These rankings were compiled by US News & World Reports based on an in-depth analysis of all published auto ratings,
reviews and test drives.
Chevrolet,
Ford, Toyota, GMC, and
Dodge full size
trucks are generally priced between $15,000 and $35,000. Listed below are the top 8 picks, according to US News &
World Reports, from the 2010 models including a 3 way tie for 5th place.
Read the full report.
2010 Ford F-150 – Locks in 1st Place Again
The 2010 F-150 continues to offer buyers plenty of power, towing and hauling abilities, plus innovative cargo solutions
and enough high-tech interior features and creature comforts to make true truck fans feel right at home. If the truck
market has shrunk to buyers who truly need a truck's capabilities, many reviewers say the F-150 has the market covered.
Pros and Cons
- Excellent towing
- Nice interior
- Innovative exterior features
- Larger engines offered by competitors
It's hard to find a bad review of the Chevrolet Silverado because most reviewers say it's hard to find a competitor
with a better combination of ruggedness, capability and comfort. "There are no bad full-size pickups now, but the
Silverado quietly excels in every area," says Car and Driver adding, "Let's just agree that a perfect truck is hard
to find, and we'll drive the Silverado till we find it." However, the Silverado isn't without competition.
The Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram were redesigned in 2009. While the Silverado is as capable as those two, the
Ford and Dodge trucks offer some features the Chevy just doesn't have. The F-150 offers features like Ford's
SYNC infotainment system and plenty of in-cabin storage. The Dodge not only offers in-cabin storage cubbies,
but also storage bins built into the truck bed, as well as a coil-over suspension that some reviewers say
provides the smoothest ride in the class.
Pros and Cons
- Comfortable ride and handling
- Rugged and capable
- More bells and whistles offered by competitors
2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid – Hybrid Steals 3rd Place
The 2010 Silverado 1500 Hybrid combines
improved fuel economy with decent truck capabilities. Full size
pickup
trucks have long been a target for green-based complaints but the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid makes that target a
little harder to hit. Motor Trend says, "Despite the eco-friendly gasoline-electric drive train and miserly (for a truck
, at least) fuel economy that goes with it, this is a legitimate full-size pickup." However, the Silverado
Hybrid starts at the high end of the full size pickup class (though it does come very well equipped for the money).
Even with the $2,200 tax credit for buying the truck, the Silverado Hybrid's price tag means it doesn't make sense
for every buyer. People who drive in a lot of stop-and-go traffic are likely to get the most benefit from the
Silverado Hybrid, because it can run on electric power alone at slow speeds, and its engine shuts off when it's
stopped in traffic, which saves a lot of fuel. Still, if gas prices stay below $3.00 a gallon it will take four
years to save enough on gas to cover the Silverado Hybrid's price premium. The Silverado Hybrid has a 40 percent
increase in city fuel economy over the gas-only Silverado, which is comparable to a midsize sedan's mileage. At
the same time, it has a comfortable and roomy cabin and a useful cargo bed. While it may not be able to
out-tow or haul a gas-only truck (10,000 lbs compared to 6,000 lbs), its capabilities are certainly in line
with what most buyers need, and its fuel bills are in line with what most buyers want.
Pros and Cons
- Higher price tag than gas-only Silverado
- Compromises on hauling and towing capabilities
The GMC Sierra 1500 offers something for everyone: full-size truck utility and, if buyers want it, a dose of luxury.
With three cabs, three cargo beds, six engines, five suspension and four interior packages, the GMC Sierra can be
custom built to each buyer's specifications. With large truck sales declining, buyers should be able to find
some very good incentives and options on the GMC Sierra, which also has one of the best fuel economy ratings
in the class.
Pros and Cons
- Highly customizable
- Good Payload and towing capabilities
- Excellent safety scores
- Mechanically identical to Chevrolet – Silverado may cost less
2010 GMC Sierra 1500 Hybrid – Ties for 5th Place
Several reviewers say that if you need a truck and want to go a little green, the
Sierra Hybrid
should work for you, particularly if you do a lot of city driving, which is where the truck makes most of its fuel economy
gains. So, for urban contractors who need a truck but are sick of watching their profits go in the gas tank and out the
tailpipe, the Sierra Hybrid makes sense. It also makes sense for people who want to put saving the planet before saving
money. We should also note that while the Sierra Hybrid costs quite a bit more than the base Sierra, for that extra money
you do get a luxuriously outfitted interior, a crew cab, some nice tech options and significant green credit. And, who knows?
If gas prices skyrocket, the Sierra Hybrid just might pay for itself.
Pros and Cons
- Midsize sedan fuel economy
- Truck capabilities with hybrid power train
- Expensive compared to conventional model
- Compromised towing and hauling abilities
With innovative cargo solutions and a ride that some reviewers say is the smoothest in the class, the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 is
a strong contender in a competitive class. The Dodge Ram surprises a lot of reviewers with its car-like ride and handling,
high-tech interior and useful exterior features. Depending on the features buyers opt for, the Ram can be stuffed full of handy
lockable and waterproof storage cubbies, both in the cabin and on the bed. In addition, the Ram's roomy cabin is available with
high-tech features like a hard drive for storing music files and wifi capability. While all of that sounds like good news for
Ram buyers, the Ram's reliability is what keeps reviewers from recommending it wholeheartedly. The Ram has a lot to offer,
including an upscale interior, some of the best performance in the class, and macho styling that fits the full-size pickup class to a tee.
Pros and Cons
- Excellent handling
- Powerful engine
- Some sub-par interior materials
- Some reliability complaints
The Toyota Tundra is a solid truck, but with competitors offering fresher designs and innovative features,
it finds itself struggling in a very competitive class. For 2010, Toyota has refreshed the Tundra to help it
stay with the pack. A new 4.6 liter V8 base engine has increased fuel efficiency and horsepower, while the
optional 5.7 liter V8 remains the same. As many trucks from competitors start to be outfitted like luxury vehicles,
Toyota has kept up by adding the Platinum Package to CrewMax Limited Tundras. This package includes upscale
features like heated and cooled seats, as well as higher-end exterior touches. If you're shopping for a full size
pickup but not convinced of the Tundra's qualifications, consider the class leaders, the Chevy Silverado or
Ford F-150. Both have better fuel economy than the Tundra and have base prices about $2,000 less than the
Tundra's. Several reviewers say the Tundra's ride is bouncy when compared to the F-150 and the Ram, while
others say that the interior features that buyers can opt for on other trucks aren't available on the Tundra.
Still, the consensus seems to be that though the Tundra is outclassed by newer trucks in some areas, like most
full-size pickups, it is still an excellent all-around choice.
Pros and Cons
- Powerful engine
- Extremely capable
- Trucky ride
- Big thirst for fuel
2010 Nissan Titan – Hangs in the top picks at Number 8
Thanks to a strong power train and a big dose of practicality, the 2010 Nissan Titan
is a contender in the full-size truck market. The 2011 Titan will be based on the current generation Dodge Ram,
a truck platform that many reviewers say is the best around. The change comes as the Titan struggles to find its
place in the market. Competing in a rapidly contracting segment, many still report the current Titan does not have
the right ingredients to sway truck drivers that are loyal to American brands. While the Titan covers the basics,
GM's truck twins (the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra) drive better. The Dodge Ram offers a smoother ride and more
clever storage options. And the Ford F-150 offers more tech options. Most other trucks in the class are more
customizable (the Titan only offers two cab styles and one engine), and almost every other truck in the class
can tow heavier weight. Basing the Titan on the Ram may turn it into a truck with a lot more appeal.
Pros and Cons
- Good performance
- Interior isn’t as nice as competitors
- Low tow rating
- Not as customizable as competitors