Full-Size Pickup Trucks Ranked from Worst to Best

Pickup trucks are routinely the top-selling vehicles in the U.S., and manufacturers have engaged in a nonstop trend of adding features, capability, and technology to these workhorses. Throughout most of their history, trucks were the sole province of tradesmen, farmers, and commercially minded operators, and stuff like ventilated seats, leather upholstery, and turbocharged engines would have been beyond imagination. Today, as more folks adopt trucks as their daily vehicles, such features are expected. We look deeper, however, grabbing seat time in every new truck (and strapping our test gear to each one) at every available opportunity to keep abreast of the segment's winners and losers. The competition has never been fiercer, so buckle up and see which pickup reigns supreme.

Try as it might, the graying Toyota Tundra is not quite up to the challenge of the competition despite standard active-safety features and a spacious interior. Powertrains include two V-8s, with maximum towing and payload ratings of 10,500 pounds and 2080 pounds. Toyota's largest truck is showing its age, as much hasn't been touched since its last major redesign way back for the 2007 model year: fuel economy is abysmal, the ride is rough, and exterior styling is outdated.

Nissan's second-generation Titan is a valiant attempt to challenge established trucks from the American Big Three, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark. Although it can giddyap and go and has sufficient braking power, its ride, steering, and handling aren't as refined as the competition's. A disappointing infotainment system mars the otherwise large, comfortable cabin. Towing is a highlight, at least: The Titan can tow up to 9740 pounds, which is more than enough for most owners, and every model can pull at least 9110 pounds with a max of 9740 pounds.

Despite having much in common with the equally new Chevrolet Silverado, the Sierra 1500 has a uniquely chiseled design-some might say the GMC is better-looking than its over-styled Chevy sibling, but we'll let it be your call-and exclusive features. It alone is available with an adaptive suspension, a versatile multi-position split-folding tailgate, and a resilient carbon-fiber cargo bed. The Sierra has a rougher ride than the Ram 1500, but at least the steering is responsive and body roll decently restrained. Too bad the high-priced Denali model fails to feel high-class; like the Silverado, the Sierra is saddled with an interior that, despite being all-new, feels carry-over and old, with subpar materials. Although GMC's marketing types would like you to believe that the Sierra is no longer just a pricier Silverado, the two remain very similar in their execution.

Chevrolet's weapon in the ever-raging truck wars is the recently redesigned Silverado 1500. It's easy to spot the new Silverado, because its looks are, um, distinctive. (We think the Chevy's GMC-badged sibling, the Sierra, is much less weird-looking.) Beneath its new skin, the Silverado 1500 doesn't feel all that new: Agile handling comes at the expense of a busy, firm ride, and the rear axle hop and chatter on washboard surfaces is a throwback to a bygone era in pickup-truck suspension behavior. And the interior is plain-looking and seemingly identical to the old truck's. There is a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine that joins a range of V-8s and a V-6.

The F-150 Raptor is the best pickup for pulse-pounding desert running and pure, dumb fun-and it more than does its part to hold up the F-150 lineup as a solid pick among full-size trucks. The Raptor features a 450-hp twin-turbo V-6 that can deliver zero to 60 mph acceleration in 5.1 seconds. Braking is a weak point-thanks to the off-road tires-but the Raptor’s soft suspension provides a comfortable and surprisingly controlled ride on- and off-road. Of all Raptors, the SuperCrew has the best max tow and payload ratings, at 8000 pounds and 1200 pounds, but the stubby SuperCab model looks the most like a trophy truck and therefore is much cooler. Fuel economy is decent-we saw 18 mpg in our 75-mph real-world highway testing.

Beloved for its legendary capabilities, the F-150 was until recently our favorite full-size pickup, netting multiple 10Best awards. Those accolades bolster the Ford's position as a strong second-place choice in this segment, behind the newer Ram 1500 that recently beat it in one of our comparison tests. Engine options include a 3.3-liter V-6 (265 lb-ft), a 2.7-liter twin-turbo V-6 (400 lb-ft), a Power Stroke diesel 3.0-liter V-6 (440 lb-ft), a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 (470 lb-ft), and a 5.0-liter V-8 (400 lb-ft). All engines save the base V-6 get a 10-speed automatic transmission. A touchscreen infotainment system is optional, as is 4G LTE Wi-Fi, adaptive cruise control, and automated emergency braking.

Ram's new-for-2019 1500 has proved itself in one of our comparison tests against its segment rivals from GM and Ford. In winning that three-truck showdown, the Ram leapfrogs 2018's full-size 10Best Trucks champs, the F-150 and F-150 Raptor to become our favorite. Efficiency takes a front seat, with automatic stop/start, active aerodynamics, and a 48-volt hybrid powertrain option. Another class exclusive-air suspension-smooths out the ride, and the truck is outstanding to drive. Two cab styles-quad and crew-join three engine choices that top out at 10,620 pounds of towing capability. Several carryover 2018 trims, badged Classic, help fill in the gaps as the 2019 trucks enter production.