Ram 1500 HEMI
CASEY WILLIAMS | Auto Reviewer
AutoCasey@aol.com
Whether you live on the ranch or in a downtown condo, you’re eventually going to need to haul your ass and shopping wares home. One of these stylish and capable cargo haulers should be perfect for taking you and your posse anywhere you choose.
Ford Maverick Hybrid
Sized for chic urbanites who need to haul home IKEA or tow jet skis, this crossover with a bed comes in front- or all-wheel-drive and in trims with steel wheels to off-road Tremor and slammed Lobo. Expect up to 42 MPG city. Interiors dress with cubbies, flatscreens and wireless connections. Its car-based chassis make for a spirited drive.
Base price: $28,145
Toyota Tacoma
To hybrid or not to hybrid? Choose between a 278 horsepower four-cylinder engine or 326 horsepower hybrid. Enjoy up to 21/26 MPG city/highway with the base engine. All versions offer ample towing, roomy cabins and easy phone connections. Step up to the rear-drive TRD Pre-Runner or all-capable Trailhunter editions for adventures.
Base price: $31,590
Nissan Frontier
Looking sinister in new Dark Armor trim with blacked out styling or in neon Citrus Strike paint, this pickup busts. All models employ a 310 horsepower V6, but owners can choose value or go full blitz with the Roush PRO-4X R1’s lift kit, off-road suspension and skid plates. Configure the powertrain for all terrains. Choose King or Crew cabs.
Base price: $32,150
Ram HEMI Returns
Turns out few wanted a six-cylinder engine in their Ram, so the HEMI is back! Available from the base Tradesman to luxury Longhorns and off-road Rebels, the 5.7-liter V8 with eTorque hybrid tech generates 395 horsepower to tow up to 11,320 lbs. of camper or power boat. Look for the engine tattoo on front fenders to confirm authenticity.
Base price: $45,000
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Built for adventures like camping and downtown club nights, the four-door pickup is sleek and updated with wide expanses of info screens. Drainable sealed underfloor bins encourage tailgate parties. Enjoy up to 30 MPG highway or a 281-horsepower turbo-four engine with all-wheel-drive. XRT versions amp it with enhanced ground clearance.
Base price: $29,500
GMC Sierra EV
Drive L.A. to Phoenix, up to 478 miles, without recharging. It cruises hands-off, can CrabWalk to curbs, turns with four-wheel steering, and has a foldable MidGate to haul long items. Recharge 100 miles in 10 minutes. A power frunk, air suspension and glass roof are available. Get it in basic Elevation, all-capable AT4 or luxury Denali trims.
Base price: $64,495
Chevy Colorado
Available in Work Truck, LT and Trail Boss trims, Chevy’s mid-sizer employs a 2.7-liter turbo-four dishing 310 horsepower and 7,700 lbs. towing. ZR2 editions add a 3-inch lift. Redesigned interiors flaunt premium materials plus Corvette-style gauges and screens. Wireless phone connections add convenience, as do 120v bed outlets.
Base price: $31,900
Ford Ranger
This global pickup features beefy styling, refined manners and formidable off-road capability. Flatscreen gauges, 12.4-inch touchscreen and automated parking delight. Stomp a 270-horsepower turbo-four or 315 horsepower turbo-V6. Raptor editions add Fox shocks and 405 horsepower turbo-V6. Roomy cabs encourage long hauls.
Base price: $33,350
Jeep Gladiator
When you want to conquer Moab with a bed, here’s your romp. It’ll work and haul plus tow 7,700 lbs. but enjoys locking into four-wheel-drive to bound over boulders (or potholes). All come with a 285 horsepower 3.6-liter V6. Ford 31.5-inches of water. Best of all, when the sun’s out, strip off the doors and roof to be seen and enjoyed.
Base price: $38,695
Honda Ridgeline
The Accord of pickups celebrates 20 years of mid-size machismo with a new Black Edition sporting a black roof. An integrated body provides crossover handling AND performance with a 280 horsepower V6 that enables 5,000 lbs. towing and 18/24 MPG city/highway. Roomy interiors connect phones wirelessly. Check the lockable in-bed trunk.
Base price: $40,595 ■