Best Trucks of 2010

Iguida’s truck category includes pickups of all stripes and vans intended primarily for commercial duty, such as passenger shuttles and package delivery.  Pickups constitute the bulk of our truck category, and the majority of those are full-size models like the Ford F-150. Our reviews concentrate on the so-called half-ton versions of these trucks, such as the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, rather than the primarily work-oriented heavy-duty models, such as the Silverado 2500 and 3500 editions. Truck sales took a particular hit when gas prices rose and the economy tumbled. No one expects them to return to pre-recession levels, when millions of Americans bought big pickups for everyday transportation. But sales of full-size pickups and full-size vans are recovering on pent-up demand as tradespeople, construction professionals, and livery services return to work. There also are signs of recovery in the compact-pickup market, a reflection perhaps of truck buyers’ increased sensitivity to purchase price and fuel consumption. 

Best overall truck of the year
1. 2010 Dodge Ram 1500: All new for model-year 2009, Dodge’s half-ton Ram got fresh styling and became the only full-size pickup to adopt a rear coil-spring suspension instead of leaf springs. As a result, the Ram 1500 has the most refined ride and handling of any big pickup. And improvements for model-year 2010 allow it to keep that title with little real sacrifice in usable brawn. Towing capacity on the 2010 Ram 1500 is a competitive 10,000-10,450 pounds, depending on model. Maximum payload is good, too, at 1,900 pounds. Three body styles and three bed lengths are available. Engines start with a V-6 rated at 215-horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. We recommend at least the 4.7-liter V-8, which has 310 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque and comes standard on four-wheel-drive (4WD) and Crew Cab Rams. King of the hill is the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 with 390 horsepower and 407 pound-feet of torque. All Ram engines have Dodge’s Decel Fuel Shut Off designed to improve mileage by stopping the flow of gas when you lift your foot from the accelerator. The Hemi also saves gas by cutting back to four cylinders at idle and in low-demand conditions. All engines use automatic transmission, the V-6 a four-speed, the V-8s a five-speed. Ram’s look is bold and its roomy cabins can be optioned into opulence. In addition, Ram, along with the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, is the only big pickup with available 4WD designed to be left engaged on dry pavement. That’s a big traction advantage on damp streets when there’s little or no weight in the cargo bed. Crew Cab models are available with Dodge’s RamBox that transforms the outside walls of the cargo bed into tough, plastic-lined bins for carrying tools, beverages, or gear. The bins are lockable, lit, and come with drain holes for melted ice. Base price range: $21,510-$43,550.

2. 2010 Ford F-150: America’s best-selling vehicle, car or truck, got a full redesign for model-year 2009 and the 2010 F-150 carries on that evolutionary styling and long list of attractive features. The F-150 boasts expansive passenger cabs, cargo beds with compartments and dividers, and a structure of outstanding solidity. Hewing to traditional leaf-spring rear suspension, the F-150 trails the Ram 1500 for suspension refinement and handling. But the Ford fights back with a class-topping 11,300-pound trailer rating and a 3,030-pound payload limit. The F-150 also is a tech monster, available with Ford’s optional Tool Link system that uses radio-frequency identification to inventory and track tools and equipment stored onboard. The tailgate can be fitted with a fold-up handle to assist entry and optional metal steps slide from beneath the truck’s sides or tail for easier bed access. The most serious knock on the 2010 F-150 comes when you open the hood because power ratings trail those of key rivals. It’s an all-V-8 lineup, but none stands out against direct rivals for torque or response.  The base engine is a 4.6-liter V-8 available in two states of tune: 248 horsepower and 294 pound-feet of torque or 292 horsepower and 320 pound-feet. Even the top engine choice, a 5.4-liter V-8, lags the big-block opposition with 310 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. But help is on the way. The 2011 F-150 gets a new slate of engines. One is likely a version of the 2011 Mustang’s 5.0-liter V-8, here rated around 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. Also available for 2011 will be a version of Ford’s twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 with more than 350 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. Also look for wider availability of a 6.2-liter V-8 with more horsepower and torque than the 5.0. The 2010 F-150 still has lots to offer, and its powertrains are proven. But savvy buyers with a yen for fresh muscle might want to wait for the 2011 version. Base price range: $22,355-$46,495.

3. 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2010 GMC Sierra 1500: Differing only in badging, grille appearance, and trim details, Silverado and Sierra are the oldest domestic-brand big pickups. Their model-year 2007-vintage design shows up in relatively cramped crew-cab rear seating and in a narrower range of high-tech options compared with the Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram 1500. But Silverado and Sierra still have lots of appeal. It starts with understated styling and extends to availability of a near endless combination of cabs, beds, payloads, and powertrains.GM has done a good job keeping these trucks mechanically relevant. They’re available, for example, with GM’s Autotrac 4WD that can remain engaged in dry pavement, and with a range of smooth engines, including a 332-horsepower gas-electric hybrid V-8 rated at a pleasing 21/22 mpg (city/highway). The most popular engine is GM’s bullet-proof 5.3-liter V-8 with 315 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque. Along with the uplevel 6.0-liter V-8 (403 horsepower, 417 pound-feet) the 5.3 employs GM’s Active Fuel Management to save gas by automatically switching between eight and four cylinders, depending on power demands. The V-6 and 4.8-liter V-8 use a four-speed automatic transmission, but the other V-8s get a well-sorted six-speed automatic. Also praiseworthy are continual suspension improvements, including a hydraulic body mount for all extended- and crew-cab Silverado 1500s that contributes to good control over bumps. And the Sierra Denali is difficult to beat for good form in a loaded luxury pickup. Base price range: $21,845-$47,430.