On this episode of TFLtruck, we find out which is the most fuel efficient full-size pickup truck of 2026. We are testing a new 2026 Ram 1500 with a twin-turbo inline-6, a new 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 with a large 6.2L V8, a new Toyota Tundra with its hybrid powertrain, and a new Ford F-150 hybrid. All four of these pickup trucks are 4×4 crew cabs. Let’s put them on our long Denver 100 MPG loop at the same time and find out which one comes out on top. Let’d dig in!
This is part 2 of 3 of our TFLtruck’s 2026 Truck of the Year competition. Part 1 was the Ike Gauntlet – the world’s toughest towing test. The final part and the final decision are coming next week when we show a 1/4-mile drag race between these four new pickup trucks.
Competitors
Here are the competitors. All of these pickup trucks are crew cabs with a shorter bed option and 4×4. ( *The payload and tow ratings listed below are for the specific trim levels that we tested, not the maximum advertised numbers. )
| Ford F-150 | GMC Sierra 1500 | Ram 1500 | Toyota Tundra | |
| Engine | 3.5L TT V6 H | 6.2L V8 | 3.0L TT I6 | 3.4L TT V6 H |
| Power | 430 hp @ 6,000 | 420 hp @ 5,600 | 420 hp @ 5,200 | 437 hp @ 5,200 |
| Torque | 570 lb-ft @ 3,000 | 460 lb-ft @ 4,100 | 469 lb-ft @ 3,500 | 583 lb-ft @ 2,400 |
| Transmission | 10-speed Auto | 10-speed Auto | 8-speed Auto | 10-speed Auto |
| Rear Axle Ratio | 3.73 to 1 | 3.23 to 1 | 3.92 to 1 | 3.31 to 1 |
| — | — | — | — | |
| Payload* | 1,430 lbs | 1,494 lbs | 1,757 lbs | 1,290 lbs |
| Tow Rating* | 10,800 lbs | 9,200 lbs | 11,200 lbs | 11,020 lbs |
Denver 100 MPG Results
How far can these trucks go on a single fill up? Let’s take a look.
We got results are all way better than the EPA fuel economy estimates for these trucks. Based on the MPG we got and the fuel tank size, we can calculate the theoretical maximum highway range for each pickup truck.
| Ford F-150 | GMC Sierra | Ram 1500 | Toyota Tundra | |
| MPG Results | 29.7 mpg | 23.4 mpg | 21.5 mpg | 24.0 mpg |
| Fuel Tank Size | 30.6 gal | 24 gal | 26 gal | 32.2 gal |
| — | — | — | — | |
| Max Range | 908 miles | 561 miles | 559 miles | 772.8 miles |
2026 Truck of the Year
Here is the cumulative ranking. The truck with the most points after these three major tests gets crowned the winner. Each event offers a maximum of 4 points.
| Ford F-150 | GMC Sierra | Ram 1500 | Toyota Tundra | |
| Ike Gauntlet | 3 pts | 4 pts | 2 pts | 1 pts |
| Denver 100 MPG | 4 pts | 2 pts | 1 pts | 3 pts |
| Drag Race | ||||
| — | — | — | — | |
| Total: | 7 | 6 | 3 | 4 |
At this point, the Ford F-150 is in the lead. Let’s see what happens in the drag race next week, so we can calculate the final championship results.
Please join Kase and I in this Denver 100 MPG loop video below.
