When you're driving passed the gas station, the prices per gallon today seem to increase all the time. Even though it doesn't seem a lot of extra money, over the course of a month or year it can be a huge difference. It's the biggest reason why fuel efficiency for vehicles has been getting tons of attention over the past few years. In the past, these innovations to help the issue with fuel costs were dismissed, but today they are crucial when purchasing a vehicle.

If you check out an auto show you will find all the manufacturers falling over one another trying to promote their fuel efficiency. The only way to get a good idea of what's out there is by separating the top picks from the gas guzzlers.

2009 Ford Ranger Pickup 2WD: This fuel efficient vehicle provides 21mpg in the city and 27 if you're on the highway. It's considered to be one of the best options available. This 4-cylinder, 2.3L engine comes with a 5-speed transmission, and 3 different options; XL, XLT, and Sport. However, it does offer an automatic transmission as well.

This rear wheel driven pick up can take you 400 miles once the 19.5 gallon tank is topped of. The safety features of the 2WD are at part with other Ford offerings and include 2 staged frontal air bags along with side seat air bags, 4-wheel ABS braking and Roll stability control.

2009 Mazda B2300: This 2 door, 3 seat pick up offers superior fuel efficiency; the standard 2.3 L engine with 4 cylinder engine in this truck can give you 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. The B2300 is available in two trims from the M5 to the A5; the manual transmission of the M5 offers a slightly better highway mileage of 26 mpg. This pickup has been very well received and is known for its economical and efficient performance across a range of driving scenarios.

2010 GMC Canyon: There are 14 trims available with the 2010 GMC Canyon. It's 2.9L, 4 cylinder engine gives you 18mpg city miles and 25mpg highway miles.

Some individuals love the automatic transmission that starts with the SLT 4x4 Crew Cab ISC Heavy-Duty. It's a 3.7L, 4-cylinder with 17mpg in the city and 23mpg if you're on the highway. Plus you receive 1st and 2nd row airbags, as well as Stabilitytrack control.

The 2009 Silverado from Chevrolet offers a 15 Hybrid 2WD. This half ton 5-seater comes with 4 doors and 4 trims. You can get a range from 1HY 4x2 to a 2HY 4x4. It's definitely known for its' fuel efficiency, even though it comes in a 1HY 4x2, 8-cylinder, 6L engine. Your mileage around town can reach 21mpg, while highway miles are 22mpg. If you purchase the 2HY 4x4 you will get the same type of mileage benefits, but with automatic transmission.

Safety is a huge benefit with this option as well, whether it's' the mounted airbags overhead or side seats, the Proactive Roll Avoidance Stability control, or the four wheel ABS anti-lock brakes.

2010 GMC Sierra 1500 Hybrid: The GMC Sierra is another fuel efficient offering from General Motors; available in 4 trims ranging from 3HA 4x2 to 3HB 4x4; this 4 door, 5 seater pick up offers impressive performance at cost effective rates. The manual transmission range that starts with the 3HA 4x2 has a standard 8 cylinder 6 L engine that offers a mileage of 21 mpg in the city and does 22 mpg on the highway. The 3HB 4x4 also comes equipped with a 6L, 8-cylinder engine that offers mileage which is at par with the 3HA 4x2; however, you get a 5 speed automatic transmission with this model.

The Safety features on the Sierra include ABS and driveline traction control along with side seat mounted and overhead airbags. The pick up has been given the "Best Overall Values of the Year" award in the Full Size Pickup category.

2010 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500: The Avalanche with its standard 8 cylinder, 5.3 L powerful engine offers a highway mileage of 21 mpg and can give you 15 mpg in the city. Available with a standard automatic transmission, the Avalanche is offered in 6 trims starting at the LS 4x2 and going up to LTZ 4x4 with the same engine configuration. The Avalanche is available with standard safety features; however, the low in city mileage has failed to impress several customers.

2010 Chevy Colorado: This half ton truck provides you with 25mpg on the highway, but only 18mpg in the city.

The Chevrolet Colorado is available in a wide range of 16 trims; so, you get everything from the Work Truck 4x2 to the 2LT 4x4 Crew Cab. The Work Truck 4x2 Standard Cab is available with a standard 4 cylinder 2.9 L engine; which should have ideally given better overall mileage. The 2LT Crew Cab 4x4 comes with a slightly more powerful 3.7 L engine with 5 cylinders and automatic transmission.

This model can just do 16 mpg in the city as opposed to the 21 mpg performance on the highway. This vehicle is offered with standard safety features and is well known for the increased roominess that it provides.

The majority of the vehicle manufacturers out there are looking to increase fuel efficiency. Then again, there are plenty of gas guzzlers out there as well. If you want to stay away from the vehicles that don't plan on changing anytime soon is the 2009 Hummer, the Nissan Titan, and the Toyota Tundra. All of them offer 12-13mpg in the city.

You don't need to buy a new fuel efficient pick up to save on gas. By just changing your driving habits and getting a tonno cover you can improve the fuel economy of your current truck. And that's awesome good savings to you.