A pickup truck was traditionally considered good if it had the highest towing capacity and on-road performance figures. But today, customers want trucks that are also stylish and have a plethora of features. While there are models to fit this profile, multiple offerings in the market make it tedious to pick one without research. So, for interested customers, here are six popular pickup trucks with some of their key benefits.
RAM 1500
The RAM 1500 has a lot to offer at a starting price of around $38,000. The pickup truck boasts a 305 hp, 3.6-liter V6 engine that pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission. For additional power, one could go for variants with a 395 hp, 5.7-liter V8 gasoline powertrain and the same transmission. On the feature front, RAM offers heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a top-of-the-line infotainment system with the latest connectivity features. All of this can be controlled with an 8.4-inch touchscreen that comes standard with the base trim of the RAM 1500.
GMC Sierra 1500
GMC is a prominent brand name recognized by most pickup truck enthusiasts. And the Sierra 1500 does more than it should to impress potential buyers. First off, the full-size pickup truck is customizable as one could get it as a single cab, double cab, or four-door crew cab. A turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder sits in the base trim and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission to churn out about 310 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. Inside, a 13.4-inch touchscreen does marvelously well to address the driver’s and passengers’ informational and entertainment needs. The GMC Sierra starts at around $39,000, an impressive figure in comparison to competitors in the segment.
Toyota Tacoma
Mid-size pickup truck enthusiasts should look no further than the Toyota Tacoma. The brand offers the base model with an i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbocharged engine generating about 228 hp starting at just about $32,000. A 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster comes standard on the base variant, but one could upgrade to the 12.3-inch all-digital unit to amp up the interior console. Customers also admire Tacoma’s safety persona, which includes additions such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlamps, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Based on the trim one picks, the mid-size pickup truck may be able to tow up to 6,500 pounds or haul payloads of about 1,700 pounds.
Rivian R1T
The Rivian R1T is for individuals willing to break away from traditional combustion engines and experience a fully electronic drivetrain. The EV pickup truck can make up to 835 hp and go to 60 mph in about 3.0 seconds. That’s faster than some of the most powerful pickup trucks and cars running on gas today. Off-road enthusiasts might be happy knowing this automobile can haul up to 11,000 pounds! The vehicle starts at about $72,000, with various trims on offer that go up to $83,000. Still, most customers might be satisfied with the base trim, which offers value-for-money additions, such as a stereo system, wood interior trim, and heated and ventilated front seats.
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Customers who desire a pickup truck that is budget-friendly should consider the Hyundai Santa Cruz. It starts at about $28,000 and stretches up to $42,000, which is competitive in comparison to other brands in the segment. The base trims feature a 2.5-liter four-cylinder generating up to 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. This engine can tow up to 3,500 pounds, which is ample for someone who wishes to haul small loads. The Santa Cruz from Hyundai also offers exceptional fuel economy, rated at 22 mpg in the city and about 26 mpg on the highway.
Ford Maverick
Rugged builds don’t get any better than the Ford Maverick, which starts at just $25,000. At this price, the base trim features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission that churns out up to 250 hp. The trim can tow about 1,500 pounds of payload and has towing capabilities of up to 2,000 pounds. On the feature front, the Ford Maverick offers a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. These should be sufficient to keep passengers both informed and entertained along the route.