Modern pickup trucks have transformed past being heavy-duty work vehicles for rugged tasks. These days, pickup trucks are comfortable enough to be daily drivers, somewhat efficient, and, in the right trim, luxurious enough to feel like premium vehicles. Of course, pickups are more capable than ever, being able to tow and haul an absurd amount of weight.
The pickup truck segment continues to grow, but these are our top choices for the best trucks to buy in 2022.
Why it's a top pick: The Ford F-150 continues to be the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. year after year for a simple reason: it does everything well. The F-150 has one of the most diverse lineups of powertrains in the class and has a class-leading towing capacity of 14,000 pounds. For consumers interested in off-roading, there’s the Raptor that can tackle sand and gravel paths at high speeds or go rock crawling. The high-end Limited trim comes equipped with premium features for a luxurious feel. From work truck and rugged off-roader to luxurious, the F-150 is a multifaceted pickup.
Worth knowing: The all-electric F-150 Lightning joins the lineup for 2022. The electric pickup can tow up to 10,000 pounds, can travel up to 300 miles on a single charge, has up to 775 pound-feet of torque, and starts at $41,669 (with destination) for a fleet-oriented model.
Honorable mentions: RAM 1500, Honda Ridgeline
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Why it's a top pick: The all-new Toyota Tundra mercifully ushers in the third generation for the full-size pickup truck. The Tundra arrives with some impressive tech features that include a 14-inch touchscreen (one of the largest in the class), voice commands that work by saying “Hey, Toyota,” and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Every pickup comes well-stocked with safety features, quite a few of which are optional on competitors.
Worth knowing: Toyota is offering the Tundra with an available hybrid powertrain that produces 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque, which is 48 hp and 109 lb-ft more than the base V6 engine. The hybrid is also slightly more efficient.
Honorable mentions: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Ford F-150
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Why it's a top pick: To get some serious towing done, look toward the RAM 3500, which can tow up to 37,090 pounds and has up to 7,680 pounds. The pickup truck’s stout figures come from an available 6.7-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder engine that delivers 1,075 lb-ft of torque, which leads the class. Even the standard 6.4-liter V8 engine provides enough grunt to tow up to 18,210 pounds, which is more than enough for the majority of people. You’d better check with your state’s requirements before hauling this kind of cargo, as you’ll probably need a commercial license to pull this kind of weight.
Worth knowing: The available Limited trim is incredibly opulent, offering a 12-inch touchscreen, leather upholstery, wood and aluminum trim, power-deployable running boards, and a 17-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. It’s pricey, but one of the nicest ways to tow over 30,000 pounds of cargo.
Honorable mentions: Ford F-Series Super Duty, Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD, GMC Sierra 3500HD
From $42,735 MSRP | Prices & Deals | Specs | Photos | Build & Price »
Why it's a top pick: Thanks to a standard hybrid powertrain that consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, the Ford Maverick is the most efficient pickup on sale today. The hybrid powertrain is rated to get up to 37 mpg combined, which is the same as some compact cars. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine isn’t nearly as efficient, earning a 26 mpg combined rating.
Worth knowing: The Ford Integrated Tether System (FITS) slots located on the under-seat storage bins and behind the center console allow consumers to 3D-print their own accessories and attach them to the truck.
Honorable mentions: Rivian R1T, Chevrolet Silverado Diesel, RAM 1500 Diesel
From $21,490 MSRP | Prices & Deals | Specs | Photos | Build & Price »