Pickup trucks accounted for about 18% of all vehicles sold in the United States in 2016, according to research data from Hedges & Company. While the pickup’s everyday utility and lifestyle appeal have kept it popular in the consumer market, they have also remained a construction jobsite mainstay for their utility in hauling, storage, and personnel transport, and manufacturers aim to make them safer, more versatile, more efficient and better connected with each model year.
The majority of the new trucks below are among the latest offerings from major auto manufacturers. The exception is The Workhorse Group, which earned the Most Innovative Vehicle Award at the 2018 Work Truck Show Innovation Awards for its first-ever pickup truck, the hybrid-electric W-15.
Toyota
The upcoming 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro is one of three pickups in the upcoming 2019 TRD Pro lineup, which will be available in fall 2018.
All 2019 TRD Pro suspension packages include 2.5-inch Fox Internal Bypass front shocks for improved off-road performance and overall driving comfort. The Tundra’s front shocks have 11 bypass zones (7 compression, 4 bypass), and the vehicle also features an additional two shocks in the rear with 12 bypass zones (8 compression, 4 bypass). It comes standard with new Rigid Industries LED fog lights, LED headlights with LED accent lights, 18-inch BBS forged-aluminum wheels, and a dual TRD Pro exhaust with new Black Chrome exhaust tips. toyota.com
Honda
The 2019 Honda Ridgeline boasts an EPA fuel economy rating (city/highway/combined) of 19/26/22 mpg for 2WD and 18/25/21 for AWD, a hauling capacity of up to 1,584 pounds, and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds (3,500 for 2WD). The vehicle’s button-operated operated Intelligent Traction Management System can optimize performance for up to four terrain types: Normal, Snow, Mud and Sand in AWD vehicles and Normal and Snow for 2WD vehicles.
The Ridgeline is available in six ascending trim/feature packages: RT, Sport, RTL, RTL-T, RTL-E, and Black Edition. The RT is available in two-wheel drive only, and the RTL-E and Black Edition are available in all-wheel drive only. Upgrades include the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assist technologies, including a Lane Keeping Assist System and Collision Mitigation Braking System (standard on RTL-E and up). honda.com
Ford
The 2018 Ford F-Series Super Duty large pickup series encompasses the F-250, F-350, and F-450, which are available in XL, XLT, LARIAT, KING RANCH, and PLATINUM trim levels. The Super Duty features a maximum payload of 7,630 pounds, a 21,000 pound conventional tow rating, and a 34,000 pound gooseneck tow rating.
The F-450 Crew Cab with eight-foot box is now available on 4x2 configuration trucks in this model year, and a rearview camera is now standard on the XL series. Upgrades include a 400-watt power outlet, fifth-wheel and gooseneck hitch kits, and a trailer tow camera system. ford.com
Chevrolet
The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is up to 450 pounds lighter than its predecessor, owing to General Motors’ mixed materials strategy, but still features a longer wheelbase and higher passenger and cargo volume. The truck bed offers 63 cubic feet of cargo volume in a short-box, along with a steel bed floor with 500 megapascals of yield strength and 12 fixed-tie downs and nine moveable tie points that can withstand up to 500 pounds of force. Upgrades include a power up/down tailgate and a 120-volt power outlet.
The new Silverado is available in three High Value packages (Work Truck, Custom, Custom Trail Boss), three High Volume packages (LT, RST, LT Trail Boss) and two High Feature packages (LTZ and High Country). Six engine/transmission choices are also available, including the all-new Duramax 3.0L inline-six diesel engine. chevrolet.com
Nissan
The 2018 Nissan TITAN XD is available in Crew Cab, King Cab and Single Cab body types, two bed lengths, 4x4 or 2x4 drivelines, with a choice of a Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel or Nissan 5.6-liter Endurance V8 engine. Five trim levels are available: S, SV, PRO-4X (King and Crew Cabs only), and SL and Platinum Reserve (Crew Cab only).
The TITAN XD offers a maximum towing capacity of 12,310 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 2,080 pounds when properly equipped. Its Utili-track Bed Channel System uses four adjustable aluminum alloy cleats to create custom tie-down setups along the walls, bed floor and header tracks. nissanusa.com
GMC
The upcoming 2019 GMC Sierra Denali includes a variety of new technologies and upgrades from previous iterations of the Sierra Denali truck. The CarbonPro Carbon Fiber Pickup Box offers increased durability, efficiency, and scratch and corrosion resistance. The ProGrade Trailering System pairs with Trailering App to provide a suite of smart trailering technology options, including a pre-departure checklist, maintenance reminders, and tests and diagnostics.
Other driver-focused features include a 3x7 Head-Up Display, which projects key vehicle information on the windshield within the driver’s line of sight; rear and bird’s eye cameras, and safety features including Pedestrian Detection and Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking. gmc.com
Dodge Ram
The all-new 2019 Ram 1500 Tradesman pickup is specifically designed for small businesses, construction jobsites and commercial fleet use, according to the manufacturer. The truck is 225 pounds lighter than its predecessor, owing to the use of high-strength steel. When properly equipped, the Ram 1500 Tradesman can tow up to 12,750 pounds and carry up to 2,300 pounds of payload.
It is available in two cab styles, Quad Cab and Crew Cab, and the Crew Cab is available with a short bed (5 ft., 7 in.) or a long bed (6 ft., 4 in.). The standard equipment package includes a 160-amp alternator, 3.21 rear axle ratio, 730-amp maintenance-free battery, and front and rear frequency response damping (FRD) shock absorbers. ramtrucks.com
Workhorse Group
The Workhorse Group’s W-15 Electric Pickup Truck, winner of the Most Innovative Vehicle Award at the 2018 Work Truck Show Innovation Awards, is the first plug-in, battery-electric, range-extended pickup truck available from an American original equipment manufacturer. Its Panasonic lithium ion battery pack provides an all-electric range of up to 80 miles, and a gas-powered two-cycle BMW engine recharges the batteries for an additional 300-mile range. A power port on the side of the vehicle also allows users to power tools from the vehicle’s power supply.
The truck is designed to save 55% on the total cost of ownership of a fleet vehicle over the course of 12 years of service, according to the manufacturer, and to provide a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions. It is currently available for fleet pre-order, and will be available in 2019. workhorse.com
