Influential consumer testing organization Consumer Reports has ranked the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado pickup as its top pickup truck choice, scoring the freshly redesigned truck above the 2013 Ram 1500 and the previously tested Ford F-150. The Silverado garnered a score of 81 points out of 100, just edging out the Ram's score of 78 points in a recent head-to-head comparison test by the publication, but the scores did not fully indicate how close the two trucks were in subjective testing.
The Silverado edged the Ram in objective numbers, coming out tops in payload capacity, tow rating, fuel economy, step-in height and the size of its bed — but the Ram 1500 was rated by CR's testers as "the better car." They cite it as a better daily driver, with more comfortable seating for passengers, better controls and quicker acceleration while still maintaining its own hefty pickup truck ratings. In the end, despite giving the nod to the redesigned Silverado, the organization said that "you can't go wrong with either truck." CR tested the Silverado LT crew cab with a 5.3-liter V-8 and four-wheel drive as well as the Ram Big Horn with a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 and eight-speed transmission. You can see Consumer Reports' article on the Silverado's win here (subscription required for full article).
Earlier this year, PickupTrucks.com held its own Light-Duty Challenge, giving the nod to the Ford F-150 equipped with the EcoBoost V-6 engine as the top truck due largely to its own objective qualifications (power, towing, etc.). But the winner of our own subjective contest was the Ram 1500, with PickupTrucks.com's editors agreeing that the Ram's interior comfort, power and user-friendly electronics made it the most pleasant place to spend time. The Ram placed just a hair out of winning our own competition as well, with fewer than 13 points separating it from the Ford's top score. Have a look to see how we scored the latest batch of light-duty trucks .