What's the Best Half-Ton Truck for 2018?
It's been a big year so far in the pickup truck business — three of the top vehicles in the market are brand-new. These redesigned challengers have been unleashed into the red-hot full-size pickup class in the hopes of dethroning — or at least taking a big bite out of — America's perennial sales favorite, the Ford F-150.
2018 Best Half-Ton Truck Challenge
Results | |
Five out of six automakers accepted our invitation to this 2018 Best Half-Ton Truck Challenge, sending us what they deemed their best half-ton pickup; we did not have a price cap. The redesigned 2019 Ram 1500 is making a play for the high-end market by introducing one of the nicest interiors you can get in an American vehicle — any American vehicle. The redesigned 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is trying to entice loyal repeat customers by delivering a vehicle that drives much better than the old one. GMC's new 2019 Sierra 1500 brings some new technology to the party with a slick new tailgate and a carbon-fiber bed. The 2019 Nissan Titan continues to refine itself, now with a better multimedia screen and a Fender high-end audio system. And, of course, the best-selling truck in the class, the Ford F-150, carries over relatively unchanged for 2018 with its all-aluminum construction and turbocharged V-6 engine.
Why didn't Toyota accept our invite on behalf of the 2019 Tundra? We're guessing it's because the truck hasn't been significantly updated in years, and in the last we did in 2015, the recently refreshed model placed a distant fifth out of five competitors. The Nissan Titan light duty, however, has never participated in one of our shootouts — only its bigger brother the Titan XD has — so the new Nissan was due for a shot at the title.
The Judges
To evaluate the latest and greatest half-ton trucks, we brought along three expert judges:
- Mark Williams, PickupTrucks.com editor: Williams has been driving pickups and 4x4s for more than 30 years, reporting on all aspects of pickup trucks and running PickupTrucks.com for the last eight years.
- Aaron Bragman, Cars.com Detroit bureau chief: Bragman has been a truck reviewer for more than a decade, logging thousands of miles towing and hauling as well as reporting on the class and industry.
- Andy Mikonis, regular PickupTrucks.com contributor: Mikonis has been a professional car and truck reviewer for more than 18 years, driving up to 100 new vehicles annually; he's also owned six full-size pickups and a few truck-based SUVs.
Testing and Scoring
Nashville, Tenn. — aka Music City — where they write songs about trucks like these served as ground zero for our week of testing. We had 16 empirical categories to score, of which 11 were measured through testing. These included tests of acceleration, braking, cabin noise levels and fuel economy while towing. We even threw the trucks on a dyno and measured exactly how much horsepower and torque each one was putting out. Combined with our subjective tests that had our judges rating areas like interior quality, value, cabin storage, visibility and driving dynamics, we arrived at a score for each truck. Empirical scores could stack up to a total of 1,600 points, while the subjective judges' scores added in a possible 600 more, for a total possible perfect score of 2,200 points. None of the trucks scored perfectly, of course, but it was enlightening to see where each of these models had its strengths and weaknesses.
To learn more about how we conducted our Challenge testing, see our article. To find out how each of these trucks was equipped, see the What You Get chart below.
Here's how each of the five trucks fared in our tests.
No. 5: 2019 Nissan Titan Pro-4X, 1,887 points
Our Test Vehicle
As-tested price: $54,190
Equipment: 390-horsepower, 5.6-liter Endurance V-8; seven-speed automatic transmission; part-time four-wheel drive; Bilstein off-road-tuned shock absorbers; electronic locking rear differential
Rear axle ratio: 2.94:1
Torque: 394 pounds-feet
Towing capacity: 9,380 pounds
Observed fuel economy, towing: 12.4 mpg
The verdict: Every successive Titan gets a little bit better, but the 2019 is still outclassed, outgunned and out-teched by the domestic competitors. Hampered by an older transmission and off-road gearing, the Nissan Titan scored tops only in the empty-bed 60-to-zero-mph braking test.
Analysis: The lone off-road-oriented entry in this test of on-road-focused pickups, the Titan's Pro-4X trim level didn't give it a disadvantage it in our testing. It was strong, capable and felt the most trucklike of all the entrants — the rest eschewed trucklike feel for carlike comfort. It did fall behind the pack due to its seven-speed transmission (its competitors had eight- or 10-speed models), tighter cabin space and a multimedia system that's improved for 2019 but still features a smaller touchscreen than all the competitors.
The Good
Driving dynamics: Everyone liked driving the Titan (when it wasn't towing), citing its civilized road manners and well-damped ride quality. "The drive experience here surprised me. I've been a fan of the Pro-4X for off-roading from the start, but I forgot how nice it daily drives on pavement," Williams noted.
Interior layout: While not the most modern interior, nor loaded up with the latest tech, the Nissan Titan still featured a well-thought-out cabin with big, legible gauges and easy-to-reach controls. Mikonis certainly was taken by it: "The leather on the steering wheel is nice. Even rear-seat passengers are treated to soft elbow points, seat heat, nice stitching, power points and USB ports."
Braking performance: The Titan scored top marks in only one empirical test: the empty-bed 60-to-zero-mph emergency braking test, where it beat the last-place Ram 1500 by a whopping 20 feet. Everyone praised its strong brakes out on the street: "Impressive brake feel on both ends of the spectrum," Williams said. "Very easy to modulate when looking to scrub just a touch of speed and when you have to dynamite the brakes."
The Bad
It's heavy: The Nissan Titan was the portliest truck in our test, which is amazing considering the amount of equipment both Ram and Chevrolet crammed into their respective trucks. The Titan weighed almost 6,000 pounds and had a 7,300-pound gross vehicle weight rating, but only a 1,360-pound payload capacity. Put five 200-pound guys in the cab and it doesn't leave much payload capacity for the bed.
Struggles when towing: That big Endurance V-8 engine has decent power, but sometimes has issues using it when you need it most. "I got into one tight spot merging when towing and didn't have the power to get out," Mikonis said. "It was working hard to pull that trailer; I wouldn't recommend it for frequently towing heavier loads like that — at least not up and down mountains." Fingers point to the Titan's 2.94:1 final drive ratio as the likely culprit.
Front-seat comfort: All the judges agreed that the Titan's seating position was different than that of the other trucks. The Nissan's seat bottoms have the driver sitting very high in the cabin, and they don't lower sufficiently for comfort. One of our taller judges found them to be intolerable: "The front seats were a deal breaker for me. I couldn't adjust the angle of the bottom to not feel upward pressure on my thighs," Mikonis said. "I couldn't get comfortable with the head restraints, either."
Research the 2019 Nissan Titan | Search Inventory |
No. 4: 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country, 1,952 points
Our Test Vehicle
As-tested price: $67,420
Equipment: 420-hp, 6.2-liter Ecotec V-8; 10-speed automatic transmission; part-time four-wheel drive; head-up display; automatic emergency braking; LED headlamps; power up/down tailgate; moonroof
Rear axle ratio: 3.23:1
Torque: 460 pounds-feet
Towing capacity: 9,560 pounds
Calculated fuel economy, towing: 11.9 mpg
The verdict: A welcome refinement and improvement over the old Silverado 1500, with dramatically better ergonomics and road manners, but the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is let down by a luxury trim interior that's uncompetitive.
Analysis: The Chevy delivered some decent empirical scores thanks to its 6.2-liter V-8 and well-matched 10-speed automatic transmission, delivering the highest dyno-tested horsepower and torque numbers. Yet it felt more like a mid-pack player in terms of acceleration and braking tests. But the knockout punch? Sure, it has a sleeker and cleaner design than the previous gen 1500, but our judges were unimpressed by the truck's new interior appointments. For a luxury truck charging luxury money, the new digs pale in comparison to the crosstown rival Ram 1500.
The Good
Big engine, big power: Everyone loved the big 6.2-liter V-8's massive power and torque. Empty, the thing roars around town with basso thunder; loaded and towing, it's like there isn't even a trailer there. "The powertrain was a huge standout for me — gobs of torquey thrust off the line and butter-smooth shifts at wide-open throttle," Williams said. Mikonis agreed: "For me, it's all about having the torque to handle a load drama-free."
Top-notch towing tech: Chevy's new trailering app makes it a cinch for people new to towing to learn how to hook everything up. It provides all kinds of camera angles through the backup camera, a checklist to make sure you've done everything you need to do and even an automatic light-checking function so you can check the lights on your own after connection. "I'm particularly impressed with the new trailering app and a lot of the associated tools that go along with it," Bragman said. "The cameras and the content make hooking up a trailer easier than it normally is."
Outstanding handling dynamics: The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was the athlete of the group thanks to its massive engine and big 22-inch wheels. "Over good road surfaces, the suspension is impressively smooth and quiet, and it's very impressive when pushed around corners — not something you typically associate with half-ton pickups," said Williams. Bragman agreed: "I really liked driving the Chevy. It has a well-tuned chassis and some of the best steering feel I've ever experienced in a pickup."
The Bad
Not nice enough inside: Judges were universally disappointed with Chevy's High Country trim appointments. "The interior has a lot of problems, from cheap trim — why is the door handle a two-piece plastic affair with unpleasant sharp edges? — to odd placement for the fake wood trim. It's all below your knees, where you can't see it anyway," Bragman said. "Underwhelmed by the High Country trim," agreed Mikonis. "You are welcomed in by chintzy plastic covers on the sills. I found uneven stitching on the seats. And the brown panel on the passenger-side dash looked like a giant turkey leg."
Not enough information: Chevy continues to believe that truck buyers only need so much information in the gauge cluster and no more — but we disagree. "Why have a stunningly well-matched and muscular engine and transmission if you're not going to allow your customers to see how it's working?" Williams asked. "We need to see what the tranny is doing and what gear it is in. Period."
Rough ride on bad roads: The price you pay for fashion. Some judges found that the 22-inch wheels on this High Country model imparted a rough ride felt in the cabin that wasn't present in its sibling GMC, which had smaller wheels and taller tires. On top of that, we suspected that the wheels had an impact on how the Chevy towed: "I would save the money and pass on the 22-inch wheels. I think they softened the springs for ride quality, causing them to sag when towing," Mikonis said.
Research the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | Search Inventory |
No. 3: 2019 Ram 1500 Limited, 1,976 points
Our Test Vehicle
As-tested price: $68,390
Equipment: 395-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8; eight-speed automatic transmission; part-time four-wheel drive; eTorque 48-volt mild-hybrid system; four-corner adjustable air suspension; RamBox cargo storage; Harman Kardon Premium Audio; adaptive cruise control; full-speed collision warning; electronic locking rear axle; panoramic moonroof
Rear axle ratio: 3.92:1
Torque: 410 pounds-feet
Towing capacity: 11,080 pounds
Calculated fuel economy, towing: 12.1 mpg
The verdict: With an interior that shames Cadillac and Lincoln, this may be the best American luxury vehicle you can buy, period — but all that swag prevents the Ram 1500 from being the best pickup it can be, leaving it struggling to catch up to more powerful competitors.
Analysis: The Ram's interior is a stunner — from the tactile feel of its wood trim to the massive, eye-popping touchscreen. It's obvious where Ram spent the development money. It won over our judges, who subjectively scored it as their favorite pickup of the test. It's still too heavy, however. It took almost a full second more from zero-to-60 mph than the quickest truck, recorded the longest stopping distances and delivered the worst payload capacity in the test.
The Good
Gorgeous interior: It's no exaggeration to call this one of the nicest interiors in the auto industry today. It's nicer than any American luxury brand and rivals the Germans in fit, finish and material quality. "The Limited's interior materials are stunning," Mikonis said. "I'm glad to see Ram continuing to showcase what they can do with interiors. It's too nice for anything beyond personal use. This one would definitely be the first choice for a transcontinental trip."
Hemi performance: It may not be the most powerful motor in the test, but damned if it doesn't sound like it is. "It sounds so gloriously mean," Bragman said. "And its power delivery is smooth, smooth, smooth." Around town, without a load, the Hemi V-8 is a sweet engine with plenty of usable torque and an engine bay design that we ranked as the best for most easily reaching serviceable items.
RamBox utility: Ram may not be reaching into new bed technology territory like GMC is, but the improvements to the RamBox storage bins are notable. "The small upgrades they've made to the new RamBox are subtle but impressively executed: lighting, 115-volt three-prong plug and pressure-touch latches. Another feature I wish was available on every pickup ever made," Williams said.
The Bad
Body panel fit: Maybe it was just that our test truck was an early production model, but the panel fit and finish on the Ram 1500 was notably poor. Mikonis was especially disappointed: "There was a significantly uneven gap between the grille and the bumper cover. Going around the truck, there was inconsistent fit between doors and fenders/body, and uneven gaps side to side."
Pricey luxury: Both in sticker price and performance — this was the most expensive truck in our test — but we weren't really upset about it. It's one of the few luxury vehicles we've driven, regardless of type, that actually feels like it's worth the cost that the manufacturer is charging. "Not surprisingly, this was the priciest player in our contest, and I understand there actually is a value argument to be made here," said Williams. "Still, this level of luxury seems designed for people who don't want or need a truck." The limited payload capacity seems to back that up.
Invisible eTorque system: This model included the $2,645 eTorque mild-hybrid system (it's standard on the Ram 1500 V-6 but optional on the Hemi V-8 truck) but not one of the judges could tell if it was doing anything. It's supposed to net 1 or 2 more mpg, but driving styles vary so widely, it was difficult to determine if the system was conserving fuel. We'd love something, anything, that demonstrates the system's function in motion — a power-flow screen on that fancy multimedia display or a light on the gauge cluster that lets us know when it's adding electric torque, something to prove we got our money's worth that doesn't require calculating its effect monthly at the gas pump.
Research the 2019 Ram 1500 | Search Inventory |
No. 2: 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat, 2,005 points
Our Test Vehicle
As-tested price: $61,030
Equipment: 375-hp, twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6; 10-speed automatic transmission; part-time four-wheel drive; Technology Package; blind spot information system with trailer detection; B&O Play Premium Audio; leather interior; Pro Trailer Backup Assist; power telescoping tow mirrors
Rear axle ratio: 3.55:1
Torque: 470 pounds-feet
Towing capacity: 12,800 pounds
Calculated fuel economy, towing: 13.2 mpg
The verdict: No longer the new kid on the block, the Ford F-150's lightweight construction and strong motor helped it turn in a solid showing against the newcomers, proving just how right Ford got this truck for its .
Analysis: Just 13 points separated the F-150 from the winner of this competition, with the Ford scoring strongly in towing, fuel economy and payload capacity thanks to its lightweight construction. Judges liked its driving dynamics and amenities, but they had issues with its seat comfort and value proposition — the Lariat was one of the least expensive of the group (technically a mid-level trim), but it did not offer as many safety and technology features found in its more expensive competitors.
The Good
Information presentation: Unlike Chevy, Ford doesn't mind providing its customers with all the details about what their truck is doing. From always showing the driver what gear the transmission is in to the best-in-class surround-view camera tech, Ford keeps the driver informed. "Maybe Ford customers like more info than Chevy customers, but if that's the case, Ford definitely played to their audience," Bragman said. "There's tons of usable data from the F-150's gauges and screens."
Towing champ: The combination of the powerful EcoBoost engine and smooth 10-speed automatic transmission made the F-150 one of our favorites for towing. "It's as if Ford is dumping the money in the right places here. Everything about towing shows extra effort — best towing mirrors, best surround-view camera setup, best max towing and gross combined weight rating numbers by far," Williams said.
Multiple drive modes: While the GM trucks had selectable drive modes, they didn't seem to affect the truck very much. Not so on the Ford F-150, with its five driving modes that transform how the truck operates. Williams was particularly smitten with this feature: "The five-level selectable transmission settings (that also impact steering feel and throttle sensitivity) are a huge standout feature. I hope every pickup truck I ever drive for the rest of my life has the same feature." Put the Ford F-150 into Sport mode and it becomes a legitimately fun sport truck. In Tow/Haul mode, it was stout and solid, barely registering the presence of the dump trailer full of cement board.
Fuel economy: The EcoBoost engine isn't known for being particularly fuel-efficient when towing a load, but when the truck is empty, it can do quite well. "Given our past experience when doing heavy towing with the EcoBoost, I was really surprised how well it performed when towing our dump beds through the Buffalo Valley," Williams reported. "Maybe with the addition of the new 10-speed transmission, we can hope for better mpg results from the F-150 twin-turbo option when empty and loaded."
The Bad
Seat comfort: Our judges differed greatly on the shape of the F-150's seats, with Mikonis rating them the best in the test and Bragman calling them out as odd and awful. "The seats may have been the most comfortable in the test," said Mikonis. "I've had issues with the head restraints on other Ford products, but not these. The cooling function worked the best, too." Bragman wasn't having it, however: "There's a lump in the seatback that just won't deflate enough, and the seat bottoms feel short. The combination of the two makes me feel like I'm always sitting on the edge of the seat."
Nice leather, cheap plastics: Kudos to Ford's interior stylists for choosing some dramatic colors for the F-150, but some of the material choices leave much to be desired. The seat leather is good, but the plastics on the dash, doors and steering wheel feel cheap, especially at this price level. It's not just on the inside, either — step on the Lariat's running boards, and they creak and flex, proving that they're just chrome-clad plastic.
Challenging technology: Ford's Sync 3 may have been a massive improvement over the company's prior multimedia system, but it's starting to show its age versus the latest from GM and Ram. "The Ford feels like it's not user-friendly," Mikonis said. "There's no one-touch/one-swipe function on the windshield wiper switch. The array of climate-control buttons is overcomplicated; the fan-speed buttons are too small and at the very bottom of the cluster of climate-control buttons. The preset buttons for the radio take up a lot of real estate. The center console screen graphics look dated, and I found the home button hard to hit when moving. And I couldn't smoothly slot the transmission into Drive without going past it to the Manual setting."
Bed access: This was a weird one. While every other truck had some sort of feature to help you easily get into the truck's bed — power running boards on the Chevy, GMC's MultiPro Tailgate on the Sierra, a kick plate on the Ram and Nissan — the brand that invented the tailgate with a step didn't have on one this $61,000 truck. The GMC MultiPro Tailgate is standard on its mid-level SLT trim — why isn't Ford's integrated tailgate step standard here?
Research the 2018 Ford F-150 | Search Inventory |
No. 1: 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT, 2,018 points
Our Test Vehicle
As-tested price: $63,040
Equipment: 420-hp, 6.2-liter Ecotec3 V-8; 10-speed automatic transmission; part-time four-wheel drive; MultiPro Tailgate; Max Trailering Package; Bose Premium Audio; 20-inch wheels; power moonroof; Trailer Camera Package
Rear axle ratio: 3.42:1
Torque: 460 pounds-feet
Towing capacity: 12,260 pounds
Calculated fuel economy, towing: 12.8 mpg
The verdict: GMC's redesigned Sierra 1500 is the quickest, strongest truck in this test, made better by the inclusion of some novel new technology.
Analysis: The new 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 turned in some positively stunning acceleration numbers thanks to its big 6.2-liter V-8 and transmission gearing, but it also came in tops in braking performance when loaded to max payload. The interior suffered from the same malaise as the Chevrolet, it but wasn't judged as harshly as the SLT trim isn't meant to be a luxury truck. It wasn't the judges' subjective favorite, but its strong empirical test results pushed it over the edge to win our comparison test.
The Good
Powertrain perfection: The judges were pretty sure that the powertrain combination in the Sierra — 6.2-liter V-8, 10-speed auto, max towing package — is what won the day for GMC. "This truck was the perfect combination for this test," Mikonis said. "The Sierra was my favorite truck for the types of driving we were doing." Williams agreed: "The 6.2 V-8 mated to the 10-speed does things effortlessly, instantly empowering the driver. The clear separator for the GMC is the towing package, which gave it the bigger rear axle, better final drive and tires, and the bigger payload and GCW numbers. In the end, that's probably what pushed it ahead."
Panel fit and build quality: Williams noted that the Sierra was screwed together better than any of the trucks in the test and was notably better than the Silverado, despite being made in the same factory on the same assembly line.
MultiPro Tailgate wonders: When GMC first showed the new , we were skeptical of its usefulness, but not anymore. It's a tailgate, it's a bed extender, it's a work surface, it's a step into the bed — the thing is genuinely useful. "I caught our photographer using the MultiPro Tailgate as a desk, completely spontaneously," Bragman said. "I've used it to haul loads of randomly shaped stuff, too, and it really does work." And it's standard on the mid-range SLT model.
The Bad
Same interior as the Silverado: While the GMC Sierra's exterior styling is substantially different than the Silverado, that didn't carry over to the interior. "The layout is fine, but at least make the buttons different," Williams said. The SLT interior really isn't all that different in materials quality from the supposedly lux Silverado High Country, Bragman noted. "The leather isn't any worse; the wood trim is still fake; and you're missing the head-up display, but you've saved around $4,000 off the sticker price, so it evens out," he said.
MultiPro Tailgate worries: As cool as the new tailgate is, it's made up of a lot of pieces, parts and fiddly bits that weren't screwed together as well as we'd like. "I'm curious how people will receive the MultiPro Tailgate due to the fact that there are so many moving parts in there, with extra latches and seals that need to keep out ice, dust and water," Williams said. "It has value, but more parts and pieces could mean more expensive repairs." We also noted a potential issue with the tailgate: If you leave your hitch ball in the hitch and activate both of the tailgate panels without guiding it down with your hand, it will slam hard into the ball, potentially denting the top panel of the tailgate.
Premium fuel: The price you pay for having that big engine doesn't just happen at the dealership: It's going to happen at the pump every time you fill up and decide to use Premium. The 6.2-liter Ecotec3 suggests premium fuel, adding to its expense if you so choose. While its mid-pack fuel-economy numbers seemed respectable, you'll could be paying more per fill-up than most of the other trucks depending on how you drive.
Outward visibility: "One thing GM didn't change was the bunkerlike cabin visibility," Bragman said. There's a big, imposing dash in front of you, combined with a blocky, upright hood and a short windshield. "The mirrors were suitable for towing, but their wide bases and the thick A-pillars add up to a large forward blind spot," added Mikonis. "Also, the bottom of the rear side window frame kicks up at the rear accentuating the rear blind spot." In short, not the best outward visibility in this pickup truck.
Just like in our , the judges all subjectively picked the Ram as their favorite, but the numbers tipped the scoring in favor of a GM product. This time, however, it's the new 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT crew-cab half ton that's won the top honors.
The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500's combination of impressive performance results along with a spacious, well-equipped cabin; a monster of a powertrain; and some fetching new looks put it on top for this Challenge. It performs better than its luxury Chevrolet sibling, is just as nice inside, has some unique and useful tailgate tech, and is even less expensive to boot.
If you're looking for a luxury vehicle, the Ram 1500 can't be beat, and if you want a Tonka truck, the Nissan Pro-4X is a hoot. The Ford F-150 is a solid choice for someone who wants all-around performance. But if you're looking for a workhorse that combines style, ability, new technology and value, the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 is our new champ.
Research the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 | Search Inventory |
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Cars.com photos by Christian Lantry
