Cars

Full-Size Pickup Comparisons

Full-size pickups such as the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra are among the most configurable vehicles sold in the US. A single model can be a basic work truck, a family crew cab or a luxury cruiser, and the specs change with every choice you make.

Configuration comes first. Regular, extended and crew cabs trade rear-seat space for bed length, and beds typically come in short, standard and long sizes. Engines range from turbocharged V6s and V8s to hybrids and diesels, and battery-electric versions such as the F-150 Lightning and Silverado EV add another option. Two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are both offered, and the choice affects price, weight and payload.

Towing and payload ratings apply to a specific combination of cab, bed, engine, axle ratio and towing package, so the headline maximum is rarely what a typical truck on a dealer lot can do. For payload, the sticker inside the driver’s door jamb shows the exact figure for that truck. Heavy-duty models (2500 and 3500 series, or Ford’s Super Duty) step up again for large trailers and are best compared with each other rather than with half-ton trucks.

Ride and comfort differ as well. Rear suspension design, available air suspension and cab insulation all shape how a truck feels when it is empty, which is how many trucks spend most of their time.

Finally, consider size and cost in daily life. A crew cab with a long bed may not fit a standard garage, gas mileage is low compared with smaller vehicles, and prices climb steeply from work trims to luxury trims. If you rarely tow or haul heavy loads, a midsize pickup may be the easier fit.

32 comparisons · 11 products