Consumer Reports has released its Best 2022 Trucks, and it’s disappointing.  We say that because the top trucks in both the compact and full-size categories don’t score exceptionally well. And some of the traditionally popular trucks sometimes score alarmingly low according to the consumer service.

The midsize or compact truck may be just right for buyers looking to beat the high price of full-size trucks. Or maybe you just don’t want or need such a large vehicle; pickups have grown in size over the last decade. The midsize versions are sized quite close to what was once considered full-size.

As with any expensive purchase, you need to determine all of your needs and then the price range. Options can also be factored in, but understand that option packages or trims rapidly increase the bottom line. Taken together, this will help before you trek out into the wilds of dealerships, or hunt online.

2022 Honda Ridgeline

The compact truck Consumer Reports found had the highest amount of points is the Honda Ridgeline. It is a unibody platform, but that is not necessarily bad. Ride and handling should be an improvement over body-on-frame construction because it is car-based. The 2022 Ridgeline scored 82 out of 100 points. The points are based on 10 categories including predicted owner satisfaction, road tests, handling, driver-assist features, and more. We would like to see numbers closer to 90 for the top pick as in the SUV category, but it is what it is. 

2022 Ford Ranger

Way down in second place in this category is the 2022 Ford Ranger with a score of only 62 points. Really? This is the second-best score? While the predicted reliability is expected to be good, things like the ride and handling did not fare well. Keep in mind that though this is a relatively new brand in the US, this exact truck has been available elsewhere for years. So this isn’t exactly a new truck. It appears to be showing its age.

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

In third place is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. But it scored a miserable 59 points. CR rated the predicted reliability as low, which is not a good sign for those seeking a long-term commitment. It did OK in most categories, doing well in the performance category. Mileage at 18 mpg is below average but about average for the bottom-dwelling trucks. For a new entry, we wish the Santa Cruz could do better in this regard.

Full-Size

2022 Ram 1500

Coming in first with a disappointing 75 points, the 2022 Ram 1500 should see higher numbers for first place. It checks off lots of boxes like the Consumer Reports road tests, ride, and noise categories. But in the handling and predicted reliability spots it didn’t do well. As with the midsize trucks, we had hoped the first place would yield some great numbers. Especially since the Ram 1500 has been so highly praised since its debut in 2019. 

2022 Ford F-150

Slotting way below the Ram in second place is the 2022 Ford F-150. It could only muster 60 out of 100 points. It did well for its quiet ride, but in the handling and predicted reliability slots it did poorly. At 19 mpg overall it is the best in its class, and acceleration was also one of the best scores. So the F-150 has its positives and negatives, but for America’s number-one-selling vehicle, we expected more. 

2022 Ford F-250

In third is the ¾-ton version of the F-150, Ford’s F-250 pickup. With a score of 56, it did miserably in the handling segment. There was no raving about the ride, either. But a harsher ride is expected once you go past the half-ton trucks, so that shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. If you need the added payload and towing the F-250 brings, you’ll probably be pleasantly surprised by how good it is. But only in the context of this higher-rated truck.