The 5 Best Pickup Trucks of 2018
Are you in the market for a new truck? It’s a big investment, and getting a vehicle that works as hard as you do can be tough.
Don’t just grab any old vehicle with some towing power. Find out what works best for you. Some trucks stand out from the rest because they haul more, carry more, and have plenty of power for any job you can throw at it.
We’ve combed through all of the rankings to find an average of which 2018 truck model is truly the best.
1. 2018 Ford F-150
What truck could be the best of the year other than the Ford F-150? This truck has not just been the best-selling truck in America, but the best-selling vehicle overall for over 35 years. Thirty-five! There’s a good reason for it. The Ford F-150 can tow up to 13,200 pounds when properly equipped, has excellent crash test ratings, and provides plenty of customizable options to make the truck personal for each driver. The diverse four-engine line-up allows you to choose whether you need massive towing or better gas mileage. This year’s model is nearly 700 pounds lighter thanks to its aluminum body.
As the winner of Motor Trend‘s Truck of the Year for 2018 and the top pickup truck according to U.S. News & World Report, as well as the 2nd choice in Car and Driver‘s and Kelly Blue Book’s rankings, the 2018 Ford F-150 is by far the most celebrated truck of the year. Ford lists the starting MSRP for the F-150 at $27,705.
2. 2018 Honda Ridgeline
The Honda Ridgeline may look a little strange with its SUV/truck combination vibe. After a complete overhaul last year, the Ridgeline’s front half resembles a Honda Pilot, if you look closely enough. The gas mileage has improved to 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, making it one of the most fuel-efficient trucks on the market. If you can move beyond the somewhat polarizing exterior, the interior is roomy with a modern look and class-leading ride quality, which is perfect for the daily driver.
The 2018 Ridgeline RT is also competitively priced with a starting MSRP of $29,370. It also tied for second on Kelly Blue Book’s truck rankings, based on consumer feedback, as well as second place in U.S. News & World Report‘s ranking of best pickup trucks for model year 2018.
3. 2018 Ram 1500
The 2018 Ram 1500 is the perfect choice for anyone who’s looking to purchase a high-quality full-size truck. One unique feature of the Ram is that it offers a manual transmission option. Other competitors in the same class, like GM and Ford, quit offering a manual transmission on trucks in the U.S. years ago. Gas mileage is middling at around 17 mpg, depending on the model you pick. The four-wheel-drive Ram 1500 option, for instance, has the worst gas mileage in the standard pickup class.
The wide option of engine choices, however, can satisfy anyone’s work needs. You can expect each one to be powerful. The suspension is high-quality and easily provides a comfortable ride whether you’re off-road or on the highway. Plus, the cabin is quiet at high speeds. Dodge lists the Ram 1500 Tradesman with a starting MSRP of $27,095. The Ram 1500 ranked third on both U.S. News & World Report‘s and Kelly Blue Book’s best trucks of 2018.
4. GMC Canyon
The second mid-size truck on the list, the GMC Canyon was leading the truck segment just a couple of years ago. It captured back-to-back Motor Trend Truck of the Year awards in 2015 and 2016 but has dropped just slightly in overall rankings since then. For the 2018 model year, the Canyon came in tied for third on Kelly Blue Book’s ranking and fourth in U.S. News & World Report‘s.
GMC’s mid-size truck shares the same dimensions as its Chevrolet cousin, the Colorado. But if you’re wondering what puts the Canyon on this list instead, the GMC offering has more options. That does come with a little higher price tag, however. The SLE trim has a starting MSRP of $21,100. Reviewers also noted that the Canyon’s styling and design were less polarizing than the Colorado’s. One of the highlights of this smaller truck segment is the fuel economy. The Canyon reaches as high as 30 mpg on the highway. Despite this, it’s no slouch in performance, with a max towing capacity of up to 7,700 lbs.
5. Nissan Titan XD
The 2018 Nissan Titan XD is the only heavy-duty truck to make it on our top 5 list. You may be surprised to see the Titan listed here, but Kelly Blue Book ranks it first out of all trucks according to their customer feedback surveys. Compared to other HD rivals in this class, the Titan XD has a better, more stable ride. On the interior, the seats are also top of their class when it comes to comfort, as well. Depending upon the trim, you also add on unique offerings to the truck’s bed, such as a bed-mounted gooseneck hitch. The 2018 Titan SC King Cab S two-wheel-drive has a starting MSRP of $34,010.
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