Hoovey689

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PickupTrucks.com Latest Truck Comparo

It had to be done. The half-ton pickup truck segment is going through too much growth to make you wait, even for a second. With so many pickups overhauled, we knew we had to bring all the half-ton players back together again to find out exactly where everyone stands. And since nobody tests as thoroughly or exhaustively as we do, it had to be us. And it had to be now.

Longtime PUTC readers know the last time we brought these trucks together it was for our 2011 $30,000 Shootout, where we placed few constraints on the manufacturers to create their best $30,000 pickup. The 2011 Ram 1500 won that contest but it wasn't without controversy. Not only did Ford send a regular cab among extended cabs, but due to a car-carrier fire with our test Toyota inside we never received the new Tundra for the competition.

For this test, we put a price limit on the manufacturers and we added a few requirements. All test trucks had to be four-wheel drive, have four full-size doors, be able to tow at least 8,500 pounds, and the total as-tested price had to be below $45,000 (including destination charges). What we got were six well-equipped half-ton pickups, which collectively offered almost 2,500 pounds-feet of torque and cost more than a quarter million dollars. But we knew we couldn't do this by ourselves.

In the past we've partnered with huge newspapers, enthusiast magazines, TV shows and others. This time we decided to work with automotive and technology experts at Popular Mechanics in order to judge this hugely important group — to both makers and buyers — of pickup trucks. Mike Austin and Ben Wojdyla are both longtime automotive specialists who know their way around a pickup and have seen quite a few models come and go.

This class has changed quite a bit over the last few years. Both Chevy and GMC are coming to market with their highly anticipated all-new Silverado and Sierra; Ford has introduced (and been incredibly successful with) a new lineup of engines since we last saw the F-150; and Ram introduced its latest half-ton incarnation only months ago and is enjoying huge sales gains as a result. The two oldest players in the segment are now the import pickups (although it's important to note that the trucks themselves are built here in the U.S.), with both the Toyota Tundra (with a new interior and exterior coming for 2014) and Nissan Titan (we hear 2015 will have big changes) the oldest designs in this class.

The 2013 Light-Duty Challenge competitors are:

2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Z71 Crew Cab
2013 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew
2014 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE Z71 Crew Cab
2013 Nissan Titan PRO-4X Crew Cab
2013 Ram 1500 SLT Big Horn Crew Cab
2013 Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax

As for scoring, we broke down the test into separate categories. Our quantitative section has 13 categories, and each was scored this way: The top finisher got 100 points, and the rest were scored by how close they were to the winner. Those tests included highest calculated payload, top towing capacity, fuel economy, acceleration (with and without a payload, and with an 8,500-pound trailer), braking and more, with a total of 1,300 points at stake.


Our qualitative section was broken down into three parts. Each of our four judges (Mark Williams and Aaron Bragman from PickupTrucks.com, and Austin and Wojdyla from Popular Mechanics) determined each truck's score on a 1-to-10-point scale in six separate areas: interior quality, layout and features; exterior quality, fit and finish, and features.

Each judge also gave each truck a score from 1 to 100 based on how much value that truck offered for the money. The total number of points possible for the qualitative section was 640, or about one-third of the 1,940 total points available for the entire challenge. None of our categories were weighted, so depending on what priorities you have or believe are most important, you can recalculate the data we've collected to choose your own winner.

We conducted our testing in and around Ann Arbor, Mich., during May with temperatures ranging from the 70s to the high 80s each day under clear skies (we got lucky). Our acceleration and brake testing was done at the Chrysler Proving Grounds in Chelsea, while our hill climb was conducted at the same 7.2 percent hill-climb area at the General Motors Milford Proving Grounds track where we conducted our Heavy-Duty Shootout in 2010. Additionally, our autocross course for this test was held at the Milford Black Lake Vehicle Dynamics Area, where we conducted portions of our 2011 $30,000 Shootout.

It's worth noting that we hired a representative from RaceLogic to run and collect all our VBOX test data as an objective third party.

The Players

2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Z71 Crew Cab


In order to meet our $45,000 limit, Chevy started with a Silverado crew cab base priced at $40,525 (all base prices include destination), and then added the all-new EcoTec3 5.3-liter V-8 engine with 355 horsepower and 383 pounds-feet of torque (an $895 option), and the LT Z71 Package, which offers better 4x4 protection, bigger tires, hill descent control, additional badging and monotube Rancho shocks. Our Victory Red Silverado had the carryover 6L80 six-speed transmission and 3.42:1 rear axle gears, but it did get a trailer brake controller ($230), 6-inch side steps ($700) and a Bose speaker system ($500), which was connected to the 8-inch MyLink touch-screen. Our test truck also got the LT Plus Package ($785), which included a sliding rear window, adjustable pedals, rear park assist and a few other minor additions. Lastly, our Silverado had the All Star Edition Package ($1,080) that added conveniences like 10-way power adjustable driver's seat, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, the trailering package, rearview camera and more. The final tally for our Victory Red Silverado 1500 built in Silao, Mexico, was $44,715.

2013 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew


If you're a longtime PickupTrucks.com reader, you might remember Ford's controversial decision to send us a regular cab XLT pickup for our 2011 $30,000 Shootout. That decision didn't turn out so well, and we're guessing that's probably why Ford decided to take a different course this time, opting for a lower-level trim package that allowed for plenty of options. The base SuperCrew 4x4 with the short bed had a starting price of $39,325 but Ford did add the full XLT Package ($4,080), which included a power driver's seat, adjustable pedals, select-shift transmission, six months of satellite radio, backup sensors and a rearview camera. Add to that the EcoBoost engine and six-speed transmission ($1,095), 3.73:1 gears ($100), an Off-Road Package with locking differential and extra skid plating ($770), the Max Trailer Tow Package with the 36-gallon fuel tank and telescoping mirrors ($335), a tailgate step ($375) and a spray-in bedliner ($475). Top that off with a $1,750 302A Group D discount and our Blue Jeans Metallic F-150 built in Dearborn, Mich., finished at $44,805.

2014 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE Z71 Crew Cab


Our all-new GMC Sierra 1500 came to us with four-wheel drive and four full-size doors in the new crew cab configuration. This is an entirely new crew cab for GM. The setup has slightly smaller front doors (meaning the B-pillar was moved forward a few inches) in order to make the rear doors larger, allowing rear-seat passengers several more inches of foot and knee room. Our base Sierra 1500 SLE came in at $40,650 but offered a few options. The addition of the SLE Value Package ($1,720) gave our truck the Trailering Equipment Package, power adjustable driver's seat, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, remote start, dual-zone climate controls and more. We also upgraded from the base 4.3-liter V-6 to the 5.3-liter V-8 ($895) and the Z71 Off Road Suspension Package ($775), which gave us aluminum wheels, hill descent control, monotube Rancho shocks and a high-capacity air cleaner. We added a trailer brake controller for $230, and the final option was better all-terrain tires for an additional $200. Tallied with our $750 SLE Value Package discount, our Fire Red Sierra 1500 made in Silao, Mexico, finished at $43,720.

2013 Nissan Titan Pro-4X Crew Cab


Our Titan already came well-equipped with its base-trim packaging and therefore offered relatively few options. Although the aging engine is down on comparative power and EPA fuel-economy numbers, the $45,000 threshold meant that there was plenty of room to add both the Pro-4X Utility Package ($1,500) and the Pro-4X Luxury Package ($2,630). This meant our Titan included items such as a premium Rockford Fosgate sound system, power pedals, a spray-in bedliner and Utili-track cargo system with adjustable tie-downs, and heated, extendable tow mirrors. In addition, the Luxury Package gave us the center-stack color navigation screen and heated, leather-wrapped and power-controlled front seats. The base-price Nissan Titan without the Pro-4X add-ons lists at $40,235, but with both the option packages and the $150 Pro-4X floor mats, our Graphite Blue test unit made in Canton, Miss., came in at $44,515.

2013 Ram 1500 SLT Big Horn Crew Cab


Our Hemi- and eight-speed-equipped ($500) new Ram 1500 came to us with the second-lowest base price of the group while still meeting our requirements. This half-ton SLT crew cab lists for $38,295 and allowed Ram to include probably the longest list of options of any competitor. The Big Horn trim ($1,845) gave us 20-inch wheels, the premium 40/20/40 front bench seat, the 7-inch multiscreen gauge display, rear 60/40 split seats, under-seat fold-flat storage compartments and power seats with lumbar support. Additionally, the Luxury Group ($560) gave our Ram auto-dimming exterior mirrors, glove box and under-hood lamps, power heated mirrors and overhead console storage. Then there was the remote start and alarm ($350). Other add-ons Ram Truck included were the 3.55:1 gearing ($50), power heated towing mirrors ($100), HD Radio and an 8.4-inch touch-screen display with premium navigation and Uconnect access ($1,005), as well as four-corner air suspension ($1,595), backup camera ($200) and integrated brake controller ($230). Our Maximum Steel Metallic test unit, built in Warren, Mich., had a final price of $44,730.

2013 Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax


Our Tundra came to us pretty well-equipped, but did offer the lowest base ($35,825) and overall price of any of the competitors. Although not relevant to how and why we test, it's worth noting that where other manufacturers built their test units to meet our specifications, Toyota chose to pull its test unit from the existing media fleet. As well-equipped as it was, this was the only vehicle available that could meet our criteria. The base CrewMax gave us the largest cab of the group and quite a few options, which included the high-level radio and CD player with Bluetooth ($510), auto-dimming rearview mirror with the integrated backup camera ($475), 18-inch wheels and tires ($910), a tilting and sliding moonroof ($810), a drop-in, under-the-rail bedliner ($345), carpet floor mats ($195) and remote engine start ($499). Add to that the SR5 Package ($970), which included front power adjustable seats, upgraded fabrics, fog lamps and a center console shifter. Finally, our test unit came with the Max Tow Package ($660), which gave us better engine cooling, a bigger battery and alternator, 4.30:1 gears, a Tow/Haul button, and all the hitch and wiring necessary for trailering. Altogether, our Pyrite Mica Tundra test unit, built in San Antonio, Texas, listed for $41,199.

Judges Impressions:
http://special-reports.pickuptrucks....pressions.html

Acceleration:
http://special-reports.pickuptrucks....eleration.html

Braking:
http://special-reports.pickuptrucks....e-braking.html

Mileage Drive:
http://special-reports.pickuptrucks....age-drive.html

Hill-Climb:
http://special-reports.pickuptrucks....tion-test.html

Autocross:
http://special-reports.pickuptrucks....autocross.html

Max Payload and Towing:
http://special-reports.pickuptrucks....nd-towing.html

Results:


Sixth Place
2013 Nissan Titan Pro-4X | 1,605.5 points


Even though the Titan did not win a single category in our tests, the news is not all bad. The foundation of this truck is solid, and our judges seemed to have a soft spot for the Titan as the sportiest player in the segment. Sure, the engine and interior are the weakest links but there are some good qualities that Nissan can build off of when the next-generation Titan debuts, hopefully by 2015. The Titan was the last-place finisher in our quantitative testing, but our judges did not believe it deserved last place in interior and exterior scoring. At the end of the testing, the Titan was simply outgunned with more under-hood technology and firepower from the other trucks; it also is significantly in need of a new interior design. On a positive note, from what we're hearing, the next-gen Titan will offer many more powertrain options and cab configurations, something that all the players in this arena must have.

Fifth Place
2013 Toyota Tundra SR5 | 1,624.5 points


The Tundra did not win a single one of our testing categories either, but it did perform well during our most extreme tow tests, thanks in large part to a relatively solid Max Tow Package that included 4.30:1 axle gears but no integrated brake controller (just like the Nissan). Unfortunately, the biggest weaknesses centered on the outdated gauge cluster and split center stack, as well as the underperforming tire choice. The 2014 Toyota Tundra is set to debut later this year with a new interior and exterior design, and since our judges scored the current Tundra in last place for our contest in both those categories, we'd say that's good timing. Our judges all liked the powerful sound that the Tundra's engine made when hauling and towing, but it somehow seems appropriate given the quality of the all-new or recently updated competitive powertrains that the Tundra finished fifth in our quantitative tests, fifth in our qualitative categories and fifth in total points. As a small piece of advice, we'd suggest giving some serious thought to updating and modifying this truck's powertrain and chassis choices soon.

Fourth Place
2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Z71 | 1,715.75 points


The only contest the new Chevy Silverado 1500 won was the fuel economy loop with the trailers in tow, scoring just a hair better than its GMC cousin. Beyond that one category, the Silverado was a solid middle-of-the-pack player, often getting close to joining the leaders, yet never threatening to join the bottom two. It's worth noting the Silverado is less than 34 points from third place and more than 90 points better than fifth position. Due to a few option differences with the GMC, the Chevy weighed 60 pounds heavier than its cousin, which generally hurt it most in performance and fuel economy (at least when empty). With our judges, the new Silverado was usually a top-three finisher, garnering plenty of comments about creature comforts and stellar ride quality; unfortunately, the GMC interior resonated with our judges just a touch louder. Finishing in fourth place after all the quantitative testing and calculations, and a strong third place in the qualitative portion, the 2014 Chevy Silverado just couldn't keep up with the better-looking and ever-so-slightly better-performing Sierra.

Third Place
2014 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE Z71 | 1,749.25 points


If there was a surprise in this competition, it was that the all-new GMC Sierra 1500 won two of our 13 quantitative contests outright, and came in second in four others, all done without a maximum trailer package or the all-new 6.2-liter V-8 (both arriving later this year). Impressively, that put the GMC within striking distance of the Ford (only 55 points behind out of 1,300) after the quantitative section of the test. Unfortunately, the GMC made up less than 40 points in the judge's scoring, winning the exterior styling portion outright but finishing in second place to the Ram 1500 in both interior and overall value. Our judges were clearly impressed with the new material choices and gauge cluster layout inside the GMC but they weren't impressed enough to take away points from Ram or Chevy, both of which also scored well. As strong as the push was for the Sierra near the end (it was like we were watching a long-distance runner finish a marathon with back-to-back five-minute miles), it wasn't enough to overtake the hard-performing Hemi in the Ram 1500 or the monster-strong F-150.

Second Place
2013 Ram 1500 SLT Big Horn | 1,753.5 points


Watching the top two in a comparison test like this is more like witnessing King Kong wrestle a giant anaconda or a T-rex; you know you shouldn't be standing around watching the bloody battle, but it's just too dang mesmerizing to look away. Together, the Ford and Ram pickups won more than three-quarters of all the test events. In fact, the new Ram 1500 won five separate events (both autocross tests, both hill-climb events and the empty zero-to-60 run), as well as coming in a close second in three categories. Additionally, the new Ram was a strong player with our judges, winning both the interior and overall value categories, and finishing second in the exterior section behind the stylish GMC. If the Ram 1500 had one obvious weakness, it was in our calculated payload and towing capacity events. In those two categories, the Ram gave up the most points of any other competitor in any event, and with that huge distance to make up, it couldn't close the gap enough on the Ford no matter how well it performed in the other events. In the end, this truck missed the tape by a nose.

First Place
2013 Ford F-150 XLT | 1,765 points


Say what you will about the F-150, but as the biggest-selling half-ton in the U.S. offering the most engine choices and trim packages in the class, you had to think this was the favorite from Day One. Although the F-150 hasn't won a PUTC comparison test since the 2010 V-6 Work Truck Shootout, we should note we're not counting last year's Ultimate 4x4 Shootout because the Ford Raptor is in a class by itself. The performance in this well-equipped XLT SuperCrew with its Max Tow Package was, quite simply, dominating. In the quantitative section of our test, with 13 different performance tests and max rating calculations, the Ford outdistanced the competition by a significant margin. It won five competitive events outright and came in second in six others. However, in the qualitative section of our testing, the Ford's domination fell short. In fact, even though the F-150 did not garner any harsh criticisms, the XLT interior was clearly not up to the levels seen in the new GM trucks and Ram 1500. After the judges' scores were sorted, the Ford never received higher than a third-place finish in this section, winding up in fourth place overall in our qualitative portion of the test. But this contest wasn't only about what a few experts think, so now that all the dust has settled on one of our most thorough and exhaustive half-ton pickup truck comparison tests, the 2013 Ford F-150 is PickupTrucks.com's 2013 Light-Duty Challenge Champion by 11.5 points more than the Ram and 15.75 points more than the GMC. Congrats to Ford and to all of our competitors, because this was one crazy, brutal battle royale.

http://special-reports.pickuptrucks....-overview.html

FrankReynoldsCPA

Lol at the Nissan Titan. Update it or discontinue it already.

Ford wins the day again.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Yup the Nissan is antiquated bar none.

This Tundra was never really able to crack the domestics. The 2014 has a nicer interior but the exterior is pretty poor IMO

Silverado/Sierra twins revised engines have strong numbers on paper

Ram continues to provide a strong option to other pickups on the market

Blue Oval reigns supreme!! Imagine what the redesign will bring!!

FrankReynoldsCPA

I will be sorely disappointed if the new F150 doesn't look a lot like the Atlas concept.

All they hype about the new Tundra in 07....fell on its face.

I fell in love with Ford trucks when my dad brought home an 86 F250 with the 6.9 diesel back when I was young. He replaced that a few years later with a 92 F350 with the 5.8 that we have had since 98. I've never had a reason to want anything else, and it doesn't look like that will change.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Similar case. I come from a Blue Oval family. Grandparents have only ever owned Ford, so did their kids up until a few years ago. My own family had a Thunderbird when I was born, two Taurus, Windstar, and an Explorer I drove until I purchased my Lexus, gave the Exploder to my littlest sister so it's still in the family. I currently have my parents in a RX and IS for themselves. And my grandpa just picked himself up a 2013 F-150 XLT 5.0 to replace his 97' F-150 XLT with 55,000 miles.

Lil4X

For the 99.999% of us who seldom tow or carry anything approaching a heavy load in the bed, it looks like the Ram is the clearly superior truck.

FrankReynoldsCPA

My grandfather drove an F150 as well until the day he died. It was a 94' F150 XLT. I think it had about 80,000 miles on it when he passed. My uncle bought it and keeps it pristine in his garage.

Toys4RJill

Yup I agree, the Tundra was supposed to be the truck that was "changing it all" and wow did it ever fall on its. Face.

I will say that it did win the MT Truck of the year and in 2007 the Tuundra was indeed impressive, but the truck needed constant tweaking and upgrades and it never got them. I still can believe that it is the only truck to still have a non boxed framee.

For 2014, I seriously can't wait to see it in person, I love the interior design and I am a big fan of the exterior.

FrankReynoldsCPA

I think the 2014 looks even worse than the 07 myself. And the interior looks nice.....because they took it from the F150

pbm317

I don't think the Tundra fell on its face as much as it has suffered from a lack of updates. In the first full year Tundra reached just about 200,000 sales, which put the Big 3 on notice. They went into heavy revisions, and have kept those incremental changes nearly every single year.

Whereas Toyota basically didn't do anything until this mild refresh that's coming for 2014 model year.

The Big 3 pour hundreds of millions into the full size trucks because it's their LIFEBLOOD. It is estimated the trucks bring in 70% of more of their total profits, meaning the trucks keep everything else alive.

Conversely, for Toyota, the trucks are kind of seen as a bonus, and help them keep a label of "full line manufacturer"

Jim Lentz, CEO of Toyota North America reported that they're okay with the levels that Tundra and Tacoma are selling at because it's nearly at capacity for their truck plant in San Antonio. They would need to invest significant money and resources to go beyond that with an expanded facility or additional facility, which most automakers are pretty hesitant to do right now.

The people that are able to overcome some import brand stigmas and buy Toyota trucks are generally pretty pleased with their purchase.