Best Full-Size Trucks for 2023

Why Should I Buy a Full-Size Truck?

The Ford F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle in America for over 40 years, and the Ram 1500 pickup and the Chevrolet Silverado are also mainstays on the list of best-selling vehicles. Whether it’s for workplace heavy-hauling or as a family vehicle, Americans love half-ton pickup trucks. Perhaps what’s most alluring about a full-size pickup is its versatility. And because they come in a number of different configurations, you can customize your full-size pickup truck to suit your needs. 

Most large pickups have a wide range of trims, from bare-bones workhorses to luxurious and even off-road-capable. Pickup trucks also have a number of bed lengths ranging from 5.5 feet to 8 feet and are available with one or two rows of seating. A regular cab pickup is the most basic and affordable cabin choice, offering a single row of seats and, usually, a rudimentary set of features. Regular cab trucks also have the highest towing capacity due to their lower overall weight. If you plan on hauling more than two passengers and require a rear seat, you can go with an extended cab or crew cab configuration, which both offer two rows of seats. Extended cab trucks provide a second row for more passenger and cargo space behind the front seats, but are the smaller of the two. Crew cab trucks provide even more space for front and rear passengers compared to extended cabs and have full-size rear doors, while extended cabs either have just two doors or a second set of smaller doors.

If you’re using your truck as a family hauler or want your passengers to ride comfortably in the back seat, a crew cab is likely the best choice. Conversely, if you’re using the truck as a work truck and don’t plan on regularly hauling passengers, you might want to pick an extended cab for the occasional third or fourth passenger need. Because crew cabs are longer than extended cabs, they often have smaller beds than extended cab trucks. 

Due to their ruggedness and utility, the typical full-size pickup truck is not praised for its fuel economy. However, modern pickup trucks have evolved to include both hybrid and electric powertrains. New hybrid trucks to the scene include the Toyota Tundra Hybrid and the Ford F-150 Hybrid, while electrics include the GMC Hummer EV and the Ford F-150 Lightning. 

What Are the Best Full-Size Pickup Trucks?

The full-size trucks on our list are capable haulers worthy of transporting your precious cargo, whether it’s a family of five or a bed full of construction material. They also vary in terms of capability and luxury. The Toyota Tundra received a highly anticipated redesign for the 2022 model year, which was its first major update since 2007. The Tundra is known for its high build quality and low ownership costs, and it comes with a full suite of standard safety features. It’s also only available as a five-seater and doesn’t have a regular cab configuration. While it offers a respectable towing capacity of 12,000 pounds, it does not tow as much as its American counterparts. The Tunda’s most powerful engine is a 437-horsepower hybrid drivetrain pairing a V6 with an electric motor. The newest Tundra is the only full-size truck that isn’t available with a V8 engine, but with a 12,000-pound tow rating it’s no slouch when pulling a heavy load. Those looking for an off-roader can check out the Tundra’s TRD pro trim. 

The Ram 1500 is both luxurious and capable thanks to its high-end cabin and 12,750-pound towing capacity. The Ram 1500 has eight trims ranging from the base-level quad-cab with limited standard features to the luxurious Limited trim, which is full of infotainment and performance features like wireless device charging and a heated steering wheel. There’s also the Ram 1500 TRX off-roader trim, which features the same 702-horsepower supercharged V8 engine found on the Dodge Challenger and Charger Hellcat models.

The Ford F-150 offers six different powertrains, eight unique trim levels, three bed lengths, and three cab designs. The F-150 has a maximum towing capacity of 14,000 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 3,325, which is among the best in class. Whatever your hauling needs, there is an F-150 to fulfill them. From the entry XL regular cab trim with cloth seats to the Limited trim with luxe features, including a moonroof and massaging front seats, to the range-topping off-road-ready Ford F-150 Raptor with heavy-duty skid plates and 34-inch tires. And with the all-electric F-150 Lightning added to the mix, you can now tow or off road in complete silence, with up to 2,235 pounds of payload capacity or 10,000 pounds of max towing capacity.

Similarly, the Chevy Silverado and its upmarket cousin the GMC Sierra 1500 are full-size haulers with a wide range of trim levels and engine options. Available powertrains include a 285-horsepower V6, a 310-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, a 355-horsepower V8, a 420-horsepower V8, and a 277-horsepower turbodiesel V6. These engines are paired with a six-, eight-, or 10-speed automatic transmission, depending on engine choice. The Silverado can tow up to 13,300 pounds while the Sierra can tow up to 11,800. Those looking for a luxurious pickup can opt for the Sierra’s Denali trim, which comes standard with wireless device charging, a safety alert seat, front and rear parking sensors, lane change alert, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and an upgraded infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen, Apple Carplay, Android Auto, and a navigation system.

What Other Vehicles Should You Consider?

Modern midsize pickup trucks have grown in size and capability over the past two decades and are viable alternatives to full-size pickup trucks. While they generally have a lower payload and towing capacity, they have better fuel efficiency and are easier to park and maneuver, particularly in city environments. Be sure to check out our Best Midsize Truck list to see if a smaller pickup truck might better suit your needs. Similarly, if you are interested in towing capability, but don’t require a pickup truck for hauling, you can check out our list of Best Large SUVs, which features workhorse SUVs that are built on truck platforms.