When pickup trucks come to mind, so do common stereotypes about dirt roads, country music and "real men." These parallels weren't made by mistake. In reality, it's a shrewd marketing ploy aimed at a particular demographic who prefers trucks over everything else. They want to drive something that can withstand a lot of wear and tear over time. In turn, car makers are going to make pickup trucks the way their clientele demands it: tougher than a tank.
It's no surprise then that so many militaries around the world are using pickup trucks for warfare. Even those who don't buy into the American selling point behind pickup trucks know they're built to last long. What is a better vehicle for war other than the one that can take the most punishment and still truck on?
While it's unnecessary for pickup trucks to last as long as they do, it's definitely paying off for truck owners around the world today. Automakers are kicking themselves for releasing trucks with such long-life spans. In a market though saturated with trucks and SUVs today, which ones make the cut for toughest yet? This list only has the biggest and toughest pickup trucks on the market today.
20 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500
It's hard to believe just how many miles the Silverado 2500 and 3500 models can last.
Chevy dealer Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick reports that a couple owning a Silverado 3500 back in 2006 managed to set a mileage record. Over the course of seven years, the couple managed to reach 1.2 million miles in their Silverado.
Apparently, the couple put 500 miles a day on it for their business. It's also worth mentioning that the same Silverado used those mauls to haul trailers, boats and plenty of bigger vehicles. Without a doubt, the Silverado 3500 is no pushover.
19 Chevrolet Colorado
Chevrolet has proven they have a major foothold in the truck market today. The Chevrolet Colorado continues their tradition of long-lasting pickup trucks. According to Motor Trend, new models since 2017 come equipped with 3.6-liter V6 engines. That means it's got 308 hp due to an upgrade from past models.
Something else noteworthy about newer models is the Hydra-Matic automatic transmission made from aluminum and magnesium. Without compromising any of its previous long-lasting capabilities, the truck now has better acceleration. This midsize truck packs a lot of power while ensuring it'll stick around for years to come.
18 Ford Ranger
Is there a tougher truck on the road than the Ford Ranger?
According to Cars.com, Ford put their Ranger through some rigorous tests to show just how tough it really is. Some tests deemed too dangerous for humans even required Ford to employ robot drivers.
One such test included driving dirt roads in Michigan. Another test included shaking the vehicle for days on end. This creates stress on the vehicle in order to produce sounds that might irritate a driver over time. It just goes to show what lengths Ford was willing to go to make this vehicle battle-tested.
17 Toyota Tundra
Known for making trucks that go the distance, Toyota is undoubtedly a major player in the pickup market today. Even if the Toyota Tundra doesn't rank as one of the top selling trucks today, it's definitely one of the toughest. It's a Toyota truck, after all.
In a report by J.D. Power under their Vehicle Dependability Study, as per Autobytel, the Tundra once sat at number one on the list. To be at the top of J.D. Power's VDS says a lot about the performance and dependability of the Tundra. It wouldn't be surprising to see this thing outlast half the vehicles in a war today.
16 Ram 1500
Ram has a huge niche in the pickup truck market today.
As Autobytel notes, Ram claims that their trucks are "America's longest-lasting pickups." Is it a claim Ram backs up though? The answer is a resounding yes.
With Rams lasting a long time, it's good news the interior is so comfortable. Though there's not a lot of room in the back seats. What it lacks on the inside though it makes up for on the outside. Plus, it's one of the best towing pickups around. Ram owners just need to be sure they have something that needs towing before they get one.
15 Jeep Comanche
More than just a cool looking truck, the Jeep Comanche has all the makings of a reliable vehicle. It wouldn't be unheard of for this thing to keep on trucking after 250,000 miles. While some might look down on Jeeps, the Comanche's longevity ought to change their minds.
These Comanches from the late '80s, according to Four Wheeler, come with a 4.0-liter engine. The source even reports Wranglers clocking exceeding 350,000 miles, which only instills further confidence in Jeep's promise. These vehicles are built to last, and the Comanche has a worthy place among long-lasting pickups.
14 GMC Sierra
In spite how popular Chevy trucks are today, that hasn't stopped GMC from stepping onto the pickup scene (even though GM manufactures both brands). GMC believes they're supreme when it comes to making the best trucks on the market today.
The GMC Sierra 1500 certainly makes a good case for that assertion. It's one of the longest-lasting trucks today.
Car Buying Strategies also notes that starting with the 2017 models, GMC added a feature for teenage drivers. Apparently, the feature tracks where teens are when driving the Sierra and even updates parents on how their kids are driving. If there's one thing that won't last long with the Sierra, it's a teenager's freedom.
13 Nissan Frontier
Writing this ten years ago, chances are the Nissan Frontier wouldn't have made the list. Nissan's midsize pickup has had its ups and downs. The good news is that today, the Frontier is better than ever before.
At the start of 2017, according to Autobytel, the Frontier received J.D. Power's IQS, which stands for Initial Quality Study. That makes this a worthy contender compared to other pickup trucks when it comes to life expectancy. Even more, it's got a steel frame that's built to last the long haul. We're glad Nissan made some much-needed improvements to the Frontier.
12 Ford F-150
When one thinks of aluminum, it's hard not to think about soda cans.
In terms of the F-150's aluminum though, as Autobytel reports, it's definitely not the kind they use for soda. Ford claims that their aluminum is in fact "military grade."
Whatever the case may be, there's no denying what materials make up the F-150 isn't going to wither anytime soon. Even more, Ford is only improving on past versions. For example, the frame that rolled out on the 2017 model has three times more steel than the one that preceded it. That's Ford's way of promising the F-150 will be around longer than your dog.
11 Ram 2500/3500
The Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks are not for the faint of heart. According to Car Buying Strategies, the Ram 3500 is more than just a towing powerhouse. It's also great for daily commuting. In fact, many aren't prepared for how well the truck handles.
People assume that since it's a pickup, it's not going to excel in handling. While it's no agile two-seater, the Ram does have the option of rear wheels to improve reactions on the road. With a heavy-duty truck like this, Ram guarantees it'll be around long after you ride it out of the dealership.
10 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
There's a lot to like about the Chevy Silverado 1500 on the surface. Though underneath it's rough exterior, the vehicle actually has more to offer. What's nice about the Silverado is the ability to customize different parts of the vehicle, including the cab size and bed.
According to Car Buying Strategies, it's GM's best-selling truck on the market today.
Without a doubt, the options GM offers help in providing a selling point. Above all though, Chevy promises it's a truck that'll last owners for plenty of miles on the road for years to come. That makes it one of the longest lasting trucks in the world today.
9 GMC Canyon
Back in the 1940s, America was fighting in World War II. That didn't stop GMC from making vehicles though. They ended up contributing 584,000 vehicles in all for the war effort, according to USA Today. Now, their trucks today are giving war vehicles a run for their money.
The Canyon is a smaller version of the Sierra. That doesn't mean it won't stretch beyond 200,000 miles though if you take good enough care of it. Plus, it's a lot more affordable than it's Sierra big brother. With 308 hp, as per Car and Driver, it's less a show pony and something of a workhorse.
8 Nissan Titan
Nissan has plenty of trucks that can resist Old Father Time as well, starting with the Nissan Titan. Those wanting to up the ante though can go with the Titan XD instead. Partnering with Cummins, as Nissan Of Cool Springs reports, the Titan XD comes with a 5.0-liter V8 engine. That translates over to 310 horsepower and 555 lb-ft of torque. That's not the only appealing thing about the XD model.
It's also earned the honors of being "America's Best Truck Warranty," as Autobytel notes.
That makes the Nissan Titan deserving of its place on the list.
7 Ford F-250 Super Duty
When it comes to heavy-duty trucks, the Ford F-250 makes the cut. With a 6.2-liter V8 engine, as reported by J.D. Power, the truck can do 385 horsepower. With power like that, the F-250 won't have any problems hauling. It's the kind of quality one can expect when it comes to Ford trucks.
According to Dual Liner, Ford's been making trucks since 1917. Not long after that, by 1948, the F-series trucks rolled onto the market. They even made the same front-bumper on the trucks for a period of time, from the 50s all the way to the 70s.
6 T2 Honda Ridgeline
The Honda Ridgeline is a pickup truck, though its body suggests something of a crossover too. Though equipped with an in-bed trunk—there’s no doubt about it being a pickup.
Plus, there’s an interesting feature involving the tailgate, according to Jalopnik: it opens sideways and orthodox. The Ridgeline starts at $30,000.
The Honda Ridgeline may sound odd to traditional truck owners. There's no question about it though when it comes to its lifespan. According to a study by iSeeCars, as provided by Autotrader, they found the Ridgeline was most likely to hit 200,000 miles for a pickup (besides the Tacoma).
5 Chevy S-10
The Chevy S-10 may not look like anything special, but the key here is longevity. As Top Speed appropriately sums up, these trucks are some of the most dependable on the road. Not only that, but they're inexpensive too.
With a smaller and more minimal size to common trucks on the road today, this truck specialized less on hauling and more on comfort. There's also the S-10 Xtreme, which comes with a 2.2-liter V6, according to Motor1, and can do 120 horsepower. With a lower suspension, this one provides more eye candy, while still ensuring it'll last for years (in good hands).
4 Toyota Hilux
Toyota is a huge player in the pickup business today. While Tacomas stand as one of the company's flagship trucks, the Hilux was an important building block for what their trucks are today.
These chunkier looking trucks may not have boasted much when it comes to power, sporting only a 1.9-liter engine with 84 hp, as per Motor Trend. Yet what they lacked in performance, they certainly made up for in longevity.
Plus, that long truck bed didn't hurt to spice things up either. It wouldn't be too surprising to still see some of these things on the roads today, considering their lifespan.
3 Mitsubishi Raider
Some truck enthusiasts might be put off by the round front and design of the Mitsubishi Raider. Though they won't have much criticism for its long-lasting capabilities. It's a reliable pickup with the promise of a long-term commitment.
As U.S. News details, there won't appear to be much of a difference in quality even surpassing 100,000 miles. Even IntelliChoice praises the Mitsubishi Raider, ranking it high on its list for the infrequency of repairs necessary. Fewer repairs and less maintenance is something all truck enthusiasts can agree on, even if the Raider isn't at the top of their wish list.
2 Chevy Avalanche
With a bed as unique as the Chevy Avalanche's, these trucks are easy to spot. Arriving on the scene back in 2001, the pickup went on to sell well for Chevy, according to NY Daily News. Not only could it haul, but families liked them too.
As per U.S. News, the Avalanche is among the best when it comes to reliability. That puts it in a special class of trucks made to last.
Unfortunately, the Avalanche is no longer produced by Chevy. They started to cut production back in 2012. Though they did release a Black Diamond version as a final goodbye as it rolled into the sunset.
1 Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma has a reputation for being one of the longest-lasting vehicles ever. It's no surprise to come across one of these pickups with 250k miles or more.
According to Autobytel, the secret to a Tacoma's extraordinary lifespan lies in the body-on-frame construction. That means they lock the body directly to the frame, as opposed to going with a unibody. Although it may mean less comfort for the driver, instead it translates over to a longer-lasting vehicle. The TRD Pro model even comes with tires reinforced with Kevlar. It doesn't get more military grade than that.
Sources: Motor Trend, Autobytel, Car and Driver, USA Today, Jalopnik, Autotrader