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Pickup Trucks: Reviews, Towing Guides and Truck Buying Advice

A pickup is a tool as much as a vehicle, so the right one depends on what you plan to put in the bed and behind the hitch. This hub gathers every truck review, towing guide and truck comparison on NextCarReview, grouped by brand, with our most read guides first.

Compiled by Morgan Reyes
This page is a directory of our published guides on this topic. It is updated as new guides go live.

Featured guides

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Toyota Pickup Truck in 2025Read the full guide for details.
2027 GMC Sierra 1500: Price, Trims, Engines, Towing, Tech and Release DateThe all-new 2027 GMC Sierra 1500 starts at $51,295.
2026 Toyota Tacoma vs Ford Ranger: Full Midsize Truck Comparison and VerdictThe 2026 Toyota Tacoma vs Ford Ranger battle is the midsize truck fight of the year.
Best New Cars to Buy in 2026: Ranked by Price, Reliability & ValueThe 2026 new car market is the strongest it has been in years.

Midsize, full-size or heavy duty?

Pickups in the US fall into a few broad sizes. Compact and midsize trucks, like the Ford Maverick, Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier and Honda Ridgeline, are easier to park and often cheaper to buy and run. Full-size half-ton trucks, such as the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra, offer more towing and payload and more cab space. Heavy duty three-quarter and one-ton trucks are built for big trailers, fifth wheels and gooseneck hitches, and they ride and cost accordingly.

Be honest about the heaviest job you will do more than a few times a year. Many buyers pay for capability they rarely use, while others buy too little truck and work it hard. Both mistakes cost money.

Towing and payload, explained simply

The headline towing number in an ad is the maximum for one specific configuration, often a particular engine, axle ratio, cab, bed and tow package. Your truck may be rated lower. Look for the rating that matches the exact truck you are buying, usually in the manufacturer towing guide.

Payload matters just as much. It is the total weight you can carry in the cab and bed, including passengers, cargo and the tongue weight of a trailer. A family of four plus gear plus a trailer tongue can use up payload faster than people expect. You will find the payload for a specific truck on the tire and loading information label on the driver door jamb. Stay within the gross vehicle weight rating and the gross combined weight rating, and use a properly rated hitch and brake controller for larger trailers.

Cab and bed choices

Most trucks come in several cab styles and bed lengths. A crew cab has four full doors and a usable rear seat, which is why it is the most popular choice for families. Regular and extended cabs leave more room for bed length on a given wheelbase. Short beds fit garages and parking lots more easily, while longer beds carry full sheets of building material flat. Check whether the cab and bed combination you want is actually offered with the engine and trim you want, since not every combination exists.

Engines and fuel

Truck buyers today can choose between turbocharged V6 and four cylinder engines, traditional V8s, diesels, hybrids and a growing number of electric trucks. Turbo engines can deliver strong low end pull, V8s remain popular for towing feel and simplicity, diesels shine for long distance heavy towing, and hybrids can save fuel in stop and go driving while powering tools on the job site. Electric trucks offer instant torque and home charging, but towing a heavy trailer will cut range noticeably, so plan charging stops with that in mind.

Trims, 4×4 and off-road packages

Four wheel drive is worth it if you deal with snow, mud, boat ramps or unpaved roads. Off-road trims such as the GMC AT4, Chevrolet ZR2, Ford Tremor and Raptor, Ram Rebel and Toyota TRD Pro add suspension, tires and skid plates, but they can reduce payload and fuel economy. Luxury trims bring comfort and tech that many owners enjoy on long drives. Price out the trim that has what you need rather than the one that looks best on the lot.

What you will find below

Guides are grouped by brand: Ford, Toyota, Chevrolet and GMC, then other makes including Ram, Nissan, Honda and newer names. After the reviews, you will find our truck versus truck comparisons, which are the fastest way to decide between two finalists.

A short truck buying checklist

  • Write down the heaviest trailer and load you expect to carry more than a few times a year.
  • Confirm the tow rating and payload for the exact configuration, not just the model.
  • Decide on cab and bed size by measuring your garage or parking space.
  • Ask whether a factory tow package, integrated brake controller or trailer camera is included.
  • Compare insurance quotes and check recall history for the model year.

All guides in this section

Ford trucks

Toyota trucks

Chevrolet and GMC trucks

Ram, Nissan, Honda and other trucks

Truck comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out how much my truck can tow?
Look up the manufacturer towing guide for your exact model year, cab, bed, engine, axle ratio and tow package. The maximum number in ads applies only to one specific configuration.
What is payload and why does it matter?
Payload is the total weight the truck can carry in the cab and bed, including people, cargo and trailer tongue weight. You can find it on the door jamb label. Going over it affects braking, handling and safety.
Is a midsize truck big enough for me?
A midsize truck suits many buyers who carry gear, tow small trailers and want easier parking. If you regularly tow heavy campers or carry large loads, a full-size truck is usually the better fit.
Should I buy a hybrid or electric pickup?
A hybrid can save fuel in town and power tools at a job site. An electric truck works well if you can charge at home and mostly drive locally, but heavy towing reduces range significantly.

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