For the 48th year in a row, Ford has claimed the crown for best-selling pickup trucks in the US. But does that mean they’re worth it? As prices climb past $80,000, would-be truck buyers are looking more closely than ever at value and performance alike. Our dive into reports, reviews and data from experts like Car and Driver and Edmunds has helped us make this list to help make the choice easy.
Take a look at which 5 pickups are worth every penny and which 4 trucks belong in the junkyard.
4. Worst List – GMC Sierra 1500 (Exterior)
The GMC Sierra 1500’s exterior styling relies too heavily on chrome accents that appear gaudy rather than premium. The front fascia design prioritizes appearance over functionality, with large grille openings that don’t contribute to improved cooling or performance. The tailgate’s complexity adds unnecessary weight and potential reliability concerns. The wheel arch design creates turbulence at highway speeds, increasing wind noise and reducing fuel efficiency. The bedside steps, while attempting to aid accessibility, collect debris and create potential rust points.
GMC Sierra 1500 (Interior)
Inside, the Sierra’s interior falls short of luxury expectations, especially considering its premium pricing. The dashboard design emphasizes style over practicality, resulting in compromised ergonomics and hard-to-reach controls. You’ll encounter hard plastics in areas where competitors use soft-touch materials, particularly on the door panels and lower dash. The steering wheel adjustment range limits optimal positioning for some drivers, and the seat heaters provide uneven warming across the cushions. The infotainment system’s interface feels dated, with slow response times and unintuitive menu structures.
3. Toyota Tundra (Exterior)
The Toyota Tundra’s exterior design shows minimal creativity, presenting a bulky appearance that creates visibility challenges without delivering proportional utility. The front grille appears oversized and ungainly, consuming an unnecessary amount of visual space. You’ll find the panel gaps exceed acceptable tolerances for a modern truck, particularly around the tailgate and bed seams. The side steps placement compromises ground clearance without providing convenient entry assistance, and the bed’s high load floor makes cargo loading more difficult than necessary.
Toyota Tundra (Interior)
Inside, the Tundra disappoints with subpar material quality compared to similarly priced competitors. The center console layout wastes space with poorly planned storage solutions and ergonomically challenging cup holder placement. The steering wheel controls lack intuitive placement, requiring drivers to take their eyes off the road for simple adjustments. The rear seat cushions feel too flat for long-distance comfort, and the headliner material appears cheap even in higher trim levels. The HVAC controls require multiple steps for basic temperature adjustments, complicating what should be simple operations.
2. Toyota Tacoma (Exterior)
The Toyota Tacoma maintains an outdated design that hasn’t evolved significantly since 2016, with a ground clearance of 9.4 inches that makes entry and exit unnecessarily difficult. The front-end styling appears dated compared to modern competitors, while the limited bed length options restrict versatility. The hood bulge serves no functional purpose and creates blind spots during technical off-road maneuvers. The standard LED headlights provide inadequate illumination on dark roads, and the bed’s composite material, while durable, makes mounting accessories challenging.
Toyota Tacoma (Interior)
Inside, the Tacoma’s cabin forces tall drivers into an awkward seating position due to its low roof height and high floor. You’ll notice the dated infotainment system struggles with modern connectivity features, while the rear seats provide minimal comfort for adult passengers. The interior materials feel cheap, with hard plastics dominating most surfaces that should feature soft-touch materials at this price point. The climate control system distributes air unevenly throughout the cabin, and the sound insulation fails to dampen road noise adequately.
1. Jeep Gladiator (Exterior)
The Jeep Gladiator’s exterior suffers from an identity crisis between being a Wrangler and a pickup truck, resulting in awkward proportions and a lengthy 218-inch wheelbase that creates handling issues. The removable panels, while unique, create numerous leak points and wind noise at highway speeds. The short 5-foot bed limits cargo capacity compared to traditional pickups. The front-end design feels forced, attempting to merge Jeep’s iconic styling with pickup functionality but achieving neither goal effectively. The approach angle suffers due to the extended wheelbase, compromising the off-road capability Jeep typically delivers.
Jeep Gladiator (Interior)
Inside, the Gladiator disappoints with dated interior materials and a cramped back seat that offers only 38.3 inches of legroom. The dashboard layout creates frustration with controls scattered illogically across the console. You’ll find the touchscreen system responds slowly to inputs, making simple tasks like climate control adjustments unnecessarily complicated. The seating position feels awkward for taller drivers, and the steering wheel’s limited adjustment range compounds this issue. Storage solutions lack thoughtful design, with small cubbies that fail to accommodate modern smartphones and devices.
5. Best List – Honda Ridgeline (Exterior)
The Ridgeline’s car-based design prioritizes aerodynamics over traditional truck styling. You’ll appreciate the integrated bed and body design that creates clean lines and improved fuel efficiency. The dual-action tailgate opens both down and sideways, while the in-bed trunk provides secure, weatherproof storage. The updated front-end styling adds aggression to the otherwise conservative design.
Honda Ridgeline (Interior)
Honda brings car-like refinement to the truck segment with high-quality materials and thoughtful ergonomics. You’ll enjoy the spacious cabin that offers best-in-class rear seat comfort and numerous storage solutions. The 8-inch touchscreen includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The flat floor and wide opening doors make entry and exit easier than traditional trucks.
4. Chevrolet Silverado HD (Exterior)
The Silverado HD projects capability with its massive grille, functional hood scoop, and prominent stance. You’ll benefit from the multiple camera views integrated into the body work for improved visibility while towing. The corner steps and grab handles make bed access easier despite the tall ride height. LED lighting comes standard across all trim levels, improving nighttime visibility.
Chevrolet Silverado HD (Interior)
Chevrolet’s redesigned interior addresses previous criticisms with better materials and build quality. You’ll interact with a 13.4-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster that provide clear information displays. The crew cab configuration offers enormous rear-seat space with plenty of storage options. Enhanced sound insulation makes this heavy-duty truck surprisingly quiet inside.
3. Nissan Frontier (Exterior)
The Frontier wears squared-off bodywork that creates a modern interpretation of classic truck design. You’ll notice the LED lighting and available roof rack system add functionality to the styling. The Pro-4X trim includes skid plates and all-terrain tires that enhance its rugged appearance. The cargo bed includes a factory spray-in bedliner and adjustable tie-down system. Also, if you’re interested in inventions you can use for this and other pick up tracks, feel free to check out our round up of 21 gadgets you can use to enhance your driving experience and truck functionality.
Nissan Frontier (Interior)
Nissan combines modern technology with traditional truck functionality in the cabin. You’ll find the 9-inch touchscreen provides clear graphics and responsive controls. The Zero Gravity seats offer all-day comfort with proper support in the right places. Storage solutions include multiple USB ports and thoughtfully placed cupholders throughout the interior.
2. Ram 1500 (Exterior)
The Ram 1500 balances aggressive styling with sophisticated design elements. You’ll appreciate the active air dam and optional air suspension that improve aerodynamics and functionality. The RamBox storage system integrates weatherproof, lockable storage into the bed sides. The multifunction tailgate splits 60/40 for improved cargo access flexibility.
Ram 1500 (Interior)
Ram sets the standard for truck interiors with premium materials and exceptional build quality. You’ll interact with either an 8.4- or massive 12-inch touchscreen that can display multiple functions simultaneously. The rear seats in crew cab models recline and offer class-leading legroom. Sound isolation and suspension tuning create a luxury-car-like environment inside.
1. Ford Maverick (Exterior)
The Maverick introduces clean, modern design to the compact truck segment. You’ll find the LED lighting and available FX4 package add visual interest without appearing overstyled. The 4.5-foot bed includes multiple tie-downs and power outlets for enhanced utility. The lower ride height makes loading cargo and entering the cabin easier than traditional trucks.
Ford Maverick (Interior)
Ford maximizes interior space with clever packaging and storage solutions. You’ll appreciate the standard 8-inch touchscreen that includes smartphone integration features. The rotary gear selector frees up console space for additional storage options. Durable materials and thoughtful touches like built-in phone holders demonstrate attention to daily usability needs.
