Pickup trucks are very much some of the most popular vehicles in the United States. Of that there is no question. Americans love pickup trucks. Several of the major manufacturers in North America, such as Chevrolet, RAM and Ford make their own pickup trucks in various sizes. There are smaller and more medium-size trucks and then there are the biggest, heavy-duty trucks too. And for those heavy duty pickup trucks, it's actually been quite the busy week.
All of those aforementioned pickup truck manufactures have unveiled the latest iterations of their super duty trucks throughout this week. Ford of course have revealed their new 2023 Super-Duty, Chevrolet have revealed the new Silverado heavy-duty machine and Stellantis revealed the RAM 2500 Super Duty as well. So for those who like their pickups big, it's been quite the week. All of these manufacturers have updated these trucks in various different ways, and we are going to have a look at all of them and decide which one of them is actually the best one and the best update.
New-Generation Ford Super Duty Is Brand New From The Ground Up
Ford’s Super Duty was the truck that needed a major update. The last iteration had a refresh in 2020 but only a cosmetic refresh. This latest version though is a totally new generation. At its disposal is a choice of engines. This includes a 7.3-liter V8, a 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 and a high-output 6.8-liter Power Stroke diesel with a unique turbo. A new 6.8-liter V8 is also available. While that is exciting, it is on the technology side of things in which Ford has made the most changes with the pickup truck.
The truck is laden with technology. It has become the first truck in the USA to feature AT&T 5F capability, allowing for navigation, mapping and music downloads to be delivered faster. A full-color heads up display helps keep the information for the driver directly in their line of sight and Pro Trailer Hitch which assists the truck in backing it up and aligning it with the trailer. The new Super Duty has become a highly intelligent truck, and one of the most impressive Ford releases over the past couple of years. Chevrolet though have come up with their own Super Duty truck too.
Chevrolet Hits Back At Ford With Their Tech Savvy 2023 Silverado HD
Not wishing to be beaten by Ford, Chevrolet have come out and unveiled their Silverado HD as well this week. The company says that the truck “brings everything heavy-duty truck customers want and need” with their 2024 Silverado HD. The lineup includes the 2500HD and the 3500HD models in Regular Cab, Double Cab and Crew Cab configurations. Power for the Silveardo HD comes from the standard 6.6-liter V8 engine and the Duramax turbo-diesel engine, while transmission comes from an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission.
Chevrolet seem keen to emphasize the power side of their heavy-duty pickup truck. They say that there is more power, more torque and greater refinement from that Duramax turbo-diesel engine with it production 470 hp and 975 lb-ft of torque. Chevrolet says that additional changes and upgrades to the engine were designed to create more efficient combustion, but Chevrolet have also worked hard on freshening up the exterior. A new front-end appearance provides a much-needed update with the new headlights, fascia and grille. Inside there is a rather large infotainment screen, while wireless charging is also available on the LT, LTZ and High Country models of the Silverado.
RAM Trucks Unleash Their Mighty 2500 Super Duty
Perhaps the most impressive of the three heavy-duty trucks revealed thus far is the RAM 2500 Super Duty. RAM have called it the Heavy Duty Rebel, and positioned it between the Laramie and the Power Wagon in their lineup, and it is one very impressive machine with its aggressive off-road tires on the outside, its bulky fascia with the large grille and its aggressive headlights. What is perhaps more impressive though with this truck is what lies under the hood.
RAM have given this machine the standard 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with its variable-valve timing technology, or VVT. However, the option is also there for the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine. The V8 produces a very impressive 410 hp with the diesel bringing 370 hp to the table. Technology wise, it's perhaps not quite on the same level as the Ford, but this truck is all about the power levels and the brute force nature of the heavy-duty pickup truck. There is though a 12-inch frameless digital gauge cluster inside the pickup truck, and a 360-degree Surround View camera is a neat feature to help you get around obstacles.
Which Heavy Duty Truck Is The Most Impressive Of All?
The question above is a tricky one to answer. We don’t yet know the Ford’s power stats, but it is laden with technology. The RAM and the Chevrolet don’t have the tech but brute force and rugged looks might trump the fancy technology within the Ford range. If we were to say which one was the most impressive, it might well be the RAM 2500, It is the most purposeful looking truck, it's got big power and still good technology inside. But the Ford Super Duty is not far behind.
Sources: Ford, Chevrolet, Stellantis