10 Top Rated Trucks for 2016

2016 Chevrolet Silverado

Searching for the best trucks of 2016 highlights one clear fact: there’s a lot of great pickups around. And it isn’t just the American makers. Toyota and Nissan are equally credible contenders. Making the right selection all depends on requirements. Midsize? Full-size? Heavy duty? Cab size? Bed length? Rear-wheel drive? All-wheel drive? Off-road chops? Towing ability? The thing to remember is that modern trucks can be as sophisticated as cars, in their own way. There’s just as much attention to detail and deployment of technology. It makes choice more difficult, but makes the product so much better. And down the line, it keeps resale values stronger, too. While you’re still in the “homework” phase of procuring your next set of work wheels, take a look at some of the top rated trucks we’ve compiled here.

2016 Nissan Titan XD

That earlier question of full-size or heavy duty is not quite as black and white with the all-new Nissan Titan XD. The XD stands for “extra duty” and the truck slides neatly between the two traditional categories. It rides as calmly and precisely as any contemporary full-size truck, with or without a load. Yet it has exceptional towing capabilities. It’s unusual because it can accommodate a gooseneck adapter or a fifth wheel. Maximum towing capacity is 12,314 pounds. The Titan XD has plenty of ingenious in-cab storage areas and the bed can take a payload of 2,091 pounds. The other big thing in its favor is the 5.0-liter turbocharged V8 supplied by Cummins, arguably the most trusted name in diesel engines. It makes a remarkable 555 lb-ft of torque at a low-down 1600 rpm, yet does so with a hushed smoothness. In Pro-4X form, the Titan XD is a supremely competent off-roader. In top-line Platinum Reserve trim, it also takes on the newest trend in pickups: luxury.

Photo by Nissan USA

2016 Ford F-150

Ford’s full-size truck, the F-150, has always been a big seller, but this new generation (the 13th, launched for the 2015 model year) has changed the game with its predominantly aluminum construction. This represents a manufacturing challenge, but one big payoff is less weight, which means better fuel consumption. It also enables a greater payload weight because the truck itself is lighter. The 2016 Ford F-150 comes in a kaleidoscope of permutations: regular cab, extended cab, crew cab, short bed, long bed, gasoline engines with or without turbochargers, rear-drive, all-wheel drive. Trim levels span from basic XL to ultra-plush Platinum. When equipped properly, the F-150 can tow up to 12,200 pounds. Every version has a well-thought-out cabin and drives with composure and an agility that’s surprising at first. Depending on the trim level, features include LED bed lighting, off-road hardware, power-retractable running boards, and automatic parallel parking assistance.

2016 Chevrolet Silverado

For solid proof that competition improves the breed, take a look at the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado. In the full-size pickup stakes, it’s been a tug-of-war for top billing between this and the Ford F-150 for as long as two have existed. While General Motors and Ford each try to get the upper hand, the real winner is the buyer. Launched in 2014 and refreshed for 2016, this generation is an excellent all-rounder. Cabin materials are much classier than they once were. Driving manners are far more civilized, and equipment choices are many and varied. Although the entry level engine is a 4.3-liter V6 (good enough for most applications), Chevy goes for big V8 engines in the upper ranges, as opposed to Ford’s turbo V6 approach. A Silverado with the 6.2-liter V8 uses its considerable 460 lb-ft of torque to tow a maximum of 12,000 pounds. The 2016 GMC Sierra is essentially the same truck, but each trim level is usually spec'ed a little higher than the Chevy equivalent.

Photo by General Motors

2016 Chevrolet Colorado

Chevy’s midsize 2016 Colorado, along with its GMC Canyon cousin, was all-new for 2015 and a significant update over the last generation. The big story for this model year is the addition of a new diesel engine option in crew cab models. It’s a turbocharged, 2.8-liter four-cylinder that kicks out a muscular 396 lb-ft of torque at just 2000 rpm, so there’s plenty of low-end thrust. In rear-drive configuration, maximum towing capacity with this engine is 7,700 pounds, which is the class best. Maximum load is 1,547 pounds in the longer bed (six feet, two inches) and with all-wheel drive. Going for the diesel version means paying almost $4,000 extra, but no other manufacturer offers this combination of pulling power and fuel efficiency in a midsize truck. The rest of the vehicle is comfortable and refined, and now features Apple CarPlay, bringing smartphone functionality to the infotainment system.

Photo by General Motors

2016 Toyota Tundra

The 2016 Toyota Tundra is made in Texas, just in case anyone thought a pickup from a Japanese company might not have the right credentials. Toyota takes the truck world seriously. The irony is that while American truck makers are going all out with features and fuel efficiency, the Tundra is still an old-school work truck. At least for the time being. For engines, it’s a V8 or a V8. The smaller of the two, the 4.6-liter, makes 327 lb-ft of torque; the 5.7-liter produces 401 lb-ft of torque. Average gasoline consumption for both is in the mid-teens. But the 5.7 is capable of pulling 10,500 pounds. Maximum payload is 2,060 pounds. The Double Cab and CrewMax cabs are especially roomy, and build quality across the board is typically Toyota-high. Trim levels range from SR through plush Limited to rugged TRD Pro. When the Tundra is put to work, towing or carrying, the suspension is at its best. It can feel stiff otherwise. The TRD Pro has its own suspension setup and this version is the off-roader of the family.

2016 Toyota Tacoma

The midsize Toyota Tacoma has been redesigned for 2016, so refinement and great equipment choices are the order of the day. It comes as a double cab (four full-size doors) or extended cab (rear passenger doors are small and rear-hinged). Bed lengths run from 60.5 inches (double cab only) to 73.7 inches. All-wheel drive versions have excellent off-roading talents, especially the TRD variant. Engine choices are a 2.7-liter four-cylinder with 159 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque, or a 3.5-liter V6 developing 278 hp and 265 lb-ft. With an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, the 2.8 averages 20 mpg. With the same hardware, so does the V6. Depending on driveline and cab layout, V6 versions can tow up to 6,800 pounds — almost twice what the four-cylinder can handle. A damped tailgate is standard throughout the range. So is a windshield mount for a GoPro video camera, which should be fun when tackling the rocks in a TRD.

Photo by Toyota

2016 Ram 1500

Despite the perennial tussle between the F-150 and Silverado, the RAM 1500 still has a legion of fans. And what a discerning crowd they are. They enjoy the Ram’s refinement, its quiet, pleasant and functional cabin, great diesel option, and excellent road manners. It’s also the only one to offer an air suspension, which lowers the truck for easier access and exits, and raises it for extra ground clearance when off-roading. The Ram offers a variety of cab sizes and bed lengths. Eleven trim levels go from basic Tradesman to luxurious Limited; somewhere in the middle is the Rebel off-road specialist. Even though the Ram is the oldest American-branded full-size truck in our list (this generation debuted in 2009), it still offers an eight-speed automatic transmission with its two V6 engines. Those motors are a 3.6-liter V6 with 305 hp and the ability to tow 7,610 pounds. Or a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6, with the best torque figure of the range: 420 lb-ft. This endows it with the ability to pull 9,210 pounds. The 5.7-liter V8 in the range (395 hp, towing capacity of 10,640 pounds) is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission.

2016 Ford F-Series Super Duty

Only in America. How often have we heard that? Usually in connection with something huge. When looking for three-quarter-ton trucks and beyond, the Big Three have it locked down. Ford’s Super Duty offerings are different to the F-150 and have been around for much longer. They are, however, crushingly capable. As usual, there are a few cab styles, bed lengths and trim levels (including high-end Platinum) to choose from. The gasoline engine is a 6.2-liter V8 with 450 lb-ft of torque; the diesel option is a 6.7-liter turbocharged V8 that makes a planet-shifting 860 lb-ft. With a fifth wheel or a gooseneck adaptor, the F-250’s total towing power is 16,600 pounds. Payload can reach 4,130 pounds.

Photo by Ford Media

2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

This larger 2016 Chevrolet Silverado enjoys an upgrade similar to the half-ton version, with a quieter cabin, nicer materials, newer technology and (available) smart safety features. There is an option to run on compressed natural gas (CNG), but that means the least power. The most muscle comes with the diesel engine, a 6.6-liter turbocharged V8 with 756 lb-ft of torque. Fit a fifth wheel and it can pull 17,900 pounds. For a heavy-duty truck, the driving experience is civilized. It feels stable and precise, and even bearable when it’s unladen. Naturally, the same applies to the GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 trucks.

2016 Ram 2500/3500

Ram’s 2500 models, like the 1500, have coil springs at the rear instead of leaf springs, which has been the usual setup for decades (the 3500 still uses leaf springs, though). That means a more sophisticated ride quality and less bounce when not towing or hauling anything. The Power Wagon trim is the off-road-ready version that comes solely with the range’s 6.4-liter gasoline V8 (410 hp, 429 lb-ft), but that should still be plenty of propulsion. There’s also a 5.7-liter V8 that makes 383 hp and 400 lb-ft whether it’s running on gasoline or CNG. The turbocharged, 6.7-liter inline-six-cylinder diesel engine develops 900 lb-ft of torque and enables a best-in-class towing capability of 17,980 pounds when suitably equipped. The Ram’s interior is also generally considered the best of the bunch and it houses one of the better infotainment systems in terms of negotiating its various functions.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles