Anyone who has ever owned a pickup truck knows how handy they are, especially if you're hauling a skid of shingles to the job site, for example. But what if your job site isn't a construction zone? What if it's a hospital or a courthouse or a high-rise office building? Today a doctor, attorney or CEO can drive a truck to the office and still keep up appearances. Premium truck models are trimmed in chrome and leather, come outfitted with the most powerful engines and sophisticated electronics available, and some even rival luxury cars in comfort. But regardless of how posh they've been dressed up to be, they all can still pull a horse trailer or a boat on the weekend. Here are six professions paired with luxury trucks that will fit the lifestyle.
Cadillac Escalade EXT
Profession: Attorney
The flamboyant Escalade is a good truck choice for an attorney who wants to flash his case-winning success. It would be easy to pass off the Escalade EXT as a tarted-up Chevrolet Avalanche. The Cadillac offers an exclusive powertrain — a 6.3-liter 403-horsepower V8 engine mated to full-time all-wheel drive — and a truly luxurious cabin. A covered 5-foot bed behind a 4-door cabin will secure golf clubs, mountain bikes and lots of legal files. Fold down the rear seats and the bulkhead between the cabin and the bed, and you extend the cargo area to eight feet; however, you lose the back seat. The hard bed cover and the rear window can be removed to accommodate bulkier cargo.
The fully optioned Premium package ($69,640) includes 22-inch wheels, a DVD player, a rear-view camera, heated and cooled front and rear seats, a sunroof, a navigation system and a Bose sound system. Quality leather, burled wood and polished chrome finish the cabin to a level on a par with Cadillac automobiles. The tow rating of 7,600 pounds is adequate for most recreational duties. An Escalade EXT will get your boat to the summer house and coddle clients during the week.
See: Trucks With More Than 400 Horsepower
Honda Ridgeline RTL
Profession: Regional Sales Manager
If you work in sales, you likely cover a lot of miles, frequently exploring your territory with staff or trainees. The Ridgeline has modest truck capabilities; it can tow 5,000 pounds and carry 1,500 pounds in its 5-foot bed. But its independent rear suspension delivers a smooth ride and easy handling that you'll appreciate on a long road trip. There's plenty of legroom for passengers in the rear of the cabin, and the EPA's 21-mpg highway mileage rating is good for a truck.
Do you travel with a lot of samples? Fold up the 60/40 split rear seats to stow that big floor display. Luggage or a couple of golf bags can be stashed in the 8.5-cubic-foot trunk below the bed floor. The fully optioned Ridgeline RTL ($37,180 with navigation system) includes 18-inch wheels, leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, a 160-watt audio system and a 115-volt AC power outlet for charging a cell phone or a laptop. Order the optional chrome wheels ($2,150) to really impress the troops. On the weekend, the 3.5-liter 250-horsepower V6 engine provides enough power to tow a fishing boat or camper, and with the tailgate down, the bed is the perfect size for a Honda dirt bike or ATV.
Read Blog: Honda Ridgeline, We Hardly Knew Ye
Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid
Profession: Politician
Arrive at a campaign meet-and-greet in this dual-mode hybrid pickup and you will impress voters who appreciate your rugged individualism and those with an environmental agenda. The Silverado Hybrid ($39,265) is powered by a 6.0-liter 325-horsepower V8 gasoline engine augmented by a pair of 60-kilowatt electric motors energized by a nickel-metal hydride battery pack below the rear seat. A complex control system and 4-speed variable transmission juggles driving modes among electric-only, gas-only and combined electric and gas power, and it can even deactivate four cylinders on the gas engine under light loads.
The electric motors alone move the truck up to about 30 mph and help the Silverado Hybrid achieve an EPA rating of 20 mpg city, much better than the 12 to 15 mpg rating typical of full-size trucks. The 23-mpg highway rating is not much better than a standard truck, however, so the hybrid bonus is mostly paid to drivers who spend a lot of time on city streets or in stop-and-go snarls. The tow rating of 6,100 pounds is significantly lower than other full-size trucks. Offered only with a crew cab and a short-bed body, the Silverado Hybrid can be ordered in 2HY Crew Cab trim, with leather upholstery over power bucket seats in front, a hard bed cover, a navigation system and a Bose stereo. Nice, but not as upscale as the Silverado LTZ trim level. "Hybrid" badges on the front fenders let everyone know you are doing your part.
