Consumer Reports: Owners in 2022 Rate These Pickup Trucks ‘Most Satisfying’

The last thing you want is to take that first drive after bringing your new pickup truck home, only to start feeling regrets about your choice. You really want to feel that you’ll never sell this pickup truck, but that’s not happening. You’ve made a mistake. But there is one aid in helping you feel confident about your truck purchase, based on a new owner survey for most satisfying trucks. It asks, “If you had it to do all over again, would you definitely buy or lease the same model?”

That’s a question that Consumer Reports asked in a recent survey. Owners of many different models reported back if they would do it again, which we’ll share now. They are based on the most and least satisfying for both midsize and full-size trucks. It rates the owner’s opinions about styling, driving experience, comfort, value, and how easy the electronics are to use. 

Most Satisfying Midsize: 2022 Honda Ridgeline

A Honda Ridgeline truck featured at an auto show.
Honda Ridgeline | Getty

Yes, this unibody midsize truck was the overall most satisfying. What is odd is that the Ridgeline scored poorly in value and electronics ease-of-use. But then going over all of the data, all of the trucks scored low in these two categories. So that part of the survey is essentially a wash.

But in the ride and handling categories, it scored quite high. That’s what tipped it over into the most satisfying midsize for 2022. There were nine trucks evaluated in the midsize category. At the other end, at least satisfying, are the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups. The 2022 Jeep Gladiator rated second in this group. It scored high in the styling category.

Prices for the Honda Ridgeline range from a base of $37,640 to $45,070. Real-world mileage as tested is 20 mpg overall, 13 mpg in the city, and 29 mpg in highway driving.

2022 Ford F-350 (Sort-of)

A red Ford F-350 heavy duty pickup truck.
Ford F-350 heavy-duty pickup truck | Ford
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Why the 2022 Honda Ridgeline Is the Best First Truck for New Truck Owners

For full-size pickup trucks, the winner is a bit harder to discern. Consumer Reports says that the Ford F-350 heavy-duty pickup scored quite high in overall owner satisfaction. But all of the trucks in this category scored in the middle for satisfaction. Top scores for comfort, styling and driving experience were shared by numerous trucks. So the best rated is not so clear-cut. 

In those three categories, all of the trucks scored well. One clear winner for ease of electronics use was the 3500 Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra. They scored well above the others. The other full-size trucks didn’t do better than average-or worse. No owners gave any of the full-size trucks a good score for value. Only the Ram 1500 Classic did slightly better in this category.

The base price for the F-350 is $38,390 to $90,815. Real-world mileage as tested by CR is 15 mpg for highway driving and a combined 11 mpg.