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Gas mileage estimates for several years have not been a true reflection of true fuel economy for any vehicle. Changes in vehicles, road travel, speed limits, outside influences and driving habits, gas mileage calculations were outdated.

With 2008 vehicle models the formula for figuring gas mileage changed, as has been needed, to reflect realistic driving conditions. This change in figuring has led to what appears to be worse gas mileage for 2008 pickups, but the "numbers" are closer to what gas mileage really has been and will be for new vehicles.

When determining gas mileage for any vehicle, the numbers shown are estimates based on city driving, highway driving and an overall average of the two. The estimates are based on what would constitute everyday driving habits and the new formula for gas mileage calculations takes into account all the current factors that determine how many miles per gallon of gas a vehicle will get.

Even with the new calculations, two pickups made the 2008 list, that were also top of the list for 2007, for having the best fuel economy as ranked by Consumer Reports the Toyota Tacoma and the Chevrolet Colorado.

The Toyota Tacoma V6 pickup averages 17 miles per gallon overall, with city miles per gallon averages around 13 and highway miles per gallon averages around 21.

The Chevrolet Colorado LS 5 cylinder engine did slightly higher on highway miles per gallon at 23, but lower on city at 11 and had 16 miles per gallon as an overall average.

These two pickups averaged better gas mileage than numerous sedans, midsized sports utility vehicles and other pickups rated by Consumer Reports. The Ford F-250 Lariat 6.4 turbo diesel was the worst ranked vehicle for fuel economy. Six other pickups made the worst fuel economy list put out by Consumer Reports: Dodge Ram 1500 SLT, Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie, Nissan Titan SE, Ford F-150 XLT, Chevrolet Avalanche LT and the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD LTZ. All of these averaged only 13 miles per gallon overall, were between 8 or 9 miles per gallon in the city and 19 to 21 on the highway.

A pickup is a necessary vehicle for many, but with today's soaring gas prices the difference in fuel economy adds up quickly so choosing a pickup for gas mileage will be a savings worth counting.

Resource: http://www.consumerreports.org /cro/cars/new-cars/resource-ce nter/fuel-economy/fuel-economy .

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/fe g/ratings2008.shtml.

Learn more about this author, Karen Moore.
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