2019 Pickup Truck Overview
Modern pickup trucks have become multi-purpose vehicles with surprising levels of refinement, sophistication and technology. While the price increases reflect this situation, Canadian consumers keep buying them in record numbers.
We’re not just talking about perennial sales leaders like the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500. New models have hit the market and picking the right truck can be quite a head-scratcher.
To help you see more clearly, here’s a photo gallery of every pickup truck currently on sale in Canada. Click on the links to learn more about them.
Chevrolet Colorado, starting at $27,000
With the Colorado, Chevrolet offers three engines and a ZR2 variant for off-road enthusiasts, not to mention a wide range of options. The 2.8-litre turbo-diesel can tow up to 7,700 pounds, best in the midsize pickup segment.
Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison
Chevrolet Silverado 1500/2500HD/3500HD, starting at $35,000
Fully redesigned for 2019, the Silverado 1500 now comes with two new engine options: a turbocharged 2.7-litre four cylinder and a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel. Chevrolet is taking advantage of the third generation’s arrival to introduce the new Trail Boss version, which is ready for off-road driving.
Silverado HD models soldier on until the 2020 editions come around, pushing maximum towing capacity to an unprecedented 35,500 pounds.
Ford Ranger, starting at $31,069
Back in Canada after an eight-year absence, the new Ranger's 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo generates 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This is the only engine available for now. With a 10-speed automatic gearbox and standard all-wheel drive, it has a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds.
Ford Ranger
Ford F-Series, starting at $31,799
The F-150 remains the best-selling vehicle in the country and offers consumers a variety of configurations. A brand new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 has joined the lineup, delivering a whopping 440 pound-feet of torque and an 11,400-pound towing capacity. There is also a naturally aspirated gasoline V6, two twin-turbo V6s and the iconic V8.
For Super Duty trucks (F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550), the entry-level engine is a 6.2-litre gas-powered V8. However, the 6.7-litre turbo-diesel V8 does the job like no other by generating 925 pound-feet of torque. Properly equipped, it is capable of towing an astounding 34,000 pounds.
GMC Canyon, starting at $27,700
GM revitalised the midsize pickup segment with the Canyon in 2014. This model is offered in several versions and with several drivetrains and engines—including a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel that can tow up to 7,700 pounds just like the Chevrolet Colorado.
GMC Canyon
GMC Sierra 1500/2500HD/3500HD, starting at $36,200
GMC’s full-size truck is available in various packages. There’s the standard pickup, the Limited, the rugged AT4 focus on off-road performance and the luxurious Denali. After launching a new generation of the Sierra for 2019, the company will make some updates for 2020, including an improved towing system, a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel and a GMC-exclusive carbon fibre cargo bed option.
Meanwhile, the upcoming 2020 Sierra HDs will be powered by a single engine choice, namely a 6.6-litre turbo-diesel V8 with a maximum towing capacity of 30,000 pounds.
Honda Ridgeline, starting at $40,990
The Car Guide’s Best Buy in the Compact/Midsize Pickup category, the Ridgeline has managed to carve out an enviable place for itself among small pickups due to its practicality and unique features. It still comes with a 3.5-litre V6 that produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive comes standard.
Honda Ridgeline
Jeep Gladiator, starting at $46,995
Inspired by the legendary Wrangler, the all-new Gladiator offers a 3.6-litre Pentastar gasoline V6 and a 3.0-litre EcoDiesel V6. Towing capacity is competitive at 7,650 pounds, off-road performance is unmatched and it’s the only convertible pickup on the market.
Jeep Gladiator
Nissan Frontier, starting at $24,498
Uniquely affordable, the Frontier soldiers on with a base 152-horsepower four-cylinder engine. You can replace it with a 261-horsepower V6 that allows a maximum towing capacity of 6,710 pounds. A full redesign is expected… for 2021.
Nissan Frontier
Nissan TITAN, starting at $46,698
Selection is very important to pickup buyers, and at Nissan they can choose between the standard TITAN and the beefier TITAN XD; single cab, king cab or crew cab; long or short bed; 4x2 or 4x4; a gasoline V8 rated at 390 horsepower or a turbo-diesel V8 generating 555 pound-feet of torque (capable of towing over 12,000 pounds).
Nissan TITAN XD
Ram 1500/2500/3500, starting at $43,345
The Car Guide’s Best Buy in the Full-size Pickup category, the next-generation Ram 1500 features a more rigid structure, lighter weight, heavily revised suspensions and a new eTorque mild hybrid system.
FCA continues to sell the previous model as the Ram 1500 Classic.
As for the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500, they too have been redesigned and can deliver up to 1,000 pound-feet of torque, good enough to tow 35,100 pounds!
Toyota Tacoma, starting at $31,825
The venerable Tacoma offers the choice of a 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine (159 horsepower) and a 3.5-litre V6 (278 horsepower), the latter capable of towing up to 6,500 pounds.
Off-road enthusiasts will turn to the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro models.
Toyota Tundra, starting at $39,625
In addition to revised TRD Pro models that enhance its off-road capabilities, Toyota's full-size pickup truck offers lower-priced trims for 2019. Once again, the Tundra is available with two- or four-wheel drive, a V8 engine producing 310 or 381 horsepower, a bed length of 5.5, 6.5 or 8.1 feet, as well as a towing capacity of up to 10,000 pounds.