Today’s trucks come in all sizes and even propulsion systems. From full-size gas-guzzlers to compact pickups to all-new electric models, we’ve driven every pickup model on the market to determine which model best meets your needs, including your money. Also includes the best bang for your buck offer.
Pickup trucks are no longer the bone-limited workhorses of old. While some models are being downsized and some are parting ways with their gas engines, the class as a whole is becoming more capable and comfortable.
using the A step by step method, We evaluated the best pickups for the features we care about — including safety, fuel economy or battery range and performance. Some of our picks are old standbys while others are newcomers. Below are our top five picks, along with an explanation of how each differs from the pack.
(If you’re interested in a comprehensive look at the new vehicle marketplace, check out our full list. The best cars of 2025.)
Best pickup truck
Best Overall: Ford F-150
Best for luxury: GMC Canyon
Best for ride quality: RAM 1500
Best for warranty: Hyundai Santa Cruz
Best for residual value: Toyota Tacoma
Best Overall: Ford F-150
- price: $37,350
- Mileage: 16 mpg city/24 mpg highway
- Wide range of configurations and powertrains
- Affordable starting price
- Higher trim levels are especially expensive
The Ford F-150 has topped the charts as America’s best-selling pickup truck for more than four decades. Durable and reliable in a wide variety of driving conditions, this truck is available in eight trims and seats three to six passengers.
The F-150 starts at $37,350, which is cheap for a full-size truck. Yet the price rises sharply when one moves up the model line to the range-topping Raptor model, which costs $78,905. Horsepower also varies between 325 and 720 depending on your choice, with corresponding fuel efficiency ratings.
An all-around versatile truck for work or play, the F-150 leads the class in towing capacity at 13,500 pounds when properly equipped.
Best for luxury: GMC Canyon
- price: $36,300
- Mileage: 19 mpg city/23 mpg highway
- Smooth management
- Well equipped cabin with very large screen
The GMC Canyon compact pickup is known for its smooth handling and refined cabin. The Elevation base model starts at $36,300, but if you want luxury, and can afford it, we recommend the $51,300 Denali trim. It adds options for heated seats and perforated leather upholstery and a Bose sound system.
The base model comes well-equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot and a large, 11.3-inch touch screen, when rivals’ screens measure just 7 or 8 inches.
Best for ride quality: RAM 1500
- price: $40,275
- Mileage: 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway
- new style
- Excellent ride quality
- Low towing capacity
The Ram 1500 has been revamped for 2025 with new exterior styling, bigger screens and new engines. The truck has the same premium cabin and a nice ride, thanks to a decent rear suspension.
The base model starts at $40,275, and includes a 305-horsepower V6 engine, an 8.4-inch touch screen and a long list of safety features, such as rear cross-traffic alert and forward automatic emergency braking. Upper trims offer 12- and 15.4-inch screens.
The truck can be customized in a number of ways, with new tungsten trim priced around $90,000 for 2025. Note, however, that the suspension that enables the Ram 1500’s excellent ride quality means it can’t carry the same pounds as competing full-size trucks.
Best for warranty: Hyundai Santa Cruz
- price: $28,500
- Mileage: 22 mpg city/26 mpg highway
- Affordable, both in price and fuel consumption
- One of the best warranties of any vehicle
The Hyundai Santa Cruz gets a makeover for 2025 with updated styling and other features. The comfortable compact pickup now comes with a curved display with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and updated software compatible with over-the-air updates. All of this makes it a very livable truck, should that be where you plan to spend most of your time.
Santa Cruz is exceptionally affordable in many ways. It has the lowest starting price in the group and also has the best fuel efficiency.
A plus for the truck’s cost of ownership is its excellent five-year / 60,000-mile limited warranty and 10-year / 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. That’s far better protection than you’d get with the Ford F-150, Toyota Tacoma or GMC Canyon, each of which is covered by a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. is
Best for the value: Toyota Tacoma
- price: $33,000*
- Mileage: 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway*
- Affordable price
- Available with off-roading equipment
Availability and many details about the 2025 Toyota Tacoma were not confirmed at press time, but it was expected to come in around $33,000, which would make it one of the least expensive picks of the bunch. Other data below are also reported figures for the 2025 version, unless otherwise noted.
The compact pickup has a dual reputation for reliability, which provides peace of mind, and for its value down the road.
One way in which the Tacoma — at least for its base model — doesn’t stand out is in its power. The 2025 version will have a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that will reportedly produce 228 horsepower. That’s only slightly more than the 2024 Tacoma’s 225 hp, yet less than most in the group – for example, the Ford F150 base model delivers 325 horsepower.
Fuel economy (21 mpg city/26 mpg highway) is also slightly above the Tacoma’s 2024 figures. =
For off-roaders who can afford to splurge, there’s the TRD Off-Road trim. With an estimated 2025 price of around $42,600, it comes with rugged Tacoma all-terrain tires, a locking rear differential, skid plates and more.
* Estimated figures. The 2025 Toyota Tacoma isn’t out yet, and full details and a firm introduction date weren’t available as of early December.
