Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck: Picking the Right Pickup

If you farm or are in the construction or mining industry, you need the hauling capacity of a pickup, but you may want a pickup for personal use as well.

If you’re in the market for a pickup truck, but want to make sure you get one with the best possible gas mileage that fits your needs, consider the three best-selling choices in the U.S. market. Here’s what magazine and website reviewers have to say about their comparative pros and cons:

Ford F-150

In a 2013 challenge among pickups, the website PickupTrucks.com (affiliated with Cars.com, Chicago) ranked the F-150 tops based on its strong showing in various performance tests such as acceleration, braking, hill climbing, and towing. But the judges agreed that interior comfort and features did not match the Ram or Silverado trucks. With the new aluminum 2015 F-150 scheduled to go on sale in the fall, bargain hunters are likely to find good deals on the 2014 F-150. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mileage ratings on the 2014 are 16 MPG in city driving, 22 on the highway for the turbocharged V-6 engine. The V-8 is rated 13 MPG city, 18 highway.

Ram 1500

The Ram finished a close second in the PickupTruck.com challenge, and was the top choice this year of Consumer Reports. Both reviews praised its comfortable interior and smooth and relatively quiet ride and dashboard information and entertainment system. The Ram comes with both V-6 and V-8 engines and a diesel option. EPA mileage ratings are 20 MPG in the city and 28 on the highway for the smallest V-6. The V-8 engine is rated 15 MPG city, 22 highway.

Chevrolet Silverado

Consumer Reports praised the redesigned 2014 Silverado for having responsive handling for a full-sized truck and for its quiet and spacious cabin. It also performed well in the magazine’s towing and hauling tests. Like its competitors, Silverado offers both V-6 and V-8 engines. EPA ratings for the V-6 are 18 MPG city, 24 highway. The 5.3-liter V-8 is rated at 16 MPG city, 23 highway.