The conversation about the best pickup trucks of all time is sensitive for many truck fans, especially in the United States. Since their primary service area ranges from moving supplies to picking up new furniture or hauling heavy loads of equipment, some drivers believe trucks should be rated based on their capacity to handle these challenging tasks only. At the same time, some others prefer modern luxury pickup trucks that can double as regular cars for trips and daily runs. As always, we will help you decide which way to go.
Reliable Pickup Trucks Of All Time
In this post, we have outlined our top picks of the best pickup trucks of all time. We picked iconic trucks across different generations based on performance and reliability. Join us as we explore the trucking industry’s Hall of Fame.
1. Toyota Hilux
Toyota Hilux is unrivaled in terms of reliability. The series was introduced in the 1960s as a line of compact pickups. Today, the Hilux is considered one of the best pickup trucks of all time thanks to decades of impressing with top-performing cars. Toyota has kept up with trends and cemented its reputation among the most reliable pickup trucks in the world.
The 2024 Toyota Hilux is a mild hybrid sporting a 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine with V-Active technology. It also features the latest Toyota safety tech. Inside the cabin, you get an 8.0-inch infotainment screen offering access to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Although it is not a luxury pickup truck, the interior is comfortable and performs beyond the primary trucking activities.
Additionally, the Hilux has maintained its impressive fuel efficiency along with reliability and capacity in the latest models. A new 2024 Toyota Hilux ranges between $26,150 and $48,750.
2. Ford Ranger
The Ranger is one of the best pickup trucks of all time. Ford debuted its first small truck in 1983 and has remained a top player in the market for over four decades. The first models were offered across four powertrain options. You got to pick between the two four-cylinder engines, a V6 engine and a diesel engine built by Mazda.
The Ranger proved successful, and sales were strong throughout its run, ending in 2011. A new Ranger came back in 2019 but is a much larger truck that shares only the name with the original. Many owners favor the Ranger for its rugged dependability. Also, the truck series has stayed on top of their game in terms of performance and durability.
Additionally, you will find that the latest models are still best sellers in the US and other parts of the work. The latest 2024 Ford Ranger models start at $34,265 and go up to $45,225. The actual price depends on which trim you want to go for.
3. Honda Ridgeline
The Ridgeline is Honda’s first pickup series, which was introduced in 2006. It was first introduced as a midsize truck with a car-like build. Recent models are offered as full-sized trucks and maintain the performance and reliability standards set by their predecessors. Furthermore, fuel economy is still a strong suit for the Ridgeline, even with the recently adopted Off-Road capabilities.
The 2024 Ridgeline strikes a perfect balance between a work-filled week and a fun weekend. You get a 3.5-liter V6 engine that pairs with a nine-speed automatic transmission to power the AWD layout. This system delivers 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque to attain a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
Additionally, the cabin is packed with basic luxury features and lots of safety tools. You get an intuitive infotainment system that performs impressively for a $45,000 truck.
4. Ford F-150
Ford’s F-series trucks first hit the market in 1948. The F-150 model has earned a spot among the best pickup trucks of all time. The model has consistently delivered some epic trucks over the years. While older models are loved for their durability and performance. Recent models have also impressed in performance while incorporating the trending demands to stay relevant. And it is working!
The latest F-150 has a refreshed interior with enhancements to its exterior styling that include tweaked grilles, exterior lighting elements, wheel designs, and more. It is also one of the most fuel-efficient pickup trucks. The base models run on a turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 engine that delivers up to 325 horsepower. Other optional powertrains are a turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6, a hybrid V-6 setup, and a 5.0-liter V-8, each delivering up to 400 horsepower. You also get to choose between an RWD or a 4WD configuration.
In addition, the hybrid model is said to offer up to 700 miles of driving range per tank and can also power an onboard generator to keep the power flowing at job sites or during power outage.
Depending on your preferred options, you can get a new 2024 Ford F-150 for $38,765 to $84,495.
5. Nissan D21 (Hardbody)
When Datsun changed its name to Nissan, it began producing a mini truck series, the Nissan D21. This truck is called Hardbody due to its double-walled bed, firm paneling, and aggressive styling at the time.
At this time, most trucks were built simple and basic. However, the Hardbody benefitted from modern engines with fuel injection, electronic ignition, and computerized design. And as a result, it was a tough and rugged little truck.
In addition, many reviewers emphasized the durability and dependability of the truck. Although the Hardbody series was discontinued, Nissan still produces an edition of the Frontier that looks like the Hardbody. The 2024 Nissan Frontier Hardbody edition is quite rare. Moreover, if you find one, the sticker price should be at about $29,770.
6. Dodge Ram 50
Chrysler had a partnership with a Japanese manufacturer, Mitsubishi. This partnership birthed one of the best pickup trucks of all time, the Ram 50. The compact Dodge was introduced to the market in 1979. Buyers had to pick between a 2.0-liter and a 2.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. Both engines delivered well over 100 horsepower. This output exceeded the competition by around 20 horsepower while being offered at a lower price point.
The truck received a lot of good reviews back in the day. Many reports confirm that the trucks develop little or no mechanical problems. You can drive one for 10 years with only regular maintenance. In fact, some of these trucks have survived to this day with more than 200,000 miles.
In 2009, the RAM truck segment pulled out of Dodge and still maintained production of excellent pickup trucks. The latest model, the 2024 RAM 1500, starts at $41,415 and goes up to $67,805. Pricing depends on the trim and options you opt for.
7. Chevrolet Silverado
Chevrolet introduced the Silverado as a full line of trucks in 1999. They have since been valuable tools and transportation for millions. Chevy trucks have a reputation for being rugged and reliable, capable of getting the job done no matter what. Of course, nothing is perfect.
While the small block Chevy used in trucks until 2002 is renowned for its reliability due to its robust and simple design, some of the later engines suffer a bit more. Also, the 2012 Silverado was listed as the most reliable of the last 20 years. This model has a 315-horsepower 5.3-liter V8 that pairs with a capable manual transmission. Subsequent models have also earned high reliability scores across many car review platforms.
Chevy Silverados are still top-players in trucking today, with the latest Silverado 1500 trims ranging between $37,445 and $64,695.
8. Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup
In 1977, the Volkswagen crew in Pennsylvania created a small pickup series based on the Golf platform. The truck sold until 1984 with a diesel engine that produced 52 horsepower and a whole lot of black smoke. Although this engine did not deliver speed, it was famous for reliability and fuel efficiency back then.
Reviewers have reported an average gas mileage of about 39.5 MPG. This figure is a long way from the ratings of other fuel-thirsty V8 engines at the time. Many reports claim that the engine lasted twice as much as its gasoline counterparts. In summary, this category of trucks is not in vogue but is still one of the best pickup trucks of all time.
9. Toyota T100
The T100 is Toyota’s first full-sized pickup truck, although it is not as big as some American options. This lineup was first launched in 1993. At the time, it was powered by a 3.0-liter V6 that produced up to 150 horsepower. These ratings may seem meager when compared with trucks today. However, the T100 was capable for its time. Toyota’s truck-building subsidiary, Hino, also produced the T100.
Despite being made in a Hino factory, the T100 shares the reliability of other Toyota models. Many drivers have reviewed the car, and it delivers excellent gas mileage. Some reports also confirmed that the T100 can travel 300 to 400,000 miles with only a few hiccups aside from regular maintenance.
Today, the lineup has been rebranded as the ‘Tundra’. This new model still maintains reliability, but it runs on bigger engine options that may not be as fuel-efficient as the original models. The new Toyota Tundra is a large truck series running on a 5.7-liter V8 engine. Also, many buyers favor this truck for its impressive reliability records and mundane price tag. A new 2024 Toyota Tundra ranges between $41,650 and $64,500.
10. Subaru Baja
The Subaru Baja is one of the best pickup trucks of all time. This truck was a best-seller between 2003 and 2006 when it was taken off the market. Furthermore, It was built on the same platform as Legacy, one of Subaru’s regular car models.
The truck looks nearly indistinguishable from the front, with a short truck bed at the back. At just 42 inches long, cargo capacity is below average, the same as its hauling capacity. Moreover, you can use a clever pass-through to increase the cargo area with the rear seats folded down and a tubular bed extender installed with the gate open.
The Baja runs on a traditional Subaru boxer four-cylinder engine with a 2.5-liter displacement. An optional turbo model was also offered. Although not as available as some trucks on this list, some Bajas are still active and performing today. This goes to show how dependable this truck can be. You can also find many positive reviews from past and present owners on popular car reviews platforms.
Let’s Wrap It Up…
Despite the recent talks about versatility and making trucks blend with other cars, trucks will always be rated for performance. The best pickup trucks of all time featured on our list are as durable and reliable as they come. We considered many crucial properties to make selections for this list. Let us know what you think in the comments.
