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Picking the most appealing pickups is even more difficult than ranking passenger cars or sport utility vehicles. Nearly all pickups perform their jobs capably. No pickup delivers a truly carlike experience, so you’re certain to get a trucklike ride and comparably limited maneuverability.
Most of us would like to own a luxurious or exciting vehicle, but our economic situation makes that impossible. Instead, we focus on our transportation needs rather than our personal wants.
To be considered one of cars.com’s Best Bets, a truck should offer greater value than that of its competitors. In addition, it should be at least adequate in most respects and excel in several vital areas — notably performance, ride, handling, instruments and controls, visibility, interior space and passenger comfort. Cars.com also considers a truck’s overall appeal and operational qualities — essentially, the full driving experience. To determine a Best Bet, vehicles are measured against those that are similar in nature and comparably priced.
Like our other Buying Guides, we asked two experts to select the best trucks on sale in the U.S. market. First up is freelance automotive journalist and cars.com’s contributing editor Jim Flammang, whose following picks focus on transportation needs. Jim is joined by cars.com’s in-house expert and in-depth Vehicle Profiler, Joe Wiesenfelder, who names his top choices in the compact, compact/midsize, full-size and “transformer” truck segments. Models selected by both Jim and Joe earn Best Bet status and are given a red check on the index pages.
— The editors of cars.com
Top Picks, Based on Need
We’ll look first at full-size trucks and then turn to two compacts. Vehicles have been arranged alphabetically by class.• Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, with Quadrasteer: Even though GM’s full-size pickups don’t reach significantly beyond the competition in overall competence, they do offer one extra that the others lack: Quadrasteer four-wheel steering. If you ever tow a trailer, you’re likely to fall for Quadrasteer after a single test drive. The system delivers not only a level of stability on the highway that’s difficult to beat but also versatile maneuverability in close quarters.
Otherwise, these two down-to-business trucks offer a broad choice of powertrains and a trio of cab styles. They can be equipped with the bare necessities or a full load of amenities.
• Dodge Ram SRT-10: Among specialty, high-performance vehicles, the new Ram SRT-10 comes up a clear winner. That’s no surprise, considering it’s equipped with the Viper V-10 engine that lurks beneath its imposing hood. This isn’t a truck for everyone, but muscle-pickup fans are likely to covet one of the limited number that will be available. Regular Ram pickups are easy to drive and offer a spacious cab and predictable responses on the road. But they suffer a jolting ride through urban pavement. Dodge’s Hemi V-8 engine delivers the goods in a truly muscular manner, though well short of the SRT-10’s prowess.
• Ford F-150: Just about every time a manufacturer redesigns a strong-selling vehicle, it leapfrogs past the competition — at least temporarily. That’s the case with the F-150, which has been the top-selling vehicle in the United States for years. In its prior form, the F-150 didn’t necessarily stand above the competition from Dodge and GM in everyday capabilities. But in its newly redesigned form, the roomy F-150 looks more serious and feels more substantial. Its suspension reacts better to pavement imperfections, and two quiet, strong, V-8 engines are available — though neither delivers truly swift acceleration.
• Nissan Titan: Bigness is just one of the virtues of Nissan’s full-size pickup truck, which is new for 2004. With its 305-horsepower V-8 engine and five-speed-automatic transmission, the Titan performs with authority — though it’s not necessarily at the top of the pack in acceleration. Maneuverability is superb, and the stiff suspension gives a loaded Titan a secure ride, though body motion is considerable on rougher surfaces. King Cab and Crew Cab models are available for the solidly built Titan, which is made in Mississippi. By focusing somewhat narrowly on the big-truck market, unlike the broad-based domestic models, Nissan has increased its chance for sales success with the Titan.
• Toyota Tundra: Until 2004, Toyota was unopposed in the import-brand full-size group. Nissan’s Titan now warrants top status, but the Tundra scores highly because of its refined and quiet operation and its satisfying ride — and the fact that it’s a little smaller than the others. The Tundra’s cab is roomy, but it doesn’t feel quite as massive as its domestic competitors. An available V-8 engine and the StepSide box can give the Tundra some added flair. This year’s new Double Cab model makes Toyota a triple threat in versatility with a total of three available cab configurations.
• Chevrolet Colorado: Notably more refined than its smaller S-10 predecessor, the new compact Colorado combines satisfying performance and appropriate handling skills with a pleasantly roomy cockpit. It’s not significantly larger than the S-10, but it’s just enough bigger to make a difference. Drawbacks include a somewhat stiff ride and a slightly noisy engine, but the Colorado — and its GMC Canyon twin — provide an appealing compromise between a full-size and a compact truck. A challenger could emerge, however, when Dodge redesigns its Dakota for 2005.
For years, the compact Ford Ranger has offered an engaging combination of a friendly personality, good design and solid build quality in an easy-to-drive truck. The Ranger is still capable overall, and it features good ride and handling qualities, but this pickup is getting old and doesn’t quite warrant top pick status.
• Nissan Frontier: Among the import-brand compacts, the Nissan Frontier looks and feels a tad tougher than the Mazda B-Series Trucks (which are similar to the Ford Ranger) or Toyota Tacoma. More important, the Frontier also gets the slight edge in workmanlike behavior. However, the Tacoma is hard to beat for its reputation for reliability, and it has a low starting price. The available supercharged engine doesn’t add as much oomph as one might expect to the Frontier.
| Joe’s Picks for 2004 Pickup Trucks | ||
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Cars.com’s Vehicle Profiler Joe Wiesenfelder spends many of his waking hours with the vehicles he reviews. Not only does he subject them to hours of city and highway road tests, but he also makes sure that other attributes live up to his standards. For instance, are the cupholders handy enough? Does the interior cramp your style? And are the extra safety features worth their keep? Here, Joe applauds pickup trucks from four segments. All prices are the starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), and the destination charge is not included. |
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Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon | $15,565 – $26,320 (Colorado) $15,895 – $27,090 (Canyon) |
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Best Compact Pickups: It’s common for the most recently redesigned model in a segment to be the best in some ways, and that’s certainly true among pickups, where significant changes come less frequently than in cars and sport utility vehicles. Compared to the S-10 and Sonoma that they replace, respectively, the Colorado and Canyon are enough larger to increase their usefulness and comfort without barging into the unofficial compact/midsize pickup category. They have the right look, right equipment and right capabilities.
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Dodge Dakota | $17,105 – $21,975 |
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Best Compact/Midsize Pickup: This award is something of a gimme, because the 2004 Dakota is the only model in the category it founded — the unofficial compact/midsize pickup class — though like-sized competitors will soon debut. The Dakota itself will be redesigned in 2004 as a 2005 model, but the aged 2004 version remains viable with greater comfort and usefulness than a compact for people who don’t want a full-size truck. |
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Ford F-150 | $21,365 – $35,720 |
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Best Full-Size Pickup: The pickup builders tend to leapfrog each other each time they issue a full redesign. If that’s so, the 2004 F-150 is a giant leap for Ford and will be a giant leap for any frog that intends to compete. From regular cab to SuperCrew, the F-150 lineup impresses with its ride and handling, features, amenities, quietness and a level of interior quality that all manufacturers are promising but only Ford appears to have delivered. If you want your truck to do work, all of the F-150’s capabilities are competitive if not best in class. |
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Chevrolet Avalanche | $32,715 – $37,550 |
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Best Transformer Pickup: The term hybrid now applies to gasoline/electric vehicles, and “crossover” has been used to describe everything from SUV/pickup combinations to car-based vehicles with trucklike features. So I use the term transformer to describe a vehicle that attempts to fit into two classes. Vehicles like the Ford Explorer Sport Trac are handy, but they’re just short-bed crew-cab pickups. Transformers require a structural doohickey like the Avalanche’s midgate, which folds to extend the cargo bed into the cabin. A roll-down window would simplify the operation, but even the current configuration makes the Avalanche the transformer that best serves two masters. By Joe Wiesenfelder, cars.com
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Your Needs Determine What’s Best for You
Selecting the most suitable model depends on your personal needs and how you plan to use your new truck. Most pickups carry similar loads, depending on their powertrains and capacity ratings, but they differ in other attributes.• For hauling cargo: If you often carry plenty of cargo, then you’re looking for a big payload rating, which is measured in pounds. That means a full-size pickup with a powerful engine — possibly one of the heavy-duty models, such as the Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram 2500 or 3500, Ford F-250 Super Duty or F-350 Super Duty, or GMC Sierra 2500HD or 3500. Light-duty pickups have only a half-ton rating, but “25” models are rated at three-quarter-ton and “35” trucks have a one-ton rating. Specific cargo-hauling limits vary according to engine size, transmission type, 2WD or 4WD configuration, and other factors. When the loads get heavy, don’t ignore Nissan’s new Titan.
Compact trucks not only have lower capacity ratings, but they also come with smaller cargo beds. Slab-sided cargo beds are larger than those installed on pickups with the separate-fender look, variously called Sportside, Flareside or StepSide.
• For towing: Full-size trucks are also sensible choices for towing a trailer or boat. Towing capacity varies not only between makes and models but also among the often-bewildering list of variations in a single model line. You need to consider the engine (where a choice is offered), whether the truck has two-wheel or four-wheel drive, the transmission and — for heavier-duty models, in particular — the tire and wheel configuration and hitch type. A weight-distributing hitch may be needed to achieve the greatest towing capacity.
• For carrying crews: If you need to carry more than two passengers in any degree of comfort, a crew-cab model is the choice for you. These pickups have four, conventional, front-hinged doors. Knee space may be modest in back, but it’s likely to be a lot better than most extended-cab trucks can offer. Ingress and egress is also a lot easier with a crew cab.
• Drivetrain power: If you live and drive in flat terrain and don’t carry huge loads, a smaller engine might suffice. For driving on mountain roads — especially with a fully loaded truck — selecting the biggest and strongest engine available would be prudent.
• For fun and performance-oriented driving: Do you want a truck that merely looks the part of a performance vehicle, or is a pickup that can actually perform well above the pack more of an interest to you? If you picked the latter, then look at the Ford SVT F-150 Lightning or Chevrolet’s Silverado SS. If you simply must go all the way in performance, there’s no logical choice other than the new Dodge Ram SRT-10 with its Viper V-10 engine and a whopping 500 hp. The Ram SRT-10 is tough to beat; it behaves as forcefully as its appearance suggests.
If you’re in the market for a convertible sport pickup, you have only one choice: the Chevrolet SSR. It has a 300-hp V-8 engine. Be prepared for a rough ride, though. Its construction quality falls short of conventional pickup trucks.
• For offroad and demanding duties: Four-wheel drive could be obligatory if you’ll be involved in serious offroad treks or you drive frequently on slippery roads or muddy sites. Some folks scoff at four-wheel drive these days because they insist that two-wheel drive is sufficient for most vehicle owners. But pickup trucks are different. Start-up traction can be difficult to achieve on slick surfaces and even on slightly wet pavement — especially when the truck isn’t loaded down with cargo. Making engine power available to as many wheels as possible could mean the difference between immobility and getting under way, at least under certain conditions.
• Safety features: Until 2004, Dodge trucks stood above the pack on the safety front by offering available roof-mounted side curtain-type airbags. Nissan’s new Titan also has optional curtain-type airbags, along with standard side-impact airbags. Roof-rail side airbags are optional in the new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.
SUV/Pickup Crossovers
Four models that blend the characteristics of a pickup truck with those of an SUV are currently on sale. Ford offers the Explorer Sport Trac, and General Motors produces the full-size Cadillac Escalade EXT and Chevrolet Avalanche. Subaru has a smaller model, called the Baja.With any of these SUV/pickup “crossovers,” you get a smaller-than-usual cargo bed that averages about 4.5 feet in length; the Baja’s is even smaller. That’s because most of the available space is devoted to passengers, while cargo room is a secondary issue. Before buying any of these models, consider whether you have valid reasons for needing a dual-purpose vehicle. Either a conventional pickup or a full-fledged SUV might be more sensible.
Pros and Cons of Owning a Pickup Truck
Years ago, light trucks were seldom seen on city streets unless they were engaged in some sort of business. They were strictly workhorses, largely identified with farmers, ranchers, construction crews and individuals who were highly dependent on a pickup’s hauling and towing talents.Things have changed. Nowadays, pickups — especially the “loaded” ones that are packed with accessories, comfort features and flashy exterior bits — are perceived as fashionable. They’re even considered fun to drive, which was hardly the case when pickups were balky, hard-riding machines.
For practical-minded motorists who need to tow or haul cargo, the virtues of a pickup are obvious. But what are the benefits and disadvantages for buyers who want to own and drive a pickup for less-tangible reasons, including the desire to simply be seen in one?
Compact pickups appeal to young buyers partly because of their moderate cost and also because they’re considered sharp looking — especially when they’re decked out with personalized accessories and add-on body components. To a large degree, sporty compact pickups occupy a role that was once held by sports cars. They also promise better gas mileage and maneuverability than their full-size cousins.
Full-size pickups can carry more cargo and provide more room for passengers. But maneuverability inevitably suffers, and a jolting ride in a full-size pickup is fairly common. Big pickups with powerful V-8 engines require more visits to the gas pump, too. A model like the Dodge Dakota can be an appealing compromise. The Toyota Tundra, which is a bit smaller than most full-size pickups, is also an attractive choice when size is a consideration.
Passenger space is abundant in the front seats of pickups, but the rear seats — when installed — are typically less generous. Entry and exit may be easy enough in a compact or two-wheel-drive full-size truck, but climbing aboard a big, lofty 4x4 can be a battle and, perhaps, close to impossible for riders who are older or less agile.
Pickups ride more stiffly than cars and most SUVs, but some are offered with softer suspensions for touring. Occupants are likely to feel more bouncing, especially when the cargo bed is empty.
Just as it is for SUVs, the availability of four-wheel drive is another bonus point with pickups. Even if you don’t expect to use four-wheel drive for true offroad motoring, you might simply like to know that it’s there in case the urge to head off the pavement becomes irresistible. Four-wheel drive also enhances traction on slippery pavement, which can be a major problem with unloaded pickups in particular.
Safety features in pickups are less numerous than in passenger cars. In fact, heavy-duty pickups are exempt from some federal safety requirements.