Trucks have evolved from vehicles used only to transport cargo and heavy materials. What are the best truck brands? It 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.
The way we see trucks has changed because truck brands have changed strategy and gone beyond the traditional designs for trucks, which made 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 is reliable enough to move through rugged terrains.
The competition between truck brands gets tougher as every notable truck brand releases new models that possess the latest features every year.
These trucks come with many promises like improved durability, reliability, and sturdiness. However, only a few truck brands have made tremendous improvements in 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.
This article will be looking at the best truck brands for 2021. These truck brands are market leaders with the top-selling models in the United States. Meanwhile, check out our product review on the best waterproof truck bed cover that you may require for your vehicle.
Best Truck Brands For 2021
Below is our list of the best truck brand for 2021. 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 compared with other truck brands on our list.
Nissan has three truck 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. It is not as reliable for most users 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 globally, 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 many 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 comfortable.
Its 3.5-liter V6 has enough brawn to tow up to 6800 lbs or carry a payload of 1440 lbs. It is also one of the most reliable and safest pickup trucks.
On the other side is the Toyota Tundra, 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 several flaws, which are pretty 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. The GMC truck 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 abundant features.
It boasts a powerful V8 engine with two new compelling drivetrains and a towing capacity of 12,000 lbs.
On the other hand, GMC Canyon has a lesser towing capacity of 7,700 lbs, but it boasts a good safety and reliability score, making it an excellent compact size truck.
04. RAM
RAM has been one of the top contenders for the best truck brand in the USA.
It moved an inch closer to the position when its sales skyrocketed after 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 essential upgrades where necessary.
Its 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 of 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 among truck brands, its 2019 Ridgeline model moved closer to the top spot. The 2019 Honda Ridgeline made Honda one of the best truck brands to consider in the USA.
It offers a standard front-wheel drive that 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, making it look less like a real pickup truck; however, it can perform truck duties and is reliable enough to get you through rugged terrains.
The Honda Ridgeline wins in all areas, including 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 and enhanced aerodynamics.
The truck features a 6.2L V8 engine, 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 for something much smaller but with an equal reliability score can opt for the Chevrolet Colorado, with a smaller 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.
Its 2019 F-150 full-sized pickup truck received generally favorable reviews in 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 with 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 a 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 midsize pickups are for those who don’t necessarily need to haul heavy loads 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, 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, which 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. If desired, you can even pay with bitcoin, but it is a little more complicated because you first need to buy USDT or other coins.
However, some brands tend to offer cheaper models with 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’ buy a cheaper product that wouldn’t satisfy your needs.
FAQ About Pickup Trucks of 2021
What is the difference between 4X2 and 4X4?
4×2 or 2WD are pickup trucks with a 2-wheel drive on four wheels. It simply means that only two wheels out of the four wheels on the truck receive power from the engine.
However, in a 4×4 or 4-wheel drive pickup truck, all four 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 to ensure it is airtight and has little expansion space.