We're nearing that time of year again when our sister website Cars.com will announce its annual "Best Of" awards in several categories on the last press day of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. This year is particularly interesting given how many pickup trucks qualify for the Best Pickup Truck Award, which PickupTrucks.com will announce during the awards presentation on Jan. 13 in the historic Fillmore theater.
In the meantime, here are the nominees. Can you guess which vehicle we selected?
Chevrolet Colorado
The all-new Chevy Colorado — and its sibling, the GMC Canyon — are brand-new entries in the long-ignored midsize pickup truck segment. The Colorado and Canyon have been gone from the marketplace for almost three years but have returned with a completely new chassis and powertrain lineup. Available in both extended- and crew-cab configurations, the Colorado will offer inline-four-cylinder and V-6 engines, two wheelbases, three trim levels and reportedly will offer a small turbo-diesel engine next year.
Ford F-150
It would be easy to dismiss the importance of this new F-150 if all you thought was important was the truck's aluminum body panels. But this truck offers a lot more than aluminum. The F-150 is reimagined in just about every way with new trim levels, never-before-seen (on a pickup truck) technology, and more payload and towing capacity than any truck in its segment. As to powertrains, there are four choices, two of which are brand new; the standout is the new 2.7-liter V-6 EcoBoost with the best gas fuel economy for any half-ton.
Ford Super Duty F-250/F-350
Ford's biggest changes to its heavy-duty lineup comes in the form of a significantly upgraded Power Stroke 6.7-liter turbo-diesel V-8. Every Super Duty that gets the big puller will get the segment-leading 440-horsepower rating with 860 pounds-feet of torque. The newly revamped motor gets a bigger, smarter turbo, better cooling and now includes a dedicated, manually operated exhaust brake button. The small-volume F-450 has the highest ratings in the HD segment now that it has an upgraded frame, chassis and axle setup.
GMC Sierra HD 2500/3500
Both the GMC Sierra 2500/3500 and the Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 have the same type of upgrades to their 2015 model lineup: all-new exterior look, several bed design changes and an interior that's very much in line with last year's light-duty Silverado and Sierra. The gas and diesel powertrains carryover from 2014, but some smart frame and towing hitch upgrades have given this model segment-leading bumper towing capacity. We selected the GMC as our nominee because it was the big winner in our 2014 Ultimate One-Ton HD Challenge.
Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
This newest trim package from Toyota will take the impressive TRD Baja off-road package two (and maybe three) steps further with a more balanced and fine-tuned suspension lift, a set of four remote-reservoir Bilstein high-performance racing shocks, aggressive all-terrain tires and a unique, durable interior. The new package is one of the most capable four-wheel-drive pickups offered and comes standard with a rumbling aftermarket-style TRD exhaust.
Toyota Tundra TRD Pro
Toyota trucks have a history in desert racing that goes back several decades, but this new off-road package moves the full-size Tundra into some elite company in the world of capable four-wheelers. The package is offered in both double-cab and CrewMax configurations and includes slightly taller and softer front and rear springs, fast-reacting and adjustable remote-reservoir Bilstein shocks, and unique bead-lock-type rims with Michelin off-road tires.
Cars.com graphic
Source: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2014/12/our-best-pickup-truck-of-2015-contenders.html
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