In America, pickup truck are among the top-selling vehicles, and these models are some of the best at what they do.
There are millions of pickup trucks on the road today, and many models are capable of towing and off-roading more than most people do. With the resurgence of smaller trucks, the body style has become more affordable while retaining a noticeable amount of versatility and capability. These pickups range from entry-level work trucks to heavy-duty haulers to high-performance hybrids.
Ford Maverick
Ford has revived the Maverick nameplate for its new small pickup truck, which sits below the mid-size Ranger. The nameplate was originally associated with a less-than-stellar compact car line in the 1970s. Editors’ Choice for this time goes to the Maverick for its impressive package. The Maverick rides on the same chassis as the Bronco Sport compact crossover instead of sharing parts with the Ranger. There is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, a continuously variable automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive as standard equipment. In addition to all-wheel drive, Ford offers a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with non-hybrid technology. 4.5-foot beds are standard on all four-door crew cab models. Hyundai is also entering the small pickup truck market with the upcoming Santa Cruz in addition to the Maverick.
Hyundai Santa Cruz
The new Hyundai Santa Cruz 2022 is a pickup truck, don’t get it twisted. We like these two rigs enough to put them on our Editors’ Choice list despite their smaller proportions and unibody construction. It has a one-size-fits-all crew cab and short bed body style similar to the Honda Ridgeline, which also features a unibody design. With its unique face and creased sheet metal, the Santa Cruz certainly stands out from the Honda–or any other mid-size truck, for that matter. The interior is snazzier than its competitors, too, but some models lack physical controls. A four-cylinder engine is also undesirable, but a turbocharged engine is considerably more powerful. While the 2022 Santa Cruz is a more functional take on the tired crossover formula, that open box on its butt makes it qualify as a pickup.
Rivian R1T
Rivian’s futuristic R1T pickup truck promises 300 miles of driving range and lightning-quick acceleration, earning it a Editors’ Choice award. It is 215.6 inches long, which places it between mid-size pickups like the Ford Ranger and full-size trucks like the Ram 1500. Besides Ford’s F-150 Lightning and GMC’s Hummer EV SUT, the R1T is the first electric pickup truck to go into production in a burgeoning market.
Honda Ridgeline
It’s no surprise that the 2022 Honda Ridgeline earned a place on our Editor’s Choice list, since it combines the best attributes of both mid-size trucks and crossovers. There is an underfloor trunk and a short-but-wide bed in the cargo box, which is obviously its defining feature. Despite its truck-like styling, Honda’s pickup cannot hide its unibody construction, which limits its off-road ability and maximum towing capacity while optimizing comfort on the road. Despite their ability to go almost anywhere, the Chevy Colorado ZR2 and Jeep Gladiator are unable to match the Honda for back-seat space and ride quality. With its powerful V-6 engine and standard all-wheel drive, this vehicle moves with purpose and handles with poise. The 2022 Ridgeline features many standard driver assist features and a comfortable and quiet interior, making it a desirable and useful pickup truck.
Chevy Colorado
With the 2022 Chevrolet Colorado, shoppers can enjoy the versatility of a traditional pickup truck without sacrificing the convenience of a full-size vehicle. While the half-ton Chevy Silverado 1500 has a bigger back seat and greater towing capacity, mid-size Colorado is easier to maneuver and still has a noteworthy towing capacity of 7700 pounds. Even with its uncouth base engine, the 308-hp V-6 is quick and responsive, and the diesel option produces a substantial 369 pound-feet of torque. Chevrolet’s oil-burning engine cannot compete with the diesel Jeep Gladiator, but the bow tie is more fun to drive and matches the Jeep’s ruggedness with the ZR2. A dearth of driver-assistance technology and a cheap-looking cabin offset the 2022 Colorado’s comfortable driving position and robust infotainment system, but those shortcomings should not be offensive to those seeking a more conventional truck.
GMC Canyon
A midsize pickup truck with some of the capabilities of a full-size, the 2022 GMC Canyon is a great choice. Its robust body-on-frame construction, powerful V-6 engine, and torquey diesel engine culminate in a maximum towing capacity of 7700 pounds. AT4 models include 31-inch tires and an off-road suspension that are ideal for those who wish to hit the trails. It’s just as versatile as its corporate counterpart, the Chevrolet Colorado, with extended or crew cabs and two bed lengths. In our opinion, the GMC version is more mature and classy. The Denali’s interior is unremarkable and lacks many high-tech features that set it apart from other luxury models. Despite that, the 2022 Canyon will satisfy those who want a smaller, more affordable alternative to the half-ton GMC Sierra.
Jeep Gladiator
It is necessary to sacrifice comfort in order to enjoy the coolness and usefulness of the 2022 Jeep Gladiator pickup truck. Due to the increased versatility of its pickup over the popular Wrangler SUV, those who love the Jeep brand can easily make that sacrifice. Not only does the Gladiator have removable body panels and the inherent ability to play in the dirt and mud, but it can also tow two tons. It also has a cargo bed that adds another dimension to its skillset. Wranglers are nimbler on trails, but Gladiators ride smoother due to their longer wheelbases. The Jeep is more of a handful at highway speeds than body-on-frame rivals like the Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier, requiring frequent steering inputs. In spite of this, the 2022 Jeep Gladiator’s optional diesel engine produces more torque (442 pound-feet versus 369) and has a higher combined EPA rating (24 mpg versus 22) than the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon.
Ram 1500
While pickups have a variety of talents, the 2022 Ram 1500 is significantly nicer than most half-tons. Although the entry-level models don’t come with the luxuries and upscale features of the top trims, they still ride better than the fanciest alternatives thanks to the more sophisticated suspension, which can be made cushier with air springs. Also available on the 1500 is a 12.0-inch touchscreen, a split-folding reargate, and compartments built into the cargo bed. Among its engines are a 395-hp Hemi V-8 (with or without hybrid assistance) and a diesel six-cylinder with 480 pound-feet of torque. It is also possible to tow 12,750 pounds with the strongest configuration. The Ram 1500’s capabilities ensure it won’t be mistaken for anything but a truck, but its ability to pass for a luxury vehicle makes it special and why it received our Editors’ Choice honor.
Ram 1500 TRX
Ram 1500 TRX 2022 is one of the few monster trucks that can be driven on public roads instead of arenas and closed courses. The juiced-up TRX is essentially a Ram 1500 on steroids with a supercharged V-8 generating 702 horsepower. Certainly, there are Hellcat-powered pickups that sound like they ate demons while cruising at 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. The TRX’s only real rival is the 450-hp Ford F-150 Raptor, but it won’t be a fair fight until the 700-plus-hp Raptor R arrives. Even then, it has to contend with the Ram’s luxurious interior and remarkable on-road abilities, which helped it earn a 10Best award and a spot on our Editors’ Choice list. Although the 2022 Ram TRX is Monster Jam-worthy, maneuvering in traffic and parking lots can be stressful, and frequent fuel fill-ups will become an everyday occurrence. Owning a monster isn’t easy, either.
Ford F-150
Ford’s 2022 F-150 offers a wide variety of trims and body styles to suit any task. Oil barons and wealthy ranch owners will appreciate the King Ranch and Limited versions for their low cost and utility. Contractors and fleet managers will appreciate the base XL’s low cost and utility. There are a variety of powertrain options, including a hybrid and a diesel, and an off-road-ready Tremor model. You can count on the F-150 to do the job. Ford’s reputation and wider range of available features have historically swayed huge numbers of buyers in favor of its chief rival, the Ram 1500. In our Editors’ Choice list, we are happy to include the F-150 because we are sure that few of them regretted their purchase.
Ford F-150 Raptor
Imagine a pickup truck on steroids – that’s what the 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor is. As compared with the regular F-150, its body is bulkier, its powertrain is stronger, and its chassis is enhanced to withstand more punishment in muddy, rocky, and sandy conditions. Although Ford’s 450-hp twin-turbo V-6 is underwhelming compared to the Ram TRX’s 702-hp supercharged V-8, a Raptor R will be equally powerful. Despite its high-flying antics, the Raptor’s regular strength still rides smoothly in a variety of conditions. Although it’s not as athletic on the road as the TRX, the interior looks rich and rugged with upscale features and popular tech. It will cost more to add 37-inch tires to the 2022 F-150 Raptor than to do so on the Ram. It makes our Editors’ Choice list because it is the biggest and baddest F-150 money can buy.
Ford Super Duty
A 2022 Ford Super Duty, whether the F-250, F-350, or F-450, is more truck than most people need. This is a great tool for those who need one. Three V-8 engines are available, including one that produces 473 pound-feet of torque and one that produces 1050 pound-feet of torque. With the right equipment, a Super Duty can tow up to 37,000 pounds and haul up to 7850 pounds. Ford’s fanciest crew-cab models provide upscale interiors and enormous passenger space, while Ram’s heavier-duty rivals offer higher torque and towing ratings. In addition to the better driving manners of the Chevy Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, the 2022 Super Duty boasts more high-tech features and driver assistance systems.
Ram HD
It is the unrivaled luxury qualities of the Ram 2500 and 3500 that make them worthy of Editors’ Choice awards in 2022. Ram’s upscale interior appointments and refined ride are unmatched in heavy-duty trucks. Nonetheless, the Ram HD family never forgets its roots. You’ll find a model to fit almost every budget and job description thanks to the variety of trim levels and body styles, as well as the wide range of powertrains. With today’s trucks being both high-tech and hard-working, the 2022 Ram 2500 and 3500 also offer a plethora of popular infotainment features and useful assists that help the driver tow a trailer and maneuver these massive machines in potentially unnerving situations like heavy traffic and tight spaces.
