From the luxurious Ford F-150 to the comparatively bare-bones Nissan Frontier, unbeatable functionality and constantly improving practicality combine to result in ever growing sales figures for pickup trucks (and high profit margins make them lynchpins for carmaker business plans). CarGurus looked at nearly every light-duty pickup truck on the market in 2016. Our 2016 Truck Roundup is here to help you decide which is best for you.

Rarely topping $40,000, the mid-size truck segment represents good value for shoppers in need of some towing and hauling capability, but who don’t want to spend the cash for a half-ton pickup truck. The Toyota Tacoma has long been the standout of the midsize segment thanks to its off-road ability and general reliability. The 2016 model has been re-designed by Toyota to better compete in a more competitive market, and now features niceties like Toyota’s Entune infotainment system, without sacrificing its tough attitude.

General Motors is responsible with that bolstered market, having released the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon in 2015. These trucks feature comfortable cabins, complete with USB ports, heated seats, and Chevy’s MyLink infotainment system. They’re also the only midsize trucks with an available diesel engine, bringing fuel economy up to 29 miles per gallon on the highway, and are capable of towing up to 7,700 pounds.

Somewhat left behind is the Nissan Frontier. A fantastic value, comparatively, the Frontier has a starting price of just over $18,000—although that trim will leave you wanting for basic necessities (like air conditioning). A spray-in bed liner and adjustable cargo tie-downs are standard equipment, however, and moving up to a PRO-4X trim will net shoppers a very capable off-roading truck.

For shoppers needing to haul or tow more than a midsize can handle, the full-size truck segment is chock full of options. The Ford F-150, Ram 1500, Chevy Silverado, and Toyota Tundra all offer more than 10,000 pounds of maximum towing, not to mention some very upscale features.

Ford’s F-150 has long been considered the standard of the trucking world. 2016’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine delivers 365 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, and it leads the field with up to 12,100 pounds of maximum towing and 3,240 pounds of payload. Inside, Sync3 infotainment is now standard, and a bevy of truck-focused driver aids like dynamic hitch assist and the Pro Trailer Backup Assist system are available.

The Ram 1500 offers a comfortable ride with the optional air-ride suspension, and the Laramie Limited trim features an upscale interior, but this truck’s real party trick is the available 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6. Managing 240 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, the Ram 1500’s diesel engine pairs with an 8-speed transmission to deliver 19 mpg city/27 highway/22 combined.

Unfortunately, the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado is one truck CarGurus didn’t have the pleasure of test driving. However, few changes were made to update the full-size pickup from its 2015 model year, so shoppers still get the most powerful V8 in the class—420 hp and 460 lb-ft thanks to 6.2-liters of displacement. Inside, the Silverado is the only 2016 full-size truck with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and OnStar and 4G LTE WiFi hotspot connectivity return, too.

Like the Nissan Frontier, the Toyota Tundra lives on an older platform. However, few owners find fault with the Tundra’s 5.7-liter V8, its 381 horsepower, 401 lb-ft of torque, or the 38-gallon fuel tank that keeps that engine fed. The top-of-the-line Platinum trim also features nice interior luxuries like heated and ventilated quilted-leather seats, a JBL premium audio system, and heated, power-folding mirrors.
Whether it’s a smaller midsize pickup or a top-of-the-line full-size truck, shoppers have rarely had as many choices as they do now. For more information on these 2016 Pickup trucks, check our CarGurus’ full Test Drive Reviews:

2016 Chevrolet Colorado: https://cargur.us/8NS4z
2016 GMC Canyon: https://cargur.us/d7ZSw
2016 Toyota Tacoma: https://cargur.us/d7ZTj
2016 Nissan Frontier: https://cargur.us/bw3RK
2016 Ford F-150: https://cargur.us/9P9Ld
2016 Ram 1500: https://cargur.us/d7ZW_
2016 Toyota Tundra: https://cargur.us/d7ZY9
2015 Chevrolet Silverado: https://cargur.us/d7ZZc

Presenter: Matt Smith
Producer: Jake Hughes

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