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BEST MILEAGE AMONG PICKUPS
Chevrolet S10/GMC Sonoma
These General Motors siblings fit nicely into this small pickup
category, where hauling capacity plus comfortable ride equip
them for everyday duty. With the 2.2-liter, high-mileage
engine, you likely will want to get the stick shift for decent
performance. If you want an automatic transmission, go with the
optional V6 engine. In addition to these base model trucks,
these two come with a variety of extended-cab and four-wheel
drive options.
Ford Ranger/Mazda B2500
Though trailing its bigger F-series family member (the
best-selling vehicle in America) in sales volume, the Ranger still
tops the small-pickup class. The Ranger and its mechanical twin
the Mazda B2500 get their good mileage with a 2.5-liter engine.
As with their GM competitors, you will be happiest with a
standard shift with this small engine. But for those who need
more power, both pickups now offer a 4.0-liter V6 as well. Both
the Ford and Mazda models come standard with front and rear
anti-lock brakes.
Nissan Frontier SE
The Frontier redesign for 2001 produced one tough-looking truck
and, in my opinion, the best looker in this class. (Many of the
design touches spilled over to its extreme-looking SUV sibling,
the Xterra.) This mileage is for the standard cab and 2.4-liter
engine, but other engine options run up to a supercharged V6.
Like the competition, the Frontier offers an extended and crew
cab and four-wheel drive. If bulging fenders and truck charisma
speak to you, check out the Nissan.
Toyota Tacoma
The Tacoma is, mechanically speaking, a seven-year-old design
that got slightly freshened styling for 2001. But I still find
the Nissan Frontier and Dodge Dakota better-looking trucks. The
Tacoma, of course, carrries the Toyota reputation for
reliability. But the base price doesn't include much standard
equipment (for instance front and rear anti-lock brakes,
standard on the Ford and Chevy, are optional here). Once you've
equipped the truck as you want, the Tacoma is among the most
expensive in this class.
Dodge Dakota
The number three seller in the class, the Dakota pioneered both
rugged styling and extra room. It was the first to offer its
extended Quad Cab with four full-sized doors, and that cab is
still among the roomiest for family buyers. The high mileage
listed here is for the standard cab and 2.5-liter engine with
manual shift. But the Dakota also offers a V6 and -- for those
who really don't care about gas mileage -- the only V8 in the class.
NEXT: Diesels >>
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