Best Pickup Trucks of 2023

Today's pickup trucks are more than just workhorses, they're also luxury vehicles, high-performance machines, and comfortable cruisers. The fact that truck consumers expect these machines to do more than just tow and haul heavy loads. Rather modern pickups also have to take on the roles typically associated with family sedans and luxury cars. Why have two vehicles for different tasks when you can have one that can do both?

Looking to tow heavy loads will want to consider a half-ton pickup, if not an even more powerful three-quarter or full-ton truck. City dwellers, on the other hand, may care about something a little smaller, like a mid-size or compact truck, the latter tending to trade heavy towing and payload capacities for maneuverability and efficiency. energy comparable to that of a car.

In many ways, choosing the right truck for a given job makes it much easier to finish the job at hand. That's why we put these mics through our extensive testing program. Because let's face it, you bought to cut the fat from a thick cut of filet mignon, it's actually a bit more than. The trucks on our 2023 Editors' Picks list are the best of the bunch. Not all are designed to perform the same tasks, but these mics are the best tools for taking on a multitude of tasks.

Then there are performance-oriented pickups such as the Ford F-150 Raptor and Ram 1500 TRX. These massive, off-road-ready suspension components deliver plenty of power and plenty of ground clearance to tackle the toughest trails and tallest parking lot curbs.

Ford Maverick

The 2023 Ford Maverick is a work truck that earns its place alongside the Ranger and F-150 with innovative design and surprising utility. The standard powertrain is a fuel-efficient hybrid system with front-wheel drive, but a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and all-wheel-drive are available. The payload capacity is more than enough for a weekend of home improvement supplies, and the Maverick can be equipped to tow up to 4,000 pounds. It shares its platform with the Bronco Sport SUV and has four doors and a fairly spacious interior with several clever storage solutions. However, unlike the Bronco diet, the Maverick pickup has earned a spot on our list of the 10 best trucks and SUVs for 2023.

Honda Ridgeline

Honda's mid-size Ridgeline pickup is different. Traditional rivals to body-on-frame pickups like the Chevy Colorado or Toyota Tacoma, the Ridgeline is a unibody vehicle, meaning it doesn't have a separate frame. It shares its underpinnings with the three-row unibody Honda Pilot SUV, which is evident when you drive it. This unconventional construction gives the Ridgeline the ride comfort of an SUV combined with the towing and cargo area of ​​a smaller truck. Although this diminishes its off-road ability compared to its competitors' more massive models, the Ridgeline makes an excellent impression in the concrete jungle. Offered exclusively as a four-door Crew Cab with a five-foot bed, the Ridgeline is powered by a nice 280 horsepower V6 with a nine-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard. Behind the wheel, you'd never guess you're driving a pickup truck, which is exactly why it's been a multiple Editors' Choice winner.

Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz qualifying as a true pickup truck is debatable, but its distinctive design and useful cargo box are less debatable. Of course, there are mid-size trucks that can tow more -- the Hyundai's maximum is 5,000 pounds -- and perform better in mud and on rocky paths. But the Santa Cruz isn't trying to pass itself off as those angry-looking, trail-eating, construction mule pickup trucks. Think of it more like a compact Hyundai Tucson SUV with a truck bed. After all, the two share a platform and powertrains. The engine lineup includes a 191-hp undercharged four-cylinder and an optional 281-hp turbo four-cylinder that revs up the performance of the Santa Cruz. While the weaker engine is available with either front- or all-wheel-drive, the beefier mill only pairs with all-wheel-drive; it is reserved for the two upper trim levels. The Premium and Limited SELs have the best tech and the nicest interiors, but they trade fewer physical controls for less convenient touchscreen buttons and are considerably more expensive than the cheaper models. Still, the 2023 Santa Cruz shines with its balance of functionality and enjoyable driving personality. The Premium and Limited SELs have the best tech and the nicest interiors, but they trade fewer physical controls for less convenient touchscreen buttons and are considerably more expensive than the cheaper models. Still, the 2023 Santa Cruz shines with its balance of functionality and enjoyable driving personality. The Premium and Limited SELs have the best tech and the nicest interiors, but they trade fewer physical controls for less convenient touchscreen buttons and are considerably more expensive than the cheaper models. Still, the 2023 Santa Cruz shines with its balance of functionality and enjoyable driving personality.

Rivian R1T

Tech startup Rivian wasn't the first company to produce an electric pickup truck, but the 2023 R1T's smart design and impressive performance earned it a spot on our 10 Best Trucks and SUVs for 2023 list. A Ford Ranger, the R1T is powered by two or four electric motors, depending on the model, with the most powerful version producing a robust 835 horsepower and allowing maximum towing up to 11,000 pounds. Its more compact size makes it easier to maneuver in tight places compared to gargantuan full-size offerings such as the Ford F-150 Lightning and GMC Hummer EV SUT. The Rivian's cabin is equipped with luxury features and numerous technologies, including a large 16.0-inch infotainment and a separate digital gauge display. We enjoyed testing the R1T both on-road and off-road, and the latter was made easier by the truck's standard adjustable air suspension, available off-road tires and an optional carbon-fiber underbody shield.