The Best Full-Size Pickup Trucks to Buy in 2021

Full-size half-ton pickup trucks have become a way of life, a fact made all the clearer by the Ford F-150 , Chevy Silverado , and the Ram 1500 being the three bestselling vehicles in America. Not only amongst trucks—among all passenger vehicles. The modern versions of these top trucks , as well as the rest of the pickup-truck class , are as ready to commute to work and school as they are to tow a fishing boat or haul a load of mulch. As the sales charts indicate, the domestic brands (including GMC) still dominate the truck world , but the Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan remain to scoop up buyers looking for something out of the mainstream. We've driven, tested, and towed with every truck on this list in order to come up with our rankings . Read on to see the best full-size pickup trucks in 2021, ranked from worst to best:

6. 2021 Toyota Tundra

The current Toyota Tundra  is getting quite long in the tooth, having been introduced for 2007, and that in large part explains its last place here among today's full-size pickup trucks. It's outclassed by our top-rated trucks in terms of interior technology, fuel efficiency, driving dynamics, fuel economy, and, in most cases, aesthetics. But it's not all bad. Toyota's beefy truck has a beefy standard V-8 powertrain to match and it offers many advanced safety systems, too. It's also highly capable when the road ends, in particular the range-topping TRD Pro model with its remote-reservoir dampers and stout underside armor. And it's not like Toyota over-charges for the privilege—a fully loaded example lands well under sixty grand, where the increasingly luxurious top-level domestic rigs are just getting started. Still, you'll need to shop at a GM, Ford, or Ram store to get one of the best trucks for 2021, even if you're spending less. [ Read more about the Toyota Tundra ]

6. 2021 Toyota Tundra Pros, Cons, and Specs

A very comfortable ride, TRD Pro offers big off-road ability, reliable.

Poor fuel economy, limited choices, dated technology.

Specifications Base-Price Range: $35,270-$54,645

Available Engines: 5.7L V-8 (381 hp, 401 lb-ft)

Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 13/17-18/14-15 mpg

Max Towing Capacity: 10,200 pounds

5. 2021 Nissan Titan

Last year saw a few changes hit  the Nissan Titan  lineup, including a new nine-speed automatic transmission, slightly tweaked styling, and a simplified lineup of cab and bed choices. The excellent V-8 engine, too, gets a bit more power this year, and a new larger infotainment screen and more sound-deadening make the cabin more civilized. Still, the Nissan's driving manners lag behind those of the best trucks in the class, it can't tow as much, and its interior technologies and materials don't measure up, either. While  the updated Nissan Titan  is a better truck than before, it's not the best truck for your money, though it does eke ahead of the positively ancient Toyota Tundra in our rankings. [ Read more about the Nissan Titan ]

5. 2021 Nissan Titan Pros, Cons, and Specs

Powerful V-8, roomy inside, has an open bed.

Way down on max towing versus the segment leaders, limited configurations.

Specifications Base-Price Range: $37,785-$63,905

Available Engines: 5.6L V-8 (400 hp, 413 lb-ft)

Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 15-16/20-21/17-18 mpg

Max Towing Capacity: 9,350 pounds

4. 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

As they have been for years, the Chevy Silverado and the next truck on our list,  the GMC Sierra , are largely mechanically identical. The most recent versions diverged aesthetically more than ever before when they were introduced for 2019, however, which largely explains why the more handsome GMC sits higher on this list. Even so, Chevy buyers enjoy an embarrassment of choices in terms of engines—five in all, including a diesel—trims, features, and technology, as well as the ability to spec a basic workhorse (a version of which finished second in  a MotorTrend comparison test ), a luxury-lined commuter, or anything in between. Big towing capacity and agile (for a pickup truck) handling are standout traits of the Chevy Silverado 1500. For 2021, Chevy even managed to snag the multi-function tailgate that previously had been restricted to the fancier GMC Sierra. [ Read more about the Chevy Silverado ]

4. 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Pros, Cons, and Specs

Broad, strong engine lineup; easy to drive; muscular towing capacity.

It might be new, but the interior is still not great; kind of funky looking, don't you think?

Specifications Base-Price Range: $30,595-$61,790

Available Engines: 3.0L diesel I-6 (277 hp, 460 lb-ft); 4.3L V-6 (285 hp, 305 lb-ft); 2.7L turbo I-4, (310 hp, 348 lb-ft), 5.3L V-8 (355 hp, 383 lb-ft); 6.2L V-8 (420 hp, 460 lb-ft) Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 14-23/18-33/16-27 mpg Max Towing Capacity: 13,300 pounds

3. 2021 GMC Sierra 1500

The 2021 GMC Sierra  may cost a little more than its mechanical sibling, the Chevrolet Silverado, but we'd say the coin is worth it just for its cleaner looks alone. Beyond that, though, go GMC and you unlock exclusive options such as a cutting-edge carbon-fiber bed and the trick—and actually useful, though no longer GMC-exclusive for 2021—MultiPro multifunction tailgate. Otherwise, the same strong engines and capable chassis are here, as are the same demerits, which center largely on dated-feeling interior tech and design and a slightly disjointed driving experience. If you pick a Sierra, you won't get a bad truck, you just won't get one of the top trucks. [ Read more about the GMC Sierra ]

3. 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Pros, Cons, and Specs

Cool options like the CarbonPro bed and MultiPro tailgate; great engines; looks better than the Chevy.

Costs a tad more than the otherwise similar Silverado, ride can be choppy, pricey Denali isn't as fancy as Ford and Ram's luxury trucks.

Specifications Base-Price Range: $31,695-$63,785

Available Engines: 3.0L diesel I-6 (277 hp, 460 lb-ft); 4.3L V-6 (285 hp, 305 lb-ft); 2.7L turbo I-4, (310 hp, 348 lb-ft), 5.3L V-8 (355 hp, 383 lb-ft); 6.2L V-8 (420 hp, 460 lb-ft)

Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 14-23/18-30/15-26 mpg

Max Towing Capacity: 12,100 pounds

2. 2021 Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 is new for 2021 , with a subtly redesigned body and interior though many of the same engines that were offered last year. A hybrid joins the range , dubbed PowerBoost, that not only brings 430 horsepower and 570 lb-ft by way of a twin-turbo V-6 engine and an electric motor, but also the ability to power several tools at once and even a welder. The Ford F-150 pickup also boasts several new and nifty features , including a sort of bed setup from folding down the front seats to a hideaway shifter. While it doesn't take a huge leap forward—outside of the hybrid, at least—the 2021 F-150 is at least as competent as its predecessor, and thus retains its number-two position in our rankings behind the still-excellent Ram 1500. [ Read more about the Ford F-150 ]

2. 2021 Ford F-150 Pros, Cons, and Specs

Specifications

Base-Price Range: $30,635-$66,030

Available Engines: 3.0L diesel V-6 (250 hp, 440 lb-ft); 3.3L V-6 (290 hp, 265 lb-ft); 2.7L twin-turbo V-6 (325 hp, 400 lb-ft); 3.5L twin-turbo V-6 (400 hp, 500 lb-ft); 5.0L V-8 (400 hp, 410 lb-ft); 3.5L twin-turbo hybrid V-6 (430 hp, 570 lb-ft)

Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 16-25/22-27/19-25 mpg

Max Towing Capacity: 14,000 pounds

1. 2021 Ram 1500

Okay, you've read this far, so there'll be no mucking around: The best full-size truck you can buy is  Ram's 1500 . That should be no surprise, of course, given  we tapped it as our 2019 Truck of the Year  following a full overhaul that saw it become more refined, more luxurious, more well-rounded, and more technologically savvy than any other half-ton on the market. Oh, and the heavy-duty model received our nod for 2020. And, heck, the new 702-hp Ram 1500 TRX stole the Truck of the Year award for 2021, marking a stunning three-peat for Ram. The powertrain lineup includes gasoline V-6 and V-8 options, a diesel V-6 that offers up to 30 mpg on the highway, and eTorque hybrid technology standard with the gas V-6 and optional on the Hemi V-8. Whether you choose the work-grade Tradesman or opt to load up the Limited with every bell and whistle, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better (or, in the case of the TRX, a quicker or more powerful ) truck than the Ram 1500. [ Read more about the Ram 1500 ]

1. 2021 Ram 1500 Pros, Cons, and Specs

High-quality and ergonomically friendly interior, best-in-class tech and infotainment, great to drive, rides like a cloud.

Available luxuries can shoot prices to the stratosphere, trails the F-150 and Silverado in towing by a skosh.

Specifications Base-Price Range: $33,940-$71,790

Available Engines: 3.6L V-6 (305 hp, 269 lb-ft); 3.0L diesel V-6 (260 hp, 480 lb-ft); 5.7L V-8 (395 hp, 410 lb-ft); 6.2L supercharged V-8 (702 hp, 650 lb-ft) Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 10-22/14-32/12-26 mpg Max Towing Capacity: 12,750 pounds

The Best Full-Size Pickup Trucks to Buy in 2021

2021 Toyota Tundra 2021 Nissan Titan 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2021 Ford F-150 2021 Ram 1500