Pricing: $20,740
MPG: 22 city/27 highway/24 combined

Not only does the Ford Ranger SuperCab lead this group alphabetically, it also delivers far and away the most fuel efficiency when armed with a five-speed manual transmission. Even when equipped with the $1,000 optional, five-speed automatic transmission, it is still in the top tier of this group.

Ford doesn't expend much energy on this pickup. Except for a tweak here and there, Ranger hasn't undergone a major update in a decade. But it is still a serviceable workhorse for jobs requiring a midsize truck.

When mated to the automatic transmission, its 143-horsepower, 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine can tow 2,020 pounds, and can carry up to 1,420 pounds of passengers and cargo. It also has a 6-foot cargo box.

The extra space in Ranger's extended cab is better suited for cargo than people. Two tiny inward-facing fold-down jump seats won't comfortably accommodate adults.

Standard XLT equipment includes stability control, full power accessories, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel and a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack.