As it is currently football season, you have probably been bombarded with pickup truck commercials. The ads tend to highlight the same things, trucks powerful enough to tackle almost any task thrown their way with comfortably aggressive designs disruptive enough to make a statement. These drivable wheelbarrows have come a long way from the agricultural beasts of burden that started to gain popularity in the 1940s.
Throughout America and across the world, the pickup truck has become a symbol of individualism. Why? Just like in the ads you see on TV, pickup trucks offered blue-collar workers and farmers function and power. For others, the pickup truck is a representation of freedom, the excitement of having a vehicle durable and powerful enough to venture off into the unexplored frontier. And, there are those who simply love big trucks.
Regardless, these vehicles are still very much a part of the automotive industry. Pickup trucks are now more stylish and powerful than ever, evolving into engineered monsters ready for the open road. Even more so, the emergence of electric pickup trucks is flipping the industry on its head, spawning vehicles that look something out of the Blade Runner universe and that could stand toe to toe with a sports car.
Today, as you probably already guessed, we are going to take a look at this season’s most exciting pickup trucks as well the vehicles next in line to hit the road, examining performance, features, power, and design. If you have never been into pickup trucks, you might end up changing your mind after this article.
2021 Chevrolet Silverado Yenko/SC
Limited edition pickup trucks are always exciting because their rarity is usually an indication that the truck is going to bring some heat. The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Yenko/SC Limited Edition is one of those trucks. Boasting a beastly 800 horsepower, this modified Silverado features a 378-cubic-inch LT1 V-8 with a blueprinted aluminum block, forged crankshaft and pistons, and CNC-ported heads. Not to mention, it also comes with a centrifugal supercharger and a custom quad-tip exhaust system.
All of this crescendos with the pickup truck’s 720 lb-ft of torque. The truck itself comes with both a two-wheel and four-wheel drive and an upgraded six-speed automatic transmission. Similar to any upgraded machine created by the Yenko brand, which is owned by Specialty Vehicle Engineering, this truck will be limited to 50 units. The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Yenko/SC will set you back $79,995.
Lordstown Motors Endurance
Yup! It’s electric. For the uninitiated, Lordstown Motors is a start-up housed in a former General Motors factory in Lordstown, Ohio. Starting at a base price of about $52,500, the company’s flagship, dubbed the Endurance is an electric pickup with some interesting idiosyncrasies. For example, unlike most electric vehicles, which have electric motors mounted on each axle, the Lordstown Endurance uses motors mounted at each wheel hub.
Why? This helps to reduce the number of moving parts needed to propel the truck. It also plays a role in the traction of the truck and assists with minimizing maintenance costs. You might see this truck on a construction site, on a farm, being used by fleet users. It even includes 120-volt outlets for powering your tools on the bed of the truck.
Overall the truck has a range of 250+ miles (400 km) and is expected to produce about 600 horsepower. The Endurance is dawn a minimal but feature-rich interior, comfortable enough to make you feel like you are sitting in the future.
2021 Ram 1500 TRX
This super-truck is probably one of the most powerful trucks on this list when it comes down to raw power. The 700+ horsepower off-road truck by Chrysler is any truck fanatic’s dream. On paper, the pickup truck has some breakneck stats, like a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) time of 4.5 seconds, which is even more impressive when you take into consideration that the truck weighs about three tons.
Coming with a 6.2-liter supercharged V-8, eight-speed automatic transmission, and full-time four-wheel drive, you can see why the Ram 1500 TRX can handle itself on and off-road. It has been reported that the truck handles rough terrain at over 100 mph. (160 km/h) The durable Ram body has been hydroformed to reduce the need for welding and features fully-boxed side rails and high-strength steel placed strategically throughout. With a truck like this, you can get 8,100lbs (3,674 kg) of towing capacity and a max payload of 1,310lbs (594 kg). The pickup truck has a base price of $69,995.
2021 Rivian R1T
There has been a lot of buzz surrounding Rivian since the electric automaker’s debut a couple of years ago, with the R1T pickup turning a lot of heads at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. The company has attracted prestigious investors from companies like Ford Motor Company and Amazon. The Rivian R1T electric pickup is a sleek, futuristic-looking truck that somehow maintains its rugged appeal. As we are learning very quickly, electric does not always mean less power. The Rivian R1T electric pickup is projected to have 400-plus (40 km) miles of range from a single charge, produce 750 horsepower, and have 0-60 mph (96 km/h) times of about three seconds. Even more so, the electric pickup truck has a projected max towing rating of 11,000 pounds.
One of the drawing factors to the R1T is its off-road capabilities. For example, you can take this pickup truck off-road and wade across a small river with no problem thanks to its 42.7-inch water fording capability. If you are adamant about camping and are looking for something electric, the Rivian R1T may be the truck for you. Put this one on your Christmas list.
Bollinger B2
Bollinger is another little known electric car company garnering plenty of attention for their unique designs. The Bollinger B2 feels futuristic and utilitarian, like something you might see in the Westworld television show. The fully electric pickup truck has motors in the front and rear and portal axles with geared hubs feeding power to each wheel.
Together they help the truck produce a total of 614 horsepower. After plugging in your B2, expect to get about 200 miles (320 km) of range. Similar to the ever so popular Jeep Wrangler, you will be able to pull the doors and roof panels off the truck creating an exciting open-air driving experience. Other key takeaways for the B2 include 668 ft-lbs of torque and an impressive 7,500 lbs (3,400 kg) of towing capacity.
GMC Hummer EV
Add this to your super-truck list. Oh, and it is electric too. GMC’s Hummer was a popular truck in the early 2000s, eventually falling out of favor with the public due to poor gas mileage. Hummer dramatically corrected that problem, returning with the EV Edition 1. It will probably not grace our roads until 2022, but it is worth the mention. The EV pickup truck features General Motors’ all-new Ultium batteries and Ultium Drive. Its e4WD truck has 1,000 horsepower and GM-estimated 11,500 lb-ft of torque that’s generated by the EV’s three separate motors.
The pickup will come up with an 800-volt DC power supply compatible fast-charging capability of up to 350 kilowatts, which enables almost 100 miles (160 km) of range in just 10 minutes of charging, making it perfect for off-roading at long periods of time. If that is not enough to get you in the front seat of this Hummer, the EV will go from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just three seconds. However, its $112,595 price tag might keep you out of the passenger seat.
Jeep Gladiator
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator shares the DNA of some of the best Jeep classics while giving a fresh and modern take on an American staple. This pickup truck has been widely popular, thanks to its functionality, design, and price. Where to begin? The rugged Galtator can do almost anything the Jeep Wrangler SUV can do off-road with plenty of legroom. Its best in class 1,700lb payload capacity and 7,650lb towing capacity will keep you happy and content.
The pickup truck is trail and desert rated, so off-roading will never be a problem. Starting at around $32,000, the pickup truck comes with a 6-Speed Manual Transmission and a 3.6L V6 24V VVT Engine w/ESS. If you are looking to get a pickup, the Jeep Gladiator could be another great choice.
The Classic 2021 Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 has been one of the most popular vehicles in history, thanks to its mix of performance and design, becoming the go-to pickup truck for many Americans. The 2021 Ford-150 reinforces that old saying, “If it is not broken, don’t fix it.” This 2021 model is far from a 100% redesign. However, it is expected to build on a lot of the things a lot of people have grown to appreciate about the classic. The biggest change is that customers will have a hybrid model in their line-up of choices for the first time.
Top models on the 2021 F-150 line are expected to have a towing capacity of at least 13,000lbs (5,896 kg). This iteration of the F-150 will give customers a lot to choose from, including a a 290-hp 3.3-liter V-6; a 400-hp 5.0-liter V-8; a 325-hp twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6; a 400-hp twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6; and a 250-hp 3.0-liter diesel V-6. Ford, also claims that the new hybrid is expected to 430-hp, 570 lb-ft of torque as well as up to 700 miles (1,130 km) of driving range per tank. There is even a rumored all-electric Rivian on the way.
2021 Ford Raptor
Speaking of the F-150 family, this pickup truck was made to compete directly with the Ram 1500 TRX mentioned above. The 2021 Ford Raptor can easily compete with its rival blow for blow. Boasting an impressive 725 horsepower, the pickup is powered by the same 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that’s found in the Ford Mustang GT500. Its suspension system is unique, offering drivers a coil system in the rear, which could provide room for a tighter exhaust system and higher ground clearance.
It also has what is known as electronically controlled Fox shock absorbers. These shock absorbers can sense when the truck is going airborne, providing a smoother landing to passengers sitting inside. The Jurassic truck is expected to be able to tow up to 8,000 pounds (3,628 kg) when properly equipped and haul up to 1,200 pounds (544 kg).
2021 Tesla Cybertruck
You either love this truck or hate it. Upon its debut, the Tesla Cybertruck was met with a lot of confusion, praise, and memes. Yes, the truck looks like the truck you drew as an 8-year-old, but it also looks like something out of a 90s science fiction classic. The utilitarian truck is composed of an Ultra-Hard 30X Cold-Rolled stainless-steel structural skin and Tesla’s own armor glass.
And, that is about it for the exterior. However, the inside of the truck is where the magic happens. A powerful drivetrain and lower center gravity provide the truck with a neck-breaking acceleration of 0-60 (96 km/h) mph in as little as 2.9 seconds and up to 500 (800 km) miles of range off of one charge. The top of the line version of the pickup truck, which features a tri-motor all-wheel drive train, has 14,000+ lbs (6,350 kg) of towing capacity. You can preorder a Cybertruck now. Would you pick up one?
2020 Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger was widely popular overseas, for a good reason too. Starting from under $24,500, the Ranger has an impressive 7,500lbs (3,401 kg) of towing and boasts a 1,860lbs (846 kg) payload. It has a 2.3L turbocharged 4-cylinder paired with a modern 10-speed automatic gearbox, producing 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This pickup truck is a great entry point for people looking to pick a mid-sized pickup truck.
2021 Chevrolet Silverado
The Silverado is another classic that has drawn in fans from all around America and the world. This workhouse has some impressive stats, building off of the widely successful 2020 model. At top specs, the Silverado has 355 horsepower, 460lbs of torque, a max payload of 2170lbs (984 kg), and has a towing capacity of 9,500lbs (4,300 kg). Similar to earlier models, different variations of the Silverado are available to fit your needs.
The Hennessey Goliath
Hennessey has become notorious for taking classic vehicles and making them ridiculously powerful. The Hennessey Goliath is no exception. A lifted GMC Sierra with 700 hp, the pickup truck is another limited vehicle with only 100 units expected to be released each year. The company took a normal Sierra and its 420-hp 6.2-liter V-8 and blessed it with a 2.9-liter supercharger that pushes six pounds of boost to the GMC’s big bent-eight to coax 700 HP from it. The truck can get to 60 miles per hour (96 km/h) in 4.3 seconds, impressive for a truck that weighs 5,500lbs (2,494 kg). There is also a Silverado Version that is just as terrifying.
Do you have a favorite pickup truck? Here are some exciting electric vehicles that you should keep your eye on.
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