10 Top Turbocharged Trucks

2015 Ram 2500HD ・ Photo by Ram Trucks

When you’ve got a truck, you want to get as much horsepower and torque out of the engine as possible so you can get work done. Some trucks do this with displacement – by putting the biggest possible engine under the hood. While this can work, there are limitations, and fuel efficiency often suffers. Turbocharged trucks dodge this limitation by using an air pump (turbocharger) that directs exhaust gasses to drive a turbine that forces air into the combustion chamber. The dense air helps amplify combustion and squeezes more power out of the fuel. Voila! More horsepower, and more torque, without a big weight or fuel economy penalty.

Here 10 top turbocharged trucks for the 2017 model year.

2017 Chevrolet Colorado Duramax 2.8-liter Turbo-Diesel

Along with its stablemate, the 2017 GMC Colorado, the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado is the only current midsize truck to offer a diesel powertrain, not to mention a turbocharged engine. Available in Extended Cab or Crew Cab models, the diesel Colorado sports a 2.8-liter inline 4-cylinder Duramax turbo engine that produces 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Maximum torque comes in at just 2000 rpm, which gives this engine stump-pulling power out of the box and a class-leading tow rating of 7,700 lbs. Not only is the Duramax turbocharged engine powerful, it also allows the rear-wheel drive Colorado to achieve 30 mpg on the highway – a true testament to the virtues of turbocharged trucks.

Photo by Chevrolet

2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Duramax 6.6-liter Turbo Diesel V8 engine

When you’re looking for the most power and capability out of your fullsize pickup truck, a big turbocharged diesel engine should be on your list of required features. The 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD can be ordered with a 6.6-liter Duramax Turbo Diesel V8 engine that produces 445 hp and a monster 910 lb-ft of torque. That means that the Silverado can haul up to 3,534 lbs, tow up to 14,500 lbs on a conventional hitch, or tow up to 18,100 lbs with a fifth-wheel rig. Thanks to turbocharging, this is a big, capable work truck that’s ready to haul a substantial load and tow a big trailer without breaking a sweat.

Photo by Chevrolet

2017 Ford F-150 XL 2.7-liter V6 EcoBoost

Turbocharged trucks are not limited to diesel fuel versions. Ford has long championed its EcoBoost engine lineup in passenger cars, and now offers a powerful, efficient 2.7-liter V6 EcoBoost in the XL trim level, a base vehicle. The 2.7-liter EcoBoost puts out 325 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque, figures that compare favorably with some naturally-aspirated (non-turbo) V8 engines of greater displacement. That means you get a lighter, more fuel-efficient truck that is still capable of hauling and towing with the pros. Maximum tow rating is 8,500 lbs and maximum payload is 2,210 lbs – over a full ton with a V6. That’s a serious work truck outfitted with the latest in engine technology.

Photo by Ford

2017 Ford F-150 Limited 3.6-liter V6 EcoBoost

If you need more towing and hauling capacity than a 2.7-liter V6 EcoBoost can provide, or even more than Ford’s 5.0-liter V8 can achieve, the 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine available for the F-150 Limited produces 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. That’s good enough to deliver a maximum tow rating of 12,200 lbs and a maximum payload of 3,220 lbs. That makes the turbocharged truck into Ford’s most capable light-duty pickup truck – and that’s saying something. The 3.6-liter V6 EcoBoost gets paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, further enhancing fuel efficiency and smooth operation. Choose a Limited trim model, and you get luxury appointments to turn your truck into a turbocharged mobile office worthy of an executive.

Photo by Ford

2017 Ford F-150 Raptor High Output 3.6-liter V6 EcoBoost

Some trucks are built for work; some are built for play. The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor falls into the latter category. A street-legal truck, Raptor really shines when the pavement ends and the fun begins. At the heart of the beast is a turbocharged High Output 3.6-liter V6 EcoBoost engine that produces 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. The lusty engine uses dual fuel injection to maximize power, while improving efficiency and clean emissions. Special wider body, off-road Fox suspension parts, big brakes, and a unique front fascia distinguish the Raptor from an everyday F-150. Extensive accessory support from Ford and aftermarket companies further extend the Raptor’s abilities – all based on that powerful turbocharged engine.

Photo by Ford

2017 GMC Canyon Denali Duramax 2.8-liter Turbo-Diesel

If you like driving a turbocharged truck with a diesel engine but don’t want to sacrifice style, consider the 2017 GMC Canyon Denali. You can order this top trim level of the midsize pickup truck with a 2.8-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel (181 hp/369 lb-ft of torque) inline 4-cylinder engine. Then you get all the capability of a turbocharged diesel truck, including a maximum tow rating of 7,700 lbs, a maximum payload of 1,620 lbs, and a highway fuel economy rating of 31 mpg. Not only that, you get to boast that you drive a Denali, one of the most coveted trim levels. Not that you’ll have to brag; your truck will sport a unique grille, exterior trim and Denali badging that will brag for you.

Photo by GMC

2017 GMC Sierra 3500HD Duramax 6.6-liter Turbo Diesel V8 engine

Turbocharged trucks are known for massive torque output, but sometimes the accompanying horsepower rating is less impressive. That’s not the case with the 2017 GMC Sierra 3500HD. Its Duramax 6.6-liter Turbo Diesel V8 engine cranks out 910 lb-ft of torque (wow!) and an impressive 445 hp, good enough to lead its class. It goes without saying that these performance figures correspond with equally impressive work capability. The Sierra 3500HD can tow up to 20,000 lbs with dual rear wheels, or up to 23,100 with dual rear wheels and a gooseneck or fifth-wheel rig. A maximum payload of 5,518 lbs can also be achieved. If you need to move bigger trailers or haul heavier loads than that, start thinking about a big rig.

Photo by GMC

2017 Nissan Titan XD 5.0-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel V8 Engine

Nissan believes that they’ve found a gap in the market between the fullsize light-duty pickup truck and the heavy-duty pickup, and they’ve filled it with the right-sized 2017 Nissan Titan HD. A turbocharged engine is part of the formula – in this case a 5.0-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel V8 that produces 310 hp and 555 lb-ft of torque. While these figures can’t compete with the massive numbers coming out of the 6.0-plus liter engines that you find in the competition, not every owner needs the weight and complexity that bigger engines must deal with. The Titan XD is still very capable, with a maximum towing capacity of 12,640 lbs and a maximum payload of 2,910 lbs.

Photo by Nissan

2017 RAM 2500 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel I6 Engine

When it comes to trim level names for turbocharged trucks, the 2017 RAM 2500 is the coolest nameplate, hands down. Where else can you choose among Tradesman, SLT, Lone Star, Big Horn, Laramie, Power Wagon, Laramie Longhorn or Limited when selecting your truck? Choose the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel inline 6-cylinder engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission, and you get access to 370 hp and 800 lb-ft of torque. So not only is your fancy-name truck a showpiece, it’s also a workhorse, capable of towing up to 17,980 lbs and hauling a payload of up to 3,160 lbs. With the largest displacement engine available in the class, the RAM 2500 also has the largest individual cylinders at over 1.1 liters each.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2017 RAM 3500 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel I6 Engine

If the battle for supremacy among turbocharged trucks depended on looks alone, the 2017 RAM 3500 would reign over the competition thanks to its fierce, big-rig-inspired appearance. Packing a turbocharged diesel engine, the RAM 2500 is no paper tiger, either. Its inline 6-cylinder 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine is tuned to produce 385 hp and 900 lb-ft of torque, power figures that allow RAM to quote a maximum payload figure of 6,720 lbs (over 3-and-a-third tons) and a maximum towing rating of 31,210. All of this in a great-looking, great-driving pickup truck. Perhaps coolest of all, the Tradesman trim level can be ordered with the Turbo Diesel mated to a 6-speed manual transmission – a true rarity these days, but a genuine macho truck essential.

Photo by Ram Trucks