy barrel of our list. If you sacrifice almost everything that makes a pickup truck great and you pick the base four-cylinder engine, you only get 19 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.
Deciding to upgrade to a six-cylinder engine drops Nissan Frontier gas mileage to a measly 15 mpg in the city and 23 highway. Even with this more powerful engine, the Frontier only delivers a towing capacity of 6,720 pounds.
The only real thing the Frontier has going for it is its low sticker price. However, if you have a limited budget, there are honestly better compact trucks and family sedans out there for your money, such as the Chevy Malibu.
#2 – Toyota Tundra Gas Mileage
The 2020 Toyota Tundra has a decent 5.7-liter V8 engine with 381 horsepower and 401 pounds of torque. That’s the good news. Unfortunately, most of the vehicle’s systems lack the performance boost found in other trucks that have improved technology.
For example, the six-speed automatic transmission takes forever to shift into gear. Even the base suspension leaves a lot to be desired as you hit bumps on the road.
Then you find out about the gas mileage. As you may expect, any V8 engine has a hard time with fuel efficiency. This is especially true for the Tundra, which only gets 13 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway.
That’s lower than any other pickup on our list, though at least you get decent power in trade. All in all, the Tundra simply feels too old, and it definitely falls short when it comes to gas mileage.
#3 – Nissan Titan Gas Mileage
The Titan finally went through a complete redesign in 2019. The 2020 models offer other performance changes and style upgrades. It’s still not as luxurious as similar trucks from competitors, but at least the new Titan looks better than its Frontier counterpart.
You can get LED headlights and some interior tech upgrades that were sorely missing. For example, an eight-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay compatible comes standard now.
What about fuel economy? That’s where you’re really stuck. The 400-horsepower V8 engine on the Titan is the only one available, no matter what trim you select. Nissan Titan mpg is a barely passable 15 in town and 21 on the road. There are no other engine options — no V6 and no diesel. That’s just not viable for someone who needs to commute.
#4 – Jeep Gladiator Gas Mileage
The Gladiator is on the smaller side, as is to be expected from a Jeep vehicle inspired by the Wrangler. However, for a compact truck, it performs pretty well. It has removable doors, plenty of seating, and a standard 4WD focus. Also, the Gladiator keeps up with other trucks when it comes to luxury interiors and modern interfaces.
There are a few problems with the Gladiator’s fuel performance and engine, unfortunately. The 285-horsepower V6 is ok, but it’s nothing special. In exchange for mediocre towing power, you have to sacrifice a ton of fuel efficiency. The Gladiator only gets 17 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.
#5 – Ford F-150 Raptor Gas Mileage
The Ford F-150 Raptor isn’t a bad vehicle. It has excellent off-road specs, a turbocharged engine, and great shocks. The fact that it comes standard with a 4X4 drivetrain and 450 horsepower is why we’ve given it spot #5 on our list. We feel a soft spot for trucks that deliver adventure. So, if the only thing you use the Raptor for is to drive on back roads, then it’s a fine choice.
The problem is that many people use their trucks for other things too. Many owners need a work truck, something that can haul heavy loads and take construction equipment from one site to another. Afterward, that same truck works to take the family to see a movie or go out for pizza.
If you need a truck for any of those circumstances, the Ford F-150 Raptor’s fuel economy is a deal-breaker. You pay a heavy price every time you need to fill up with gas. This vehicle simply isn’t designed for city or highway driving, and it shows. Its combined fuel efficiency is only 16 mpg, which translates into 15 mpg city and 18 mpg highway. That’s pretty bad.
Finding a Truck with Awesome Towing Power and Fuel Economy
Now that you’ve seen the competition, it’s time to talk about the awesome 2020 Chevy Silverado. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to get over 30 mpg with a truck, those days are over.
The new Silverado is rated for a breathtaking 33 miles per gallon on the highway! In town, it also outperforms every other truck on the market with 23 mpg. That means the 2020 Silverado gets better fuel economy for intense city driving than the Tundra gets even driving down the highway.
In fact, rear-wheel-drive models of the Silverado get better fuel efficiency than some family sedans, such as the Subaru Legacy. That makes it a great choice for all-around performance.
It has the power you need for excursions and road trips, paired with the wallet-friendly gas mileage you love for everyday use. If you prefer a four-wheel-drive version, you still get a stellar 24–29 mpg everywhere.
The best part is that with the Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel I-6 engine, you not only get amazing fuel economy, but you also get impressive torque. This six-cylinder engine delivers 460 pounds of torque and 9,300 pounds of towing capability. The 2020 Silverado has tons of engine options, from this high-tech diesel model to a 6.2-liter V8 that can tow over 13,000 pounds.
Test Drive the 2020 Silverado for Yourself
It’s one thing to talk about how incredible it feels to drive a 2020 Silverado 1500 around town and on the highway. It’s something different to hear the roar of the engine for yourself. Visit a Valley Chevy dealership today to slide into a brand-new Silverado and go for a test drive.
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