There are few cars as uniquely American as a truck. With their working-class roots, outsized capabilities and rugged looks, pickup trucks are about as American as cowboys and apple pie. But not all trucks are created equal. When shopping for a truck, here’s what you need to keep in mind.
Do You Really Need a Truck?
The first question you need to ask yourself is whether you really need a truck. There’s no doubt that trucks have a lot to offer buyers: they can go off-road, tow heavy loads and haul tons of gear. But the fact is that not all buyers need to do those things and these hard-core capabilities come with compromises: trucks are heavy and have big engines, so they use a lot of gas. Also trucks are built differently than cars -- that construction makes trucks strong, but it also means they tend to have rough, bouncy rides compared to most cars.
Another significant drawback to buying a truck is the interior. While today’s full-size four-door trucks can do double duty as a family car, most trucks have small back seats -- if they have a back seat at all. Truck interiors tend to be pretty basic too. While you can option some trucks as near-luxury vehicles, doing this significantly increases their price. The more-affordable base models are meant for work. That means interior materials that can take a beating and limited tech features. But if you’re willing to put up with using a lot of gas, a somewhat rough ride and a fairly Spartan interior, owning a truck can be rewarding.
Compact Trucks
The most basic trucks are compact pickups. With a smaller footprint and engine than a full-size truck, compact trucks give buyers an affordable way to haul and tow smaller loads. Their small size makes compact pickups more maneuverable than larger trucks, but reviewers often complain about the interior of compact trucks. Compact truck cabs tend to be small with limited passenger space. Most compact pickups have a base four-cylinder engine, and all offer a V6. A few, like the Dodge Dakota, GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado also offer V8 engines. Beds in compact pickups range from small, like the five-foot long bed in the Suzuki Equator, to the six-and-a-half foot box on the Dodge Dakota.
Towing capacity for compact pickups tends to max out at around 7,200 pounds, depending on the kind of engine you get. Go for a four-cylinder and towing ability will be much less. All compact pickups on the market are available with two-and four-wheel drive, and some like the Toyota Tacoma, have available off-road packages that allow you to tackle even the most rugged trails. Another advantage to compact pickup trucks is their price: most start at around $17,000.
Full-Size Pickup Trucks
If a compact pickup truck won’t do the job, consider a full-size pickup. While full-size pickups have higher starting prices and worse fuel economy than most compacts, they also tend to have more power and more passenger space.
Most full-size pickups have a V8 engine, but a few are now starting to offer V6 engines to save fuel. If you really want to save some gas, General Motors has two hybrid pickup trucks: the GMC Sierra Hybrid and the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid.
Depending on the configuration, full-size pickups can tow up to around 10,000 pounds. That means they’ll have no trouble pulling a boat or horse trailer. They all offer two- or four-wheel drive. Because of their size, full-size pickups can be tough to handle on tight trails. They have plenty of off-roading ability, but squeezing them between obstacles can take some skill. Most full-size trucks have bed sizes that range from just under six feet to eight feet.
A benefit of full-size pickups’ increased footprint is that they tend to have more comfortable cabins than compact pickups do. Crew cab models have a full-size backseat, and even pickups with extended cabs have backseats that work for short trips. Also, depending on how much you want to spend, full-size pickups can be optioned with some pretty impressive features. Some, like Bluetooth-streaming audio, rear-seat DVD systems, and live satellite TV, are usually only found in luxury cars. Others, like tool and fleet management systems, make a lot of sense if you plan on using your truck for work.
Heavy Duty Trucks
For almost every buyer, a full-size pickup truck should meet your needs. But if you need a work truck or you do a significant amount of heavy towing, a heavy duty truck goes beyond what a full-size truck can do.
Most heavy duty trucks offer buyers a choice between a V8 gasoline engine or a torque-heavy diesel. Two- or –four wheel drive is also available. Heavy duty trucks also earn their name: most can tow up to about 24,000 pounds. Bed sizes range from about six feet to eight feet and you can get most heavy duty trucks with a regular or crew cab. Additionally, you can usually get all the tech goodies and available luxury touches that are available in a full-size truck in a heavy duty truck.
There are two main downsides to a heavy duty truck: their fuel economy and their price. But for people who need to tow heavy equipment and carry outsized loads regularly, they’re worth it.
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