The popularity of trucks has been on an upward trajectory for decades and now accounts for over 20% of new vehicle sales. While the humble work truck remains, modern buyers also demand an upscale pickup appointed with premium accoutrements, the latest technology, infotainment options and flashy details. To determine the best luxury trucks, we looked at standard interior appointments including substrates, standard tech and infotainment features, interior design, exterior design cues and overall ride quality and interior noise levels.
1. 2022 Ram 1500 Limited
Why We Picked It:
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Ram 1500’s top-tier Limited trim, the maker cooked up the cleverly named Limited 10th Anniversary Package. That only adds to the Ram 1500’s reputation as the smoothest-riding and quietest full-size half-ton pickup on the market. The standard top-tier Limited Starts at $62,390 including a $1,795 destination and includes leather seating, the Uconnect 5 infotainment with an 8.4-inch screen and premium 10-speaker audio among other features. Power comes from the proven 5.7-liter hemi V8 with an eight-speed automatic, but you can spec the e-torque version at no charge or opt for the 3.0-liter diesel for $3995. The 10th Anniversary package is a steal at $2,145, bringing quilted leather seating and door inserts, real wood and metal trim details, a suede headliner, jeweled shifter knob and a massive 12-inch infotainment touchscreen with a 19-speaker premium sound system. Ultimately, however, it’s the Ram’s serene interior and smooth ride that land it at the top of the list. Read full review
Pros
- Smooth ride and quiet interior
- New exclusive Blue Shade 10th Anniversary exterior color
- Available air suspension for an even more complaint ride
Cons
- Adaptive cruise and Lane Keep assist are not standard
- Lengthy option sheet can drive price up quickly
- Infotainment system lags and hiccups occasionally
2. 2022 Ford F-150 Limited
Why We Picked It:
If you’re the type of customer who prefers the one-and-done style of shopping, the Ford F-150 Limited is for you. True, its $76,030 (including $1695 destination fee) price is about $14,000 more dear than Ram Limited’s base price, but the Ford comes absolutely loaded to the gills right from the showroom floor. That means a leather-lined interior, dual-pane sunroof, adaptive cruise control, the entire suite of Ford 360 safety and assist features, a tow package with trailer backup assist, 22-inch wheels and more. Really, the only options are four-wheel drive ($3,425) and the V6 hybrid powertrain ($1,900) to replace the standard 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and 10-speed automatic. While the F-150 lacks few amenities, the Ram has an edge in refinement—for now. Read full review
Pros
- Fully loaded from the showroom
- Chrome accents look the part of a gentleman farmer
- Available Hybrid brings the 7.2 kWh Pro Power Onboard system
Cons
- Ram 1500 still the champ for interior luxury, smooth ride
- Diesel option no longer available
- No standalone hybrid model
2. 2022 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate
Why We Picked It:
New for 2022, the Sierra Denali Ultimate’s interior is a mobile clubroom, featuring real wood accents, full-grain leather front and rear seats, door panels and console lid— even the instrument panel gets wrapped in cowhide. A micro-suede headliner, 16-way adjustable and massaging front seats and power sunroof add to the vibe. Remarkably, GM’s Super Cruise driver-assistance technology is standard, as are a 15-inch Head-Up Display, 12-speaker Bose audio system and rear-view camera mirror all find themselves on the Denali Ultimate’s standard equipment list. Like the F-150 Limited, the 2022 GMC Sierra Denali the adheres to the kitchen sink approach and it wears an $80,395 MSRP as the result.
Pros
- Class-exclusive adaptive suspension
- Proven 420-horsepower, 6.2L V-8 engine
- Six-way MultiPro tailgate
Cons
- Prominent fascia a bit bold for some tastes
- Fuel Economy not great
- Not available till late Spring 2022
3. 2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
Why We Picked It:
Toyota’s Tundra Capstone is a new entry for 2022, superseding the still in production Tundra 1794 edition at the peak of Toyota Tundra luxury mountain. Essentially the Lexus of pickups, it, and all 2022 Tundras, get a new coil-spring rear suspension that does wonders for the ride. The Capstone, however, ships with the i-FORCE MAX 3.5L twin-turbo V6 hybrid powerplant and 10-speed automatic transmission as the sole powertrain. 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats upholstered with semi-aniline leather and a power-adjustable, leather-wrapped steering wheel cosset the driver, while genuine walnut accents, a panoramic sunroof, heated and cooled rear seats and an acoustic laminated windshield and side windows provide quiet comfort. A vertically opening rear cabin window is a nice touch. Toyota’s top-tier infotainment system features a 14-inch touchscreen and 12 JBL speakers and Toyota throws every safety and driving assistance feature it has in on the deal. 22-inch chrome and machined wheels increase the bling factor. We expect pricing closer to the Tundra Capstone’s on-sale date in the spring of 2022. Read full review.
Pros
- Hybrid Powertrain promises good fuel-economy for the class
- Excellent amount of standard equipment
- Toyota’s reputation for reliability and resale value
Cons
- Some buyers will still want a V8, regardless of fuel economy
- No physical tuner knob for the infotainment
- No generator capability like the hybrid F-150
4. 2022 Chevrolet Silverado High Country
Why We Picked It:
Redesigned for 2019, the Silverado missed the mark in terms of interior appointments and technology. The company pivoted and addressed the issues for the 2022 Silverado, adding new touchscreens and software, a standard suite of safety gear and increased towing rating for the diesel-equipped version. In the case of the Silverado High Country, that means real wood trim on the console, standard leather upholstery with detailed stitching in a choice of Jet Black or Nightshift Blue colors and real stainless accents including the speaker grilles for the standard Bose audio system. GM’s vaunted Super Cruise driver assistant technology is available on the High Country. Just remember, due to the microchip shortage the older model still exists as the “Silverado 1500 LTD” for the first part of 2022 and luxury-seeking buyers are advised to wait until the “new” Silverado High Country with the upgrades to hit showrooms in the the spring of 2022. It wears a base MSRP of $58,495, including a $1,695 destination fee. Read full review.
Pros
- Stylish interior with top-quality materials
- Good powertrain choices are made even better for 2022
- Major upgrades in standard safety features
Cons
- Not as refined as Ford or Ram, and loses out to Ford on brawn
- Rough ride over broken pavement
- Many desirable features still cost extra
5. 2021 Nissan Titan Platinum Reserve
Why We Picked It:
Nissan remains a bit of an outlier in the full-size pickup segment, but it’s Titan Platinum Reserve still has the goods to cosset occupants looking for a civilized pickup experience. It’s ace-in-the-hole is its version of Nissan’s vaunted zero-gravity seats that are both cushy and supportive; on the downside, they come in even the base trim. All the usual accoutrements are present: premium leather seating, heated and cooled front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and wood and metal detailing bits. The problem isn’t that the Titan is bad, rather just that competition is better. On the other hand, the two-wheel drive Crew Cab Platinum Reserve starts at “just” $58,395 including $1,695 destination (4×4 is $61,675). Four-wheel drive is a $3,280 upcharge.
Pros
- Trailer tech including sway control and a braking controller are standard
- Standard 5-year, 100,000-mile powertrain and limited warranty
- 400-horsepower V8 and nine-speed automatic competent if not class-leading
Cons
- Many basic options, standard on the competition, are extra
- Introduced for 2016 and refreshed for 2020, it feels much older
- Lowest tow rating in half-ton class
Methodology
To determine the best luxury pickups, we looked at standard interior appointments including substrates, standard tech and infotainment features, interior design, exterior design cues and the overall quality of the ride and interior noise levels.
Forbes Wheels: How Do We Rate Cars?
Methodology
For 2022, our evaluation covers seven areas:
- Performance
- Fuel Economy
- Safety
- Infotainment
- Comfort & Room
- Cargo Space & Storage
- Style & Design
Overall: 100 points
- Performance (15 points) The Performance score is a subjective assessment of a vehicle’s handling, braking, acceleration, ride quality and other qualitative performance measures such as horsepower, torque, zero-to-60 time and top speed. Towing capability for trucks and SUVs also is considered. Performance of the vehicles is compared against the identified competitive set. While driving, reviewers look for attributes relative to the expectations set by the manufacturer and by consumer expectations.
- Fuel Economy (15 points) The Fuel Economy score is based on the combined mpg estimate for the entire model lineup and how that figure measures against the identified competitive set. The mpg estimates are based on EPA data or the manufacturer if no EPA data is available. Hybrid and plug-in electric variants within a lineup that significantly lower their overall average will not be included in the comparison unless the competitive set also have hybrid or PHEV variants. Scoring for pure electric vehicles will be based on kilowatts consumed per 100 miles and the comparative mile per gallon equivalent, or MPGe.
- Safety (15 points) The Safety score is based on crash test results from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Vehicles not yet rated by either agency receive zero points. Also included in the safety rating are points awarded for certain advanced driver-assistance safety features offered as standard equipment on the base trim. There are nine safety features Forbes Wheels considers mandatory for the standard offering: forward emergency automatic braking, forward collision warning, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning or one its higher-level variants, lane keeping assistance or lane centering. Vehicles must have at least four of these in their standard offering to receive points. Vehicles that offer a Level 2 self-driving system, (a combination of adaptive cruise control and lane centering) are eligible for a bonus point.
- Infotainment (15 points) The Infotainment score is based on points awarded for certain features offered as standard equipment on the base trim. Forbes Wheels identifies certain features that are growing in popularity and therefore have been adopted by both premium and mainstream automakers. Some of these features include a minimum 7-inch touchscreen (or premium vehicles that use a rotary knob, touchpad or other mechanism to control a non-touchscreen display), wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a customizable, digital driver information display or instrument panel and at least 2 USB ports. Additional points are awarded for popular features that haven’t been widely adopted in mainstream vehicles such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless charging capabilities.
- Comfort & Room (15 points) The Comfort & Room score is based on points awarded for the reviewer’s assessment of the vehicle’s comfort, ergonomics and overall interior feel as well as effective use of space. Points also are awarded for the measurement of rear-seat legroom and how it compares with the identified competitive set. Vehicles that offer a segment-best legroom in either rear seat or optional third row are eligible for a bonus point.
- Cargo Space & Storage (15 points) The Cargo Space & Storage score is based on points awarded for the reviewer’s assessment of the vehicle’s large and small cargo spaces (as well as small-item storage) and how well they serve their purpose and effective use of space. Reviewers also consider innovative storage solutions and flexible loading features. Points also are awarded for the cargo space measurements for rear cargo hold or trunk and how it compares with the identified competitive set. Vehicles that offer a segment-best cargo or trunk space are eligible for a bonus point.
- Styling (10 points) The Performance score is a subjective assessment of a vehicle’s overall styling and design, inside and out. Reviewers also consider the configuration of the interior and how well the design plays into the function. Build quality also is a consideration.