There’s a story from April 2016. It was a typical afternoon in Los Angeles, California when a policeman noticed something odd at about 1:12 p.m.: someone driving a white crew cab didn't stop at an intersection. Reports started coming through of a possible robbery in the area. Soon, a high-speed chase was underway.
It didn't take long for things to get out of hand. The huge truck, weaving in and out of lanes and always outside the cops' reach, was blazing down highways. In spite the truck going 100 mph at times throughout the chase, it never went out of the cops' sight. By 2:20 p.m., after a turbulent chase, the police finally caught up with the truck in Ontario. Although it wasn't the first time something like this was on display, it certainly reinforced the fact that trucks have what it takes to make use of all that power underneath.
A souped-up truck is one with a lot of horsepower. No, the term has nothing to do with Campbell's soup. According to Jalopnik, by way of Webster's Dictionary, the term comes from what they used to inject into horses as a catalyst intended to get them to go faster. An injected horse was said to have been "souped up," suggesting it was primed and ready for a race.
These trucks are no different from those horses. They're equipped with enough horsepower to outrun any police force on the road today—at least for an afternoon. There are no guarantees it'll get drivers home free. While this much speed usually isn’t needed in pickup trucks, these ones are an exception to the rule. As an obligatory disclaimer: we strongly advise against fleeing the cops in any scenario. All trucks listed include their top speeds.
25 GMC Syclone / 126 mph
Aside from bearing the classic pickup aesthetic, the GMC Syclone could also deliver maddening speed.
According to Fastest Laps, the V6 manages to crank out 126 mph, making this one of the fastest on the list.
The only con against it is the name, spelling "Syclone" with an "S" instead of a "C." Autotrader reports that Ford owned the trademark for Cyclone, which prevented GMC from using it. Still, they couldn't find another storm to name their powerhouse of a truck after instead?
24 Chevrolet SSR / 125 mph
A little bit of a cheat, the Chevrolet SSR is still a pickup truck and, therefore, deserves a place on the list. It's also a mean machine that flies. According to Car and Driver, the governor limit set on this radical car is 125 mph, which befits its hot rod aesthetic influence. While the 5.3-liter V8 we got in the production models was less than what the original unveiled one showed off, it still gave owners more power than necessary.
23 Ford SVT Lightning / 149 mph
There's something admirable about trucks that are less functional and more meant for pleasure. That's where the SVT Lightning fits within Ford's long legacy of truck-making. It also finds itself in a place of history alongside other specialty trucks Ford has produced, including the Harley-Davidson F-150.
Where this one stands out is in its absurd top speed capabilities. According to Fastest Laps, the SVT Lightning sits high and comfortably on this list with a reported top speed of 149 mph.
Part of what makes those thunderous speeds possible is a V8 supercharged engine. The last time these trucks were in production was back in 2004.
22 Toyota Tundra TRD / 125 mph
The TRD Pro is a special take on Toyota's classic pickup, the Tundra. Bearing more than a reimagined design, the pickup offers some thrills in the realm of speed. It makes sense, considering the truck competed in the Baja 1000 race back in 2014, reports Top Speed. In the end, the max this thing can go is an extraordinary 125 mph. There's also a Supercharged version which pushes the Tundra to even greater heights. According to Autobytel, that 5.7-liter engine can do 504 horsepower, which makes this pickup a natural go-to for racing. Although it's out of Toyota's character to put a precedence on speed, the TRD editions prove otherwise.
21 Dodge Ram 1500 R/T Hemi / 106 mph
The 2015 Ram 1500 R/T Hemi may not be SRT-10, but it's a worthy and sporty pickup that's capable of outrunning others.
Packed with a Hemi V8, as Car and Driver reports, the truck performs on a blink-and-you-miss-it altitude.
While that level of power also makes possible the 410 lb-ft of torque, it pays dividends on speed. Should the need arise in a pinch, it can go from 0 to 60 mph in a thin 5.4 seconds. While it's nothing to write home about, it sure does enough to satisfy the average truck buyer and lawless runaways.
20 Ford SVT Raptor / 115 mph
Some reports differ when it comes to the Raptor’s top speed. Some outlets like Top Speed put it at a solid 115 mph. Other outlets, including Autobytel, report it’s capable of nearly hitting 150. Made possible by a 6.2-liter V8, according to Autobytel, the truck can deliver a massive 411 horsepower. The first generation of the vehicle arrived in 2010 before driving off into the sunset in 2014. By 2017, the second generation arrived, and it was better than ever. Car and Driver reports that the newer models can go from 0 to 60 in a mere 5.1 seconds. Few other trucks offer as much power as Ford's beast of a machine.
19 Dodge Ram 1500 / 107 mph
Another popular truck that sells well today is the Ram 1500. If there's one area Ram didn't scrimp with, it's speed. Carophile reports that it has a 3.6-liter V6 that can put out an impressive 305 hp that will have cops turning heads, jumping in their cars or bikes, and getting on with the chase. With a top speed of 107 mph, it may not be the highest offering on this list, but for being one of the more popular models—it's only the cherry on top. It continues a legacy for Ram that started back in 1988, reports Car Buying Strategies, when the automaker unveiled fuel-injected V6 motors in their trucks.
18 Toyota Tacoma X-Runner / 130 mph
With the foundation of a speedy truck already in place, it was only natural that Toyota would build off this with their Tacoma. Even Toyota dissenters have to admit that the Tacoma serves as a worthy cornerstone for any project. According to AxleAddict, the Tacoma X-Runner ran from 2005-2013, offering truck enthusiasts with something special. Equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 to do the work, it could hammer out an impressive 130 mph. Just when things already seem out of hand, AxleAddict reports there even existed supercharged models.
17 Ford F-150 Tremor / 130 mph
Ford introduced another special pickup in their lineup with the F-150 Tremor. To separate this truck from their other F-150s, black elements line the exterior, giving it a distinct sleekness. According to Top Speed, it tops out at 130 mph, which is formidable for a pickup truck. Even more, it'll cause plenty of trouble for law enforcement should a driver ever get a hold of one. Ford reports that only 2,230 of these were ever made, making this a rarity.
16 Dodge Lil’ Red Express / 118 mph
An older truck than most on this list is the 1978 and 1979 Dodge Lil’ Red Express.
According to Extreme Mopars, these pickups cost a little more than $8K to own one with all the added options back in the day.
In total, there went a lot of them made; the outlet reports that 2,188 units rolled off the assembly line in '78, while Dodge upped the number to 5,188 for '79. Most impressive of all, though, is its top speed, which manages a massive 118 mph.
15 Chevrolet Silverado SS / 115 mph
The Chevrolet Silverado SS is like a weightlifter in a lineup of weightlifters that flexes for attention. It also manages to catch the most eyes because it's one of the most powerful ones out there. With a 6.0-liter V8 that The Car Connection reports on, it's able to go at breakneck speeds as fast as 115 mph. The Silverado SS owes it all to the Vortec engine, which may not be practical in the long run but fulfills a deep-seated need nonetheless.
14 Ford F-150 3.5 EcoBoost / 124 mph
Ford gave their F-150 a different kind of makeover. First, they had to take some measures that would make it sportier. According to Top Speed, they trimmed some weight off. Then, they added the 2.7-liter EcoBoost to give it a powerful heft that has law enforcement concerned. What has them up in arms is the ridiculous 124 mph top speed it can output, which seems reckless and unnecessary to cops. To the rest, it satisfies a need for speed—though never enough to justify irresponsible driving.
13 Nissan Titan / 112 mph
The Nissan Titan may not be the highest-selling pickup year after year, but it continues to remain in the pack. That says something about the truck's capabilities and overall performance.
According to Carophile, it's able to do a solid 112 mph that will have any competent driver working to catch up with.
For being an "everyday" truck made for the everyman, it's got power to boot; that level of power is even absent from some of the more popular pickup offerings.
12 Ford F-150 / 107 mph
Ford's F-Series line of trucks were some of the bestselling in 2017. That doesn't mean the trucks are perfect. Some have mixed opinions when it comes to the aluminum bodies. Despite what many suspect, the Ford F-150 is still a beast when it comes to power. It can crank up to an acceptable 107 mph, as Carophile reports, when referring to its top speed. Although many will argue it's not enough for the F-150 to run from problems like corrosion, what it will outrun—at least for a minute—are cops.
11 Dodge Ram SRT-10 / 153 mph
The bulky exterior of the 2004 Dodge Ram SRT10 from afar may not lead many to think it's a rip-roaring machine. A closer look, however, reveals that this pickup truck has major speed considerations.
The fact that it has a spoiler and a hood scoop alone make this a truck that deviates from the norm.
Backing up this claim is the fact that its top speed is one of highest on this list. According to Top Speed, it can do up to 153 mph when it gives it all its got. Whether it gives much indication about how fast it can go or not, it's not a truck anyone should underestimate.
10 Toyota Tundra / 108 mph
Some of the trucks on this list are common offerings automakers still widely produce today. According to Business Insider, the Toyota Tundra was the sixth best-selling truck in the U.S. for 2017, just one spot behind its sibling, the Tacoma. Even more than just a popular car, it also has an impressive top speed. With a 4.6-liter engine, as Carophile points out, the Tundra can do 108 mph when firing on all cylinders. While it's not the most dominant truck on this list when it comes to speed, a top speed of 108 is enough to outrun most cops—at least for a couple of minutes.
9 Honda Ridgeline / 112 mph
Some may balk at Honda's efforts to get into the pickup game. By all accounts, the Ridgeline has proven it belongs by carving a niche in what is one of the most competitive car markets today.
What helps the Ridgeline's chances of staying around is its undisputed power.
According to Honda of Summer, the 3.5-liter V6 will give owners the pleasure of reaching speeds as high as 112 mph. With its focus on off-roading, this also makes it one of the more mobile additions to the list.
8 Toyota Tacoma / 109 mph
The Tacoma has become more synonymous with longevity over speed. Tacomas have a habit of going in and out of the used car market because they're known for reliability and preserving resale value. While the speed isn't what's centrally appealing for used car buyers, it's a bonus. According to Carophile, the Tacoma can do a whopping 109 mph, which is impressive, considering the 4.0-liter V6 can output 236 hp. The gas mileage—like most pickups—doesn't make this vehicle's highlight reel.
7 Ram 3500 / 103 mph
The Ram 3500 is sure to appeal to truck enthusiasts with a serious penchant for towing capabilities. It may not be the agilest truck with the best handling on the market today, but it's got enough power behind it to give cops a run for their money. It's going to be on the lower side of this list, though, when it comes to top speed. According to Car and Driver, the Ram 3500 can do an acceptable 103 mph at its peak.
6 Subaru Baja / 113 mph
The Subaru Baja is worth truck enthusiasts' attention, even if it's something of an eyesore to many. This is handling on a new level for pickups, which according to Consumer Guide Automotive, took elements from not only pickups but Subarus like the Outback as well. While brand-new models were only available for a five-year period, the Baja is still remembered as an agile truck. The same outlet reports that it could do up to 113 mph, which, taken along with its handling, makes this a high-speed chase nightmare.