Pickup Trucks
For this update, we found the best reviews at Car and Driver and Motor Trend’s Truck Trend. Both of these publications extensively test and evaluate the entire pickup truck marketplace and explicitly name which pickups are the very best.
User forums there are also a great source of information. Consumer Reports does a good job of addressing some issues — such as safety and reliability — that aren’t as well covered elsewhere, but still falls short in terms of real-world testing of pickup trucks, and the discussion of individual pickups falls short of higher-rated reviewers.
Although pickup truck models are generally updated less frequently than passenger cars, when changes do occur they can leave once-formidable performers suddenly trailing the pack. Two examples of that are the Nissan Titan (*est. $23,700 to $38,530) and the Ford F-150 (*est. $17,900 to $40,205). Experts say that both, once top choices, have been eclipsed by more recently redesigned efforts like the Chevrolet Silverado (*est. $17,500 to $38,860) and Toyota Tundra (*est. $23,390 to $42,170).
The list pitted the Titan against the Tundra and Silverado last year, and found that the Titan finished last, albeit not by a large margin. The editors fault the Titan mainly for its “skittish” performance on gravel roads, while the other two trucks handled more confidently. Editors also found small issues, including dim headlights and some harder-to-use cabin controls. Still, the pickup is commended for its “trucklike honesty.”
Nissan has addressed some of the Titan’s shortcomings by introducing a longer wheelbase model, which allows for a longer bed, for 2008. Still, most of the best reviewers now name other trucks as better options.
4X4 Pickup EngineThe Ford F-150 was last redesigned in 2004, and will likely see a redesign for the 2009 model year. For now, however, reviews say that alongside the Chevy Silverado and Toyota Tundra the F-150 pickup looks a little dated, and performance is described as disappointing. Reviews say the F-150’s engine isn’t as smooth as the competition. But the F-150 is the most popular pickup in North America, with a fiercely loyal fan base. If you are not part of that fan base, however, reviews say that other trucks, such as the Chevrolet Silverado, clearly outclass the Ford F-150.
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