Close X
Sunday, December 22, 2024
ADVT 
Reviews

Edmunds: These are the best full-size trucks for daily driving and off-roading

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Dec, 2024 11:30 AM
  • Edmunds: These are the best full-size trucks for daily driving and off-roading

Full-size trucks are hugely popular thanks to their ability to get tough jobs done. This characteristic equally applies to those times when paved roads end and off-road hardware becomes essential to getting to your given destination. The automotive experts at Edmunds have compiled four full-size light-duty pickups that won’t wilt over rough landscapes. They’ve also kept in mind that all-terrain adventures should leave a little money left over for things outside of monthly truck payments. With this in mind, they’ve steered clear of some of the priciest go-anywhere models and instead focused on ones that balance on-road comfort with off-road aptitude at relative affordability. All prices listed below include the destination charge.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trail Boss

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is well suited for fulfilling a broad range of driving needs. The Trail Boss option package can be applied to both the Custom and LT trim levels and provides an appealing mix of capability and affordability. Available exclusively with four-wheel drive, the Trail Boss is outfitted with a lifted suspension, stronger shock absorbers, underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires. During road tests, Edmunds complimented the Silverado for staying true to its old-school roots while simultaneously staying updated with the latest onboard technology.

The Trail Boss can be had with three available engines. These consist of a standard 310-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, a 305-horsepower diesel-powered six-cylinder, and a 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8. There’s also a more expensive LT Trail Boss version with a few more standard features and an optional 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8.

2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Custom Trail Boss starting price: $53,795

Ford F-150 Tremor

For decades, the Ford F-Series has been America’s best-selling full-size truck. It’s pretty easy to see why. The 2025 Ford F-150 can be customized to be anything from a no-nonsense work truck to an opulent luxury machine. The Tremor version is meant for off-roading. It comes standard with features such as a Tremor-specific suspension to enhance off-road performance, underbody protective skidplates, and a locking rear differential and all-terrain tires to maximize available grip.

The Tremor also boasts some high-tech means of scrambling over rugged terrain. This includes Trail Turn Assist, a feature that brakes the inside rear wheel to tighten the turning radius. It’s a nifty piece of kit when navigating along tight trails. Under the hood is standard four-wheel drive and a choice of two engines: a 400-horsepower V8 or a 400-horsepower turbocharged V6. The V8 has the burlier exhaust note but the V6 makes more torque, which is helpful for acceleration and towing.

2025 Ford F-150 Tremor starting price: $66,810

GMC Sierra 1500 AT4

Much of what holds true with the Chevrolet Silverado also applies to the GMC Sierra 1500. That’s because the two trucks share the same mechanical bits and specifications. But befitting for a slightly more upmarket brand, GMC kits out the Sierra 1500 with nicer cabin materials and luxury add-ons. Nor is the Sierra afraid to get itself dirty when it comes to off-road duty. It’s more than capable of off-roading tasks thanks to its 2-inch suspension lift, standard four-wheel drive and underbody skid plates.

The all-terrain-themed trims consist of the AT4 and AT4X. The latter has a slightly higher degree of rock-crawling capability with some extra features including a locking front differential. Both versions come standard with a 305-horsepower turbocharged diesel engine or offer an available 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8. During testing, Edmunds praised the strong acceleration provided by the available 6.2-liter V8.

2025 GMC Sierra AT4 starting price: $68,795

Ram 1500 Rebel

The Ram 1500 is significantly updated for 2025. Highlights include slight exterior styling tweaks, some new technology features and an updated cabin. The Ram 1500 Rebel is still in the lineup too. It comes outfitted with four-wheel drive, upgraded Bilstein shock absorbers, an electronic locking rear axle and all-terrain tires. A trick air suspension is available that further allows the driver to raise the truck to increase body clearance over off-road obstacles.

The Rebel can be decked out in no less than seven choices of two-tone color schemes, complete with splashy Rebel decals along the flanks of the cargo bed. Unlike its Ford, Chevy and GMC rivals, the Rebel has only one choice of engine, and it’s not a V8. But that’s not a demerit. Edmunds has found that the new-for-2025 420-horsepower turbocharged inline-six engine provides the quickest acceleration of the four trucks here.

2025 Ram 1500 Rebel starting price: $66,190

Edmunds says

Truck owners who are serious about venturing off the beaten path would be smart to have this quartet of go-anywhere machines on their shopping list this holiday season.

 

MORE Reviews ARTICLES

Edmunds: The best three-row SUVs of 2023

Edmunds: The best three-row SUVs of 2023
Three-row SUVs have been a popular choice among car shoppers with large families. However, choosing the right one isn’t easy. There are a wide range of models to choose from, varying in size and price, and some are available with efficient hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines. Edmunds has rounded up the best three-row SUVs to help you narrow down your search. 

Edmunds: The best three-row SUVs of 2023

Edmunds: The top 6 infotainment systems available in 2023

Edmunds: The top 6 infotainment systems available in 2023
To help quicken your new-vehicle shopping process, the automotive experts at Edmunds have identified six of the best vehicle operating systems available today.  Edmunds's focus is on the automakers’ newest infotainment systems that are typically found in all-new or recently updated vehicles.

Edmunds: The top 6 infotainment systems available in 2023

Edmunds Compares: 2023 Kia EV6 GT vs Tesla Model Y Performance

Edmunds Compares: 2023 Kia EV6 GT vs Tesla Model Y Performance
These vehicles blend the acceleration and agility of a sports car with the packaging of an electric SUV. They also maintain a practical side thanks to their roomy second rows and a long roster of tech features. The automotive experts at Edmunds put these performance-themed EVs to the test to determine which is the better buy.

Edmunds Compares: 2023 Kia EV6 GT vs Tesla Model Y Performance

Edmunds compares the 2023 Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross

Edmunds compares the 2023 Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross
The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are two of the most popular SUVs on sale today. Which one is the better buy? Edmunds’ car experts compare them to find out.  

Edmunds compares the 2023 Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross

Edmunds: The top five EV startups you need to know about

Edmunds: The top five EV startups you need to know about
Shopping for a new electric vehicle can seem a bit like the Wild West. While most people are familiar with Tesla and established automakers, they’re less likely to know much about all-new companies looking to replicate the success of Tesla and take a share of the quickly growing market. Edmunds highlights five EV startups for shoppers willing to take the plunge.

Edmunds: The top five EV startups you need to know about

2023 Porsche 718 Cayman 4.0, Saving the best for last

2023 Porsche 718 Cayman 4.0, Saving the best for last
As Porsche already stated last year the 718 is heading for electrification in the near future, enthusiasts should seize the opportunity to enjoy the model’s internal combustion offerings before they ride off into the sunset. And it doesn’t get much better than the Cayman GTS 4.0.  

2023 Porsche 718 Cayman 4.0, Saving the best for last