The pickup truck is a staple of American driving and also one of our all-time favorite vehicles to customize, modify, and upgrade. If you take a look at the Dixie 4 Wheel Drive parking lot at any time, you are guaranteed to spot a customized truck whether it’s been lifted and fitted with larger tires and attention-grabbing rims or just understated upgrades that give it much more power on the trails. Regardless of the make and model, the truck remains a beloved rig throughout the country.
As one of the premier auto shops in Moab, we get a lot of people stopping by our shop not only to bring in their rides for customization but to also ask for tips and advice on vehicles. One of the most common questions we get asked is- which trucks do we think are the best?
This is usually a pretty tough question because we love trucks no matter their shape and size but we can’t ignore the fact that they are different. When choosing a truck, you must consider the following:
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How much power it has. This depends on what it’s packing under the hood. You also have to consider what you want to use the truck for- is it going to be your daily driver, are you going to take it off-road and will you use it for towing?
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It’s towing capability. Trucks are designed for towing and they each have a different capacity for it. When deciding on which truck to purchase, take into consideration what you’ll be hauling and how often.
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It’s fuel efficiency. Trucks aren’t the most fuel-efficient vehicles out there. Most are too heavy or are used to tow heavy stuff, affecting their mpg. However, some models do surprise us with how much mileage they’re able to squeeze out per gallon.
Top 5 Trucks of 2020
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Ram 1500
The Ram 1500 is one of the top 3 selling vehicles in the country for a reason. This full-size truck packs an impressive 260 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque from its Generation 3 EcoDiesel V6 engine. That’s not all, it has impressive towing capabilities being able to tow a maximum of 12,750 lbs. when it’s equipped with the 57-liter V8 eTorque 48-volt mild-hybrid engine system. This truck has great fuel efficiency giving you 20/25 mpg on the city/highway cycle.
For those who love variety, the Ram 1500 is available in both 4×2 and 4×4 configurations and an assortment of 12 exterior hues based on the trim you choose. For a taste of class, the interior is wrapped in leather or soft-touch material with enough tech options to keep any driver happy.
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Ford F-150 Raptor
You can’t talk about top trucks without mentioning the Ford F-150 Raptor. This popular performance machine thrills both drivers and passengers and doesn’t fail to turn heads wherever it goes thanks to its aggressive look.
Under the hood, this machine has a highly-capable 4×4 system with a turbocharged V6 engine that effortlessly produces 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This exceptional power allows it to tow a maximum of 8,000 lbs. like its nothing.
The Raptor does well as a daily driver but really shines when taken off-road. With the 17” wheels, beefy tires, unique skid plate, a long-travel suspension, and Fox shocks, it easily goes over rocks and other obstacles.
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Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 has won over plenty of hearts and is a favorite in the country thanks to its versatility and usefulness. The different models have 6 different trims and 6 engine configurations between them. This caters to every truck owners’ need out there whether you’re looking for a luxury cruiser, a workhorse, or an off-roading machine.
The engines among these models range from a 3.3-liter V6 that gives out 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque to a massive 50-liter that churns out an impressive 395 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque.
As you might expect with such a machine, the weight and powertrain affect its gas mileage making it return an average of 19/25 mpg on the city/highway cycle according to the EPA. However, the turbodiesel option is the most fuel-economic of the bunch.
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Jeep Gladiator
Another top truck is the Jeep Gladiator – a hardcore mid-size truck with a solid frame and decent 4WD. Being the 1st Jeep pickup in almost 3 decades, this machine does not disappoint Jeep fans. It is powered by a 33-liter V6 engine that turns out 285 horsepower, allowing it to easily tow up to 7650 lbs.
Best of all, this is a highly capable off-road machine just like the Wrangler. It can easily go from your daily driver to crawling over rocks and climbing obstacles over the weekends. While we do love the rugged styling and solid, roomy cabin, the 5-ft cargo bed leaves a lot to be desired. This truck isn’t as competitive as others in gas mileage returning only about 16/23 mpg on the city/highway cycles.
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Ford Ranger
Rounding up our list is the Ford Ranger. This mid-size pickup truck gives an impressive performance both on and off-road. The driving power behind this rig is a 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbo engine that produces 270 horsepower coupled with 310 pound-feet of torque. This enables it to tow as much as 7,500 lbs as long as the towing package has been fitted. All Ford-Ranger models come with a ten-speed automatic gearbox that shifts smoothly and quickly making for a comfortably quiet ride.
When it comes to fuel efficiency, the Ford Ranger’s small 18-gallon gas tank has an impressive EPA rating returning 19/18 on the city/highway cycle. All Ford Ranger models have handsome styling and multiple configuration options as well as impressive safety features across the range.
That’s our list of 5 best 4×4 trucks of 2020.
For more information on pickup trucks, mods or upgrades, repairs or service, or anything else about 4x4s, reach out to our auto shop in St. George or the other one in Moab. We look forward to hearing from you.
