Toyota Tacoma vs Ford Maverick: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Ford Maverick is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,720 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Maverick HEV, 38 MPG combined), against $2,800 for the Toyota Tacoma (Tacoma Hybrid, 23 MPG combined). That is $1,080 a year, or $5,400 over five years.
Both are classed as Small 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.
- Hybrid
- Small pickups
Toyota Tacoma
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Tacoma Hybrid
$18.67 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
10 configurations in MY2026
- Hybrid
- Small pickups
Ford Maverick
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Maverick HEV
$11.47 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
7 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Toyota Tacoma$2,800 a year · $18.67 per 100 mi
- Ford Maverick$1,720 a year · $11.47 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$1,080
Ford Maverick costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$5,400
$1,080 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Toyota Tacoma | Ford Maverick |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Tacoma Hybrid | Maverick HEV |
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Combined rating | 23 MPG | 38 MPG (better) |
| City rating | 22 MPG | 42 MPG (better) |
| Highway rating | 24 MPG | 35 MPG (better) |
| Annual fuel cost | $2,800/yr | $1,720/yr (better) |
| Cost per 100 miles | $18.67 | $11.47 (better) |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $2,800–$3,310 | $1,720–$2,840 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 10 | 7 |
| EPA class | Small pickups | Small pickups |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Toyota Tacoma | Ford Maverick |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 23 MPG · $2,880/yr Tacoma SR5/Sport/PreRunner | 26 MPG · $2,480/yr Maverick |
| Hybrid | 23 MPG · $2,800/yr Tacoma Hybrid | 38 MPG · $1,720/yr Maverick HEV |
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.
Toyota Tacoma
Not ahead on any measure listed here.
Ford Maverick
- Lower annual fuel cost: $1,720 vs $2,800
- Higher combined rating: 38 MPG vs 23 MPG
- Higher city rating: 42 MPG vs 22 MPG
- Higher highway rating: 35 MPG vs 24 MPG
- Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $2,480 vs $2,880
Year by year
| Model year | Toyota Tacoma | Ford Maverick | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 20–23 MPG | $2,800–$3,310 | 23–38 MPG | $1,720–$2,840 |
| 2025 | 20–23 MPG | $2,800–$3,310 | 23–38 MPG | $1,720–$2,840 |
| 2024 | 20–24 MPG | $2,780–$3,310 | 21–37 MPG | $1,750–$3,050 |
| 2023 | 18–21 MPG | $3,100–$3,570 | 21–37 MPG | $1,780–$3,050 |
| 2022 | 18–21 MPG | $3,100–$3,570 | 25–37 MPG | $1,750–$2,620 |
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Toyota Tacoma or the Ford Maverick?
The Ford Maverick is cheaper: about $1,720 a year against $2,800 for the Toyota Tacoma, a difference of $1,080 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 Maverick save over five years?
About $5,400 ($1,080 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 Toyota Tacoma or the Ford Maverick?
The Ford Maverick is rated 38 MPG combined against 23 MPG for the Toyota Tacoma. City: 22 MPG vs 42 MPG. Highway: 24 MPG vs 35 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 Toyota Tacoma and the Ford Maverick in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Small pickups.