Top 7 Full-size Pickup Trucks

Top 7 Full-size Pickup Trucks

1 . Ford F-150

The battle for pickup-truck supremacy rages on, with the new F-150 using aluminum as its secret weapon. Ford claims that its use of aluminum in the body and the bed reduces weight by 700 pounds—but the frame is still made of high-strength steel for strength and durability. Engines include a 3.5-liter V-6, a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 or 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, and a 5.0-liter V-8. Ford is taking a gamble on aluminum, but if it succeeds, it could alter the way trucks are designed and built.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear/4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door pickup

PRICE AS TESTED: $42,805 (base price: $38,995)

ENGINE TYPE: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, iron-and-aluminum block and aluminum heads, direct fuel injection

DISPLACEMENT:164 cu in, 2694 cc
Power: 325 hp @ 5750 rpm
Torque: 375 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 145.0 in
Length: 231.9 in
Width: 79.9 in Height: 77.2 in
Passenger volume: 120 cu ft
Curb weight: 4874 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.7 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 16.1 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 6.4 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.3 sec @ 95 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 104 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 174 ft

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 18/23 mpg
C/D observed: 16 mpg

2 . Chevrolet Silverado 1500

In a pickup market gone fancy, the Silverado sticks to its basic-truck recipe. The steering is accurate, and the Silverado handles more like a big car than a big truck. Unfortunately, the exterior resembles the previous generation’s. A 4.3-liter V-6 makes 305 lb-ft of torque and is rated for 24 mpg highway; optional 5.3- and 6.2-liter V-8s stand ready with greater towing and hauling capabilities.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door truck

PRICE AS TESTED: $56,485 (base price: $52,045)

ENGINE TYPE: pushrod 16-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

DISPLACEMENT: 376 cu in, 6162 cc
Power: 420 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque: 460 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 143.5 in
Length: 230.0 in
Width: 80.0 in Height:74.0 in
Passenger/cargo volume: 136.0/53.4 cu ft
Curb weight: 5658 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.7 sec
Zero to 90 mph: 11.9 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 6.2 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 3.0 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 3.9 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.3 sec @ 98 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 99 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 186 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.73 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 15/21 mpg
C/D observed: 16 mpg
*Stability-control-inhibited

3 . GMC Sierra 1500

Completely updated for 2014, GMC’s pickup twin to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offers all the basics done well, plus muscle, adult styling, and value. The hugely improved 4.3-liter V-6 is an outstanding base engine, thanks to an impressive 305 lb-ft of torque coupled to a 24-mpg highway rating, and it’s backed by two V-8 options—5.3 and 6.2 liters—that reach more than 400 hp for big towing jobs.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door truck

PRICE AS TESTED: $54,730 (base price: $48,100)

ENGINE TYPE: pushrod 16-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

DISPLACEMENT: 376 cu in, 6162 cc
Power: 420 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque: 460 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 143.5 in
Length: 229.5 in
Width: 80.0 in Height:74.0 in
Curb weight: 5672 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.4 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 14.5 sec
Zero to 110 mph: 18.5 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 5.9 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 3.1 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 3.9 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.1 sec @ 99 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 110 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 181 ft

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 14/20 mpg
C/D observed: 14 mpg

4 . Ram 1500

From work-truck to leather-lined luxury rig, the 1500’s smooth ride, comfortable seats and tons of storage make it a tool worth consideration. A 305-hp 3.6-liter V-6 is standard, but a 395-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 is optional. A brawny and efficient 240-hp 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6 is also available. All are mated to a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic with either rear or four-wheel drive. The snazzy-looking R/T model ups the fun factor a bit with Hemi power and a trim two-door body style.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door truck

PRICE AS TESTED: $40,430 (base price: $36,225)

ENGINE TYPE: pushrod 16-valve V-8, iron block and aluminum heads, port fuel injection

DISPLACEMENT: 345 cu in, 5654 cc
Power: 395 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque: 410 lb-ft @ 3950 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 120.5 in
Length: 209.0 in
Width: 79.4 in Height:74.6 in
Curb weight: 5106 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.4 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 14.5 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 5.7 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 2.9 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 3.8 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.1 sec @ 99 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 106 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 189 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.76 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway: 15/22 mpg
C/D observed: 15 mpg

5 . Toyota Tundra

The oft-snubbed Tundra is finally poised to take on its Detroit rivals with bold styling, competitive towing capability, and a beautifully finished interior. Available in a myriad of body styles, bed lengths, two- or four-wheel-drive, and offering either a 310-hp 4.6-liter V-8 or a 381-hp 5.7-liter V-8, the Tundra can be tailored to your needs. Steering is quick and precise, which helps it top the competition in maneuverability but more on-center feel would help with straight-line steadiness.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear/4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door truck

ESTIMATED BASE PRICE: double cab, $40,500; CrewMax, $42,500

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection

DISPLACEMENT: 346 cu in, 5663 cc
Power: 381 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque: 401 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 145.7 in
Length: 228.9 in
Width: 79.9 in Height:77.2-77.4 in
Curb weight (C/D est):5600-5800 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/DEST):
Zero to 60 mph: 6.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 18.1 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 15.4 sec
Top speed: 107 mph

FUEL ECONOMY (C/DEST):
EPA city/highway driving: 13-14/17-18 mpg

6 . Nissan Titan

Barely changed from its 2004 debut, this is the truck that time forgot—but be patient; an all-new version is expected in late 2015. The current model is available as either an extended cab or a crew cab on a 139.8-inch wheelbase or as a crew with a 159.8-in wheelbase; all Titans have a 317-hp V-8 matched with a five-speed automatic. The Titan drives with its ruggedness overwhelming any suppleness. The interior can be plain; the various-length beds feature a neat moveable tie-down cleat system.

Price: $30,735 - $44,955

7 . Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

It’s the charismatic off-roader Ferrari would build if it built 4x4 pickups. This amped-up F-150 is fortified with a long-travel suspension, Fox Racing Shox, 35-inch-tall off-road tires, and awesome-looking super-wide bodywork. The Raptor flies over dry riverbeds at crazy speeds but rides like a Lincoln on-road. It’s available as a two-door standard cab or four-door SuperCrew, both with a 411-hp V-8. While there will not be a 2015 Raptor, a new Raptor with almost 500 hp is expected for 2017.

Price: $46,190 - $49,090