#1 Ford Ranger and Mazda B2300
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Like an old man who tells his grandkids how he used to walk 6 miles to school each day, uphill in both directions, the decade-old Ford Ranger goes farther on a gallon of gas than any of the whippersnappers on this list, and you could buy it for a nickel — practically.
Priced at just $14,330, the Ranger is the cheapest pickup on the market and, along with its nearly identical corporate cousin the Mazda B2300, gets 21 mpg city/26 highway to boot.
Unfortunately, in the highest mileage form it can tow just 1,580 pounds, the least on our list. A 2.3-liter 4-cylinder that makes a slight 153 horsepower is largely responsible, but the chassis could use a trip to the gym, too.
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Before gasoline prices went through the roof, Ford was on the verge of putting the old coot out to pasture. Word is the company will be keeping it around for a few more years while it develops a new generation of small, efficient pickups for the next decade.
Grandpa may be frugal, but he’s seen better days.