The 2017 model year marks a significant shift in the pickup truck industry. For years, manufacturers competed primarily on horsepower and torque figures, with heavy-duty diesel trucks surpassing 900 lb-ft of torque. As capability has exceeded many customers’ actual needs, the battleground has moved to fuel economy. Manufacturers are now racing to deliver better fuel efficiency through innovations such as 10-speed transmissions, weight-saving materials, start-stop technology, advanced engine management systems, and aerodynamic improvements. These advances promise lower operating costs for contractors and fleet operators who depend on their trucks daily. For professionals looking to maximize their truck’s utility, investing in smart Pickup Truck Tool Storage Sliding Drawer Systems can complement fuel savings by improving job site organization and reducing time spent searching for equipment.
Ford and General Motors Lead with Powertrain Innovations
Ford and General Motors have taken different but equally effective approaches to improving fuel economy across their 2017 pickup lineups. Ford emphasizes EcoBoost turbocharging and weight reduction through aluminum body technology, while GM focuses on cylinder deactivation, advanced fuel injection, and transmission gearing improvements.
Ford EcoBoost and Auto Start-Stop Technology
EcoBoost is Ford’s core fuel economy technology. Smaller displacement turbocharged engines produce power comparable to larger engines while consuming significantly less fuel. EcoBoost engines currently account for more than 60 percent of all F-150 sales. The F-150 remains the only truck in its segment offering turbocharged direct injection engines.
For 2017, all F-150 pickups with EcoBoost engines come with Auto Start-Stop Technology. Specially tuned for truck customers, the system shuts off the engine when the vehicle is at a stop, except when towing or in four-wheel-drive mode. The engine restarts instantly when the brake is released. Key fuel economy figures include:
- 2.7-liter EcoBoost V4 EPA-estimated 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with Auto Start-Stop
- 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 second-generation design with more than 450 lb-ft of torque, paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission
Ford 10-Speed Transmission and Aluminum Body
Ford’s new 10-speed automatic transmission delivers improved acceleration and performance over previous six-speed units. Three overdrive gears and a wider span enable lower numerical rear axle ratios, improving fuel efficiency at highway speeds while maintaining towing performance. The transmission is the first from Ford without cast iron components, using advanced materials and alloys for lighter weight. Adaptive shift-scheduling algorithms monitor more than a dozen powertrain signals in real time to ensure the right gear at the right time.
Ford also expanded its military-grade aluminum alloy body technology to the 2017 F-Series Super Duty. The combination of high-strength aluminum body and high-strength steel frame reduces weight by up to 350 pounds. The fully boxed frame is more than 95 percent high-strength steel and up to 24 times stiffer than the previous frame.
Chevrolet and GMC Engine Technology Advancements
General Motors has made significant powertrain updates across its Chevrolet and GMC lineup. For the mid-size Colorado and Canyon, a new 3.6-liter V6 with eight-speed automatic transmission joins the existing Duramax 2.9-liter diesel option. The Colorado is currently the most fuel-efficient pickup truck in America, with an EPA-estimated 31 mpg highway when equipped with the diesel engine.
The second-generation 3.6-liter V6 includes Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) for the first time, disabling two cylinders under light throttle. The GM-developed Hydra-Matic 8L45 eight-speed transmission offers a wider 7.0 overall gear ratio spread compared with the 6.0 ratio of the previous six-speed. This provides a higher first gear for confident starts with heavy loads and lower rear axle ratios that reduce engine rpm on the highway.
The full-size Silverado and Sierra rely on EcoTec3 engines featuring direct injection, Active Fuel Management, and continuously variable valve timing. The ability to precisely control combustion enables a higher compression ratio of 11.0:1 on regular fuel. The heavy-duty models feature a next-generation 6.6-liter Duramax turbo diesel producing 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque. A patented air intake system with a hood scoop provides 60 percent of the air from a front hood inlet and includes an air and water separator that ensures only dry air enters the engine.
Ram Trucks Targets Aerodynamics and Parasitic Loss
Ram Trucks reports that fuel economy is the number one unmet customer need in half-ton trucks. The Ram 1500 uses multiple fuel-saving features, including a standard eight-speed transmission and an EcoDiesel engine, to achieve double-digit percentage improvements over previous generations.
EcoDiesel and TorqueFlite Eight-Speed Powertrain
The Ram 1500 with the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine achieves an estimated 29 mpg while delivering 240 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged 60-degree DOHC 24-valve V6 mates to the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, providing towing capability up to 9,200 pounds. Additional engine options include:
- 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with variable valve timing, 305 horsepower, 269 lb-ft of torque, and 25 mpg fuel economy
- 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with fuel-saving cylinder shut-off and variable valve timing, delivering up to 22 mpg, 395 horsepower, and 410 lb-ft of torque
Active Aerodynamics and Parasitic Loss Reduction
Several technologies work together to improve Ram 1500 efficiency:
- Active-Level Four-Corner Air Suspension automatically lowers the truck at highway speeds to reduce drag, and offers five ride height settings
- Active grille shutters close the grille opening when less airflow is needed, reducing aerodynamic resistance
- Pulse-width modulation reduces parasitic electrical load on the alternator, with the cooling fan alone adding a 0.2 percent fuel efficiency improvement
- Variable-displacement air conditioning compressor reduces engine loads while maintaining consistent cockpit temperature
The Ram 1500 achieves a low 0.360 coefficient of drag. For the Heavy Duty lineup, Fuel Saver Technology with cylinder deactivation and Interactive Deceleration Fuel Shut Off maximize efficiency. The Ram Active Air intake system for Cummins diesel engines uses a computer-controlled valve system to direct air through the grille or fender based on temperature and weather conditions.
Nissan and Toyota Expand Fuel-Efficient Lineups
Both Nissan and Toyota have introduced significant updates for 2017, with new engines, transmissions, and aerodynamic improvements that prioritize fuel economy alongside capability.
Nissan TITAN with Direct Injection Gas Technology
Nissan expanded its full-size pickup lineup with the arrival of the TITAN half-ton and the first-ever TITAN Single Cab, designed for the commercial fleet and work truck market. The TITAN XD continues to occupy a position between traditional heavy-duty and light-duty pickups. Fuel-saving features include approximately 10 percent aerodynamic drag reduction versus the previous generation, achieved through front and rear spoilers, underbody covers, tire wind deflectors, and a cab-to-bed seal.
The new 5.6-liter Endurance V8 features Direct Injection Gas technology for improved fuel economy and emissions performance. A higher 11.2:1 compression ratio and Multi Control Valve for thermal efficiency contribute to overall gains. An Active Grille Shutter closes when less airflow is needed based on coolant temperature and vehicle speed.
Toyota Tacoma Atkinson Cycle and Tundra i-Force V8
The Toyota Tacoma offers two engines for 2017. The 2.7-liter DOHC four-cylinder with VVT-i produces 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, achieving EPA-estimated 19 mpg city and 23 mpg highway with the 4×2 automatic. The Tacoma also offers a 3.5-liter V6 with Atkinson cycle and VVT-iW, featuring Toyota’s D-4S technology with both direct and port fuel injection. This V6 generates 278 horsepower, an increase of 42 horsepower over the previous engine, with 265 lb-ft of torque.
The Toyota Tundra comes standard with a 4.6-liter i-Force V8 producing 310 horsepower and 327 lb-ft of torque. The available 5.7-liter i-Force V8 generates 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque, with many models certified as Flex-Fuel Vehicles capable of using E85. Both engines feature aluminum cylinder blocks, DOHC heads with four valves per cylinder, Dual Independent VVT-i, and an Acoustic Control Induction System for a broad torque curve.
Fuel Economy Comparison and Selection Guide
The following table summarizes EPA-estimated fuel economy figures for key 2017 pickup truck configurations, helping contractors compare efficiency across manufacturers and engine options.
| Manufacturer | Model | Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford | F-150 | 2.7L EcoBoost V4 | 19 | 26 |
| Chevrolet | Colorado | Duramax 2.9L Diesel | 22 | 31 |
| Chevrolet | Colorado | 3.6L V6 (new) | 19 | 26 |
| Ram | 1500 | 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 | 22 | 29 |
| Ram | 1500 | 3.6L Pentastar V6 | 20 | 25 |
| Ram | 1500 | 5.7L HEMI V8 | 17 | 22 |
| Toyota | Tacoma 4×2 | 3.5L V6 Atkinson | 19 | 24 |
| Nissan | TITAN half-ton | 5.6L Endurance V8 | 16 | 22 |
Selecting the Right Fuel-Efficient Truck
Choosing the right pickup requires balancing fuel economy against workload demands. Consider these factors when evaluating your next truck purchase:
- Evaluate your duty cycle. A truck on highways benefits most from aerodynamic features and overdrive gears. A truck in stop-and-go traffic benefits more from start-stop and cylinder deactivation.
- Match engine to payload. Mid-size trucks with diesel engines offer exceptional fuel economy for light to medium duty work. Full-size trucks remain necessary for heavy towing but now offer better efficiency than ever.
- Account for total cost of ownership. Diesel engines command a higher upfront price but deliver better fuel economy and resale value. Calculate break-even mileage based on annual driving distance and local fuel prices.
For operations that require extensive equipment hauling, pairing a fuel-efficient truck with smart storage solutions improves overall productivity. Systems such as Maximizing Your Pickup Truck Tool Storage Custom Drawer solutions help reduce vehicle clutter and improve job site efficiency.
Fuel economy improvements in pickup trucks are also part of a broader cost-saving picture for construction operations. Approaches such as Economy Formwork Construction methods demonstrate how material efficiency and smart design reduce project costs. Similarly, understanding how Retaining Wall Types Materials Economy and Applications affect project budgets helps contractors make informed decisions that complement their equipment investments.
The 2017 pickup truck lineup demonstrates that manufacturers have made fuel economy a genuine engineering priority. From Ford’s EcoBoost and aluminum body to Ram’s active aerodynamics and GM’s advanced powertrain technologies, every major manufacturer offers meaningful improvements. Contractors and fleet operators who evaluate these options carefully will find trucks that deliver both the capability their work demands and the fuel savings their budgets require.