What Are the Best Hybrid Trucks of 2022?

Classically, pickup trucks have been used for commercial purposes such as construction or agriculture. However, there are a variety of uses consumers have for pickup trucks, as reflected in their popularity. They have become vehicles for campers, outdoorsmen, and even soccer moms, especially as they have become much more luxurious and have extended their cab space.

One thing that has daunted some from buying a pickup truck is that they have high gas mileage or require expensive diesel. With the power expected of pickup trucks comes a need for fuel to support their torque and towing capacity. Combustion engines use fuel that costs a lot of money, as well as harms the environment.

Numerous automakers have reacted to this damage by vowing to make better engines that aren’t as reliant on fossil fuels. One of the innovations that have reduced carbon emissions from combustible engines was to convert some or all of a vehicle’s engine to electric power rather than the fuel. In these hybrid vehicles, the two power sources work in tandem.

What Are the Benefits of Hybrid Pickup Trucks?

Hybrid vehicles are often associated with small cars meant to zip around cities. This view underestimates what a hybrid engine can do on the road and off. The array of hybrid pickup trucks available proves this by doing everything a gasoline or diesel engine can do, but with fewer emissions and fewer costs to consumers.

Pickup trucks are commonly used for commercial interests because of their hauling and towing power. Their beds can carry a lot of cargo, whether that is lumber, camping gear, the kids’ sports equipment, or the decorations for a parade, so their use isn’t limited to worksites and agricultural fields. More recent innovations in design and technology have extended the interior and made it more comfortable, so many trucks are now as comfortable to drive as they are powerful.

Hybrid trucks are not exempt from these qualities. Consumers do not have to sacrifice power for mileage or reduced emissions. Hybrid pickup trucks are every bit as capable as their gas-guzzling siblings, with a lot of perks that make them even more desirable. In fact, they have more power, torque, and towing capability because hybrids have two or more engines – a combustion engine and at least one electric engine. With electric power assisting the fuel-powered engine, hybrid vehicles can pull or carry heavy loads without burning a lot of gas to do it.

Your Truck Is Self-Sufficient

The electric engine also acts as a battery pack for other remote and handheld devices, such as tools, electronics, and communications like laptops or cell phones. Recent-year models also include infotainment packages, which include GPS, WiFi, or satellite connectivity, and a variety of entertainment options so passengers can enjoy long trips in style and delight. Pickup trucks are no longer solely utility vehicles. They have become luxury vehicles loaded with features that happen to be utilitarian.

It Charges Itself

Another good quality of hybrid pick-up trucks is that they don’t need to be plugged in to be recharged. When a truck recharges itself, it can go anywhere. The combustion part of a hybrid powertrain recharges the battery while the vehicle is being driven. There is also regenerative braking system technology which stores power in the electric battery every time the brakes are used.

Fewer Maintenance Costs

Because the engine is made of so many electric components, maintenance on hybrids is simpler than on combustion engines. The electric engine supports the combustion engine, reducing wear and tear on both systems and prolonging the time between maintenance visits. Since electric engines have fewer moving parts, there is a lot less that can go wrong with them.

Tax Rebates

In some US states, there are even tax incentives and rebates for purchasing a hybrid vehicle. A few states offer these programs to encourage the purchase of vehicles that reduce emissions. The federal government is considering contributions toward extending these programs because in some places, hybrid vehicles have become so popular that local governments have run out of rebates.

What Are the Best Hybrid Trucks of 2022?

There are a select few hybrid trucks of various price ranges offered in the United States. They all come from well-known, reputable auto manufacturers. They come in mid-sized and full, so consumers are bound to find a hybrid pickup truck to meet their needs.

Ford F-150

Ford changed the game with the F-150 when they made it a V6 engine and then changed it again by making the hybrid 3.5L V6 PowerBoost. This is one pickup that is synonymous with “truck” because it is widely used commercially, which speaks highly of its reliability. It offers 430 horsepower and 570 pounds of torque, 12,270 pounds of towing capacity, and a payload capacity of 2,120 pounds. It gets a combined 24 miles per gallon and delivers on all the promises associated with the F-150 model.

Ford Maverick

A revival of the small pickup truck model from the 1970s, the Maverick is a gas-efficient powerhouse with an affordable price tag. This little truck boasts a lot of power, with 191 horsepower and a payload of 1,564 pounds. All of this rides at 42 miles per gallon in the city in a 2.5L engine. Basic models are under $20,000, which includes all-wheel drive, 8-speed automatic transmission, and seating for 5. Plus, it’s also got the off-road capability for more rugged drivers.

Toyota Tundra

Although Toyota has converted many of its best-known models to hybrid, the auto manufacturer designed the i-Force MAX 3.5L Twin Turbo V6 hybrid engine, especially for their pickup truck, the Tundra. This gives it a 12,000-pound towing capacity and a 1,940-pound payload capacity, but at the cost of a little mileage, with 22 miles per gallon combined. However, the luxurious interior masks the truck’s off-road capabilities, which make it comparable to other full-sized hybrid pick-up trucks on the market.

Toyota Hybrid A-BAT

Fans of the Toyota Prius might see an echo of the little sedan in this small hybrid pickup. It was designed for maximum aerodynamic efficiency, which is only one of the ways it is more fuel efficient. The concept was announced way back in 2007, but only now is Toyota starting to reveal more about its design and specs, which show it to be comparable to the best trucks in its class. While this small truck isn’t slated for a 2022 release, it is one of the most talked-about trucks of the year.

GMC Sierra 1500

While the hybrid model of the Sierra 1500 from General Motors has not been made since 2013, this light work truck is still relevant in 2022. Its reliability has contributed to a high resale value, and easy maintenance means that a used model can be comparable to a newer pickup truck. For sale or trade-in, the Sierra 1500 also has a lot of value, but why let go of a truck with so much longevity and a 1,527-pound payload capacity?

Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The twin to the Sierra, the Silverado lasted a little longer, not being discontinued until 2018 and now resurrected as an electric vehicle. Used models are reasonably priced for a full-sized pickup truck at between $15,000 and $24,000. This buys a towing capacity of over 10,000 pounds from a 6.0L V8 hybrid engine that can carry 1,527 pounds of payload. Although it is an older model, it still gets comparable mileage, averaging 22 miles per gallon.

Dodge Ram 1500

The 3.6L V6 engine in the Dodge Ram 1500 uses the eTorque mild hybrid system, which means the electric component doesn’t actually run the truck, but augments the combustion engine. This combination still manages 22 miles per gallon in the city while having a towing capacity of 12,560 pounds. The augmentation of the eTorque system, which includes regenerative braking, is responsible for its competitive gas mileage. Despite the classification, the Dodge Ram 1500 runs just like a hybrid pickup truck.

Honda Ridgeline

Potentially coming out toward the end of 2022 is the updated Ridgeline model from Honda, which is also getting a hybrid engine. This mid-sized pickup has been available since 2018 but will now have the option of a 3.5L V6 engine that gets a combined 25 miles per gallon. The current Ridgeline models can tow 5,000 pounds and carry a payload of 1,500 pounds, which puts it in the same league as its full-sized competitors. The 2023 Ridgeline is expected to exceed these specs.

Hyundai Santa Cruz

Hyundai’s entry into the market for mid-sized pickup trucks is a true competitor at a reasonable price. Starting around $25,000 new, the Santa Cruz is spacious on the inside and boasts some of the best connectivity available, all while being capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds. Its distinctive exterior looks toward the future while carrying a 2.5L four-cylinder engine, making its power a surprise while keeping to around 25 miles per gallon.

Choosing the Right Hybrid Pickup Truck

The size of a pickup truck, the price, and the towing capacity are all considerations when looking for the pickup truck that is right for you. If you drive a lot of people around, it is also a factor. However, hybrid pickup trucks can do all of that and more, easily keeping up with their gas-powered counterparts. What you save in fuel and maintenance more than pays for your hybrid truck.