11-17-21

Top 5 Most Reliable Pickup Trucks

Now, more than ever, people care about the reliability and dependability of the vehicle they are driving, especially when it comes to pickup trucks. Wanting a dependable truck may seem obvious, and most modern pickup trucks will not leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere after breaking down for seemingly no reason. So, with modern technology, why are people still so concerned with finding a reliable vehicle?

In this day and age, being reliable means not breaking down forever after 80,000 miles. It means being able to keep and use the truck after the initial period, and not having to fork out thousands upon thousands of dollars when major elements in the truck need replacing. Under these definitions and terms, here are five of the most reliable pickup trucks, along with a few comparisons with other pickup trucks that didn't make this list.

1. Nissan Frontier

The Nissan Frontier is available in a four-door crew cab or extended cab with five-foot and 6.1-foot box lengths. It is a 2.5L four-cylinder 152-hp engine, or you can opt for the more expensive 261-hp version with the 4.0L V6 engine that also has higher trims. This is one of the most reliable midsize pickup trucks on the market according to consumer reports. Even when bought as used trucks, they are midsized trucks with a half-ton of reliability.

The pickup truck has an estimated 6,710-lb towing capacity. As you know, the model year does make a difference in some cases, but anything post-2017 is pretty good. The four-liter version offers a little more than this, with the implied reasoning that you could do your towing a little faster.

This may not be the Nissan Titan, and may not have a V8 engine, but it does come with 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, it has a factory-applied spray-on bed liner. It has a 5.8-inch touchscreen display for navigation and a utility-track bed channel system.

You may ask how this is better than something like the Ford F-150. And, where it is true that this Nissan cannot take the sort of beatings and damage that the Ford F-150 can, the Nissan is reliable in a different way.

2. Ford Ranger

This pickup truck has three trim levels (XL, XLT, Lariat) and comes with a series of driver-assist features. It is a modern driver’s vehicle, suitable for town and city driving. It comes with a 270-hp turbocharged EcoBoost engine, which is a 2.3L four-cylinder engine that pulls 310 lb-ft of torque.

When properly equipped, the 2.3L can tow an estimated 7,500 lbs, and carry an estimated payload capacity of 1,860 lbs. As you would expect from its name, there is a 4X4 Off-Road package that comes with your typical all-wheel drive, an electronic-locking rear axle, crawl control, and terrain management system and configurations. The Ford Ranger has 16-inch silver steel wheels and a rearview monitor with hitch assist. The 4 x 4 models have black front tow hooks and they have a SYNC infotainment system with a 4.2-inch display.

How does the Ford Ranger compare to something like the Toyota Tundra? On the one hand, the Ford Ranger offers much less torque than the Toyota Tundra, and the Tundra is better at transporting people. The Ford, however, costs significantly less and does almost double the miles per gallon of the Toyota Tundra. 

After 80,000 miles of hard work, the Tundra is going to need major repairs, whereas the Ford will need fewer repairs, will still be in working order, and its major components will cost far less to replace. You are also less likely to run out of gas halfway through a job when you are using the Ford Ranger.

blue Ford ranger pickup truck

3. GMC Canyon

Built for highways and for slightly rougher terrain, this pickup truck comes with a two- and four-passenger extended cab option, as well as a five-seat crew cab. It is like a hybrid between a Jeep and a midsize truck, with all the redesign and treads one would want from a reliable pickup truck. The GMC Canyon has a 2.8L four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, with SLE and higher trims, and is able to tow around 7,700 lbs. It comes with an optional EZ-Lift, along with a lower tailgate. Buy from a showroom, and you also get 18-inch aluminum wheels, four-way power-adjustable front seats, leather-appointed front buckets seats, and heated front seats.

How does this truck size up against a heavy-duty full-size pickup like the Dodge Ram 1500? Well, other than the GMC Canyon being less expensive than the Dodge Ram 1500, the Canyon has better fuel mileage and still has a lot of space considering its size. The Ram is the typical powertrain, which is great, but when it comes to reliability scores, it doesn't suggest you'll get a smooth ride. Plus, the GMC Canyon does a far better job of transmitting the horsepower of the engine to the wheels than the Ram does. In terms of how much money you will spend on repairs over the years, the GMC Canyon beats the Ram by quite a distance. Then again, if the cost of parts and repairs on the Dodge Ram 1500 were lower, then perhaps it would have fared better on this list.

4. Chevrolet Colorado

As a mid-sized truck, it is one of the best trucks and most compact trucks for nimbly running through busy cities and construction sites. You can pick between extended-cab and crew-cab body styles, and there is both a short and long bed length to choose from. It has a 2.8L turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine that gives an average of 30 mpg gas mileage on a highway. In terms of fuel efficiency and fuel economy, this heavy-duty truck is surprisingly impressive. This pickup trick a 2.8L can tow around 7,700 lbs. If you buy from a showroom, you get the 17-inch metallic-painted cast-aluminum wheels, cruise control, and power-adjustable side view mirrors.

Compare this truck to something like the Toyota Tacoma, and you'll see the Tacoma has a 3.5-liter V6 engine that has 278 horsepower with 265 lb.-ft. of torque. The Tacoma is also lighter and has a higher towing capacity. So why rate the Chevrolet Colorado over the Toyota Tacoma, especially when you consider that the Tacoma has a better safety record and better resale value? The reason is that the Toyota Tacoma takes a lot of work and effort in order to maintain its value and keep it running smoothly. That is not to say that you can abuse the Chevrolet, it just means that if you are not taking 100% care of your Colorado, then the machine is not going to punish you for it. The Tacoma does beat out the Chevy Colorado in many areas, but in order to maintain its condition, the Tacoma needs the sort of care, attention, and time that many drivers cannot afford.

red Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck

5. Honda Ridgeline

Like many full-size pickup trucks, this truck has a standard dual-action tailgate swings around the back and the side for easier access to the lockable in-bed trunk. As a new truck, It has a 280-hp engine, which is a 3.5L V6 engine, it has great ride quality and reliability ratings. It has uni-body construction along with fully independent suspension, so you can be sure of a nicely balanced ride. Buy from a showroom, and you also get 18-inch alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel, a driver seat with two-position memory, a blind-spot information system, and a cross-traffic monitor.

So, how would the Honda Ridgeline compare to something like the Chevrolet Silverado? Well, the Silverado is more of a workhorse, being able to haul 1,933 pounds compared to the Ridgeline, which can handle around 1,487 pounds. 

The Honda has a lockable storage compartment in the bed, and the tailgate opens onto the side and on the back. Both trucks have a trailer hitch, and yet the Silverado tows 5,900 pounds whereas the Ridgeline tows around 5,000 pounds. But, as it has come to light, we have learned more and more about the transmission and engine problems that the Chevy Silverado has. People who use the vehicle often for work purposes are not getting very good value for their money when it comes to repairs. Whereas no such problems occur easily with the Honda Ridgeline, according to consumers. The Honda is pretty easy to maintain and would have probably done a lot better in this list if its fuel system lasted a few thousand miles more than it does.

If you are in the market for a new truck or want to upgrade your current vehicle, it may be time to sell your old car- and we want to buy it! We know that selling your car can be a time-consuming and stressful process. That's why, at IMX Auto, we will give you an accurate and honest quote for your vehicle in only 2 minutes or less. Get a quote online today or visit us in-store to get started!

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