Latest news with #Tundras
Forbes
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Test-Driving The 2025 Toyota Crown Limited
The new-for-2025 Crown is an unsung hero in Toyota's world of flashy Camrys, mighty Tundras and the ever-popular might overlook the Crown on the highway or parking lot, or think it was perhaps something else. But no, it's a good old reliable Toyota and if it misses the flash of other models, you still get a basic, all-around, good crossover that replaces the outgoing Venza. 2025 Toyota Crown Limited My trim, the Limited, can safely be called 'wagon-esque,' with Toyota's signature hammerhead front design. It's got a long-tapered side profile. Is it gorgeous? Well, let's just say it doesn't have an OnlyFans yet. Is it solid, authoritative? Yes. 2025 Toyota Crown Limited The Crown Signia Limited delivers a reasonably luxurious cabin with high-quality materials including leather seats and soft-touch surfaces. You've got dual 12.3-inch displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, featuring Toyota's Audio Multimedia interface with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You've also got heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof and rear seats with ample legroom. The Crown's sunroof is lovely. The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia Limited has a starting MSRP of $47,990. Depending on options and dealer pricing, the final sticker is approximately $52,000. A less expensive option would be the XLE, starting at $44,985 and arriving with leather trim, cushioned heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a digital gauge cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment display, and 19-inch wheels. There's a hybrid system combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors and delivering a total of 240 horsepower. You've got an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT) and standard all-wheel drive. Mileage is a healthy 39 mpg city and 37 mpg highway. 2025 Toyota Crown Limited It's a pleasant, comfortable and fairly unremarkable driving experience. Handling is smooth, brakes are responsive and the cabin is fairly quiet at speed. Visibility is great for this type vehicle. comfortable and refined driving experience, with smooth handling and a quiet cabin. In short, it's not a performance vehicle and doesn't want to be, but will certainly do a fine job around town, on highways and in inclement weather. The comparison with Lexus is honorable but not accurate. Cargo space is somewhat less than others in this class, and the infotainment system isn't as advanced. The engine makes a lot of effort-noise when you step on it. These were not deal-breaking complaints, though. 2025 Toyota Crown Limited The Crown earned top ratings in all Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests. It's equipped with its well-known Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 package as standard which includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection and so much more. Conclusion: The Crown is made for those who want the reliability of a Toyota SUV minus the snort and belch.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Did Your Car Make the List? Top 30 Cars Most Likely to Reach 250,000 Miles
People go into the car dealership saying they want 'a reliable car, one that's going to last.' But how do you know how long something's going to last? Well, the people over at analyzed over 402 million cars to determine which were most likely to continue operating up to at least 250,000 miles. (Hint: A lot of trucks and SUVs.) 'Many consumers still consider a car's usable lifespan to end at 100,000 miles. But our latest longest-lasting study confirms that even 200,000 miles isn't the end of the line for many cars. The top nine cars on this year's list have a better than 20% chance of hitting 250,000 miles,' said iSeeCars executive analyst Karl Brauer. SUVs make up over half the spots (16) on the overall longest-lasting cars list. Four of those are Toyotas, but Chevrolet, GMC, Honda, and Nissan all have at least two SUVs on the top 30 longest-lasting list. Pickup trucks also feature prominently. And the good old-fashioned family sedan? Only five of them made the top 30. Is your car on the list? Check it out below.36.6% hit 250,000 miles The full-sized Toyota Tundra was launched in 1999 and has been slowly gaining market share ever since. Its third generation was launched in 2021 and last year Toyota sold almost 160,000 Tundras in the US across 10 trim levels. Prices start at $42,035.36.4% hit 250,000 miles The Sequoia full-size SUV is powered by an i-FORCE MAX Twin-Turbo V6 Hybrid making 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque, strong enough to tow up to 9,520 lbs. With seating for up to eight, it'll meet the needs of most suburban armies. Pricing starts at $64,370.26.8% hit 250,000 miles Toyota certainly got its investment back on the last 4Runner—the thing had a model lifecycle of 15 years, three times that of many plain old 'cars.' The sixth-gen 4Runner you see here is all-new from the frame rails up, all of it shared with the Land Cruiser and Tacoma (not bad platforms from which to share). Power is aplenty with an i-Force 2.4-liter turbo-four making 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque or an i-Force Max hybrid with 326 hp and 465 lb-ft. Prices start at $42,715 but easily top 60k.26.7% hit 250,000 milesThe Toyota Tacoma is consistently the best-selling truck in its class, the mid-size pickup segment. For 2024, it sold nearly 200,000 units, remaining ahead of competitors like the Chevrolet Colorado and Ford Ranger. The 4th-generation Tacoma came out last year to much fanfare, with three different versions of the 2.4-liter turbo-four, two cab options, and 2- and 4WD. That means versatility ready to take on just about anything. Prices range from $32,995 to $53,595.25.9% hit 250,000 miles The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is now 25 years old, and Toyota celebrated with a special edition last year, slathered with '25' badges everywhere. The current generation seats your choice of seven or eight family and friends. The 2025 model has standard all-wheel drive. Prices range from $47,770 to $55,425 across seven models. And the all-important fuel mileage? A steady 35 mpg city and 35 highway.25.8% hit 250,000 milesThe unibody pickup debuted in 2006, took a brief sabbatical after its initial run, and returned in its current, squared-off, second-generation guise in 2017. It rides on the same platform as the Pilot SUV and the Odyssey minivan, and is offered exclusively as a four-door crew cab with a five-foot bed. The sole powertrain is a V6 engine with all-wheel drive. The new truck took advantage of its unibody frame with some interesting packaging solutions, like under-bed storage. That unibody means it's not as good at towing, hauling, and off-roading as some of its body-on-frame competitors, but it rewards with a more comfortable, car-like ride. Prices range from $41,600 to $48,200.22.0% hit 250,000 milesThe original Suburban debuted in 1935, making this nameplate the oldest living SUV. It's popular because it's big. It'll hold 144.5 cu-ft of cargo, almost 10 times that of a normal 'car.' The current version has a 17.7-inch infotainment screen and a 15-inch head-up display. Moving the Big Brute is your choice of three powerplants: a 5.3-liter v8, 6.2-liter V8, and a 3.0-liter straight-six diesel. The 5.3 makes 355 hp and 383 lb-ft, the 6.2 420 hp and 460 lb-ft, and the diesel gains 28 horsepower and 35 lb-ft of torque this year to peak at 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft. That will tow up to 7,700 pounds. You pay for that with mid-teens gas mileage, but for buyers in this class, that's not a concern. Rule the road, buy a 'Burban.22.0% hit 250,000 milesToyota stopped making the Avalon a little over two years ago. Retired middle managers wept. Like the old Hyundai Azera, it was the perfect car for people who wanted to float gingerly over the planet and not have to worry about their 401(k)s. Alas. But those people took good care of their cars, thus explaining why 22% of them hit 250,000 miles.20.7% hit 250,000 milesOld Lexus GXs with 200,000 miles on them were the best-kept secret of off-roaders and overlanders for years. Then everyone else found out about them and prices for high-mileage used GXs went up, up, up. The attraction had been that you could get a highly capable off-roader with Lexus luxury that had likely only seen duty in softest suburbia, and for a relatively cheap price. The GX's presence on this list is testament to that. The GX550 was all-new in 2024, based on the new Toyota Land Cruiser instead of the 4Runner. It retains a body-on-frame architecture and a focus on off-road capability. The 349-hp twin-turbo V6 mated to a 10-speed automatic and full-time four-wheel drive with low range is the standard driveline setup. It's a capable three-row (unless you get the Overtrail trim level with two rows) that can conquer way more than you might have thought off-road, while remaining a comfortable cruiser on. But it'll cost you—prices range from $65,285 to $81,750.18.8% hit 250,000 milesThe Silverado has always played bridesmaid to the Ford F-150's bride, to mangle an analogy. It's nonetheless highly successful, Chevrolet having sold over half a million of them last year to Ford's nearly three quarters of a million F-150 sales. With a wide variety of models in the Silverado range, there's something for every budget. You can carry up to 2,260 pounds of payload or tow as much as 13,300 pounds, according to Chevy. Prices range from the $37,845 bargain-basement Work Truck to the $64,895 High Country.17.9% hit 250,000 milesThe XL is the long-wheelbase version of the already-lengthy Yukon SUV. Like all GMCs, this one came off the same drawing board as the Suburban. The Yukon XL got a mid-cycle facelift for 2025 with new headlights, more interactive taillights, and a new grille. There's a new AT4 Ultimate model with off-road-ready features and luxo-interior items like massaging front seats, full-grain leather covering all three rows, and that open-pore-wood interior trim. Yukon XL offers two gasoline V8s—a 5.3 and a 6.2—and a 3.0-liter straight-six diesel, all mated to a 10-speed automatic. Like its stablemates at GM, the Yukon XL gets an independent rear end, just like the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator got a few years ago. You also have the option of Magnaride shocks and air suspension. Prices start at $74,390.17.7% hit 250,000 milesWhile the Suburban has been around for 90 years, the Tahoe is a relatively youthful 30-year-old. Worst-kept secret in America: The Tahoe is a shorter version of the Suburban, with slightly shorter dimensions but similar performance and a lower price. It gets the same 5.3-liter V8, 6.2-liter V8, or 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel mated to the same 10-speed automatic. Towing is about the same, too. And it'll fit in more parking spaces than the big 'Burb. Prices range from $61,195-$83,895.17.5% hit 250,000 milesAnyone who operated a carpool in the parenthood days appreciated the Honda Pilot, the first—or at least one of the first SUVs in its mid-size class—to offer seating for eight. The model debuted in 2002, and it's still a little bit SUV-ish despite its unibody framework. There are even integrated perimeter frame rails to attach a trailer hitch. A smooth 3.5-liter V6 makes 285 hp fed to a 10-speed automatic for seamless acceleration, with your choice of front- or all-wheel drive. The engine returns 19 mpg city and 27 hwy, which isn't the worst in the class. If you want to go lightly off-road, there's a TrailSport edition that has a special suspension with a 1.0-inch lift, steel skid plates, all-terrain tires, a hill-descent control system, and a specially tuned all-wheel-drive system with a Trail driving mode. Just don't go too far start at $41,650.16.6% hit 250,000 milesStarting at under $30,000, the Accord remains one of the best arguments for the sedan amid the current market obsession with crossover SUVs. Powertrain choices are just two: a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder making 192 horsepower and driving the front wheels through a CVT; and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with two electric motors that combine for 204 horsepower (but that's the Accord Hybrid and we're talking about the non-hybrid here). The Accord remains one of the better-handling cars offered for a reasonable price. In this case that ranges from $29,445 to $31, GMC Sierra is almost identical to the Chevy Silverado, as you may already know. Both share the same frame rails and many other parts. For power you get a choice of four engines: a turbocharged four-banger, a 5.3-liter V8, a 6.2-liter V8, or a muscular Duramax diesel, the latter capable of towing up to 13,300 pounds. Pricing starts at a downright accessible $39,145 for the Pro, and goes up to $86,890 for the Denali Ultimate. In between you are only limited by imagination and options availability.15.8% hit 250,000 milesThere is no more iconic American vehicle than the Ford F-150. Since 1948 Ford has sold over 41 million of them, so they must be doing something right. Ford crows about its sales-leading position among vehicles in the U.S. market, but if you want to get snippy you could say the Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra pickups combine to sometimes outsell it. The current model is the 14th generation of Ford F-Series truck. There are eight models of F-150, and countless ways to equip them, from the base XL starting at $40,805, to the mighty 720-hp Raptor starting at $81,695. God bless America!15.7% hit 250,000 milesIf your gas card doesn't require adult supervision, you won't need to get the Highlander Hybrid. The regular Highlander gives you all the eight-seat utility and cubbyhole happiness of the Hybrid but at a cheaper cost. Prices start at $41,270. If you get the front-drive model, you start at an EPA-estimated 22 city/29 highway/25 combined mpg, which is below the Hybrid's 35 mpg city and 35 highway, but not that far below it. The LE's 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbo driving the front wheels may be one of the best buys in the class.14.8% hit 250,000 milesDespite being named after powerful figures in Greek mythology, the Nissan Titan was not invincible. After more than two decades on the market, the full-size pickup truck met its end due to poor sales. US sales had peaked in 2018 at just over 50,000 units and went down from there. Nissan sold fewer than 20,000 Titans in the truck's last year on the market. A plan to build it on a RAM truck platform fizzled out, and even a Cummins diesel intervention couldn't save it. The last trucks had the powerful 5.6-liter gasoline V8 mated to a new nine-speed Jatco automatic. And yet, those who did buy Titans apparently took good care of them, as witnessed by the truck's 18th-place finish on this list. Farewell Titan, we hardly knew ye.14.6% hit 250,000 milesSix of the 30 vehicles on this list are basically the same thing, variations on a theme: the Chevies Suburban, Silverado, and Tahoe, and the GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, and Sierra. The Yukon is the shorter version of the Yukon XL, but they all share the same powertrains and platforms, more or less. GMCs generally come with a few more options and therefore cost a little more, but beyond that, have a look at the siblings hanging off the General Motors Family Tree to see where this one fits in. For 2025 the Yukon gets a mid-cycle facelift that includes a new-look front end as well as a redesigned dashboard with a huge center screen. There's also a new entry-level Elevation model and the new more luxurious AT4 Ultimate. Pricing ranges from $69,395-$103,995.13.9% hit 250,000 milesLike its Accord uncle up in the mid-size sedan class, the Honda CR-V manages to do everything you want it to while still being a little fun to drive. Maybe not as fun as the Mazda CX-50 or VW Tiguan, but somewhat fun enough to make the daily tasks of suburbia more bearable. That carries over to the inside, where it's comfortable and easily useable, among the better entries in the class. If you get the front-drive model you get 40 mpg combined, but the AWD option only slices three mpgs off that figure so if you live where it snows, get the AWD model. You can also choose a hybrid, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder with two electric motors, produces 204 horsepower—14 more than the non-hybrid's 190 hp. Prices start at $31,495.13.5% hit 250,000 milesIt was a decade or two ago now that sedans ruled the Earth, with the Toyota Camry battling it out with the Ford Taurus for sedan segment supremacy. Anybody remember the Taurus? There are still a lot of people who remember—and buy—the Toyota Camry. It was all-new last year, with a hybrid engine as the only powertrain. It wasn't long ago that V6 power was standard in this segment, but lately the four-cylinders have taken over, with very few compromises. Pair up a capable 2.5-liter DOHC inline-four with a 134-hp electric motor (with 153 lb-ft of torque) powered by a lithium-ion battery, and you can sail on past lots of gas stations with a combined 232 hp with on-demand all-wheel drive (or 225 hp with front-wheel drive). The best fuel-economy rating for the 2025 Camry is the LE FWD trim, at 53/50 mpg city/highway. At the low end is the XSE AWD trim, certified at 44/43 mpg. The only way to buy this new Camry is as a start at under $30,000. Act now while sedans still exist.13.1% hit 250,000 milesThe Ford Expedition is big, the modern-convenience successor to the ergonomically challenging full-size Bronco of yore. At one point in its production, the Expedition offered seating for nine. Nine! Sales peaked at 233,125 four years after the model's 1996 introduction, took a hit from the recession, another hit from the pandemic, and seem to feel steady at around 75,000 a year lately. Ford now offers 10 versions of Expedition, from the $57,625 XL STX to the $85,795 Platinum Max.13.1% hit 250,000 milesWith a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors that combine for 204 horsepower, the Accord Hybrid still returns a wallet-walloping 51 mpg city and 48 mpg highway, which should be good enough for a sale right there. But like other Hondas in most classes, it's also fun to drive. Its 0-60 mph time was a little over six and a half seconds, which is good enough by class standards so you can't really complain about it (just think about that 51 mpg!). The hybrid powertrain is standard in the top four of the Accord's six trims, with prices going from $34,805 to $40,450.13.0% hit 250,000 milesAnybody remember the original Nissan Pathfinder from 1985? It rode on the frame rails of the Frontier pickup, had only two doors, and could go anywhere. Ah yes, many adventures were had in those things. But that was five generations ago. It became a three-row unibody crossover utility vehicle in 2012, and has been getting ever-more luxurious ever since. By the time the fifth and current generation came around in 2021, it was a completely new animal. The standard 3.5-liter V6 engine lets you tow up to 6,000 pounds. Prices range from $38,460 to $46,550.12.6% hit 250,000 milesThe Prius makes all its sacrifices in the pursuit of the almighty MPG. In the case of the base LE front-drive Prius, you'll be rewarded with a pump-pounding 57 mpg EPA combined, which our monkey ancestors could only imagine. Mileage drops a little if you get the optional AWD. The powertrain uses two motors and an engine, that is, a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gas engine that makes 150 hp, one permanent magnet AC synchronous motor making 111 hp, and one interior permanent magnet rear motor making 40 hp for a hybrid system net power of 196 ponies. Not a performance machine, and now you see why owners put those stickers on the backs of the car that say, 'Cool Prius! —No One.' But the Prius is all about efficiency, and you get it with that 57 mpg.12.6% hit 250,000 milesThe first-generation Armada rolled off the assembly line in 2003 on Nissan Titan underpinnings. Starting in mid-2016, the second-generation Armada rides on the Nissan Patrol platform, with some tweaks for our market. It's basically the same setup as the Infiniti QX80 for a few grand less. Big three-row SUVs have traditionally been American specialties—just look further up this list. But Nissan (and Toyota) have always been there, offering a unique entry that might make you stand out in the kiddie pickup line every day at 3:00 pm. Armada is all-new for 2025, Nissan says, with a twin-turbo V6 replacing the big V8. The new six makes 425 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, 25 hp and 103 lb-ft more than the previous 5.6-liter V8. So you cannot say it's whimpier. The 2025 Armada starts at $58,530 and goes up to $79,000 for the Platinum Reserve.12.4% hit 250,000 milesMazda's CX-9 was its biggest people hauler ever from 2006 up until production ended in 2024. It was a product of the Ford-Mazda alliance, running on a Ford platform and powered by a Ford V6, at least at first. It's now been replaced by the all-new CX-90. But the CX-9 had a good run, hauling seven passengers in three rows for almost 20 years. 11.9% hit 250,000 milesThe Acura MDX followed directly behind—and miles ahead of—the Isuzu Trooper-based SLX that Acura sold for a few years while parent-company Honda tried to figure out what an SUV was. They figured well. The MDX has been a luxury stalwart for 25 years since. Now powered by a choice of 290-hp naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 in the base MDX, or 355-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 in the MDX Type S Advance, the MDX has found its luxo-niche. Prices range from $52,550 to $76,600.11.5% hit 250,000 milesHonda has been making the Odyssey for 31 years now, and in that time it has continuously studied and surveyed American families about what they want in a minivan. The result, now in its fifth generation, is a highly useable interior and even a functional roof rack (note the bicycle). There are cupholders, cubbyholes, and connectivity throughout. There are even those handy plastic grocery bag hooks, which should be standard on all vehicles no matter what class. The second-row versatility is particularly clever, in a class where we thought clever had been exhausted. You can remove the center section and slide the outboard seat over to make easier access to the back row, for instance. There's even a mandatory three-seat-wide third row, making this an eight-seater whether you want eight seats or not. Power comes from a mighty 3.5-liter V6 making 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque that'll get you to 60 mph in about six and a half seconds or so. The V6 is thirsty, though, and drinks up 19 mpg city but a more efficient 28 highway, not as impressive as some in the class. Likewise, pricing is Honda-high with stickers ranging from $43,670 to $52,630. That price may be worth it as you use this van day in and day out for years and years up to 250,000 miles.11.5% hit 250,000 milesThe Sterling Heights (Michigan) Assembly Plant just celebrated its 2 millionth Ram 1500, so you know this is a popular truck. It won Car and Driver's 10 Best, Motor Trend's Truck of the Year, and a number of other accolades. For 2025, the Ram 1500 adds the mighty 3.0-liter Hurricane and 3.0-liter Hurricane High Output (H/O) Straight-Six Turbo (SST) engines. The 3.0-liter Hurricane is rated at 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque, while the High Output Hurricane makes 540 hp and 521 lb-ft. You can also get a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 eTorque. Max towing capacity is 11,580 pounds, and payload goes up to 2,300 pounds. There's even 24 inches of water fording. Prices range from just over $42,000 to around $89,000.
CBC
31-01-2025
- CBC
Toyota Tundra trucks targeted by thieves, police in Guelph and Waterloo region warn
Police in both Guelph and Waterloo region say there has been a rash of thefts or attempted thefts involving Toyota Tundra trucks. In the most recent case in Guelph, police were called to a home in the east end for reports that a 2022 grey Tundra was stolen from the driveway of a home. It happened around 5 a.m. on Friday near Washburn Drive and Summit Ridge Drive. The resident hear a "beeping noise coming from the vehicle," a release sent out Friday said. "The caller did advise as well that when she looked outside after hearing [the beeping] noise she saw her truck being driven away followed by two other black pickup trucks," Guelph Police Service spokesperson Scott Tracey told CBC News. Since Sept. 1, there have been seven thefts and four attempted thefts of Tundras in Guelph and police have recovered one stolen Tundra from Toronto, Tracey said. WATCH | Watch as Cambridge man tries to stop SUV theft: Watch as a Cambridge man tries to stop SUV theft 1 year ago Duration 0:13 Ken Noel was warming up his SUV outside his Cambridge, Ont., home when he says a man walked up the driveway and got inside the vehicle. Noel tried to stop the man from driving away. The ordeal was captured by Noel's security camera. Meanwhile, police in Waterloo region said they have had 12 reports of Tundra truck thefts or attempted thefts since Jan. 1. Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) released security video of a suspect attempting to steal a Tundra truck but when the person sees a tag tracking sticker through the window, they leave. WRPS suggests some measures owners and drivers can take to help prevent thefts, including: Blocking access to the onboard diagnostic port to prevent thieves from reprogramming the vehicle's key fob. Using a steering wheel locking device to deter theft. When not in use, placing the vehicle key fob inside a radio frequency shielding bag/pouch to block cell signals. Considering equipping your vehicle with an aftermarket global positioning system (GPS) tracker. The tracker may assist police in locating the vehicle and/or suspects. Considering installing a wired camera system and audible alarm, as suspects are known to carry devices that can jam wireless cameras. Ensuring all keys are accounted for and never left in the vehicle or unattended.
CBC
31-01-2025
- CBC
Watch how anti-theft device stops Toyota Tundra from being stolen
Waterloo Regional Police Service are warning residents about a rise in local thefts of Toyota Tundra trucks. Since Jan. 1, police say there have been 12 thefts or attempted thefts involving Tundras. This video, released by police, shows a suspect being deterred when they see a tag tracking sticker through the window of the truck.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
These Pickup Trucks Just Won Best Truck of Texas at the Texas Truck Rodeo
Every fall they roll into the North Texas town of Decatur to throw down: Rams and Ineoses and Tundras and Nissans. They run the off-road course at Eagles Canyon Raceway with automotive writers at the wheel. The writers will measure, test and evaluate the performance of each truck and how it conquers, or doesn't, the off-road obstacles laid out on the hilly Texas grassland, all to determine the best pickup truck of Texas. The Texas Truck Rodeo is an annual gathering of the Texas Auto Writers Association, a group of truck-savvy off-road experts who are also journalists, YouTube personalities and content creators. This is not a competition for the middling off-roader; there are hills, ditches and creeks and in many cases, 4WD know-how is required. The winners were just announced at the Houston Auto Show where guests can see and test drive most of these trucks. Or, head to your local auto show or dealership to see the best trucks on the road. Here are the winners, as well as the contenders for the Best Trucks of Texas. This story is 100% human researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. No AI was used. After a day of driving by the 50 or so TAWA members, they'll vote on the best pickup truck of Texas in several categories: Full size, mid-size and luxury. Semi-finalists in each category are eligible to be named the Truck of Texas. Additionally, jurors vote on best towing, best powertrain and best driver assist systems. For 2025 the winners of those categories are: Best Towing Technology: Toyota Wireless Trailer Camera System Best Powertrain: Ram 1500 3.0L Hurricane High Output Straight-Six Turbo Best Driver Assist or Safety Feature: Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 Read: Which Family SUVs Go Off-Road with Rugged Double Duty and Durability? Competition classes: Off-Road, Full Size Pickup Truck, Luxury Truck; Priced from $44,125 The Ram 1500 got a full makeover for 2024 with a whole new look, a new Hurricane engine option and even more luxuries, which is saying a lot; it was pretty luxe before, but the new Tungsten trim puts the possibilities over the top. Also new to the Ram 1500, and not exclusive to the top end, is the UConnect multimedia system on a standard 12' screen or an upgraded 14.5' screen; it's customizable and voice activated, so you never have to take hands or eyes off the trail. Last year Ram introduced the Tungsten trim as the top of the line, a glowingly gorgeous pickup with luxuries such as quilted leather seats, front and rear heated seats, digital phone-as-key technology and a premium sound system with 23 speakers. With a starting price of $87,000, the Tungsten model is also the most powerful, driven by a 6-cylinder 540 HP engine. Other Ram 1500 specs include: Tow Capacity: 8,110 lbs. (up to 11,500 in the Hurricane) Engine: V6 Transmission 9 speed automatic with shift by wire Drivetrain: 4 wheel drive 305 HP 269 Torque Ground Clearance: 8.4' Competition classes:Off Road, Mid-size Pickup Truck, Luxury Truck; Priced from $39,400 Fresh off a full makeover, the Toyota Tacoma is sparking in all its new features and ready to get dirty on the trail. So ready, in fact, that there are two off-road versions: TRD Off-Road and Trailhunter. The TRD model is better for rock and sand crawling, while the Trailhunter is designed for higher speed Baja-type driving. Inside, all Toyota Tacoma models are updated with Toyota's new multimedia system, larger screen and all the comforts, including plenty of of hand grips, which you'll need. Engine: 4-cylinder turbo hybrid Transmission: 8-speed automatic Drivetrain: 4 wheel drive 326 hp 465 torque Tow capacity: up to 6,500 lbs. Competition class: compact pickup truck; Priced from $28,500 The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a fun pickup truck has produced remarkable results from its humble DNA. Built on the platform of the Hyundai Tucson compact SUV, the Santa Cruz was adapted to be the ultimate weekend sport truck. But then, Hyundai further adapted it to run it in the Rebelle Rally where it proved its capability. We love the Santa Cruz for its comfortable interior, lockable truck bed and agile, manageable size, which is one of the things that makes it a master on the off-road course. Tow Capacity: up to 5,000 lbs. Engine: 4-cylinder Transmission 8-speed automatic Drivetrain: All wheel drive option 191 HP 181 Torque Ground Clearance: 8.6' Competition classes: Off Road, Luxury Pickup Truck; Priced from $88,500 The Ineos Grenadier might be the luxury truck of the century, not just the year. Ineos, perhaps better known as an F1 sponsor and provider of racing fuel, is also the company that builds luxury off-roaders Grenadier SUV and Greandier Quartermaster, the truck version of the SUV. Ultra rugged and capable, the Quartermaster adds a pickup truck bed to the Grenadier framework, allowing for luxury and more capability. 6-cylinder turbo built by BMW Transmission: 8-speed automatic Drive train: 4 wheel drive Tow Capacity: 7,716 pounds Ground Clearance: 10.3 inches Maximum Wading Depth: 31.5 inches Competition classes: Off Road, Mid-size Pickup Truck; Priced from $41,150 We are fans of the redesigned Honda Ridgeline for a lot of reasons: an improved transmission and better engine, it's all wheel drive only and it's designed for handling more rugged roads including off-road driving. Honda also updated the interior with a new multimedia system and passenger comforts, filling in what it needed to make this truck a go-to for Honda fans need for every day and adventurous weekends. For the off-road competition, Honda brought the Trailsport edition which adds skid plates and all-terrain tires for even better off-road performance. Related: How do these Crossover AWD SUVs compare in the Rebelle Rally? Key Specs: Tow Capacity: 5,000 lbs. Engine: V6 Transmission 9-speed automatic with shift by wire Drivetrain: All wheel drive 280 HP 262 Torque Ground Clearance: 7.64' Competition classes: Off Road, Mid-size Pickup Truck; Priced from $37,690 We love compact pickup trucks on the off road course for their ability and agility. But if they look good, all the better. Nissan recently updated the Frontier with a new exterior look including a new grille and lights, and new wheels for the PRO-X and PRO-4X models. Adding to the off-road capability is a surround view camera with that now works at higher speeds for more confident off-roading. Adding to overall comfort are a larger touch screen with more function and a sliding rear window. Tow Capacity: 7,150 lbs. (max) Engine: V6 Transmission 9-speed automatic Drivetrain: 4 wheel drive 310 HP 281 Torque Ground Clearance: 7.8' Competition classes: Off Road, Full Size Pickup Truck; Priced from $44,960 When Toyota started the redesign journey of its full model lineup a few years ago, the first to get a makeover was the Tundra pickup truck. And it wowed. More off-road capability. More tech. An ode to the Toyota heritage, inside and out. And hybrid power that delivers both more performance and better fuel economy. The Tundra was named the Truck of Texas in 2024 and it's back to see if it can stage a repeat. Engine: V6 twin turbo hybrid, 437 Horsepower 583 lb-ft of Torque 10-speed automatic transmission Drivetrain: 4 wheel drive on demand Tow capacity: up to 12,000 lbs. Not all trucks are represented at the Texas Truck Rodeo this year; some truck makers choose not to compete, others are waiting for next year and a new model that'll show up the competition. The winners of the best pickup truck competition become semifinalists eligible to be named the Truck of Texas, which will be announced later this fall. Follow the hashtag #txtruckrodeo24 on Instagram to see all the fun. Trucks are not the only thing that the Texas Auto Writers Association evaluates at the Truck Rodeo; they also test SUVs. A lot of SUVs, one of which will be named the SUV of Texas this fall, too. More must-reads: Tasks Are More Fun in the 2023 Polaris Ranger Crew XP 1000 Texas Edition Road Trip: Discover the Treasures of Southwest Virginia
