USED CARS - Pickup Trucks

Best pickup trucks

The best-selling truck in America for the past 29 years, the Ford F-150 (*est. $24,020 to $32,005) , is ranked by Car and Driver as the top-rated pickup truck for the third consecutive year due to its interior design and structure. Reviewer Csaba Csere and editors say, "What Ford has done with the F-150 is to provide all the standard carrying-capacity variations, towing-capacity options, and body styles that modern pickup buyers want, allied with a well-earned reputation for excellent quality."

Depending on how heavy you want to go, the Ford F-Series (F-150, F-250 and F-350 ) has something for everyone. The popular full-size standard F-150 pickup comes in three cab sizes (Regular, SuperCab and SuperCrew), three bed lengths (5.5, 6.5 and 8 feet), three engines and transmissions (a 4.2-liter V6, a 4.6-liter V8 and a 5.4-liter V8) and seven different trim levels, including a new 2006 Harley-Davidson Package, available in both 4x2 and 4x4 pickup truck versions. With a hot-rod inspired custom look, the Harley-Davidson Package is powered by a 300-horsepower Triton three-valve V8 engine. New options and features for 2006 include 22-inch wheels, SIRIUS satellite radio, chrome appearance packages for XLT and Lariat models, and Traction Assist. In 2005, a new and inexpensive work-truck base model was added to the lineup. The Ford F-250 and F-350 are equipped with a 6.0-liter Power Stroke Diesel V-8 engine.

Critics note that the F-150’s' frame is exceptionally strong, allowing for a rattle-free interior and extensive off-road use (when properly equipped). The Ford F-150 pickup truck offers three engine options. Although the 4.2-liter V-6 is considered by some reviewers to be underpowered, the 4.6-liter V-8 is strong, with more than 90% of available torque kicking as low as 2,000 rpm. This makes it great for towing performance and hauling. Ford claims that its 5.4-liter engine has the best fuel economy of any V-8 engine Ford has ever built -- 14 mpg/city and 19 mpg/highway in 2-wheel drive trucks. The F-150 pickup has a maximum towing capacity of 9,900 pounds when properly equipped. According to Ford, the F-150 is the only pickup truck in its class to earn NHTSA's 5-star safety rating for driver and right-front-passenger frontal crashes, and it received a "Best Pick" in frontal offset crash testing performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Among full-size pickup trucks, the Nissan Titan also gets good reviews. Although domestic pickups have long dominated the market, reviews say this import equals and sometimes beats the Ford F-150. The 2004 Titan was Nissan's first full-size pickup, and critics like the truck's masculine styling, rough-and-tumble look, vast interior and standard 305-horsepower, 5.6-liter V-8 engine.

The Nissan Titan (*est. $26,250 to $35,900) has two cab options. With a 6-foot 6-inch bed, the King Cab has rear doors that open only when the front doors are open, but they can fold back 168 degrees, providing easy access to rear seats. The Crew Cab variant has conventional rear doors, but the bed is a foot shorter. Both cabs have a rear bench seat. Critics say that this interior is just as comfortable as the one found in Ford F-150's crew cab. Experts say that the Titan is a little noisier and that ride quality is less refined than the Ford F-150, but they explain that Nissan's potent 5.6-liter engine makes up the difference. An off-road package (electronic switch on demand, performance shock absorbers, 17-inch alloy wheels and all-terrain tires) enables the truck to handle some serious off-road conditions. The Titan has an estimated fuel economy of 14 mpg/city, 19 mpg/highway, according to the EPA.

Having four full-sized doors adds weight to a pickup, as do four-wheel drive systems. Most vehicles in this class weigh more than 5,000 pounds (and a well-optioned F-150 can top 6,000 pounds). The Titan's engine is well suited to its weight, say the experts at Car and Driver, allowing it to tow up to 9,400 pounds and reach 60 miles-per-hour in only 7.6 seconds (even faster for lighter Titan pickup trucks).

"With a stout V8, roomy interior and loads of innovative and useful features, the 2006 Nissan Titan is an impressive full-size that every truck buyer should consider," says Edmunds.com. Editors add that it’s “clear that Nissan did its homework when it came to the design of the Titan, as this pickup compares favorably to its domestic competition in almost every respect. Whether you need power for towing, space for hauling, or just a comfortable and spacious cabin, the 2006 Nissan Titan offers it all." The Titan added only minor enhancements for 2006. An MP3-compatible audio system is also available.

Compact pickup trucks are less expensive and get better gas mileage, and some are capable off-road. At Inside Line.com, the mid-sized Toyota Tacoma (*est. $13,780 to $25,615) and the Nissan Frontier (*est. $27,200 to $29,950) are the clear favorites in this category due to superior durability, power, off-road and towing capabilities, noise level, acceleration, stability and comfort, especially in extreme temperatures and terrain. Both pickup trucks' powertrains are comparable, with the Tacoma powered by a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine with 159 horsepower or a 4.0-liter V-6 with 236 horsepower. The Frontier is powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 154 horsepower or by a 4.0-liter V-6 with 265 horsepower. Both the Tacoma and the Frontier can tow the same weight, up to 6,500 pounds.

As Motor Trend's Truck of the Year in 2005, editors praise the Tacoma’s overall build quality and fit/finish as first rate. The design and comfort of the interior are also high points, and overall passenger space is increased over earlier models. Ride quality is smoother and more refined as well.

Inside Line's Dan Kahn writes that the Tacoma has a car-like ride, much like the Toyota Camry , and that on the highway, the Tacoma is "whisper quiet." Critics like the availability of regular, extended cab and double cab body styles, along with the two bed lengths, different engines and both two- and four-wheel drive. The interior is comfortable, with especially nice front bucket seats, although some reviews criticize the rear bench seats on the extended-cab editions -- the bench sits at a strict 90° angle. It does, however, fold down, providing for some interior cargo space.

The 4-cylinder Tacoma pickup truck is rated at 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway; that's significantly better than full-size pickups with big engines like the Nissan Titan and Ford F-150 pickup trucks, which are both rated at just 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. Two-door versions of the Tacoma earned the highest possible 5-star scores in government crash tests for front and side collisions. Overall, the Tacoma compact pickup truck is slightly more powerful and more fuel efficient than the Nissan Frontier . Reviews also like the fact that the Tacoma offers 18 different body configurations and available stability control.

Making its debut in 2006, the Honda Ridgeline (*est. $27,700 to $34,640) is a favorite among critics and was named the Motor Trend Truck of the Year for 2006. In fact, Motor Trend calls it an "urban truck with sport/utility tendencies, balancing ride handling, and cargo-carrying capacity." The Ridgeline is a small pickups, and it features a four-door cab with seating up to five powered by a 255-horsepower V-6 engine with all-wheel drive. It can tow up to 5,000 pounds. Honda does not offer a V-8 option in the Ridgeline , but the Ridgeline is aimed at on-road use rather than off-roading or hauling heavy loads. With the V-6 engine, fuel efficiency is rated at about 16 mpg/city and 21 mpg/highway by the EPA.

The Ridgeline's bed is capable of carrying up to 1,500 pounds of cargo. With 8.5 cubic feet of volume, Motor Trend touts the small pickup truck's innovative watertight in-locking bed trunk beneath the main pickup bed. A large interior and 60/40 rear seats provide extra storage room. Safety features include six standard airbags (front, front sides and side curtains). Motor Trend says the Ridgeline's all-wheel-drive system is not designed for heavy off-roading, but will do the trick in snow and ice. The Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma and Dodge Dakota are similar-sized pickup trucks designed for better off-road capability. On the other hand, the Ridgeline’s standard V-6 engine is more powerful than that of its similar-sized competitors, and it is built for street driving. Experts say the Ridgeline maneuvers and handles better than most pickup trucks, but lacks speed, averaging 57.5 mph in a slalom test, just shy of the Silverado SS. For those looking for a larger truck with more power to haul loads, you might consider a Nissan Titan or Ford F-150. But if you plan mainly on day-to-day on-road driving, the Ridgeline is the most impressive new small pickup truck of 2006.

Other full-sized pickup truck

The Dodge Ram series (*est. $20,900 to $51,810) is another popular large pickup truck. Redesigned in 2002, these trucks are praised by reviews for having a pleasant ride quality and roomy passenger accommodations (especially in Quad Cab format, which offers seating for six adults, with 60/40 folding rear seats, 40/20/40 front seats for extra storage room and four full-sized doors). However, reviewers do not like the Dodge as much as Nissan's Titan or Ford's F-150 offerings in the full-sized truck class.

The Dodge Ram 1500 is offered in ST, SLT, Sport and Laramie versions, as well as a 2WD or 4x4 option in Regular or Quad Cabs, with short (6.3-foot) and long (8-foot) boxes. For 2006, the Ram's Multi-Displacement System offers a 20% improvement in fuel economy with no loss of power. The system automatically and seamlessly transfers from eight cylinders to four when necessary. The standard engine is a 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 with 215 horsepower. Options include a 4.7-liter Magnum V-8 with 235 horsepower or a 5.7-liter HEMI Magnum V-8 with 345 horsepower. The Ram has an estimated fuel economy of 14 mpg/city, according to the EPA, and it can tow up to 7,750 lbs.

Dodge made only cosmetic changes in the Ram 1500 pickup truck for 2006, including a bolder grille, fully boxed frame, angular headlights, a more comfortable, quieter cabin due to laminated front-door glass and improved door seals. Other new options include a GPS system, DVD player and sunroof.

According to PickupTruck.com, the truck market has five strong players, with product quality and focused engineering being necessary to compete. "For the past two years, gimmicky cosmetic packages seem to have dominated Dodge's marketing efforts. Combined with the release of the Mega Cab, Dodge's lineup is now extremely potent with solid offerings to suit a variety of truck customers."

In 2005, the Dodge Ram SRT-10 (*est. $45,325 to $50,410) debuted -- a version of the Ram with an 8.3-liter V-10 engine from the Viper, producing 500 horsepower and 525 pound-feet of torque. Gas mileage is poor, with Car and Driver testing the SRT-10 at 11 mpg. Nevertheless, testers say performance is exceptional. In recently released tests, two-door and four-door models of the Ram pickups earn 5-star ratings for frontal crash tests. Dodge also offers a Ram 3500 HD Chassis Cab powered by a 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine. (Diesel pickup trucks are discussed below.)

The full-size Toyota Tundra (*est. $26,250 to $35,900) pickup truck set new standards for refinement when it was unveiled several years ago, and its optional 4.7-liter engine was the smoothest and quietest available in any truck. Other trucks have caught up though, with Ford's F-150 and Nissan Titan now besting the Tundra in refinement and power. The Toyota remains a solid choice, however. It has a great reliability record and one of the highest build qualities in its class.

With three trim levels (Base, SR5 and Limited), the Tundra is offered in a two-door Regular Cab (seating for three people), a two-door Access Cab (seats six) and a four-door Double Cab (also seats six). The Regular Cab is equipped with an 8-foot 2-inch-long box, while the Access Cab and Double Cab models feature a 6-foot 2-inch-long box. Two engine choices are offered: 4.0-liter DOHC V-6 with 245 horsepower and a 4.7-liter DOHC V-8 with 282 horsepower. Most models are available in either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The Tundra has an estimated fuel economy of 18 mpg/city, 22 mpg/highway, according to the EPA.

Though it's Toyota's largest pickup truck, the Tundra is slightly smaller than competing full-sized trucks from GM, DaimlerChrysler, and Ford, making it slightly more maneuverable, but less functional. "The Tundra weighs into the full-size pickup fray with more configuration options than some of its competitors like the Dodge Ram and the Nissan Titan, but with a frame that's generally considered to be 7/8 the size of typical full-size pickup dimensions," according to Popular Mechanics.

Mid-sized and small pickup trucks

General Motors introduced the Chevrolet Colorado (*est. $23,830) and similar GMC Canyon ($23,205) in 2004. Replacing the compact Chevy S-10 and GMC Sonoma , the Colorado and Canyon fall into the middle of the road, both size- and quality-wise, with mid-sized cabs and cargo beds. Reviews from Edmunds.com say the Colorado is meant to appeal to a more mainstream market, featuring a smooth ride and car-like amenities such as On-Star, curtain-side-airbags and satellite radio. However, Edmunds believes some people may yearn for a bit more power from both trucks. In both the Colorado and the Canyon, there's no V-6 option, although at 220-horsepower, the 5-cylinder engine is still somewhat powerful, able to tow up to 4,000 pounds.

According to Edmunds.com, the Colorado's interior styling leaves something to be desired. "The problem is, the Colorado feels cheap, even in a class of vehicles where functionality and value come before upscale accommodations. The doors are lightweight and tinny, and the first thing you'll notice when you slide behind the wheel is how low-grade the dash looks and rough the upholstery feels. Out on the road, neither the four- or five-cylinder engine provides acceleration on par with V6 and V8 engines offered by the Dakota, Frontier and Tacoma," according to Edmunds.com.

No significant changes were made to the Colorado for 2006. The GMC Canyon offers minimal changes for 2006, including an available ZQ8 Sport Suspension with 17-inch aluminum wheels, high-pressure monotube shocks, quick-ratio power steering and body-color fender flares. The SLT is offered in Extended Cab and Crew Cab versions. Both the Colorado and the Canyon have an estimated fuel economy of 18 mpg/city, 25 mpg/highway, according to the EPA.

The Dodge Dakota faces new competitors in the mid-sized pickup range from Toyota, General Motors, Ford and Nissan. For 2006, Dodge adds the TRX and TRX Off-Road packages to the Dakota ST, SLT and Laramie trim levels. The 2006 Dakota pickup wins praise from Automobile Magazine and IntelliChoice, where editors write, "What Dodge's just-right-sized Durango is to the sport/utility-vehicle segment, the Dakota is to pickups, neatly bridging the size, performance, and capability gaps between compact and full-size trucks."

The Dodge Dakota is available in either Club or Quad Cabs and can seat up to five. The Quad Cab comes with a 6.5-foot bed, and the Club Cab with a 5-foot 4-inch bed. If you're carrying a heavy load, you may want to opt for the Quad model, which offers optional seating for six with a 40/20/40 split front bench. A 60/40 split rear seat comes standard. The standard engine is a 3.7-liter SOHC V-6 producing 210 horsepower. When equipped with the more powerful 4.7-liter SOHC V-8 with 230 horsepower, or the same engine at 260 horsepower, the Dakota is one of the most powerful pickups in its class. Transmission options are a 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual. Towing capacity is up to 7,150 pounds with the hotter V-8 engine. Four-wheel-drive is available with either a part-time transfer case with high- and low-range gearing or a full-time all-wheel-drive system. The Dakota has an estimated fuel economy of 14 mpg/city, 18 mpg/highway, according to the EPA.

Last year, the two-door Dakota earned the highest possible 5-star scores on crash test results for front and side collisions, tying the 2005 Toyota Tacoma. The four-door version also scored 5 stars for the driver and 4 stars for passenger in front-collision tests. In head-to-head tests, the Dakota falls just short of the Toyota Tacoma, according to Edmunds and Inside Line.

The all-new Lincoln Mark LT (*est. $38,680 to $42,235) is based on the Ford F-150 SuperCrew. It's powered by a 5.4-liter Triton V-8 with 300 horsepower in either two- or four-wheel drive. According to Mark Williams of Motor Trend, Lincoln focused on making the Mark LT's interior and exterior styling more elegant. Williams goes on to say, "unlike the previous Lincoln pickup, the Mark LT has all the function, utility, and truck-ness of any other Ford truck.”

Two years after GM brought the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon into the market, Isuzu introduced its versions of the mid-size pickup with the Isuzu i280 and i350 (*est. $16,000 to $27,000) . The Isuzu i280 is powered by a 2.8-liter I-4 engine with 175 horsepower and the Isuzu i350 has a 3.5-liter I-5 engine with 220 horsepower. According to Allyson Harwood of Motor Trend, there isn't much that separates these trucks from the Colorado and Canyon. Engine size, torque rating, horsepower, wheelbase, and curb weight are all identical. Harwood writes, "In all honesty, they look about the same, with the exception of the Isuzu grille and badging." She says the major difference between Isuzu and GM is that the Isuzu i280 is only available as an extended cab with RWD, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic with the capability of towing up to 3,200 pounds. Chevy offers a regular cab. If you're going to tow heavier loads, Harwood recommends choosing the Isuzu i350, which can tow up to 4,000 pounds, thought it only comes with a crew cab.

Nissan's Frontier (*est. $27,200 to $29,950) shares roots with the larger Nissan Titan, as the Frontier's frame is a shorter and narrower version of its full-size brother's frame. The base engine is an inline 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. Reviewers prefer the optional 4.0-liter V-6 with a five-speed automatic transmission that is based on the exceptionally smooth engine found in the Nissan 350Z . The V-6's power is plentiful at 265 horsepower and 284 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful engine in the mid-size segment, according to Inside Line. This allows the Frontier to tow up to 6,300 pounds when properly equipped. Some experts compared the truck to the Honda Ridgeline , but with better off-road capability and more towing capacity (the Honda can tow up to 5,000 pounds).

Inside Line calls the Frontier a "sport sedan trapped in a pickup's body" because of its tight steering, nimble suspension, supply of torque and handling. The Frontier offers several packages, including side and curtain airbags, sunroof, traction and an off-road package. According to Inside Line's Erin Riches, "The steering is too heavy in the parking lot. Sure, I like the nice firm feel at highway speeds, but parking this thing is a pain every time," however, "it proved to be an enjoyable road trip choice. Decent ride — pretty smooth over most stretches of highway."

The Frontier is available in both extended-cab and crew-cab body styles. Extended-cab trucks have small rear seats that flip up and a bed slightly longer than 6 feet. The crew cab model has a folding rear bench seat and a 5-foot bed. Its wheelbase is 9.8 inches longer than the earlier model. Reviews say the truck's interior is comfortable and spacious, with cup holders, storage compartments, sunroof and sound system. The Frontier has an estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg/city, 24 mpg/highway, according to the EPA.

Options for the Frontier include Hill Descent Control (available in the Traction Package), which assists with steep descents. Hill Start Assist holds the position of the vehicle when the driver removes his or her foot from the brake pedal while stopped on a hill. Other driving assists include Nissan's Vehicle Dynamic Control, which is an electronic stability control system designed to help the driver maintain control without the feeling that the system is interfering too much.

Brand-new for 2006, the Mitsubishi Raider (*est. $19,180 to $33,920) is based on the same platform as the Dodge Dakota . This is the first truck Mitsubishi has offered in North America in more than ten years. The base model is equipped with a 3.7-liter V-6 engine that puts out 210 horsepower. The larger V-8 option offers a 4.7-liter engine with 230 horsepower (according to Motor Trend, the Dakota and Raider are the only compact or mid-size pickups to offer a V-8). The Raider comes in two cab configurations - Extended and Double Cab - with two different four-wheel-drive systems, one with AWD and the other with part-time 2WD. Motor Trend recommends the V8 5-speed option for better passenger and cargo carrying ability.

Subaru offers a four-door pickup/sport utility vehicle called the Subaru Baja (*est. $22,495 to $24,595) . The Baja is basically an Outback station wagon with a small pickup bed in back. Intended for outdoor sports enthusiasts, all Bajas can seat five adults, but their cargo-hauling ability is limited because of a shallow pickup bed (41.5 inches long) and a towing capacity of only 2,400 pounds.

Hybrid pickup trucks

Although the Chevy Silverado (*est. $16,715 to $37,890) falls behind Nissan and Ford in reviews, GM does offer an optional hybrid system in the Silverado. Chevrolet claims the technology can help the truck get up to 10% better fuel economy than a standard Silverado. When equipped with the hybrid option, the regular 5.3-liter V-8 is used along with a 14-kilowatt combination electric motor and generator. This option adds an extra $1,500 to the sticker price. While the Silverado doesn't otherwise win much praise from experts, the hybrid engine is probably an indicator of what's to come, as automakers begin finding ways to incorporate hybrid technology in larger vehicles.

GM also introduced the Sierra Hybrid for 2006, also promising up to a 10% fuel economy improvement. Instead of a conventional starter motor and alternator, the hybrid pickup uses a compact 14-kw electric induction motor or starter generator integrated between the engine and transmission. The starter generator allows automatic engine stops/starts to conserve fuel. It also smoothes out any driveline surges, generates electrical current to charge the batteries and run auxiliary power outlets, and provides coast-down regenerative braking to improve fuel economy. The standard Vortec 5300 V-8 engine delivers 295 horsepower. The hybrid option adds $1,500 to the price.

Diesel pickup trucks

Diesel-powered trucks have gained in popularity over the past decade or so, offering slightly better fuel economy than gasoline trucks, along with a lot more muscle and power for heavy towing. Stricter regulations beginning in 2007 will bring cleaner emissions. Ford, Dodge and Chevy currently have optional diesel engines in their trucks.

The Ford 6.0-liter PowerStroke Diesel V-8 with 325 horsepower with six-speed manual overdrive transmission has the ability to tow approximately 15,000 pounds when properly equipped. The engine is built for Ford’s F-Series Super Duty pickups, the F-250 and F350 . The EVRT electronically-controlled turbocharger improves engine response and performance by allowing increased air intake. The truck can achieve up to 14 mpg.

The PowerStroke engine is partnered with Ford's TorqShift transmission with tow-haul mode, a technology that automatically adjusts the transmission to reduce unnecessary shifts when towing. The Power Stroke Diesel has a service life of around 250,000 miles. When equipped with an optional fifth wheel, diesel-equipped Ford F-series trucks can tow 12,000 to 16,000 pounds.

The 6.6-liter 2006 Chevrolet Duramax turbodiesel engine has been given more power than the 2005 model and outpowers both the PowerStroke and Cummins diesel engines. For heavy-duty Chevy and GM trucks, the V-8 Duramax engine produces 360 horsepower at 3,000 rpm and 650 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm when coupled with an Allison automatic transmission. According to Diesel Power magazine, "the Allison 1000 has been upgraded with a second overdrive gear so trucks can cruise at 60 mph while making just 1,550 rpm. It also includes a thumb-activated shifter, and cruise control grade braking that will automatically downshift to maintain a steady speed on downhill grades."

The Duramax 6600 features a new air-intake heater for cleaner emissions. According to GM, “another new feature of the Duramax 6600’s turbo system is the capability of the variable-geometry turbocharger to provide exhaust braking. This function is available on some medium duty truck models and can replace add-on exhaust brake hardware. With the new system, braking is controlled by a signal from the engine controller and can be activated by the driver.”

Similar in power to Ford’s PowerStroke Diesel, the 2006 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel for heavy-duty Dodge trucks, including the Ram and 3500 HD Chassis Cab, produces 325 horsepower and 610 pound-feet of torque and can tow approximately 15,000 pounds when properly equipped.

The Cummins Turbo Diesel peaks earlier than either Ford's PowerStroke or Chevrolet's Duramax diesels, translating to a better vehicle launch when towing and accelerating, as well as better drivability, according to Dodge.

"The Cummins Turbo Diesel is the engine of choice for 85 percent of Dodge Ram Heavy Duty customers," says Mike Donoughe, Dodge vice president of the body-on-frame product team. "Unlike other diesel options on the market, Cummins is synonymous with smooth power delivery, best-in-class torque, excellent fuel economy and durability that is unmatched in the industry."

The Cummins Turbo Diesel offers reliability, durability and efficiency with in-cylinder combustion and a diesel oxidation catalyst solution that requires no exhaust gas recirculation components. In addition, gallery-cooled, high-strength aluminum pistons provide increased durability, resulting in an average of 350,000 miles before overhaul.

Important Features: Pickup trucks

Experts say to consider the following when choosing a pickup truck. Most of the vehicles in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers can be optioned to meet the majority of these criteria.

• A pickup truck should carry both people and cargo. Often these goals are in direct conflict, as the trucks with the roomiest passenger accommodations tend to have the shortest cargo beds. Five and six-passenger trucks should have beds at least five feet long, while two- and three-passenger trucks should have beds about eight feet long. Most trucks offer several different cab and bed configurations.

• If you plan to do a lot of towing or hauling, look for a bigger engine. Most compact trucks can pull at least 3,000 pounds, while most full-sized trucks can tow at least 6,000 pounds. These ratings are more than adequate for most people's needs. For very heavy or frequent towing, however, look into getting a larger-than-standard engine with a V-8 or a diesel (which has more torque than similar-sized gasoline engines).

• Look at fuel economy if you plan on a lot of mileage. Pickups tend to be heavy and not very aerodynamic, and they have large, powerful engines. All of these things work against fuel economy. In general, larger, full-size trucks are less efficient than smaller, compact or mid-size ones. Automatics fare worse than manual transmissions, and gasoline engines burn fuel faster than diesels. A 4-wheel drive will send you to the pump faster than rear-wheel drive. With average fuel prices hovering around $3 per gallon, hybrid options might be worth consideration, but right now, hybrid trucks are seeing only about a 10% fuel-economy improvement and cost at least $1,500 more.

• Four-wheel-drive is a necessity only if you periodically drive in severe off-road conditions or in snow. If you don't drive off-road in rugged terrain or live in an especially snowy region, you'll probably be better off with a regular 4x2 rear-wheel-drive truck. These are usually cheaper, faster and (as noted above) achieve better fuel economy than models equipped with four-wheel-drive.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (With Retailer Links)	Prices from Shopping.com
6	Honda Ridgeline	(*est. $27,700 to $34,640)
4	Toyota Tacoma	(*est. $13,780 to $25,615)
4	Dodge Ram	(*est. $20,900 to $51,810)
4	Ford F-150	(*est. $24,020 to $32,005)
4	Nissan Frontier	(*est. $27,200 to $29,950)
4	Nissan Titan	(*est. $26,250 to $35,900)
4	Toyota Tundra	(*est. $26,250 to $35,900)
2	Dodge Dakota	(*est. $23,190 to $28,300)
2	Chevrolet Silverado	(*est. $28,135 to $34,810)
1 each	Ford Ranger , Mazda B-Series , Subaru Baja , Chevrolet Avalanche , Dodge Ram SRT10 , GMC Sierra , Dodge Ram Mega Cab , Mitsubishi Raider , GMC Canyon , Isuzu i350 , Lincoln Mark LT , Chevrolet Colorado

The Honda Ridgeline is the most notable new compact pickup for 2006, say reviews, but last year's favorite, the Toyota Tacoma , is also a highly rated compact truck in reviews, with better scores for off-roading and hauling. The Ridgeline scores big points for interior comfort and it's under-bed lock box. The Nissan Frontier fits somewhere in the middle of the two. Among full-size trucks, the Ford F-150 is Car and Driver's pick of the year, but the Nissan Titan continues to command good reviews.

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