2 Excellent 2022 Full-Size Pickup Trucks That Consumer Reports Predicts Owners Will Love
Consumer Reports is one of the most trusted outlets for drivers to get advice about which cars they should buy. However, sometimes Consumer Reports has a vastly different opinion about a vehicle, such as full-size pickup trucks, compared to other automotive critics. That might be because Consumer Reports puts its vehicles through more extensive testing.
The reviewer also bases any given car’s overall score on predicted reliability and owner satisfaction. The latter is usually highly accurate when determining whether drivers will be satisfied with their new cars. Based on that, you’ll probably agree with Consumer Reports’ high opinion of these two pickup trucks.
Here’s how Consumer Reports finds its owner satisfaction scores
The owner satisfaction score accounts for how much drivers enjoyed a vehicle compared to how Consumer Reports ranked it during the road test. Drivers are asked about how well their vehicle handles and if they’re satisfied with its acceleration abilities.
A vehicle is also ranked by its overall styling and the smoothness of its ride. Consumer Reports asks drivers what they thought about their vehicle’s interior quality and how well each technology feature operates. Owners are also encouraged to indicate whether the vehicle was worth their money.
Consumer Reports recommends the 2022 Ram 1500 as an excellent full-size pickup truck
According to Consumer Reports, most 2022 Ram 1500 owners should love this truck’s styling and performance. Consumer Reports tested three of this truck’s engine options but ultimately preferred the 395-hp V8. This powertrain can reach 60 mph in an impressive 7.1 seconds, paired with an eight-speed transmission that provides quick and accurate shifts.
The Ram 1500 also eases around corners with barely any body roll, and it has a decent braking distance by this segment standards. The Auto 4WD mode makes driving over any terrain more convenient, and the steering wheel provides excellent feedback. With suitable options, trucks with the V8 can tow up to 12,750 pounds.
Consumer Reports predicts drivers will be pleased by the Ram 1500’s suitable suspension options. Many higher trims include an air suspension, but Consumer Reports also enjoyed the base setup. You’ll feel a slight shakiness when there’s nothing inside the cargo box, but it does a good job soaking up bumps otherwise.
Additionally, the interior is quiet and uses a creative selection of materials to create an appealing aesthetic. Every seat is wide and comfortable, though Consumer Reports wished the step-in height wasn’t so high.
Value is the only area where the 2022 Ram 1500 might struggle to impress customers. It’s one of the more expensive full-size pickups at $36,500.
The 2022 Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup truck that is a quick, comfortable hauler
The 2022 Toyota Tundra is also slightly more expensive than its peers, starting at $35,950. While Consumer Reports doesn’t provide a breakdown of this Tundra’s customer satisfaction score, previous model years have proven to be smooth riders. Disregarding some wind noise at higher speeds and a persistent engine note, the interior isn’t too loud.
Consumer Reports was also satisfied with the quality of the Tundra’s seats, and the interior has generous accommodations. This truck has an updated infotainment interface, supplemented by plenty of traditional physical controls.
Buyers should also love the Toyota Tundra’s standard engine, a twin-turbo V6 with 389 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. The included ten-speed automatic transmission shifts unobtrusively. While it doesn’t have automatic 4WD, the Tundra is also nearly a full second faster than the Ram 1500.
However, the Toyota Tundra has some performance issues that the Ram 1500 lacks. Its steering sometimes feels meandering and requires more feet of braking distance compared to its rivals. Given the Tundra’s impressive speed and comfort levels, it’s clear from Consumer Reports surveys that most drivers will forgive those flaws.
