Need a Pickup Truck? These Are 6 Of The Best Available

Pickup trucks are capable of work that no other vehicle can do. Along with cargo hauling in the truck bed, they typically have superior towing ability for boats, campers and trailers as well. Buy a four-door model, and there's plenty of room for the whole family too. Need off-road ability? Then there's always a four-wheel-drive version for every model. There's a reason why pickup trucks continue to enjoy strong popularity as top selling vehicles in America. The only question for a buyer in pursuit of a pickup is which one to buy. Several automakers, both foreign and domestic, offer pickup trucks for sale. Not only that, but they may offer both light-duty and heavy-duty models. Add in all the options for passenger room, towing capacity and off-road ability, and shopping for a pickup can get confusing quickly. Use the following list to find out some of the best pickup models available and why.

1 - Ford F-150

There's a reason why the F-150 has been America's top-selling pickup truck for years. It offers excellent resale value, plus reliability, a ton of options and a choice of three powerful engines. The F-150 is available in both two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive. It offers crew cab models as well as standard extended cabs. The engine choices include a regular V6, a turbocharged V6 and a V8. The turbocharged V6 is capable of pulling most medium boats and trailers, which makes it a great choice for those who don't want the larger V8 but also need hauling power.

2 - Toyota Tundra

Toyota's full-size truck is found on many of the lists for best pickups available for plenty of good reasons. It offers Toyota's legendary reliability, plus great resale value and a range of options. Even a used Tundra can be a great choice as the 2015 SR5 offers towing ability of 10,300 pounds with a 381 horsepower V8. The Tundra also offers a double cab option to accommodate at least four people. A lengthy 145.7-inch wheelbase means that the Tundra also boasts a nearly 79-inch truck bed. Five-star crash ratings offer peace of mind for the safety-minded consumer.

3 - Ford Ranger

The Ranger was Ford's light-duty truck for a long time, and it enjoyed strong popularity for years. Finding a used Ranger is generally easy as there are plenty of them still on the road. However, Ford has also just re-released the Ranger as of 2019, and it offers a very reasonable MSRP starting at $24,300. This 2019 XL trim in two-wheel-drive features a 2.3 liter EcoBoost engine, optional super cab and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The towing capacity is a respectable 3,500 pounds and payload ranges from 1,609 to 1,905 pounds. The EcoBoost engine also offers decent gas mileage at 26 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg in the city. The Ranger is a great choice for consumers who just want an everyday-capable light truck.

4 - Nissan Titan

The Titan rides the line between a heavy-duty and light-duty truck. The Titan XD offers a turbo diesel V8 that can tow as much as 12,640 pounds, which puts it firmly in the heavy-duty range. Buyers who don't need that kind of power can still opt for a 5.6 liter V8 powered by gas. The horsepower is still respectable at 390, but the much lower torque range means that it can't haul quite as much as the diesel. The Titan offers four-wheel-drive models and crew cab models as well.

5 - Toyota Tacoma

Toyota's light-duty pickup is among the most reliable trucks on the road. It's also one of the more capable off-road trucks when properly equipped. The Tacoma comes in a wide range of configurations, including a crew cab, V8 option and a model that is specifically outfitted for off-road situations. The Tacoma also offers a four-cylinder engine for buyers who want good fuel economy. Just like its stablemate, the Tundra, the Tacoma has excellent resale value, strong reliability and high marks in crash tests.

6 - Ram 1500

Like the Ford F-150, the Ram 1500 is one of the top-selling trucks in America. It offers a huge amount of options, including crew cabs, several engine choices and both two-wheel and four-wheel drive options. The towing capacity of the 2020 Ram 1500 ranges between 6,280 to 7,520 pounds, depending on equipment. The truck bed can haul up to 50 cubic feet of stuff with a payload between 1,212 to 2,302 pounds. The Ram offers a ton of flexibility for both work and play-minded truck buyers.