It is easy to see why trucks are so popular today. Trucks have comfortable, spacious interiors, and the latest models even come with entertainment features and other customizable options to suit your needs. Some of the best trucks also have fuel-efficient but powerful engines.
- At a glance
- The best: Ram 1500
- The best luxury truck: GMC Sierra 1500 Denali
- The best off-roader: Jeep Gladiator
- The best truck for people who don’t like trucks: Honda Ridgeline
- The best fuel-efficient truck: Chevrolet Colorado Diesel
- The best performance truck: Ford F-150 Raptor
- The most reliable truck: Toyota Tundra
- How we test
- Pickup truck size categories explained
Our list of the best trucks has something for every budget, family size, and driving need. From trucks that are ideal for everyday commutes to specialized work, they get the job done in comfort and style. The Ram 1500 tops our list as the best overall truck since it has all of the latest tech and an incredibly smooth ride.
At a glance
| Product | Category |
| Ram 1500 | The best truck overall |
| GMC Sierra 1500 Denali | The best luxury truck |
| Jeep Gladiator | The best off-roader |
| Honda Ridgeline | The best truck for people who don’t like trucks |
| Chevrolet Colorado Diesel | The best fuel-efficient truck |
| Ford F-150 Raptor | The best performance truck |
| Toyota Tundra | The most reliable truck |
The best: Ram 1500
Why should you buy this: It’s a capable truck that doesn’t skimp on tech.
Who’s it for: Anyone who wants a pickup truck that also works as a daily driver.
How much will it cost: $32,145+
Why we picked the Ram 1500: Pickup trucks are the pride of Ford, General Motors, and Ram parent Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). Not only do these highly profitable, incredibly popular vehicles keep the American automakers afloat, they are the things those automakers do best. The Ram 1500 is a case in point.
Ram threw everything it had at this truck. The Uconnect infotainment system gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an available 12.0-inch portrait touchscreen that’s among the biggest screens available in any new vehicle. Drivers can also access SiriusXM’s 360L streaming service. Then there’s adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision warning, which make piloting this big truck a bit easier. Driver aids like these are migrating from cars intro trucks as automakers look to add more tech to their pickups.
Tech isn’t the only thing about the Ram 1500 that’s car-like. Coil springs give the Ram a smoother ride than most trucks, and we found the cabin to be graveyard quiet. Most automakers now sell high-end versions of their trucks with lots of creature comforts, but the Ram 1500 is one the few trucks that actually feels luxurious on the inside. A Rebel off-road model is also available for those that prefer dirt to pavement.
All of the creature comforts in the world wouldn’t be worth much if the Ram 1500 didn’t have stout powertrains under the hood — and Ram has that covered, too. The default is a mild hybrid powertrain comprising a 3.6-liter gasoline V6 with electric assist. A 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 (rated at 26 mpg combined) and 5.7-liter Hemi V8 are also available. The latter can be combined with the mild hybrid system to make 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. The Ram 1500 can tow up to 12,750 pounds when properly equipped.
The best luxury truck: GMC Sierra 1500 Denali
Why should you buy this: It proves that trucks can be luxurious.
Who’s it for: Rich contractors.
How much will it cost: $54,700+
Why we picked the GMC Sierra 1500 Denali:
At this point, most manufacturers are adding wood leather trim to their pickup trucks to create luxury models, but the products generally don’t live up to the “luxury” branding or the inflated price tags most of these models carry. That’s not the case with the GMC Sierra 1500 Denali, which offers buyers more than just the garnish of luxury. GMC’s designers continue to take a more tasteful approach than their counterparts at other truck makers, giving Denali models a true upscale feel.
The entire Sierra lineup was redesigned for the 2019 model year, incorporating numerous updates and further distancing the Sierra from its sibling, the Chevrolet Silverado. One thing you can’t get on the Chevy is the CarbonPro carbon-fiber pickup box, which GMC claims is 62 pounds lighter than a standard steel box. The Sierra also gets GMC’s MultiPro tailgate. Instead of simply opening or closing, it can be reconfigured to open halfway for longer items, among other things. The Denali is available with 5.3-liter or 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engines, and there’s a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 on the way.
GMC loaded the Sierra 1500 Denali with tech, including standard adaptive suspension and the 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s optional on lower trim levels. It also added an app to assist drivers with towing trailers and the rear-camera mirror previously seen on the Cadillac CT6 and Chevrolet Bolt EV to the Sierra options list for 2019. Adaptive cruise control was added for the 2020 model year as well.
The best off-roader: Jeep Gladiator
Why should you buy this: If you’re serious about off-roading, the Jeep Gladiator has everything you need to hit the trail.
Who’s it for: People who aren’t afraid to get a little dirty.
How much will it cost: $33,545+
Why we picked the Jeep Gladiator:
Most four-wheel drive trucks are decent off-road, but the Jeep Gladiator is better than the rest because it’s built using the Wrangler‘s trail-tested components. Its natural habitat is a dirt trail miles away from the nearest paved road, not a construction site. To that end, it comes exclusively with a four-door cab placed in front of a 60-inch cargo box, and Jeep doesn’t offer a stripped-down, no-frills trim like many of its rivals do.
Buyers have three top options to choose from: a soft top, which comes standard, and two different hard tops. The ability to go topless makes the Gladiator unique in the pickup segment. And, since it’s based on the Wrangler, the windshield easily folds down and the doors are removable. No other truck lets you get this close to the great outdoors.
The original, Wagoneer-based Gladiator introduced in 1963 was about as refined as John Deere tractors of the same era. Times change; the modern-day Gladiator is available with a touchscreen-based Uconnect infotainment system that’s compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also offers creature comforts like A/C and heated seats, and electronic driving aids such as adaptive cruise control, a blind spot monitoring system, and forward collision warning technology. Rubicon models even come with a forward-facing camera that gives the driver an unobstructed view of what’s ahead of the truck.
The only engine available for the Jeep Gladiator at launch is a 3.6-liter V6 rated at 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque that shifts through a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional eight-speed automatic. Jeep will add a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 to the lineup in 2020. It’s rated at 260 horsepower and a volcano-awakening 442 pound-feet of torque, but it will only be offered with the eight-speed automatic. Four-wheel drive comes standard regardless of the type of engine under the hood.
The best truck for people who don’t like trucks: Honda Ridgeline
Why should you buy this: Because it drives like a car.
Who’s it for: People who need a truck, but don’t want one.
How much will it cost: $33,900+
Why we picked the Honda Ridgeline:
The Ridgeline is different from most other trucks on the market. It’s basically a Honda Pilot (or Passport) crossover with a pickup bed, so it uses car-like unibody construction instead of the body-on-frame construction of most trucks. That means the body is more rigid, which makes for better ride quality, with less shuddering and vibration. It’s also a little bit easier to drive and park.
The Ridgeline also features car-like suspension, so it handles better on pavement, where drivers spend most of their time. Also aiding on-road handling is the same all-wheel drive system used on the Pilot, which includes Honda’s i-VTM4 torque-vectoring feature. This shunts torque side to side, which helps turn the Ridgeline in corners. This setup does sacrifice off-road ability, but it’s a good fit for drivers coming from cars or crossovers.
The Ridgeline hasn’t received a major update for several years, but Honda did make Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard on all trim levels for the 2020 model year, along with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Most trucks are short on secure storage space, but the Honda Ridgeline features a lockable in-bed trunk for items too valuable to leave exposed in the bed itself. The tailgate can also open either down or sideways, for added flexibility when loading and unloading. Honda even offers an in-bed audio system which, should be a hit at tailgate parties.
The best fuel-efficient truck: Chevrolet Colorado Diesel
Why should you buy this: It’s the most fuel-efficient truck you can buy.
Who’s it for: People who hate the gas station.
How much will it cost: $37,710+
Why we picked the Chevrolet Colorado Diesel:
Diesel may be getting a bad rap in the wake of the Volkswagen emissions scandal, but when automakers don’t cheat, it still makes a lot of sense in new vehicles. That’s the case with trucks, both because diesel engines’ torque is good for towing, and because there are no real hybrid or electric alternatives in this segment for buyers looking for low fuel costs and emissions.
The Chevrolet Colorado Diesel (along with its GMC Canyon twin) offers a great balance between fuel efficiency and capability, scoring an EPA-rated 23 mpg combined in basic rear-wheel drive form, and 22 mpg combined with the optional four-wheel drive system. The 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder engine also punches above its weight with 369 pound-feet torque, a figure matched only by much larger — and thirstier — gasoline engines.
If you buy a Colorado, you’re not just buying an engine, though. The Chevrolet Colorado Diesel is a good truck in every respect. Its midsize dimensions make it much easier to maneuver and park than full-size trucks. The steering response and the way the suspension controls body motion on the road are borderline car-like, and you can get Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot.
The best performance truck: Ford F-150 Raptor
Why should you buy this: Production pickups don’t get any cooler than this.
Who’s it for: Performance lovers who don’t want to be contained by paved roads.
How much will it cost: $52,855+
Why we picked the Ford F-150 Raptor:
Ford broke the sport truck mold when it introduced the SVT Raptor in 2009, and though other performance trucks have since entered the market, the Raptor remains the king of all-purpose trucking.
The second-generation Raptor brings enhancements to the powertrain, suspension, exterior design, and interior. A 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 replaces the outgoing V8, improving output from 411 to 450 hp (with 510 lb-ft of torque). The suspension pairs upgraded Fox Racing shocks with tuned springs and hefty aluminum control arms. 35-inch BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires pair with a new four-wheel drive transfer case to permit the Raptor generous off-road capability.
The all-new Ford F-150 Raptor looks mean, is insanely fast, scampers just about anywhere off-road, and cushions its passengers from even the roughest terrain. If there’s a downside to all this entertainment (apart from its lofty price tag), we certainly can’t find it.
The most reliable truck: Toyota Tundra
Why should you buy this: It will keep on going when everything else quits.
Who’s it for: Doomsday preppers.
How much will it cost: $33,575+
Why we picked the Toyota Tundra:
Toyotas have a well-deserved reputation for reliability and, as famously demonstrated on Top Gear, the Japanese automaker’s trucks have proven particularly bulletproof. That’s still the case with the Tundra, Toyota’s take on the American-as-apple-pie full-size pickup.
Many automakers say their trucks are tough, but Toyota has some pretty compelling evidence to prove it. In 2016, Toyota bought back a 2007 Tundra from a customer who had driven it one million miles. The truck still had its original engine, transmission, and paint job.
Like its counterparts from Ford, General Motors, and Ram, the Tundra is available in a wide variety of cab, bed, and trim level configurations to suit buyer needs. From the base SR to the luxurious 1794 Edition, Toyota has all of the bases covered. For 2020, all Tundra models get the same 5.7-liter V8, which makes 381 hp and 401 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s not as much as some competitors offer, but still enough for a robust 10,200-pound maximum towing capacity. The TRD Pro model brings serious off-road capability and an exhaust note straight out of NASCAR.
The Tundra also gets the same standard Toyota Safety Sense-P suite of safety equipment as other Toyota models, bundling a pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. On the infotainment front, Toyota offers a 7.0-inch touchscreen display with navigation and, at long last, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility for the 2020 model year.
How we test
The Digital Trends automotive team tests vehicles through a comprehensive scrutinizing process. We examine the qualities of the exterior and interior and judge them based on our expertise and experience in the context of the vehicle’s category and price range. Entertainment technology is thoroughly tested as well as most safety features that can be tested in controlled environments.
Test drivers spend extensive time behind the wheel of the vehicles, conducting real-world testing, driving them on highways, back roads, as well as off-road and race tracks when applicable.
Pickup truck size categories explained
Like other types of vehicles, pickup trucks come in multiple sizes. But the size categories often used by automakers don’t always provide the whole picture. Here’s a quick cheat sheet.
Midsize: Midsize pickup trucks are actually the smallest trucks you can buy new in the U.S. right now. Smaller trucks (often described as “compacts”) vanished from our shores years ago, although they are still available in other countries. Examples of midsize trucks include the Toyota Tacoma, the Nissan Frontier, the Honda Ridgeline, and the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon twins. The Ford Ranger and the Jeep Gladiator are the latest entries in this booming segment. These types of pickup trucks are great for hauling or towing things but are also perfect for simply going for a pleasure drive.
Full-size/half-ton: This is the most common type of truck on the road, encompassing best-sellers like the Ford F-150, the Chevy Silverado 1500/GMC Sierra 1500 twins, and the Ram 1500. You’ll see people call these trucks “half tons.” They differ from other pick-up trucks in their considerably taller heights. You may not understand why people call them half-tons now, but it comes from a reference to this truck’s payload ratings back in the day. The name “full size” comes from the fact that these are the most massive trucks classified as “light-duty vehicles” by the EPA, meaning the same fuel-economy rules govern them as cars. These trucks are an excellent substitute for a family minivan.
Heavy-duty/three-quarter-ton/one ton: While full-sized trucks have a whole lot more than enough power and size for your daily commute, this is America, and we go even bigger.
Heavy-duty trucks work for people who do a lot of towing and hauling and need an actual power vehicle. Heavy-duty trucks exceed EPA weight regulations for passenger vehicles. A few examples are the Ram 2500 and 3500, the Ford F-Series Super Duty, and the Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra 2500 and 350.
Most heavy-duty pick-up trucks have V8 engines for maximum power, and many also include dual rear wheels. This combo of engine power and extra weight support makes these trucks comparable in strength to an eighteen-wheeler. Of course, it will come as no surprise that they aren’t fuel-efficient.
