Top 10 Pickups

Modern pickup trucks have evolved from traditional, heavy-duty workhorses to everyday runabouts, thanks to their versatility, carlike comfort and amenities typically found in luxury cars, such as high-tech audio systems and heated seats. While truck sales fell 25 percent in 2008, full-size pickups continue to be the most sought-after vehicles in America, according to the Automotive News Data Center.

The Domestics
Domestic trucks are particularly popular. They continue to outsell the imports five to one, a trend reflected in the list of trucks most researched on MSN Autos, where seven of the top 10 trucks are American brands.

As it happens, the top-selling truck in United States, the Ford F-150, is also the most popular truck on MSN, which is determined by the number of visits to its vehicle information pages. This is nothing new. The Ford F-Series has been the best-selling vehicle on this side of the pond for more than 30 years, and while sales of the big truck were off by more than 25 percent in 2008, the F-150 still outsold every other vehicle in America. This was helped in part by the introduction of the all-new 2009 F-150 earlier this year. It features fresh styling and a number of new innovations like Ford’s new Work Solutions package, which features an in-dash computer that lets you access the Internet, check inventory, print invoices, dispatch workers to job sites and maintain tool inventory, basically run your business from the truck’s cab. Ford’s compact Ranger pickup also did well in this popularity contest, taking the sixth position on the list.

View Pictures:  Top Ten Pickups on MSN Autos

General Motors fielded the most trucks on the list. The Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Sierra captured the third, ninth and tenth positions, respectively. The Silverado is second only to the F-Series in terms of annual U.S. sales with just over 465,000 units out the door, and is one of the few vehicles in its class to be offered as a hybrid.

The fourth-most-popular truck, the Dodge Ram, was completely redesigned for the 2009 model year with fresh styling, upgraded materials and more powerful engines. The Dakota, which introduced the idea of a midsize truck when it went on sale in the late 1980s, also remains popular with MSN shoppers, capturing the eighth position on our list.

The Imports
The Toyota Tundra was specifically designed to compete directly with the F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and Dodge Ram. Although the Tundra has made inroads into that market, its sales numbers are still considerably lower than those of the domestic trucks and followed the same sales decline as seen with the other trucks, with 30 percent fewer Tundras rolling off Toyota lots in 2008. The Tundra falls below those three competitors as the fifth-most-researched truck on MSN Autos, while the Tundra’s smaller sibling, the Tacoma, took position No. 2.

Nissan’s compact Frontier was the only other import-branded pickup to make the list, taking the seventh spot.

All of the Trucks
Here’s the list of the most popular pickup trucks on MSN Autos:

Ford F-150

As the company producing the top-selling truck in North America for more than three decades, Ford must be doing something right. While sales are declining for all the best-selling trucks, Ford is hoping to slow that trend with its all-new Ford F-150. The F-150 has been revamped inside and out, boasting more power, more towing and payload capacity, improved fuel economy and more interior space. Thanks to partnerships with Microsoft, Sony and SIRIUS, the communication and entertainment features have also been greatly enhanced.

Compare pricing and features: F-150 vs. Silverado 1500

Toyota Tacoma

First launched in 1964, the Tacoma compact pickup is now in its eighth generation. The 2009 model continues primarily unchanged, but a new Star Safety System with ABS, brake assist, stability control and traction control is now standard on all trim levels. Also new is an argent painted grille, restyled LED taillights and an optional backup monitor on Access and Double Cabs. An automatic limited-slip differential, side-curtain airbags, front passenger seat-mounted side airbags and active front head restraints have been added to the standard equipment for Access Cab and Double Cab versions.

Compare pricing and features: Tacoma vs. Colorado

Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Chevrolet updated its full-size pickup a few years ago, including an all-new platform, a new front-end look and next-generation V8 engines. The Silverado 1500 comes in 40 different configurations, ranging from $19,375 for a rear-wheel-drive 2-door Regular Cab, to more than $41,000 for an LTZ Crew Cab with four-wheel drive. For 2009, the Silverado gets a new 6-speed automatic transmission available with the 5.3-liter, 6.0-liter and 6.2-liter engines. OnStar 8.0 with Turn-by-Turn Navigation and Destination Download, Bluetooth phone connectivity, XM Satellite Radio with NavTraffic feature and a rearview camera system are just a few of the useful options.

Compare pricing and features: Silverado 1500 vs. Tundra

Dodge Ram 1500

The boldly styled Ram replaced the previous Dodge pickup in 1994 and quickly moved up the sales ladder. Redesigned for 2009, the new Ram maintains its familiar look but features a more aerodynamic design, rear coil-spring suspension and a new 5.7-liter HEMI V8 that delivers 390 horsepower and 407 lb-ft of torque with an estimated 4 percent improvement in fuel economy. The Ram is awash in new features, the most noteworthy of which is the RamBox cargo management system, providing weatherproof, lockable, illuminated and drainable storage compartments integrated into the cargo-box sides. RamBox also includes a bed-divider/2-foot bed extender and a rail system with adjustable tie-down cleats.

Compare pricing and features: Ram 1500 vs. F-150

Toyota Tundra

The Tundra is Toyota’s full-size pickup truck. It was completely redesigned for 2007 and is larger in every dimension than its predecessor. The Tundra is available in Regular Cab, Double Cab and CrewMax styles. At more than 19 feet long, the Tundra CrewMax is the biggest truck in Toyota’s history. Three different engines are available, including a 381-horsepower V8 that helps the truck tow more than 10,000 pounds. For the 2009 model year, the Tundra adds E85 flex-fuel capability when equipped with the 5.7-liter V8 engine in certain regions, as well as two new Toyota Racing Development (TRD) option packages.

Compare pricing and features: Tundra vs. Ram 1500

Discuss:  Domestic pickups still dominate the sales charts, but have the imports closed the gap enough to for you to consider making the switch?

Ford Ranger

The Ranger was introduced in 1982, redesigned in 1993, and then received a new exterior design in 1998. While the 2009 Ranger remains unchanged, last year the compact pickup received minor updates including an improved front-bumper design for better fuel-efficiency, more standard safety equipment and service intervals extended to 7,500 miles. The Ranger is available with a 207-horsepower V6 or a 143-horsepower 4-cylinder engine. When equipped with the smaller powerplant, the Ranger is the most fuel-efficient pickup truck available, getting an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. This summer, look for a revised 2010 Ranger with a number of new safety features, including AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control as well as new side airbags.

Compare pricing and features: Ranger vs. Canyon

Nissan Frontier

Redesigned in 2005, the Frontier midsize pickup takes styling cues from the full-size Titan, and also shares the suspension layout and many component designs with the larger truck. Two powerplants are available, including a fuel-efficient 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and a more powerful 4.0-liter V6 producing 261 horsepower. For 2009 the Frontier gets exterior updates including a new grille, front fascia, headlight design and 16-inch and 18-inch wheels. The PRO-4X off-road version is added, as well as Frontier Crew Cab LE/PRO-4X Value Truck Packages.

Compare pricing and features: Frontier vs. Dakota

Dodge Dakota

Redesigned for 2008, the Dakota is offered in Extended Cab and Quad Cab versions. At the time it received improved performance, better ride quality and innovative utility, as well as an all-new 4.7-liter V8 engine that produces 302 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque while achieving a 5 percent increase in fuel economy. Inside, the Dakota got a new instrument panel, center console and accent finishes. Crew Cabs offer an innovative, collapsible Crate ‘N Go removable under-seat cargo management system. A new Big Horn/Lone Star trim level replaces the SXT for 2009 and features the Crate ‘N Go system as standard equipment.

Compare pricing and features: Dakota vs. Tacoma

View Pictures:  Top Ten Pickups on MSN Autos

Chevrolet Colorado

The Colorado is Chevrolet’s midsize pickup truck, available in Regular Cab, Extended Cab and Crew Cab versions. It joined the Chevrolet lineup in 2004, replacing the aged S-10 pickup. Buyers have a choice of a 2.9-liter 4-cylinder or 3.7-liter 5-cylinder engine — both providing respectable EPA fuel economy in the low 20s — or a newly available 300-horsepower 5.3-liter V8. Other updates for 2009 include a new brake system for better stopping power and improved pedal feel, as well as an available ZQ8 sport suspension offered with lower ride height, 18-inch split-spoke aluminum wheels, performance tires, color-keyed bumpers, color-keyed grille with chrome surround, unique seats and a standard 5.3-liter V8 engine.

Compare pricing and features: Colorado vs. Frontier

Discuss:  Domestic pickups still dominate the sales charts, but have the imports closed the gap enough to for you to consider making the switch?

GMC Sierra 1500

Twin to the Chevrolet Silverado, the GMC Sierra is available in Regular Cab, Extended Cab and Crew Cab versions with a choice of three different box sizes: 5 feet 8 inches, 6 feet 6 inches and 8 feet. The Sierra received a complete redesign a few years ago with a stronger and stiffer fully boxed frame, restyled exterior and more spacious interior. For 2009, the Sierra gets a new 6-speed automatic transmission paired with the 5.3-liter, 6.0-liter and 6.2-liter engines. A more powerful E85-capable 6.2-liter V8 engine is available on the SLT Crew Cab.

Perry Stern's automotive career began 18 years ago as an advisor at a vehicle consulting firm. One of the original staff members of CarPoint, Microsoft's automotive Web site that launched in 1995, he became editor of the site in 2002, which is now known as MSN Autos. Stern has also contributed to MSNBC and various MSN properties in Canada, Japan and Europe.

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