Which Toyota truck has the best gas mileage?
The Toyota Tacoma, when equipped with the 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive, generally offers the best fuel economy among Toyota's current pickups.
In this article, we compare Toyota's two main trucks available in the United States—the Tacoma and the Tundra—to explain how engine choices, drivetrain, and cab/bed configurations influence gas mileage. Official mpg figures vary by configuration, and real-world results depend on driving conditions, payload, and tires.
Fuel economy snapshot
Here is a quick snapshot of the fuel economy landscape for Toyota's current pickups, noting that exact numbers depend on configuration.
- Toyota Tacoma — available with a 2.7-liter inline-four and offered in both 2WD and 4WD layouts; 2WD models typically deliver the best mileage, with EPA estimates around the low to mid-20s mpg combined, and highway figures often in the mid-20s for the most efficient configurations. The 3.5-liter V6 option lowers efficiency somewhat but remains reasonable for a midsize pickup.
- Toyota Tundra — powered by a 3.5-liter V6, with some trims offering the i-FORCE MAX hybrid; overall mpg tends to be lower than the Tacoma’s base configuration, commonly in the high teens to low 20s mpg combined, with the hybrid variant providing a modest boost over the non-hybrid V6.
These figures are EPA estimates and depend on cab style, bed length, drivetrain, tire size, and other setup factors. For highway-focused efficiency, the Tacoma’s 2WD with the 2.7-liter engine is commonly the most economical option in Toyota's current lineup.
Factors that influence mpg
Understand what affects fuel efficiency across Toyota's pickups. The following factors shape how many miles you can expect per gallon in real-world driving.
- Drivetrain: 2WD versus 4WD changes rolling resistance and weight, often favoring 2WD for mpg.
- Engine choice: The 2.7-liter four-cylinder tends to be more economical than the 3.5-liter V6; hybrids add another efficiency layer in some configurations.
- Transmission and gearing: Gear ratios and transmission design affect highway cruising and acceleration fuel use.
- Cab and bed configuration: Larger cabs and longer beds add weight and reduce aerodynamics, lowering mpg.
- Tires and aerodynamics: Tires with higher rolling resistance and less aerodynamic efficiency reduce mpg.
- Load and usage: Towing and payload increase energy demand, lowering mpg.
In practice, the most economical Tacoma setup is 2WD with the 2.7-liter engine and a smaller cab/bed, driven calmly with properly inflated tires.
Bottom line
In the current Toyota pickup lineup, the Tacoma with the 2.7-liter I4 in a 2WD configuration offers the best gas mileage. The Tundra’s hybrid option can close the gap, but for outright mpg, Tacoma configurations generally lead among Toyota’s trucks.
Summary: The Toyota Tacoma remains the most fuel-efficient Toyota pickup in typical configurations, thanks to its smaller engine and lighter weight. The Tundra, while offering a hybrid variant that boosts efficiency, generally trails the Tacoma in mpg. Real-world mileage will depend on configuration, tires, and driving conditions.
