What truck would you buy

Let's say you are in the market for a truck today, and for what ever reason you don't want a Toyota truck what make and model truck would you buy?

Toyotas are great but Toyota isn't offering any great incentives, and dealers are not going to offer any great deals.

3rd gen Tacomas are cool, and I wouldn't mind having an SR utility. Those are tried and true, but the 3rd gen has been around for a while, and it isn't far from a 2nd gen, so there isn't much in the form of excitement coming from the Tacoma.

The new Tundra, is well new, and it is quite controversial even with Toyota loyalist, and again Toyota isn't going to offer great deals to move them.

There are a lot of trucks, or at least a lot of truck models offered from other manufacturers.

What truck would you buy if buying a truck today?

GM Colorad/Canyon, 1500,2500,3500?

Ram 1500 Classic, 1500,2500,3500?

Ford Ranger, F-150,250,350? Maverick if you consider that a truck?

Honda Ridgeline?

Hyundai SataCruz?

Jeep Gladiator?

Nissan Frontier, Titan, Titan XD?

Toyota Tacoma, Tundra? If only a Toyota will do.

Edit: too add Nissan

 

Maybe a Jeep gladiator but would need to be lifted with larger tires. They look great but not sure on the reliability... scares me.

If not that, likely f150.

 

Currently the way I use my truck, it would be an F150.
As of now I’d need/like more towing capacity.

If I didn’t use my truck like a work truck, I’d buy a Ridgeline.
And I wouldn’t think twice about it.

 

Ram TRX

 

This !!

 

Ford F150 3.5 ecoboost

 

Ford is a weird animal for me. The F150 ticks all my boxes. It's reliable, unlike much of the Ford lineup. It drives surprisingly well, unlike much of the full size market. It's not obscenely priced, unlike, well, everything. The only thing I don't like about the F150... is that it's boring.


Chevy... I just don't like Chevy. I have nothing against them, they have solid trucks and they drive well. I just hate the way they look. Ugly on the outside, and the interior is permanently time locked to 1996.

Ram is the inverse of Ford. Their heavy movers are tough as nails, but their 1500 has issues.

I'm still looking hard at the new Pro4X. It's a good looking truck. Nissans used to be reasonably reliable and I loved the hell out of my old Frontier. 2000 was the last year before they decided to get weird with it. Nissan has problems on the corporate level which makes me nervous as a customer though. Still, the new redesign means I will be test driving that truck to at least see what it's about.

So for me:

Unibody: Santa Cruz. Sue me, it's cooler than the Ridgeline.

Midsize: Frontier probably. Not a fan of any other midsize.

Full size: F150

Super size: Ram.

 

Probably a Frontier if I wasn’t going to keep my Tacoma. But I’m keeping it.

 

I like my 2007 Tacoma. It has served me well, but is just too small for a lot of what I do. In addition to the Tacoma I also have a 2014 F150 4X4 crew cab. I don't ever envision selling my Tacoma, it is a solid 3rd vehicle for us that gets a lot of uses. In fact I drive it more days than the Ford, but mostly locally and for shorter trips of less than 100 miles. The Ford I drive when I need the bigger truck, or for longer trips.

We also have a 2020 Explorer with the 2.3L EB engine. Same engine and transmission they are now putting in the Ranger. My brother also has a 2020 Ranger 4X4 crew cab. Based on my experience with that engine/transmission combo I'd have to look HARD at a Ranger if a mid-size truck would meet my needs. Driven at, or near the speed limits I'm getting 28-29 mpg highway, 24-25 mpg for everyday driving. And the car will go from 40-80 mph merging into traffic in a hurry if needed.

The Ranger is rated to tow 7500 lbs, 1000 more than Tacoma. But unlike Tacoma has the hitch and payload ratings to actually do it. A 4X4 crew cab Tacoma is going to have around 1000 lbs payload vs over 1500 for Ranger. Hitch ratings are 750 lbs for Ranger vs 500 for Tacoma.

I'm going to trade my F150 in a couple of years for something else. Not sure what yet. I'm watching the new Tundra and it will get a good look when I'm ready. The only thing that holds me back on the Ranger is the limited fuel capacity with an 18 gallon tank. I'm going to tow, and around 10-11 mpg is about as good as you'll get. It doesn't matter if I'm pulling it with a Tacoma, Ranger, or any 1/2 ton truck. With an 18 gallon tank I'll be stopping for fuel every 100-150 miles. The 36 gallon fuel tank on my current Ford has spoiled me.

If I had to buy today it'd be another F150.

 

I don’t like a single new truck on the market, they’re all trying too hard and have too many stupid gadgets. I’d probably get a 2015 taco or an early 2000s Chevy.

 

You’re going to get screwed by every dealership in this economic environment. Either pick something you really like and bite the bullet or wait 3-5 years.

 

You’re still going to be in 30k-35k or more for a 2015 Taco.

 

Unimog

 

I'll see your Unimog and raise you a Pinzgauer



That said, my main issue with the Frontier is the aircraft carrier turning radius.

Despite what is says on paper, the new 3.8 doesn't feel any stronger than the old 4.0 but the transmission is an improvement.

Nice interior though.

Get used to 3 point turns in tight places.

Honestly, right now is a great time to sell your truck but a terrible time to buy one.

The new Ranger and Tacoma aren't too far away if you can wait and maybe the market will stabilize a bit by then.

After owning a new Wrangler, I wouldn't even look at the Gladiator.

 

Out of 16 trucks you put out there, I'd go with the F-150. Neighbor has a new Lariat, and it's pretty nice. Seen a couple Mavrick's around, but that bed looks way too small to be very useful.

 

If I had to buy a different truck today, it would be a 2021 Tundra. Last year of the previous generation, more bed and cab space compared to a mid-size truck, and increased towing capacity (which I admittedly wouldn't need that often). Realistically, there's no way I'm willingly getting rid of my 2015 unless someone offered a trade + cash for the aforementioned Tundra, with the cash spent to spec it out exactly like my current truck.

Until someone comes out with a truck that is as reliable and easily-maintained as a Toyota, all other manufacturers are off the board.

 

A Gladiator as its the only other truck with a MT.

 

I'd love a Power Wagon but would realistically end up in an F150. Toyota needs to pick up the pace on an 8-10spd trans for the taco, that's what makes the F150 so good. Power when you need it, efficiency when you don't.

 

I don't know if I would buy, but I would be looking at the Honda Rideline. Of course it depends on what you need it for. Myself, I usually only use the truck side to get dirt, mulch, concrete bags etc. So this would be an ideal truck for me, but I don't have any plans to part with my Tacoma anytime soon!

https://www.edmunds.com/honda/ridgeline/