Trucks have evolved from being vehicles used only for the transportation of cargo and heavy materials. What Are The Best Truck Brands is the most used word among car enthusiasts today. You would find a good number of persons in the United States who own a truck just for personal use.
This is due to the fact that truck brands have re-strategize and gone beyond the traditional designs for trucks which make them useful for nothing more than conveying materials.
Presently, you can get a heavy-duty truck that looks good enough to use for your daily activities and reliable enough to move through tough terrains.
The competition between truck brands gets tougher as every notable truck brand continues to release new models every year that possesses the latest features.
These trucks come with many promises like improved durability, reliability and sturdiness. However, only a few truck brands have been able to make serious improvements in the area of reliability.
These notable brands release models which could go on the road for hundreds of thousands of miles without breaking down.
Thanks to these brands the average age for light-duty trucks, in general, has climbed above 11 years in the United States.
In this article, we will be looking at the best truck brands for 2020. These truck brands are market leaders with the top-selling models in the United States.
Best Truck Brands For 2020
Below is our list of the best truck brand for 2020. The list starts from the bottom and ends with the best truck brand you should go for in 2020.
07. Nissan
Nissan is one of the notable truck brands in the USA, however, they are at the bottom when compared with other truck brands on our list.
Nissan has three trucks models in the US market but its models weren’t received with a warm welcome even though they offered great promise.
Its heavy-duty Titan didn’t meet expectations in sales, however, it is one of the best truck models in terms of safety.
The Titan had a fallout in the market due to a costly flaw. For most users, it is not as reliable as a full-size truck should be.
Fortunately, the midsize Frontier model was able to meet the requirements and gain trust in the American marketplace and is, therefore, Nissan’s best performing truck model at the moment.
However, the Frontier still lacks a significant update since 2004 but that doesn’t seem to be a problem as it continues to sell well.
06. Toyota
Toyota is one of the best vehicle brands in the world and then one of the most reputable after its Toyota Corolla model claimed the title for the best-selling car in the world; a title it still holds to date.
Toyota has a good number of truck models, however, only its Tacoma and Tundra models are relevant to the USA. The Tacoma is a midsized pickup truck that is as sturdy as it is comfortable.
Its 3.5-liter V6 has enough brawn to tow up to 6800 lbs or carry a payload of up to 1440 lbs. It is also one of the most reliable and safest pickup trucks.
On the other side, is the Toyota Tundra which is a full-size pickup truck with a 10,000 Ibs tow capacity and a powerful 5.7L V8 engine.
It is also safe and reliable but has a number of flaws which are quite significant. The Tundra lacks a compelling design coupled with its below-average fuel economy and hauling ratings. These flaws place Toyota just below other top truck brands in the US.
05. GMC
GMC is one of the powerhouses in the truck market with several models to serve every need a customer would possibly have. Its models are categorized into light-duty, heavy-duty and mid-sized trucks with significant differences in their features and towing capacities.
GMC pickup trucks have a relatively higher towing capacity than any Toyota Pickup truck in the US.
However, you have to spend more to acquire it. The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 is a light-duty pickup truck with an abundance of features.
It boasts of a powerful V8 engine with two new compelling drivetrains and a towing capacity of 12,000 lbs.
GMC Canyon, on the other hand, has a lesser towing capacity of 7,700 lbs but it boasts of a good safety and reliability score which makes it a great compact size truck.
04. RAM
RAM has been one of the top contenders for the spot of the best truck brand in the USA.
It moved an inch closer to the position when its sales skyrocketed after the release of the 2019 RAM 1500. The 2019 RAM 1500 was so successful that it outsold the Chevy Silverado in the last quarter.
What makes RAM one of the best truck brands to consider is the ability of the company to redesign its models and provide important upgrades where necessary.
It’s 2019 RAM 1500 saw the model drop pounds and gain several upgrades including a mild-hybrid drivetrain.
The 2019 RAM 1500 is just one of the many models RAM released in 2019.
It released several heavy-duty, light-duty and compact size trucks that were all redesigned and upgraded to improve their sturdiness and provide more comfort for the user.
03. Honda
Although Honda is not the most popular amongst truck brands, its 2019 Ridgeline model saw it move closer to the top spot. The 2019 Honda Ridgeline made Honda one of the best truck brands to consider in the USA.
For one, it offers a standard front-wheel drive which is something you can’t find in most models from other brands.
This feature means it has the smoothest ride and will feel more comfortable when you’re behind the wheel.
The Honda Ridgeline is built on a unibody platform which makes it look less like a real pickup truck, however, it is able to perform truck duties and is reliable enough to get you through tough terrains.
The Honda Ridgeline wins in all areas including in its ability to haul a payload or tow a load.
It is also equipped with standard safety features making it one of the safest trucks in the market.
02. Chevrolet
Chevrolet is one of the notable car brands in the USA and it is known not only for manufacturing exquisite cars but also trucks of high quality and user-friendly features. Its latest model, the 2019 Silverado got a complete makeover along with enhanced aerodynamics.
The truck features a 6.2L V8 engine which is one of the most powerful engines among pickup trucks. A towing capacity of 23,000 lbs seals its place as one of the best full-sized trucks of 2019.
People looking something much smaller but with an equal reliability score can opt for the Chevrolet Colorado which has a lower towing capacity of 7,700 lbs and a smaller footprint.
01. Ford
Ford remains one of the top truck brands in the USA as its F-Series continues to gain positive feedback from consumers and the media.
It’s 2019 F-150 full-sized pickup truck received generally favorable reviews in areas of gas mileage, interior design, towing capacity and overall features.
The F-150 is just one of the Ford pickup truck models released in 2019 but it is the most popular. It comes equipped with a 5.0L V8 engine, 4×2 drive and a towing capacity of 8,500 lbs.
In this list, Ford takes the top position as the best truck brand for 2019.
Pickup truck-buying considerations
Before settling for a particular truck model or truck brand, there are certain things you would need to consider. This will guide you in your search for a suitable pickup truck that has the features you need.
SIZE
Trucks come in various sizes; compact size, half-ton, three-quarter-ton, and one-ton. The varying sizes determine the capability of the truck. When considering the size, you want to settle for check if it will fit into your garage and the drive routes in your neighborhood.
Also, make sure the size you are going for aligns with your needs and the purpose of the vehicle.
Three-quarter-ton pickups are mainly for people who tow heavy loads while light-duty and mid-size pickups are for those who don’t necessarily need to tow heavy loads every now and then.
CARGO BED SPACE
Pickup trucks are not just for transporting people but also cargo. If your reason for buying a pickup truck is to transport cargo then you need to consider the cargo bed space of the pickup truck you are settling for.
BRAND
We have already listed the top truck brands for 2019 and that is something to consider when buying a pickup truck. This is because top brands tend to offer better features and their trucks usually last longer than other lesser-known brands.
BUDGET
When buying a pickup truck, you could be spending between $30,000 to $60,000 depending on the model you are settling for.
However, some brands tend to offer cheaper models which have almost the same features as the expensive models of other brands.
It is advised you compare the features of models from several brands before making your choice. This will ensure you don’t’ buying a cheaper product that wouldn’t satisfy your needs.
FAQ About Pickup Trucks
What is the difference between 4X2 and 4X4?
4×2 or 2WD are pickup trucks that have a 2-wheel drive on four wheels. It simply means that only 2 wheels out of the 4 wheels on the truck receive power from the engine.
However, in a 4×4 or 4-wheel drive pickup truck, all 4 wheels receive power from the engine. This is why the Honda Ridgeline which has the 4×4 drive feature has one of the smoothest rides amongst pickup trucks.
Is it safe to store fuel in my truck?
Storing fuel in your truck’s fuel tank wouldn’t cause any problems, however, if you don’t drive your truck regularly, you would want to consider how much fuel you are leaving in the tank.
For allowing expansion and contraction keep the fuel tank up to 95%. I wish to store the fuel in a container, ensure it is airtight and has a little space for expansion.
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