Ford Ranger vs Nissan Frontier: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Ford Ranger is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $2,900 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Ranger, 23 MPG combined), against $3,040 for the Nissan Frontier (Frontier, 21 MPG combined). That is $140 a year, or $700 over five years.

Both are classed as Standard pickups by the EPA. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.

Illustration: Standard pickups

Gas
Standard pickups

Ford Ranger

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Ranger

Combined

City

Highway

Annual fuel cost

$2,900

$19.33 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

4 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Standard pickups

Gas
Standard pickups

Nissan Frontier

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Frontier

Combined

City

Highway

Annual fuel cost

$3,040

$20.27 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

3 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

Ford Ranger$2,900 a year · $19.33 per 100 mi
Nissan Frontier$3,040 a year · $20.27 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$140

Ford Ranger costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$700

$140 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure	Ford Ranger	Nissan Frontier
Lowest-cost configuration	Ranger	Frontier
Powertrain	Gas	Gas
Combined rating	23 MPG (better)	21 MPG
City rating	21 MPG (better)	19 MPG
Highway rating	25 MPG (better)	24 MPG
Annual fuel cost	$2,900/yr (better)	$3,040/yr
Cost per 100 miles	$19.33 (better)	$20.27
Annual cost range, all configurations	$2,900–$3,880	$3,040–$3,600
Configurations in MY2026	4	3
EPA class	Standard pickups	Standard pickups

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier
Powertrain	Ford Ranger	Nissan Frontier
Gas	23 MPG · $2,900/yr Ranger	21 MPG · $3,040/yr Frontier

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Ford Ranger

Lower annual fuel cost: $2,900 vs $3,040
Higher combined rating: 23 MPG vs 21 MPG
Higher city rating: 21 MPG vs 19 MPG
Higher highway rating: 25 MPG vs 24 MPG

Nissan Frontier

Not ahead on any measure listed here.

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier
Model year	Ford Ranger		Nissan Frontier
Model year	Combined	Per year	Combined	Per year
2026	17–23 MPG	$2,900–$3,880	18–21 MPG	$3,040–$3,600
2025	17–23 MPG	$2,780–$3,880	18–21 MPG	$3,120–$3,630
2024	17–22 MPG	$2,950–$3,880	19–21 MPG	$3,090–$3,440
2023	19–23 MPG	$2,800–$3,440	18–21 MPG	$3,090–$3,630
2022	19–23 MPG	$2,800–$3,440	19–20 MPG	$3,270–$3,360
2021	18–23 MPG	$2,800–$3,570	19–20 MPG	$3,270–$3,440
2020	18–23 MPG	$2,800–$3,570	19–20 MPG	$3,270–$3,440
2019	18–23 MPG	$2,800–$3,570	17–21 MPG	$3,090–$3,820
2011	16–24 MPG	$2,770–$4,110	16–21 MPG	$3,130–$4,000
2010	15–24 MPG	$2,720–$4,360	16–21 MPG	$3,110–$4,080
2009	15–23 MPG	$2,840–$4,360	16–21 MPG	$3,110–$4,080
2008	15–23 MPG	$2,840–$4,360	16–21 MPG	$3,110–$4,080
2007	15–23 MPG	$2,840–$4,360	16–21 MPG	$3,110–$4,080
2006	15–23 MPG	$2,840–$4,360	16–21 MPG	$3,110–$4,080
2005	15–23 MPG	$2,840–$4,360	16–21 MPG	$3,110–$4,080
2004	15–23 MPG	$2,840–$4,360	15–22 MPG	$2,970–$5,360
2003	15–23 MPG	$2,840–$4,360	14–21 MPG	$3,110–$5,740
2002	15–23 MPG	$2,840–$4,360	15–21 MPG	$3,110–$5,360
2001	15–23 MPG	$1,590–$4,360	15–21 MPG	$3,110–$5,360
2000	15–22 MPG	$1,590–$4,360	15–21 MPG	$3,110–$4,360

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year. Electric configurations are not included in the MPG range of a year that also has other powertrains.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Ford Ranger or the Nissan Frontier?

The Ford Ranger is cheaper: about $2,900 a year against $3,040 for the Nissan Frontier, a difference of $140 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Ford Ranger save over five years?

About $700 ($140 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Ford Ranger or the Nissan Frontier?

The Ford Ranger is rated 23 MPG combined against 21 MPG for the Nissan Frontier. City: 21 MPG vs 19 MPG. Highway: 25 MPG vs 24 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Ford Ranger and the Nissan Frontier in the same class?

Yes. The EPA classes both as Standard pickups.

Explore these cars

More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles