Best Pickup Truck of 2025

Winner: 2025 Ram 1500

Starting price range (all prices include destination charge): $42,270-$89,070
Output range: 305-540 horsepower, 271-521 pounds-feet of torque
Maximum towing capacity: 11,600 pounds

The Ram brand has for years now won over a lot of hearts and minds through the use of top-notch interiors in its full-size pickups, but for the 2025 model year, it’s gone a step further and done something controversial: It’s ditched the popular Hemi V-8 engine in favor of a new series of twin-turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engines called Hurricane.

The outcry was loud among Hemi fans, but our testing of the new ‘25 Ram has allayed any concerns that the new 3.0-liter SST (straight-six turbo) engine wasn’t up to snuff. Instead, it’s proven to be transformative, turning the Ram from a rough, rumbly workhorse to a remarkably refined, smooth-running, super-powerful rig. This was especially evident in our 2024 Full-Size Pickup Truck Challenge, where a top Tungsten trim level of the Ram topped luxury trucks from Ford and GMC.

The Hurricane SST is undoubtedly the star of the show, and it’s available in two power outputs — 420 or 540 horsepower — that both outgun the old 5.7-liter Hemi. The acceleration provided by the new powertrains is fantastic, but it’s the refinement of the engine that makes every trim level that has it absolutely shine — from the work-oriented Tradesman to the super-lux Tungsten and from the entry-level off-road Warlock to the ultimate off-road RHO. This is an engine that wouldn’t be out of place in a high-end German luxury vehicle.

But it’s not just the new powertrain that won us over. The variety of trim levels means there’s something for everyone at every price point, and the stunning thing about the Ram 1500 is that the cabin on every trim level feels expensive and upscale. Base models feel solid and well constructed, with sophisticated materials quality; off-road variants look racy and sporty, with fun trim and color options; and no full-size pickup tops the luxurious Tungsten’s interior with its extraordinary leather, unique colors and rock-solid assembly. Add in the reconfigurable digital gauge cluster, massive Uconnect infotainment touchscreen and novel features like the RamBox storage system, and you have a fantastic truck. It’s useful, too, with the Ram 1500 having a maximum towing capacity of 11,600 pounds and a top payload rating of 2,360 pounds. All of it combines to make a new truck that is worthy of our Best Pickup Truck of 2025 award.

2025 Ram 1500 Specs and Reviews | Find a 2025 Ram 1500 Near You

ford f 150 platinum 2024 25 exterior front angle scaled jpg

2024 Ford F-150 Platinum | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry

2025 Ford F-150: Finalist

Starting price range: $39,345-$80,900
Output range: 325-720 hp
Maximum towing capacity: 13,500 pounds

Ford’s F-Series Super Duty won our Best Pickup Truck of 2024 award, and the light-duty F-150 is a top contender for this year’s thanks to its unrivaled technology for people who use their pickups for work. From the F-150’s nearly magical Pro Trailer Hitch Assist — which uses automated systems and artificial-intelligence-enhanced software to automatically back the truck up to a trailer’s coupler — to the PowerBoost hybrid powertrain and Pro Power Onboard generator systems that enable days of off-grid trailer camping or jobsite power, the F-150 is a fantastic truck for people whose primary reason for owning a pickup is to use it for a job. Whether you’re towing, camping, powering a jobsite or adventuring off-road, the F-150 provides tons of options, lots of configurations and a variety of powertrains.

There’s a King Ranch version if you want a Western-themed luxury truck, and few full-size pickups can compete with the F-150 Raptor in terms of high-speed off-road capability. Ford is not without its unique features, as well, like a novel tailgate door that can swing open, and the F-150 also features an easy-to-use multimedia system and Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free cruise control system.

The F-150 is just as capable as the Ram 1500 on- or off-road, but it falls a bit short in terms of interior cabin amenities and materials quality. And while its variety of powertrains does still include an optional V-8 if you want one, none of them match the smoothness and power delivery of the Ram’s new straight-six turbo engine. Even so, the Ford F-150 is a capable truck, and it’s a worthy finalist for our Best Pickup Truck of 2025 award.

2025 Ford F-150 Specs and Reviews | Find a 2025 Ford F-150 Near You

ford ranger 2025 03 exterior front angle jpg

2025 Ford Ranger | Cars.com photo by Steven Pham

2025 Ford Ranger: Finalist

Starting price range: $34,575-$57,315
Output range: 270-405 hp
Maximum towing capacity: 7,500 pounds

If the F-150 is a little too big for you (or your garage), Ford has an excellent alternative in the mid-size Ranger pickup, which was redesigned for the 2024 model year. A new powertrain option — a 315-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 — joined the standard 270-hp, turbo 2.3-liter four-cylinder as part of the redesign, and both team with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Like its bigger F-150 brother, the Ranger is available as a bare-bones work truck, a fancier personal truck or as a crazy-capable off-road Baja truck. Also like the F-150, the Ranger offers useful tech for specific tasks, including Pro Trailer Backup Assist that uses cameras and electronic controls to help people back up a trailer quickly, easily and safely. And with a hefty 7,500-pound maximum towing capacity and a 1,805-pound max payload capacity, the Ranger is as capable as some larger full-size pickups. Several off-road options are also available, including an FX4 Off-Road Package for XLT and Lariat trims and the full-bore Ranger Raptor, which features a lifted suspension with Fox Live Valve shocks, a 405-hp, twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 and massive off-road tires.

The Ranger’s tossable, fun-to-drive nature and on-road civility make it one of our favorites, and its upgraded interior and available technology features are added bonuses that contribute to it being a finalist for our Best Pickup Truck of 2025 award.

2025 Ford Ranger Specs and Reviews | Find a 2025 Ford Ranger Near You