Pickup trucks usually turn out to be awesome. While some models, others like their proverbial noses at the idea. So which two standard-size 2023 pickup trucks have the worst fuel economy? And would you drive one anyway?
fuel economy problems
Volatile gas prices are nothing new and tend to rise and fall depending on global factors. Additionally, the rise of the electric vehicle (EV) is likely to drive up gas prices.
It calls for two standard full-size pickup trucks for its awesome fuel efficiency. 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R and each get an estimated 12 mpg city and highway.
However, while the Ram TRX gets 10 mpg city and 14 mpg highway, the Ford Raptor gets 10 mpg city and 15 mpg open road. There is no denying these terrible numbers, but it is important to remember the intended purpose of these trucks.
Are you going to drive one anyway?
Few would agree that these numbers indicate terrible fuel efficiency, but none of these trucks are meant to capture the attention of the fuel-conscious public. Instead, they are engineered to deliver amazing performance on and off road.
2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R.C
The $109,740 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R was described as “absolutely bonkers” after testing it late last year. At the heart of the Raptor R is a 700-hp, supercharged 5.2-liter V8 borrowed from the Mustang Shelby GT500.
In the GT500, the 5.2-liter engine makes 760 horsepower, but Ford engineers tweaked the tuning to deliver a “more truck-friendly torque curve.”
With 640 lb-ft of torque, the Raptor R jumps into action, sprinting from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and completing a quarter-mile sprint in 12.7 seconds at 107.3 mph. For reference, the 2023 Mustang GT500 is 0.4 seconds faster to 60 mph and 1.3 seconds, about 25 mph faster in the quarter mile. Impressive, yes, but the Raptor R isn’t just about pavement performance.
It detects its step between bumpy two-lane tracks and makes new tracks if needed. While following the tire tracks of the original Ford Raptor, the Raptor R’s primary mission is to hit the 2023 Ram 1500 TRX.
Both trucks offer similar horsepower, and the Raptor R is more than 700 pounds lighter, but its fuzzy steering and oversized steering wheel make the Raptor R feel bigger than it should be. And any acceleration in 2WD mode only increases the feel.
2023 Ram 1500 TRX
On the other hand, the 2023 Ram 1500 TRX starts at $86,450 and has 702 horsepower. The 6.2-liter Hemi V8, also known as the Hellcat engine, delivers 650 lb-ft of horsepower and torque.
Although the TRX is heavier than the Raptor R, it clocks the same 3.7-second zero-to-60-mph time and finishes the quarter-mile in 12.3 seconds at 110 mph, which is slightly faster but at a slower top speed.
The difference in quarter-mile performance is the TRX’s full-time all-wheel-drive system that doesn’t offer the option of rear-wheel-only drive. However, like the Raptor R, pavement performance is great, and the numbers provide a way to quantify performance, but the TRX is built with more purpose.
“The TRX is meant to play in mud, rocks, and sand, too,” he says, based on its 11.8 inches of ground clearance, 13-inch suspension, and 35-inch all-terrain tires.
