10 Biggest News Stories of the Week: Ford Maverick Gives It Gas to Pass Kia Niro, Toyota RAV4
With national average gas prices exceeding $4 per gallon for regular unleaded for the first time in nearly four years, pickup truck shoppers might find themselves fretting over the fuel gauge more than usual. Well, put those fuel-economy fears to bed, because the 2026 Ford Maverick is the most fuel-efficient pickup you can buy. Fill up on the facts in Cars.com’s most popular news story of the past week.
Related: 10 Biggest News Stories of the Month: Toyota Highlander, RAV4 Take Back Seat to No One
The Maverick’s fuel-sipping status stands up to scrutiny with either its gas-only or hybrid powertrain. Non-hybrid versions do as well as an EPA-rated 23/32/26 mpg city/highway/combined on XL and XLT trims with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive versions of XL and XLT, in addition to the Lariat, Lobo and Tremor trims, get 22/30/25 mpg to 21/27/23 mpg. Meanwhile, hybrid versions of the XL, XLT and Lariat with FWD boast estimated fuel-economy figures of 42/35/38 mpg, and AWD hybrid XL, XLT and Lariat trims range from 40/34/37 mpg to 39/32/36 mpg. Moreover, the Maverick at its most efficient nearly doubles the city mpg rating of its next-closest competitor, the Hyundai Santa Cruz, while besting its highway mileage by 5 mpg.
For the full download on the 2026 Ford Maverick’s fuel economy — including the tiny truck’s ranking versus eight competitors — follow the link below to the No. 1 news story on this week’s countdown of most read articles.
Car shoppers might also find another one of our popular articles actionable amid elevated prices at the pump. We rounded up the hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles with the best gas mileage to help you plan your impending petroleum-industry spite purchase. The top five most efficient hybrids include specified configurations of the Kia Niro (53/54/53 mpg city/highway/combined), Lexus UX 300h (45/41/43 mpg), Toyota RAV4 (46/39/43 mpg), Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid (46/39/42 mpg) and Kia Sportage Hybrid (41/44/42 mpg). If you prefer a little all-electric driving range before your gas engine kicks in, the top five most efficient PHEVs include the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid (107 mpg-equivalent, including electric range), Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid (101 mpg-e), Lexus NX 450+ (84 mpg-e), Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid (83 mpg-e) and Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid (77 mpg-e).
For the full lists of hybrids and plug-in hybrids with the best mpg, follow the link below to the No. 2 news story of the week.
Beyond all that, we’ve got headlines on the BMW iX3, Toyota Prius, Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan, Chrysler Pacifica, Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Infiniti QX65 and much more — so don’t stop reading till the digits double. Here are the top 10 new stories Cars.com readers couldn’t get enough of in the past week:
1. What’s the 2026 Ford Maverick’s MPG?
2. These Hybrid SUVs Have the Best MPG
3. All-Electric BMW iX3 Crowned 2026 World Car of the Year
4. What’s the 2026 Toyota Prius’ MPG?
5. 2027 Volkswagen Atlas Up Close: Please Welcome the Lovely New Biguan
6. 2027 Chrysler Pacifica’s New Styling Doesn’t Come With Its Base Trim
7. The 2026 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Is the Best Compact Hybrid Under $30K: Review
8. See Every Photo We Took of the 2027 Volkswagen Atlas’ Interior
9. Up Close With the 2027 Infiniti QX65: Less Convenient, But It Looks Good
10. Cash Offers on 2025-26 Volkswagen Tiguan Good Through April
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