These perennial best new trucks in America are adapting to more lifestyle-friendly trends in the auto industry.
Who hasn't watched one of those timeless Sam Elliot-narrated pickup truck commercials and wanted to go out and buy one of the best new trucks? Even if you didn't have hay to haul or lived anywhere where a dirt road met a blacktop, just seeing one of those long-bed pickups slo-mo over gravel sends chills.
Fast-forward 20 years, and pickup trucks have hit a snag, seeing a sales dip in the last couple years.
But companies like GM, Ram, and Ford have listened to the call of the investor and have begun re-imagining their new pickup truck versions to focus more on a generalized lifestyle with things like bigger cabs, shorter beds, smoother rides, better MPG, and Blade Runner 2049-type tech features.
What's more, special incentives on trucks are helping to bring a boost back to the industry. So if you've been batting around the idea to get into a truck or re-up on an updated model (and recreate those old commercials yourself), then here's a look at some of the best new trucks to get into this year.
Ford F-150
Facebook: Ford Trucks
The Ford F-150 has been America's best new full-size pickup for decades, flaunting the "best-selling" status all the while. Well, that's because it's true. While other trucks may be better at towing or have more luxury features, the F-150 tops the best new trucks roundups. The 2018 model sports an available 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6, still giving it plenty of torque and a quick throttle response; diesel and hybrid options are on deck for the near future.
The F-150's aluminum body cuts off more than 700 pounds compared to previous steel versions, and has helped to offer a smoother ride and better handling while upping the gas mileage. And to go with the trend of offering in-cabin entertainment, the F-150 boasts an available Sync3 infotainment system, a simple-to-use connectivity platform for tech heads out there.
GMC Sierra 1500 Denali
GMC
For a more luxurious ride, the GMC Sierra 1500 Denali is one of the bets new trucks to provide a personal touch to the pickup world.
The Denali's interior features higher-quality materials and tech gadgets such as an infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sierra Denali comes standard with GM's 6.2-liter V8, the largest and most powerful engine offered by the company in its trucks or SUVs. The Denali also comes with Magnetic Ride Control adaptive suspension, absorbing tons of shock and giving a much smoother ride than most pickups.
Ram 1500 Rebel
Ram
The Rebel is the one of the best new trucks for those who want to get a little mud on their tires. This version sits on 33-inch Toyo Open Country A/T tires, comes with skid plates, and features large front tow hooks. The Rebel's suspension system is bolstered by its Bilstein shock absorbers to help with bumpy roads or paths and provide an added inch of clearance.
The Ram 1500 provides two engine options including the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6. An ergonomic interior with Uconnect infotainment system adds some connectivity to the outside world.
Toyota Tundra
Toyota
Toyota as a whole has been awarded so many dependability and reliability awards it's almost silly. But it's for good reason, as its Tundra has consistently been named the most reliable pickup many times over. The Tundra gets in a maximum towing capacity of 10,200 pounds and flexes two V8 engine options (a 4.6-liter unit and a 5.7-liter unit).
For the 2018 model of the Tundra, it comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite of safety equipment, featuring pre-collision extras and autonomous emergency braking. Adding some more driver-focused features, Toyota installed lane departure alerting, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It's like Toyota wants to keep you safe or something.
Which best new trucks make your top list?
NEXT: Even Consumer Reports is Asking if Pickup Trucks Are the New Family Car
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