Will Pickup Trucks Ever Disappear? Here Are 5 Reasons Why They Won’t
In the American automotive market, pickup trucks reign supreme. These open-bed workhorses deliver the capability, versatility, and dependability we desire. You see these trucks everywhere. They’re on farms, in cities, at construction sites, and by the lake. Pickups have been around for more than a century, and we can confidently say they will be around for another century. Here’s why.
1. Pickup trucks offer unmatched versatility
Shopping for a truck is much more complicated than most vehicles. You’ll find several cab configurations, powertrains, bed lengths, and equipment levels. All these items help give you the versatility desired when driving your truck. There’s always a pickup for everything you need; all you’ve got to do is find the right one.
2. They’re built tough
Automakers expect us to use trucks for the heavy lifting, the grunt work, and the tough hauling. Whether it’s the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, or Chevy Silverado, these trucks are designed with durability and toughness that you don’t find in a car or SUV.
3. Trucks are surprisingly comfortable
Modern pickup trucks have built-in features that smooth out the ride. Older models are harsher on the road but still offer a respectable level of comfort. Some pickups have a crew cab, which is ideal for a family to enjoy some time together. The comfort level offered keeps everyone happy while riding to your family’s favorite destination.
4. They’re timeless
That’s right, pickups have been around for a long time, and aren’t going anywhere soon. When you see a truck, you know it’s there to get stuff done. That could be as simple as bringing the grill and drinks to the tailgate party or hauling a load of lumber to the job site.
5. Trucks are transitioning to EVs
We already have the GMC Hummer EV, Ford F-150 Lightning, and RIvian R1T. It won’t be long before the Tesla Cybertruck arrives along with the Chevy Silverado EV. Every automaker that builds trucks is working on an electric version, and some that weren’t in the truck market previously could enter it with an electric model.
What pickup truck brand is the best?
Not all brands make pickup trucks. U. S. News and World Report rank the top seven truck brands in the market. Some of the leading brands won’t surprise you, but others might. Those rankings from lowest to highest are:
- Toyota
- Nissan
- Chevrolet
- GMC
- Honda
- Ford
- Ram
The biggest surprise is Honda coming in third. The Honda Ridgeline is the only truck this brand offers right now, but it’s good enough to put the brand in the third spot.
What is the most reliable used pickup truck to buy?
Because pickup trucks are so durable and useful, many make it into the used truck market several times. If you’re considering a used pickup, these are the models US News recommends:
- 2018 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2018 GMC Canyon
- 2017 Toyota Tacoma
- 2019 Ford Ranger
- 2017 Honda Ridgeline
- 2018 GMC Sierra 1500
- 2018 Ram 1500
- 2017 Toyota Tundra
- 2017 Nissan Frontier
- 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2019 Ford F-150
- 2019 Nissan Titan
This is a strong mix of midsize and full-size pickup trucks that could be easy for you to enjoy the drive and have the capabilities desired.
What is the best-selling pickup truck?
As it has been for the past 40 years, the Ford F-150 is the best-selling pickup truck in the market. Last year, Ford sold more than 700,000 F-150s in the United States. This truck is the symbol of excellence in the half-ton pickup market, boasting the highest towing numbers at 14,000 pounds while offering efficient powertrains in various models.
Were you concerned that trucks were going to die?
Hopefully, you went into this article understanding that trucks are some of the most popular vehicles in the market today. In fact, the top three vehicles sold last year were all half-ton pickup trucks. It will take a much stronger paradigm shift than electric vehicles and lower emissions to cause trucks to disappear.
Continue to the next article and learn more about buying a used truck.
