High-gas-mileage trucks: 2012 Ford F-150

• Pickup: 2012 Ford F-150

• Starting price: $23,500
• Gas mileage: 17 city/23 highway mpg

While full-size pickups certainly don't offer the fuel economy of small cars, driving a pickup doesn't have to be particularly painful at the pump.

There are four engines available:

• A 302-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 that gets 17 city/23 hwy mpg (four-wheel-drive version: 16 city/21 highway mpg).
• A 365-horsepower, 3.5-liter, EcoBoost V-6 that gets 16 city and 22 highway mpg (four-wheel-drive version: 15 city and 21 highway mpg).
• A 360-horsepower, 5-liter V-8 that gets 15 city and 21 highway mpg (four-wheel-drive version: 14 city and 19 highway mpg).
• A 411-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 that gets 13 city and 18 highway mpg (four-wheel-drive version: 12 city/16 highway mpg).

F-150 offers variety. It comes in 10 versions, each with a choice of a two-wheel or four-wheel drivetrain. There are three cab sizes and three cargo-bed sizes to suit a variety of needs.

When you need a full-size pickup with towing capability, the 2012 Ford F-150 is a good choice. The F-150 can tow up to 11,300 pounds when properly equipped.

There's substantial storage inside the cab. Options include a navigation system with continuously updated traffic information, a rear-view camera, a tailgate step and a stowable tailgate bed extender.