Times change quickly in the modern automotive world. Even a few years ago, if you were driving a hybrid, it was a conspicuous eco-sacrifice. Your car probably looked weird and had aggressive blue branding. The driving dynamics were lumbering and unpleasant. You did it for the gas mileage. Today, hybrids have markedly improved. Even enthusiast vehicles offer them. And the hybrid may be the preferred option for performance, whether or not you want the increased efficiency. That's even true with pickup trucks.
Ford and Toyota launched new generations of their full-size trucks with hybrid options this decade. Expect to see their competitors follow suit. The new Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro will pack a hybrid. And the Ford Maverick, with its base hybrid engine, has reawakened the dormant small truck segment.
Why You Should Buy a Hybrid Pickup
Efficiency
Hybrid trucks can be markedly more fuel-efficient than their combustion counterparts. Fuel economy can improve into the mid-20s — on par with much smaller crossovers.
Towing
Hybrid trucks offer ample low-end torque and can tow on par with their combustion counterparts. Ford ditched the diesel option for the F-150 because the PowerBoost hybrid made it unnecessary. Electric trucks struggle to match combustion trucks and have their range limited when towing.
Affordability
Electric trucks are just coming to market. But the non-fleet versions are going to be pricey. EV startup Rivian just increased its prices. And it will be a while before Chevy can offer a Silverado EV for below $100,000. Hybrid trucks tend to be more expensive than combustion ones, but the cost is far more reasonable.
Availability
Electric trucks have proven far more popular than expected, which has resulted in backlogs. Ford has had to ramp up production plans for the F-150 Lightning multiple times over and shut down reservations. Hybrid trucks are far easier to find.
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Ford F-150 PowerBoost
Tyler Duffy
Ford broke convention back in 2015, moving the F-150 from V8 to predominately turbocharged V6 power. For 2021, they advanced the pickup truck market again with the first hybrid engine, the 3.5-liter V6 PowerBoost.
The hybrid is the most potent (non-Raptor) engine in the F-150 lineup, delivering 430 horsepower and 570 lb-ft of torque. It's also the most efficient F-150, offering 24 mpg combined in the 4WD configuration. And I found it so seamless in everyday driving that it should be any F-150 buyer's preferred option.
How You Get a Hybrid Ford F-150: The cheapest F-150 hybrid comes as a $3,300 optional motor on the Lariat trim. The Powerboost V6 can also be optioned on the King Ranch, Platinum and Limited trims.
Powertrain: Twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter Powerboost V6 hybrid; 10-speed automatic; 4x4 available
Power: 430 hp
Torque: 570 lb-ft
EPA Fuel Economy: Up to 25 mpg city, 26 mpg highway
Toyota finally updated the Tundra to an all-new third-generation for 2022. It rides on a new platform. And it ditched the reliable but inefficient 5.7-liter V8 for two far more efficient turbocharged V6 motors. The premium option is the hybrid. And it's a revolutionary upgrade for the Tundra.
When you hear Toyota and hybrid, you may be thinking Prius. Don't. Toyota tuned the Tundra's hybrid for performance with mammoth low-end torque. How confident is Toyota in the engine? It's the only option on the two best trims.
How You Get a Hybrid Toyota Tundra: The iForce Max hybrid engine is the more powerful of the two Toyota Tundra engines. Buyers can add it starting at the Limited trim as a $3,400 option. It is the only engine option available on the new super-lux Capstone trim and off-road capable TRD Pro trim.
Powertrain: Twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6; 10-speed automatic; 4x4 available
Ford revived the small truck segment with the Maverick. It's crossover-based but delivers truck-like looks and payload capacity. And it's the most affordable hybrid vehicle in America today, with the steelie-sporting base model starting at least nominally under $20,000.
The Maverick hybrid earns 42 mpg in city driving. And the EPA rating may undersell its real-life performance. We matched that 42 mpg driving quickly on Tennessee backroads and heard tales of media members earning close to 60 mpg trying to conserve fuel. We even reached 37 mpg while carting a whole pallet of mulch.
How You Get a Hybrid Ford Maverick: The Ford Maverick's base engine is a hybrid. It is available on all trim levels, though it cannot be paired with all-wheel drive.
Toyota unveiled the all-new third-generation 2024 Tacoma that will enter production in 2023. It will be the first midsize truck to offer a hybrid powertrain as the upgrade option. The iForce Max is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that puts out 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
How You Get a Hybrid Toyota Tacoma: The iForce Max engine will be available on TRD Sport grade Tacomas and above. It is the only option on the TRD Pro and Trailhunter trims. Toyota has not unveiled pricing yet for the 2024 Toyota Tacoma.
