Pickup Trucks

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2015 Ford F-150: The best pick-up truck gets better

As the country’s best-selling vehicle seemingly since the model-T, the 2015 Ford F-150 could have been presented identically as its older siblings and still led the pick-up truck pack. But Ford decided not to rest on success, particularly as other manufacturers’ trucks are ever improving. Key Takeaways Test truck: 4×4 SuperCab with a turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 and a six-speed automatic. $37,005 MSRP and $43,480 as tested, with the $2,150 XLT package and $1,695 XLT chrome appearance package. 18 mpg city and 23 highway (20 combined). Engines: a base 3.5-liter V6, a turbocharged 2.7-liter V6, a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 and a 5.0-liter V8, with a six-speed automatic standard. Cab: Driving a large pick-up is immediately reassuring. Dislikes: Small and oddly positioned

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2016 Toyota Tacoma Preview: Stronger, more trims

The redesigned 2016 Toyota Tacoma will feature a new powertrain, enhanced suspension timing and an expanded range of trim possibilities adding to the appeal of the enduring mid-size pickup. Fortified with additional steel, the 2016 Toyota Tacoma will have enhanced rigidity and more overall strength. The steel was integrated into the body shell using a new hot stamping process that reduces weight. Two engines will be offered: * A 2.7-liter DOHC four-cylinder with VVT-i that will produce 159 horsepower and EPA estimated city/highway/combined mpg for the 4×2 with an automatic transmission is19/23/21. Estimated fuel efficiency for the 4×4 with a manual transmission is 19/21/20 and 19/22/20 for the automatic. * A V6 with a segment-first 3.5-liter Atkinson cycle with VVT-iW

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2016 Ford F-650 and F-750 Preview

Ford has announced its 2016 F-650/F-750 medium-duty truck lineup with a 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel. It will feature three engine power ratings, including best-in-class standard diesel horsepower and torque, and no vocational limits on top ratings. The three diesel power levels available for the 2016 Ford F-650/F-750 are: 270 horsepower/675 lb.-ft. torque (best-in-class standard); 300 horsepower /700 lb.-ft. torque; 330 horsepower/725 lb.-ft. torque. The 2016 F-650/F-750 features a bold look inside and out. Offered in Regular Cab, SuperCab and Crew Cab styles and in straight frame, dock height and a new dedicated tractor model for heavy towing applications. The turbo diesel engine is paired with commercial-grade six-speed Ford TorqShift HD automatic transmission optimized for medium-duty vocations. The second

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Road Rage Revenge: How Sweet It Is (Video)

Road rage torments many. Maybe we’ve been the victim of road rage. Or maybe we’ve initiated an issue on a bad day or on a lot of bad days. Driving just often brings out the worst in people. Road rage revenge, however, is another matter. How sweet it is. In this instance, earlier this week a woman driver in Tampa, Fla., was the victim of road rage. But she recorded the situation on her smartphone and she had video of the outcome when the perpetrator spun out of control in wet weather and crashed on a median. The woman who made the video posted it on YouTube. She recorded the guy’s anger. She had the guy flipping her off. She

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2014 Toyota Tundra Review: Spacious, lots of stuff, lousy mileage

Manufactured since 1999, the Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup restyled for the first time in seven years for its 2014 editions. It’s offered in five grades: SR, SR5, Limited and premium grades Platinum and “1794 Edition.” Three cab styles, two-door Regular Cab, four-door Double Cab and four-door CrewMax are all available in 4×2 and 4×4. Key Takeaways Test truck: 2014 Tundra CrewMax 4×4 Limited with the 5.7-liter V8 and 381 horsepower. Bed: the CrewMax has the biggest cab in the Tundra lineup, but it comes only with a 66.7-inch short bed. EPA rating: 13 mpg city, 18 highway and 15 combined. Engines: a 4.0-liter V6 with 270 horsepower, a 4.6-liter V8 with 310 and a 5.7-liter V8 with 381.

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2015 Ford F-150 Preview: Lighter, stronger, faster

The 2015 Ford F-150 pickup truck, the country’s top-selling vehicle for 32 consecutive years, was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show as lighter, strong and with a greater towing capacity than its predecessor. With a stronger, high-strength steel backbone and high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloys, the new F-150 is approximately 700 pounds lighter than the 2014 edition. The weight reduction will allow the Ford F-150 to haul and tow more, accelerate quicker and stop in a shorter distance. As the best-selling truck in the United States for 37 straight years, the 2015 Ford F-150 will also have a host of new features. A 360-degree camera, eight-inch productivity screen with new truck apps and trailer hitch assist are among the

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2014 Toyota Tundra: New design, rugged but carlike

Toyota kicked open the door to the party with its all-new 2007 Tundra full-size pickup truck for the lucrative U.S. large pickup market — only to find an empty room. Where was everybody? Well, the economy had collapsed, causing full-size pickup truck sales to drop an estimated 50 percent. Toyota, which had built a $2.2 billion plant in San Antonio to build the new Tundra, was left with egg on its face. Here was a Toyota full-size pickup that finally was a direct challenge to domestic full-size pickups, with comparable size, power and capabilities. There also were long faces at Ford and General Motors, which had made fortunes selling large pickups—long the top-selling vehicles in America. Chrysler wasn’t happy with

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Prices set for refreshed 2014 Toyota Tacoma

Prices have been announced for the 2014 Toyota Tacoma, with the best-selling compact pickup truck in the United States available in dealerships during September 2013, according to the manufacturer. The MSRP for the 2014 Tacoma will range from $17,875 for the Regular Cab 4×2 with a four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission to $28,285 for the Double Cab 4×4 V6 Long Bed with a five-speed automatic.  The new pricing reflects an average increase of $100, or 0.4 percent. The 2014 Toyota Tacoma offers a new SR appearance package for 2014 with four levels of Entune Audio. In conjunction with the Entune upgrade, the backup camera display has been moved from the rear-view mirror to the Entune head unit display. The

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2014 Toyota Tundra Review: Spacious new workhorse

Redesigned for the first time in seven years, the 2014 Toyota Tundra features an integrated hood, tightened surfaces and new overall lines to further enhance the full-size pick-up’s pulling power and wide stance. The 2014 Tundra will be offered in a new five-grade strategy: the hard-working SR, volume-leading SR5, the well-appointed Limited, and two premium grades: Platinum and “1794 Edition.” Three cab styles, two-door Regular Cab, four-door Double Cab and four-door CrewMax, all available in 4×2 and 4×4. Each grade is well-equipped with key standard features. Showcased at a recent regional media gathering at Cle Elum, Wa., the 2014 Toyota Tundra lineup will range from $25,920 for the SR grade 4×2 Regular Cab, 4.0-liter V6 to $47,320 for the Platinum

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2014 Toyota Tundra Review: New look, more editions

The redesigned 2014 Toyota Tundra, available to the public in September, represents the first major change since the 2007 model for the half-ton, full-sized pick-up truck. The 2014 Tundra has a grade strategy consisting of the hard-working SR, volume-leading SR5, the well-appointed Limited, and two premium grades: Platinum and the new 1794 Edition. The 1794 Edition is a tribute to the ranch, founded in 1794, on which the Tundra plant is located in San Antonio. Tundra is offered in three cab styles, two-door Regular Cab, four-door Double Cab and four-door CrewMax, all available in 4×2 and 4×4. Exterior and Bed The new front design integrates the hood and grille for a chiseled and modern industrial image. Designers increased the size

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Ford F-150, 2014: Soon it’ll be a natural gas

The Ford F-150, the best-selling vehicle in the United States, will join several of its siblings and will be offered with a natural gas option beginning with iconic truck’s 2014 edition. The option, however, won’t be cheap. The automaker noted the 2014 F-150 will make it the only company with a full-size pickup that can come configured from the factory for natural gas. Ford’s natural-gas lineup has included the small Transit Connect, E Series vans and the Super Duty pickup and chassis cabs. Honda is the only manufacturer currently producing a standard production gas car with its Civic CNG. The current equivalent of natural gas, according to industry groups, is $2.11 a gallon — nearly half the current pump prices

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Ford F-150, country’s best-seller, facing NHTSA scrutiny for power failure

The Ford F-150 pickup truck, the best-selling vehicle in the United States, is under National Highway Traffic Safety Administration scrutiny. The NHTSA has opened preliminary investigation into 400,000 of the perennially popular trunks from 2011-2013 for acceleration problems. The NHTSA has received 95 reports of incidents of reduced engine power during hard accelerations in 2011-2013 Ford F-150 trucks equipped with 3.5-liter gasoline turbocharged direct injection engines. Some complaints allege unexpected sharp reductions in engine power during hard accelerations at highway speeds, such as attempted merging or passing maneuvers. NHTSA said Ford has issued three technical service bulletins related to intermittent stumble/misfire on acceleration from highway cruise in humid or damp conditions in some 2011 and 2012 F-150 vehicles equipped with

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Ford pick-ups from 2008 investigated for faulty steering

Ford is perennially the top-selling pick-up truck in the United States, but two models of the 2008 lineup are being investigated for faulty steering gear boxes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is opening a preliminary investigation into 340,000 Ford F250 and F350 Super Duty trucks from 2008 after several reported crashes. According to the NHTSA, five complaints alleging an internal failure of the steering gear box resulting in a complete loss of steering control and resulted in the the driver crashing the truck into a parked car at 20 miles per hour. A second report said failure of the steering gear box resulted in a roadway departure at 35 miles per hour. Another complaint said a 2008 F250

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Ford announces special edition package for 2014 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Ford announced its F-150 SVT Raptor, one of the stablemates in the country’s best-selling vehicle lineup, will have a new optional Special Edition package that will complement the existing Luxury Package. The upgrade will include a Ruby Red Metallic exterior color and box-side graphics. Interior upgrades include Brick Red seat bolsters with black inserts and cloth honeycomb highlights, console top finish panel, and center stack and door panel appliqué accents. The 2014 F-150 SVT Raptor Special Edition, which will go on sale in the of 2013, will also be available in Tuxedo Black Metallic. The Raptor has found an enviable niche in full-size pickups, with sales up 14 percent in 2013. More than 13,000 Raptors were sold in 2012. Since

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Ford F-150 will again lead U.S. vehicle sales 2012

With the end of the year near, the automotive industry will soon again tally its numbers and the best-selling car list will reveal how much has changed and how much the habits of the public have changed in the past 12 months. Just as it has been for many years, the Ford F-Series will again be the best-selling vehicle in the United States in 2012. The Chevrolet Silverado and Ram Pickup will again likely be in the top 10 and the Toyota Camry should retain its perch as the country’s best-selling car. But will green cars be represented in the top-20 for 2012? And will the Hyundai Sonata continue its strong sales year in December to not only boost Hyundai’s

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2014 Ford F-150: lighter, better mpg for country's top-selling vehicle

The Ford F-150 pickup, perennially the largest-selling vehicle in the United States, will weigh about 700 pounds less beginning with 2014 models to drastically improve the truck’s fuel efficiency. Details of the new F-150 are sketchy, but a recent report in the Wall Street Journal details the truck body will largely be constructed of aluminum not its current steel construction. As a result, the F-150 will weigh about 15 percent less and will further accelerate the F-150 toward to the average 54.5 mpg gallon by 2025 mandate approved by the Obama Administration. The weight reduction will increase the F-150’s miles per gallon fuel efficiency to meet 2020 fuel efficiency standards: a 25 percent mpg increase. According to Ford’s website, the

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