20 of the Very Best Pickup Trucks of 2022
Today's pickups package more utility, performance, features—and comfort!—than ever, making them great for both work and play.
By Wesley Wren
With more pickup trucks than we can fit into the Autoweek airplane hangar, we’ve picked 20 of the best for getting the job done, whether that job involves hauling motorcycles, lumber, or just toys. Hard to single out our favorite; as with any tool, there’s usually one or two that will fit the specific job to a T. So if you’re looking at wrangling a new pickup into your stable, look no further than right here for help in winnowing your list to a few select choices.
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2022 Ford F-150
Base price: $33,315
The Ford F-150 has a host of features, like a hybrid platform and a slick, work-focused interior. The latest-generation also shoves the V8 back under the hood of the Raptor with the aptly named Raptor R. The pickup still sits atop of the truck charts, and for good reason: It's really, really good.
2022 Ram 1500
Base price: $38,295
One of Autoweek’s favorite full-size pickups, the current generation Ram 1500 changed expectations for the average pickup. The 2022 Ram 1500 features more interior space than some small apartments, great storage solutions for the times you use your truck for work, and myriad powertrains to appease just about anyone.
2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Base price: $34,845
New for the 2019 model year, the Chevrolet Silverado didn’t shake the truck world to its core, but why would it? The Silverado expanded on what Chevy has learned over its long history of building vehicles designed to haul. This latest-generation Silverado adds the popular ZR2 package to give off-roaders what they want, and introduces a 2.7-liter turbocharged I4 to the Silverado.
2022 GMC Sierra
Base price: $35,645
Like its Chevy twin, the GMC Sierra 1500 was new for 2019. While it’s similar to the Silverado, the Sierra does have some features that you won’t find on the Chevy: namely, the carbon-fiber bed and MultiPro tailgate. So, if you plan on doing a lot of jumping in and out of your truck’s bed, it might be worth looking at the GMC.
2022 Toyota Tundra
Base price: $37,745
The Toyota Tundra got a serious update for 2022. The Tundra ditched the beloved 5.7-liter V8 in favor of a turbocharged V6. The '22 Tundra also introduced the hybrid i-Force Max powertrain. These new powertrains join new style and a significantly updated interior.
2022 Nissan Titan
Base price: $40,605
The Nissan Titan might not be leading the sales charge for Nissan, or even the full-size truck segment, but it still has a lot to offer truck fans. Powering the Titan is a naturally aspirated 5.6-liter V8 that makes 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. This V8 also means your new Nissan might be one of the best-sounding trucks on the market. The Titan can obviously work, too, and can tow up to 9800 pounds.
2022 Ford Ranger
Base price: $27,425
After a handful of years away from the North American market, the Ford Ranger returned in 2019 to a welcoming crowd. Powered by a 2.3-liter turbocharged I4, the Ranger makes a respectable 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough power to haul nearly a ton in the bed (1860 pounds for those keeping score at home). The Ranger can also tow 7500 pounds.
2022 Chevrolet Colorado
Base price: $27,230
The Chevrolet Colorado picked up where the long-running S10 left off. Now in midsize guise, the Colorado is more capable than ever. The Colorado is also home to Chevy's capable ZR2 package, which gives off-road hardware to new truck buyers. While the Colorado is still a great rig, the next-gen example is just around the corner if you can wait.
2022 GMC Canyon
Base price: $28,595
Like the Chevrolet Colorado but want something a little more upscale? Just like jumping over from a Silverado into a Sierra, you can do the same with the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. The Canyon is similar to the Colorado, but the Canyon heads into a more luxurious direction when you start checking the option boxes. And just like the Colorado, the Canyon is getting ready for its generational shift next year.
2022 Jeep Gladiator
Base price: $38,765
If you’re not trying to go too far off-road often but want a truck that looks like a Wrangler, the regular Jeep Gladiator fits the bill. Like the regular Tacoma and Ford F-150, the base form of the Jeep Gladiator does lose some of its off-road cred, but it should still handle more than the average pickup.
2022 Toyota Tacoma
Base price: $28,485
The Toyota Tacoma is a staple of the smaller truck world, and is always vying for the top spot among the segment. Toyota's Tacoma also has available the fantastic TRD Pro package, which adds Fox shocks, a 1-inch lift, and a set of Kevlar-reinforced Goodyear Wrangler tires. That's more than enough to head out to the dunes and have a good time.
2022 Nissan Frontier
Base price: $29,985
The new Nissan Frontier is finally here. It does carry over the 3.8-liter V6 making 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain debuted at the end of the previous Frontier's run, but is still relatively fresh.
2022 Ford Maverick
Base price: $22,490
After Ford's Ranger moved up to the midsize segment, that opened up space for Ford's Maverick, the company's return to smaller trucks. The base model Maverick features a 2.5-liter I4 mated to a hybrid powertrain, but if you want all-wheel drive, it's available with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost mill.
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Base price: $25,735
While Hyundai would prefer to call the Santa Cruz a "sport adventure vehicle," this pickup-bed-equipped Hyundai looks an awful lot like a truck. Similar in size to the Ford Maverick, the small truck segment is getting some serious love again.
2022 Honda Ridgeline
Base price: $39,435
The Honda Ridgeline might not set monthly sales figures ablaze, but this unibody truck might surprise you with how much work it can do. Perfect for smaller jobs, the Ridgeline can pull up to 5000 pounds. That’s enough for at least one car. You can also throw over 1000 pounds in the bed.
2022 Ram TRX
Base price: $80,685
Following the trend of monstrously capable pickups, the Ram TRX reset the bar. With 6.2-liter Hellcat power and a desert-ready suspension, the off-roading Ram put Ford's Raptor on notice. Oh yeah, and the TRX's 6.2-liter supercharged mill sends 702 hp to the sand.
2023 GMC Hummer EV
Base price: $110,295
The Hummer is back, and it's electric. Now under the GMC banner, the Hummer EV is available in truck and SUV form, but both ride on the General Motors Ultium platform. Despite its off-road aspirations and heft, the Hummer EV can sprint to 60 mph in only 3.3 seconds according to Car and Driver.
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning
Base price: $41,769
The Ford F-150 Lightning used to mean that there was a hopped up mill under the hood of Ford's workhorse pickup. Now it means that there's no engine at all. The Ford F-150 Lightning is Ford's battery-electric pickup, and it could be the vehicle that pushes EVs further into the mainstream.
2022 Rivian R1T
Base price: $68,575
The major players aren't the only companies working on battery-electric pickups. The Rivian R1T points at what the future of battery-electric pickups can be.
2024 Silverado EV
Base price: $42,000 (est)
Okay, so a little caveat: This isn't on sale yet. Yet the Silverado EV is coming, and it's worth mentioning on this list. Also riding on the Ultium platform, the Silverado EV should be stiff competition for Ford and Rivian when it makes its debut.
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