Are you planning to ditch your old car for a bigger one? Are you searching for something that offers top-notch performance, versatility, and durability? Then a pickup truck is one of the best options to consider.
More Americans are buying pickup trucks amid the pandemic. Fewer people are buying cars and SUVs in favor of the utility and convenience of pickup trucks. With so many types of pickup trucks, how do you find the best one that will meet your requirements?
Continue reading below for a breakdown of your pickup truck options.
The Full-Size Pickup Truck
This is one of the most popular types of pickup trucks out there, albeit with the often steep price tag it carries. Nevertheless, its features and performance more than make up for it.
For starters, a full-size pickup truck offers remarkable space and flexibility. You can load pretty much all your things with more room to spare. It accommodates large equipment for your outdoor adventures.
These trucks also ride higher off the ground compared to regular vehicles. In turn, they are perfect for those challenging trails and off-road routes.
You can further break down full-size pickup trucks into three categories. These are the half-ton trucks, the ¾ ton trucks, and the one-ton trucks.
A half-ton pickup truck is your best bet if you want something reliable for family use. This is the category where your Ram 1500 and Ford F-150 belong to.
The ¾ ton pickup truck features more power suspension systems and engines than the half-ton truck. Thus, it is perfect for hauling and towing stuff that a half-ton truck cannot take on. As for the one-ton variant, it is your top choice if you’re looking for heavy-duty hauling and towing.
Are you on a tight budget looking for a pre-owned pickup truck? Trusted dealerships like Gatesauto.com offer extensive selections of second-hand quality trucks.
Midsize Pickup Trucks
If you’re looking for that perfect balance between size and power, a midsize pickup truck is what you want to have. Because of its size, you may not have the same amount of free space as a full-size truck. However, it is also the size that makes it an excellent option for daily city driving.
It offers a decent towing capacity that is comparable to some full-sized trucks. Moreover, owning a pickup truck of this size should not give your problems in terms of parking. Because of its smaller size, it should fit inside regular-sized garages.
However, not all midsize trucks are equal. For example, the Chevrolet Colorado focuses more on handling and maneuverability. Meanwhile, the Nissan Frontier caters more to customers looking for functionality and affordability.
Hybrid Pickup Trucks
If you’re looking for something more modern in many ways, a hybrid pickup truck is one worth looking into. It features an engine that runs on a combination of gas and electricity. As a result, it helps reduce your fuel consumption.
When it comes to size, a hybrid truck is similar to a midsized pickup truck. However, it will cost you a little bit more because of its special engine. One of the most popular choices for hybrid pickup trucks is the GMC Sierra 1500.
It can give you 20 miles per gallon (mpg) for city driving, which is quite remarkable. On the higher, it becomes more fuel-efficient at 23 mpg.
However, the technology for hybrid pickup trucks is still underdeveloped. Nevertheless, truck manufacturers are looking to fine-tune their hybrid trucks. We can expect better fuel efficiency and performance in the coming years.
Electric Pickup Trucks
Unlike the hybrid pickup trucks, the electric variant runs exclusively on electricity. In turn, you don’t consume any fuel. As promising as it may sound, the electric pickup comes with one big caveat: it comes with an expensive battery.
Thus, you don’t see too many electric pickup trucks on the road. Nevertheless, it doesn’t fall short in terms of performance. The Atlis XT, for example, offers a range of anywhere between 300 to 500 miles.
In terms of charging, it only takes about 15 minutes to charge the battery in full. Though only a few drive electric pickups, expect them to be more visible over the next few years.
Luxury Pickup Up Trucks
There are plenty of luxury options available for the ultra-high-end market. A luxury pickup truck puts a premium on style and comfort. Thus, it comes with all the features you see in some of the most popular luxury cars.
Expect the truck to come with wood accents, high-grade upholstery, and luxury cabins. Moreover, it comes with the latest equipment and connectivity features. As for the price range, luxury trucks can cost you anywhere between $40,000 and $100,000 or even more.
Sport Trucks
Last but not least is the sport truck, which most people call the “mini truck.” This is for the simple reason that they are smaller compared to your full-size and midsized pickup trucks. Thus, they offer less room and flexibility.
Today, most sports truck enthusiasts use them for competitions. Because of its size, a sports truck is easy to paint and customize.
Tips to Consider When Choosing from Different Types of Pickup Trucks
With different types of trucks available, what are the key factors you need to consider in your hunt? First, you want to look at the truck’s passenger capacity. If you’re the only one who will use it, you may opt for a smaller two-seater.
Next, you want to check the power and engine size. If you want something for city driving, a 4-cylinder engine is your best bet. However, you need a bigger and more powerful engine if you plan to use your truck for regular towing and hauling.
Decide whether you want a manual or automatic transmission. If traffic is bad in your area, an automatic truck will give you more comfort.
Choose the Best Pickup Truck for You
Now that you know the different types of pickup trucks, you can streamline your options and the best one for you. However, buying a pickup truck is only the beginning. What follows is maximizing its performance and extending its life.
Check out our other blog posts on pickup trucks and other vehicles. We discuss topics that will help you get the most out of your vehicle.