A car’s real-world fuel economy can vary from what’s on the sticker. And before you make your choice between two similar vehicles, it’s essential to know the difference between their advertised and actual fuel economy. This is especially true of hybrids, a major selling factor of which is their superior fuel efficiency compared to their gas-powered counterparts. When you consider two vehicles like the 2022 Toyota Tundra Hybrid and the 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid, there’s a difference between what’s advertised and what’s real.
What is the difference between advertised and real world fuel economy?
The fuel economy numbers you see in advertisements for a car are US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates. This government agency puts a lot of time and effort into arriving at those estimates. However, this is just speculation. The EPA includes a disclaimer that mileage may vary depending on specific conditions.
What is this condition? Well, the EPA tests vehicles in optimal conditions. You may not, depending on how well you maintain it. They also observe best practices while driving, which, at points, you may not. Think about how many times you’ve hit 75, 80 or even 90 mph in the left lane down an open stretch of highway.
Although the EPA tries to replicate the stop-and-go traffic typically found in cities, its estimates are often too low. Driving conditions can be difficult to replicate when construction reduces a divided highway to one lane or a total vehicle is driven on a narrow road.
When you add other variables like bad weather, you can end up with actual fuel economy numbers that are far from what’s advertised.
Which truck has better fuel economy: Toyota Tundra Hybrid or Ford F-150 Hybrid?
Automotive publications like Car & Driver and Cars.com conduct their own fuel economy tests to determine if the EPA numbers are accurate. Each publication uses these tests a little differently. In a recent Cars.com piece, testers evaluated the 2022 Toyota Tundra Hybrid and 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid over a 200-mile stretch that included suburban and rural roads and highways.
This test did not involve much stop-and-go traffic. And testers tried to account for other variables by using RWD and minimal air conditioning among the various methods. Their tests showed that the Tundra Hybrid achieved a combined mpg of 21.8 mpg, while the F-150 achieved a combined mpg of 25.9 mpg according to each vehicle’s onboard computer.
In both cases, test results exceeded EPA estimates. The F-150 Hybrid is rated for 24 mpg, while the Tundra Hybrid is rated for 20 mpg. Testers also manually calculated fuel economy numbers by actually using the amount of gas and found that the F-150 Hybrid and Tundra Hybrid’s numbers were 25.5 mpg and 24.1 mpg, respectively.
A look at the Tundra and the Ford F-150 Hybrid
Based on these test results, you may get better fuel economy numbers from these vehicles than advertised. It is worth noting that the experiment, as described, did not involve much (or any) urban areas. So, if you commute a lot through cities, your combined mpg may be lower.
Still, both deliver respectable fuel economy numbers. And even though the Tundra Hybrid’s mpg comes in lower, it still has a lot going for it. It’s slightly more powerful than the F-150 Hybrid, with a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine and electric motor system that produces 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. It comes with two cab and two bed options, and a standard 8.0-inch touch screen (14.0-inch on higher trims), among other interior amenities.
The F-150 Hybrid also uses a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine and electric motor system that produces 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque. It’s also distinguished by a well-designed interior, an 8.0-inch touchscreen (12.0-inch on higher-level trims), and plenty of cargo space and cab room. There are three cab and three bed options and multiple non-hybrid powertrains, all of which helped the 2021 Ford F-150 earn Cars.com’s Best of 2021 award in its segment.