Are hybrid trucks any good? The technology can be an excellent choice for economy-conscious drivers motivated by the prospect of saving lots of money on fuel while still driving around town and taking road trips.
With pickup trucks, though, the question takes a different dimension. People who buy trucks often have certain expectations that might question the suitability of hybrid technologies for trucks. For example, many wonder if hybrids can tow. The answer is yes. You just have to understand how the powertrain works.
The engine still does most of the work in hybrids, so they can tow just as much as their purely-gas counterparts. There are many other aspects of a truck besides towing and many other ways hybrids can be crazy good. These 10 are truly awesome.
Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid
The Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid’s hybrid powertrain didn’t stop it from boasting an impressive towing capacity of 12,700 lbs max. It combines Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with a 35-kWh electric motor to produce 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque.
One of the truck’s highlights is its Pro Power Onboard mobile generator, which provides 7.2 kilowatts of power. It also has a regenerative braking feature.
Toyota Tundra Hybrid i-FORCE MAX
The recently redesigned Tundra received a hybrid powertrain for enhanced efficiency and power. The Toyota Hybrid i-FORCE MAX combines a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor to produce 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque.
It achieves an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in combined city/highway driving and allows a towing capacity of up to 12,000 lbs. It also features a Pro Power Onboard mobile power generator and a range of cutting-edge technologies, such as a head-up display and the Toyota Safety Sense suite.
Ram 1500 eTorque
This mild-hybrid version of RAM’s most popular model brings both V6 and V8 powerplants to the farm. The whole essence of the eTorque system is to achieve a better economy without sacrificing backbone strength.
They include a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 producing 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, while the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 produces 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. The V6 returns 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg in the highway, while the V8 is good for 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg in highway fuel economy.
The V8 offers 12,750 lbs of maximum towing strength, while the V6 boasts up to 2,300 lbs of payload capacity. RAM’s 1500 eTorque also comes with a Pro Power Onboard feature that provides up to 115 and 700 watts.
Ford Maverick Hybrid
Yes, Ford’s Maverick Hybrid compact pickup is crazy good, especially in urban dwellers’ hands and garages. Its 2.5-liter hybrid engine makes it one of the most efficient trucks money can buy. How does an EPA-estimated 40 mpg city/43 mpg highway fuel economy sound?
The engine teams up with a CVT to manage the 191 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque produced. A 2,000-lb maximum towing capacity isn’t bad for a truck of the Maverick’s class, and neither is its 1,500-lb payload capacity.
The truck demonstrates impressive versatility, as exemplified by its 45-ft bed with 10 tie-downs, a multi-position tailgate, and an in-bed power outlet. Technology-wise, the Maverick Hybrid comes with a 4.2-inch productivity screen, Ford’s Co-Pilot360, FordPass Connect, WiFi, and more.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid
Chevrolet actually produced a hybrid Silverado 1500 from 2009 until 2013. While production has ended, the trucks can still be found in the used market for less than $15,000 or more. It featured a two-mode hybrid transmission mated to a 6.0-liter V8 and two 60-kWh electric motors.
Some of the highlights include its 42-volt electric power steering and low-rolling-resistance tires. It returned an EPA-estimated 21 mpg of combined fuel economy, enough for a maximum towing capacity of 6,100 lbs.
This was the first model to do it – that is, the first mass-produced truck by GM. We hear the company is working on a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) Silverado/Sierra.
Honda Ridgeline Hybrid (2025)
While Honda is still finalizing the hybrid Ridgeline’s design and features, it’s a highly anticipated addition to the Ridgeline lineup. You can expect a team of a 3.5-liter V6 and an electric motor, producing around 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque.
It promises an 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway fuel economy rating and a maximum towing capacity of around 5,000 lbs. The truck’s highlights will include the Honda Sensing suite of driver-aid technologies, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, leather-trimmed seats, a moonroof, a lockable in-bed trunk, and a dual-action tailgate.
Jeep Gladiator 4xe (2025)
Yep, Jeep’s Chief Executive Officer Antonio Fiolsa confirmed a PHEV Gladiator coming in 2025, but we could’ve suspected it with just the 4xe platform already underpinning the Wrangler. Filosa’s LinkedIn post didn’t provide further details about the hybrid Gladiator, probably because the truck just got refreshed for the 2024 model year.
So, don’t expect big cosmetic or even mechanical changes. We expect a powertrain similar to the Wrangler 4xe, considering the Gladiator is the de-facto truck version of the Wrangler. The Wrangler 4xe combines a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor to produce 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque total.
Mitsubishi Triton Plug-In Hybrid
Unfortunately, you can only admire this one from afar. The Triton isn’t for the US market, most likely due to the 25% import tariff on lightweight trucks. Secondly, we hear Mitsubishi has shelved the PHEV Triton project for now, reportedly until it has more advanced battery technology.
However, the Triton is coming to America one way or the other. The Japanese companies Mitsubishi and Nissan have teamed up to create a new midsize truck aimed at the North American market. This is most likely a replacement for the Triton and will field electric and PHEV drivelines.
Isuzu D-MAX Hybrid
The Isuzu D-MAX is another crazy good truck you can’t get stateside, unfortunately. It’s for markets like Australia and Southeast Asia. Despite its absence in America, the hybrid version is an exciting development in the pickup world.
The D-MAX Hybrid combines a 1.9-liter RZ4E turbodiesel with a 48V mild-hybrid technology and a rear-wheel drivetrain.
The system makes a combined output of 148 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Some of the truck’s highlights include its auxiliary power feature, allowing the motor to power auxiliary features like air-conditioning without turning on the engine.
Chevrolet Colorado Hybrid (Rumored)
The prospect of a hybrid Colorado is a rumor guaranteed to take shape. There’s no official confirmation of the rumored hybrid version of Chevrolet’s popular midsize truck, but we believe it’s inevitable, considering market trends and Chevrolet’s plans for the future. So, why do we think a hybrid Colorado is a crazy good idea?
We expect it will pair the 2.7-liter straight-4 found in current Colorado with an e-motor to deliver the sweet spot of power and efficiency. A single electric motor integrated into the transmission could pony up around 100 to 150 hp, bringing the total output to around 400 to 450 hp. A 10 to 15 kWh battery will provide the energy. We expect an electric range of 20 to 30 miles on a full belly.