How To Choose The Right Truck
No matter if you intend to use it for work or play, choosing the right pickup truck can be a challenge for both seasoned pickup owners as well as first-time truck shoppers. In addition to the sheer amount of choices available on today’s market, you might be struggling to determine if you need a midsize or full-size truck. It’s possible that you might need some help choosing the right bed length, cab configuration, and engine type as well. Fortunately, our team at Basil Family Dealerships has created this handy pickup truck buying guide that’ll cover all of the key differences between the various sizes of pickups currently available. You’ll be armed with all of the information necessary to make an informed buying decision.
Pickup Truck Classes Explained
Compact Pickup Trucks
Although you might remember many of the compact pickup trucks of days past, this segment is making a return to the marketplace for a variety of reasons. Especially popular with DIY enthusiasts, drivers searching for maximum fuel economy, or those who simply don’t need the size of a midsize or full-size truck – compact pickups offer the perfect solution. The recently introduced Ford Maverick is leading the charge with its standard hybrid powertrain, FLEXBED system, and compact wheelbase. Still plenty capable thanks to an available all-wheel drive system and a maximum towing capacity of up to 4,000 pounds – trucks like the Maverick proves that driving a pickup doesn’t mean having to sacrifice maneuverability or efficiency.
Compact Pickup Truck Benefits
- Easier to maneuver and park
- Superior fuel economy
- Most affordable class of pickup trucks
- Performance and capability suitable for homeowners or DIY projects
Midsize Pickup Trucks
The next class that we’d like to cover is the midsize pickup truck segment. An excellent midpoint between compact and full-size pickup trucks, midsize trucks balance size with capability in a package and pricepoint suitable for many potential buyers. Perhaps the most well-rounded class of pickup, these types of vehicles can come close to or even match the towing and payload of some full-size trucks. Better still, their size is still quite liveable for daily needs without requiring too much effort to fit into a tight parking space or even your garage at home. Since they’re less expensive than their full-size counterparts, you’ll be able to dedicate more of your budget towards creature comforts and other amenities when shopping. For example, the GMC Canyon is available with premium features like heated leather upholstery, an available Duramax turbodiesel engine, and even an off-road performance package.
Midsize Pickup Truck Benefits
- Sweet spot sizing between compact and full-size
- Performance options ranging from economical to muscular
- Diverse selection of models from many major truck brands
- Feature content that spans from utilitarian to luxurious
Full-Size Pickup Trucks
Now we’ve reached the top of the pickup truck food chain. Full-size pickup trucks offer the ultimate experience for drivers that crave maximum performance, comfort, and capability. Obviously, their size makes them the best choice for the toughest jobs like towing or hauling large equipment. Typical engine choices usually range from economical V6 options all the way up to potent gasoline or diesel V8s that crank out jaw-dropping amounts of power. You’ll enjoy a commanding view of the road ahead with some exceptional comfort features made possible by their platform’s size. Choosing a crew cab configuration, the most popular cab in America, means that you can enjoy headroom and legroom that rivals even the most luxurious sedans or SUVs. Also packed with the brains to match their brawn, full-size trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado come equipped with cutting-edge tech features including a 360-degree overhead view camera, active safety features, and onboard Wi-Fi to help you stay connected from the job site to the campsite.
Full-Size Pickup Truck Benefits
- Ultimate performance and utility
- Generous interior dimensions and comfort features
- Most cab, bed, and engine choices to suit the needs of any truck buyer
- Options to suit any budget