A "pickup truck" is broadly defined as a light-duty truck with an open cargo area. Pickups started appearing in the market in the 1950s when people started seeing a use for an open cargo room in the back. You could've done anything with that space. Small business owners transported their goods. Construction workers found a place to load their tools. Tradesmen found a space to haul their materials, farm owners found a way to more easily and quickly move fodder, and so on. Pickups are utilized for many tasks, so they became famous.Updated February 2022: Pickup trucks have exploded in popularity over these last few years. As a result, manufacturers have made them ever faster, pursuing the ultimate sports truck. We've updated this list to include the incredible new models that have become the fastest trucks 0-60!By the 1990s, however, the number of people who bought a pickup primarily for work-related tasks decreased to less than 15 percent. By then, it was more for comfort and choice rather than necessity. Now, people get it for other reasons. One is that it’s simply more comfortable. It’s big, has plenty of space, and if you need to go on a trip sporadically or move sporadically, you can be thankful for that pickup. Pickups are also more manageable if you have the stature of The Rock, as then, anything besides a pickup becomes a death sentence.Related: These Are The 10 Most Competent Pickup Trucks For Off-Roading In 2021

20 2013 Toyota Tacoma X-Runner: 7 Seconds

2013 Toyota Tacoma X-Runner
Via Carbuzz

Replacing the slow-selling S-Runner trim from the previous generation, the X-Runner was the bomb when it came out in 2005, featuring the 1GR-FE mated to a six-speed manual transmission. These were somewhat exclusive and limited. Through the ten years, it was under production, only five color options were available—2005-2008 were the year for Speedway Blue, Radiant Red, and Black Sand Pearl.

What was the 0-60 mph time for the beast with 236 horses coming out of the 4-liter V6 engine? Seven seconds flat. Let’s not forget the pickup is pretty capable of hauling heavy stuff, so that’s a respectable number. You're bound to miss this pickup now.

19 1978-’79 Dodge Lil Red Express: 7 Seconds

Dodge Lil' Red Express
Via: Hotcars

You might be a little too young to remember this, but Dodge had a pickup truck back in the ‘60s called the "D/W Series," which lasted until the ‘80s. These were the same trucks that were renamed as "Ram" starting in 1981. During the late ‘70s, Chrysler created some world-renowned vehicles like the Warlock, the Macho Power Wagon, and the Li’l Red Express. Those produced in 1978 were the first diesel-powered ones from Dodge.

The Lil Red Express, in particular, had massive side pipes, gold accents, a step-side bed, and an amazing V8 that defeated the Porsche 928, the 911, and the Ferrari 308 at the acceleration game with its sub-seven-second time.

It looks like the type of vehicle that some cool gangster would have at his farmhouse.

18 2013 Toyota Tundra: 6.7 Seconds

2013 Toyota Tundra Pickup Truck
Toyota

While Toyota is known for reliability and economy, that doesn’t mean the Japanese car manufacturer doesn’t know how to make a pickup truck. The Tundra has been in production since 1999, and it’s the first full-size pickup from a Japanese manufacturer in North America. Although the first generation shared many features of the Toyota T100, a mid-size pickup that people didn’t like, the second-generation pickup was totally different. In production from 2007, the second-generation Tundra looks bulky and massive.

Specifically, the ones from 2010-2013 were equipped with a 4.6-liter UR V8 engine that produced a whopping 310 HP with a moderate top speed of 108 mph.

The 0-60 mph time is 6.7 seconds. Overall, the Tundra has improved a lot since the first generation.

Related: 15 Pickup Trucks We Forgot Existed (10 Flops We Wish We Could Forget)

17 2018 GMC Canyon: 6.3 Seconds

2018 GMC Canyon
via GMC Pressroom

Launched in 2014 as an upscale version of the Chevrolet Colorado, the Canyon offers a few options that can be obtained for a higher MSRP. Depending on the trim you buy, you'll have access to several optional features, such as active aero-grille shutters, OnStar 4G LTE and onboard Wi-Fi, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning.

And if pickup trucks are a thing in your family, you should consider getting the Teen Driver feature, which will probably annoy your children by limiting the speed and audio volume but will keep them safe. With 308 HP, it can reach 0-60 in just 6.3 seconds. Though, this might be a pricier version of the similar Colorado, as both share various features. So, be on the lookout if you’re considering purchasing this.

16 2004 Chevrolet Silverado SS: 6.3 seconds

2004 Chevrolet Silverado SS
Via Rochestertaxi.us

While GMC continues to produce the Silverado SS under the GMC Sierra lineup, the name "Silverado SS" was derived from a trim level in its predecessor, the Chevrolet C/K. The Silverado SS, a high-performance pickup, was launched in 2003 and, since then, has become a hit with the public.

These were equipped with a Vortech High-Output V8 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, which produced 345 HP and 380 lb-ft of torque.

In addition to the powerful drivetrain, you had a body that looked solid and had a firm grasp of the ground. The interior was roomy enough to satisfy all your needs, and some of the features were rather innovative. With a quarter-mile time of 14.8 seconds, hitting 60 mph took only 6.3 seconds, which is fast for a pickup.

15 2017 Chevrolet Colorado: 6.1 Seconds

2017 CHEVROLET COLORADO
Via-Edmunds

The Colorado marque has been a mid-size pickup available to drivers since 2003. Named after the great Colorado state in the US, the famous pickup is also a deal in Thailand and Brazil. Now, it’s in its second generation. Various trims are available on top of the base level: the Work Truck, the off-roader Z71, another off-roader ZR2, and finally, the LT, which is the most common trim.

Over the years, the engines have seen an increase in displacement. 2012 started with 2.40 liters; 2017 brought a 3.6-liter LGZ V6, which is robust with 308 HP and 275 lb-ft of torque. The interior features are also commendable, with spacious seats for an entire big family. The 6.1-second acceleration time from 0-60 is a bonus.

14 2017 Nissan Titan Single Cab: 5.9 Seconds

2017 Nissan Titan Single Cab
Via autoweek.com

Named after the Titans of Greek mythology, the Nissan Titan is a no-brainer when it comes to a fast pickup. The bad boy looks angry from the front, and the overall design doesn't look any less formidable either. With the V8, the powertrain becomes powerful; with the luxurious interior, the ride becomes sweet.

The bed is also spacious, with plenty of room to do whatever your heart desires. The bed is challenging to get into, though, as Nissan doesn't provide any aid—but I guess you can take that as evidence of its machoness rather than a nuisance. So, you really have to step up the game with the Titan, or you'll fall behind. The 0-60 time for this bad boy is 5.9 seconds.

13 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor: 5.8 Seconds

2014-Ford-F-150-Tremor-FX4
via bangshift

You might know the Tremor from its release in 2014. It was a high-performance truck meant to entertain the street-truck enthusiast. In the line of special-edition pickups, this was Ford’s latest endeavor. The past two were the Lightning and the Raptor, and all these high-performance pickups were produced by Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT). The 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 was capable of many things when it came out, including a striking interior and a quiet cabin at most speeds.

Despite not being a V8, the EcoBoost V6 produced a whopping 420 lb-ft of torque—which turbo engines are known for—and thus pulled off a 5.8-second 0-60 mph time.

That power gave it a lot of street credibility. One can even purchase the Tremor for those wishing to part with just over $51,000!

12 2015 Chevrolet 1500 High Country: 5.7 seconds

2015 Chevrolet 1500 High Country
media.chevrolet.com

The name “High Country” implies a sense of class, and if you guessed that, you wouldn’t be far away from the truth. The third-generation Silverado launched the high-end pickup High Country. By outfitting the interior with leather, Chevrolet entered the luxury market in 2013.

The High Country has the most elegant interior you or any of its rivals can imagine, as it’s the best in its class luxury-wise. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take it off the road because it’s also built for soft-looking people. Go ahead and tow that 12,000 lb utility vehicle, and the High Country won’t balk. And you know it wouldn’t be on the list if acceleration wasn’t its forte. 5.7 seconds for 0-60 mph—that’s beauty and beast in one.

Related: 15 New Pickup Trucks That Are Perfect Off-Roaders

11 2015 Ford F-150 3.5 EcoBoost: 5.6 Seconds

Black 2015 Ford F-150
Via Pinterest

While you already have some background on Ford’s F-Series from the discussion of the Tremor, here, you'll find some more general details about the F-Series. In production since 1948, the Ford F-Series has become a legendary pickup truck marque. It's been the best-selling vehicle in the US since 1981 and the best-selling pickup since 1988. It’s also the best-selling vehicle in Canada, and other parts of the world aren't unaware of its prowess either.

The twelfth generation was the last generation before Ford downsized the engine from a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 to a 2.7-liter one to improve the fuel economy.

With reduced body weight and a more efficient engine than the previous generation, the one in 2015 had a 0-60-mph time of 5.6 seconds.

10 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor: 5.3 Seconds

2017 Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCab
carpixel.net

While the Raptor was defeated by the Tremor of the same year—2014 —the new Raptor is no joke. Introduced in 2010, the Raptor was another endeavor undertaken by the SVT. It uses a similar 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, although the transmission is a 10-speed automatic. Finishing the quarter-mile in 14.1 seconds, it touches the 60-mph mark in 5.3 seconds along the way, which is pretty good for a vehicle weighing 6,000 lbs.

Oh, by the way, it’s an off-road vehicle, so it’s meant more for being able to traverse the sand dunes and rock climbing rather than focusing on the acceleration—the acceleration is just one of the things it has. Quite possibly, though, had the Tremor continued, it would've been even faster than the 2017 Raptor.

9 2003 Ford F-150 Lightning: 5.2 Seconds

2003 Ford F-150 Lightning
Mecum

While I continued bragging about how wonderful and powerful the Ford F-Series was, particularly the special-edition Raptor and Tremor, we have yet to discuss the boss of those two: the Lightning. Introduced as a high-performance version, the Lightning brightened the world when it arrived in 1993. Production was on hiatus in the late ‘90s, but just before the production had ceased entirely in 2004, the 2003 brought something magical.

Reaching 147 mph, the 2003 SVT F-150 Lightning won the title for the "World’s Fastest Production Pickup Truck” by Guinness World Records, Ltd. (Although that wasn’t a big deal, as people were aware of its speed, and it had held the title unofficially even in 1999.) And the 0-60 mph time was even more adrenaline-pumping: 5.2 seconds. Wo-ho!

8 1970 El Camino 454 SS: 5 Seconds

1970 Chevrolet El Camino 454 SS Pickup truck
Mecum Auctions

While this isn't a pickup by our current standards, it was a classic pickup back in the day. From the front, it looks like anything but a pickup. If anything, it seems like a sports/muscle car of the ‘60s and the ‘70s. The sharp creases on the front and the bulging hood hint at a powerful engine, which it did have. But there was a decent amount of space in the back for it to be called a pickup truck.

The third-generation pickups lasted from 1968 to 1972 and incorporated a wide range of engine options, from a 3.8-liter V8 to a 7.4-liter V8; the transmissions were also of similar prowess and range. The 7.4-liter V8 could churn out as much as over 500 HP, despite the official number being somewhere near 450. Not astonishingly, the 0-60 time was five seconds flat.

7 1991 GMC Syclone: 4.6 Seconds

1991 GMC Syclone Pickup Truck
Via: BringaTrailer

This was a one-time deal. Production of this craziness lasted for a year only, with 2,995 units being produced. Designed as the high-performance version of the GMC Sonoma pickup truck, the Syclone did that job well. The AWD beast was equipped with a six-cylinder turbocharged engine and four-wheel anti-lock brakes, making it more comparable to a sports car than a pickup. In fact, it did race on the track with the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini. It looks simple, but don’t be fooled by that.

The pickup was able to accelerate to 60 mph from rest in just 4.6 seconds. And that was in 1991.

Yes, it’s a pickup truck. The public and even Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear were amazed by the prowess of the beast.

6 2006 Ram SRT-10: 4.9 Seconds

22k Mile 2006 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Night Runner 2 Cropped
Via bringatrailer.com

You can tell a pickup means business when you see a bulging hood with a honeycomb grill hood scoop. In production from 2004-2006, the sport pickup was produced by DaimlerChrysler’s PVO—which is just their Performance Vehicle Operations division—when the engineers of the Dodge Viper and the Plymouth Prowler joined forces. "SRT," of course, means "Street & Racing Technology," which is the high-performance division of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Holding true to their origins, the engineers supplied a V10 engine—the same engine found in the Viper—capable of producing 500 horses and 525 lb-ft of torque. Well, no kidding, it had a 4.9-second 0-60 mph time. What else do you expect when you equip something with the engine of a Viper? The SRT-10 badges were added to the car's various faces, which made it look more intimidating psychologically.

5 2012 Holden Maloo VXR: 4.8 Seconds

Bright Yellow Holden Maloo VXR
via Wheelsage

The Maloo VXR is the creation of the Australian company called "Holden." The pickup Holden Maloo has been in production since 1990, with "Maloo" meaning “thunder” in the Aboriginal language. The special division of Holden produces the VXR, and while the truck's look is debatable in certain areas, other aspects seem flawless. Just a quick glance at the front will inform you of the touch of the special division team with the vents. But, more importantly, the engine is top-notch.

Despite the scarce information on this Australian product, one thing is sure: the pickup can reach 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds.

Of course, this isn't like your ordinary pickup like the others on this list, but it’s still a pickup because the back has a bed.

4 2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Supercharged: 4.4 Seconds

Toyota-Tundra-TRD-Supercharged
via motortrend

Finishing at the top of the list is the Toyota Tundra TRD Supercharger. While the Tundra has been in production since 1999, the supercharger deal began only in 2008—and it’s an impressive feature. The bolt-on TRD (Toyota Racing Development) supercharger kit increased the power to an astonishing 504 HP and torque to 550 lb-ft. The supercharger is based on twin four-lobe rotors that boost power.

While the supercharger option was discontinued in 2015, that option gave this full-size pickup a 0-60 time of an insane 4.4 seconds. Just to put things in perspective, that’s faster than your regular four-door, five-seat sedan. Moreover, being a product of Toyota, it's continued to rake in high-reliability ratings from pickup truck consumers.

3 2021 Ram 1500 TRX: 4.1 Seconds

2021 Ram 1500 TRX
Stellantis

The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX is the most insane gas-powered truck on the market. It features 702 horsepower to deliver unreal performance numbers, especially in the 0-60, where it closes the gap in just 4.1 seconds. It generates this massive power from a 6.2L supercharged V8 engine.

Though the Ram 1500 TRX is fast, it isn't equipped with a Hellcat engine though, but we don't care. The 1500 TRX has a top speed of 118 MPH, and as the picture would suggest, is capable of taking a jump. Though the TRX is incredible, it represents the top of the 1500 line, so expect to shell out comparable cash!

2 2022 Rivian R1T: 3.2 Seconds

The 2022 Rivian R1T.
Via: Rivian

Once companies began to see the potential of the electric motor in cars, the leap to trucks was the logical next step. Rivian isn't the established brand that GMC or Ford is, but they have been making quite the splash in the EV market. The Rivian R1T can range up to 315 miles on a single charge, and that motor is here to play!

The Rivian R1T pumps out 835 horsepower from its electric motors. Even more impressive is the 908 lb-ft of torque and a towing capacity of 11,000lbs. In addition, the Rivian R1T can hit 125 MPH, making it one fast pickup! Plus, the R1T has a 0-60 time that makes even supercars nervous at 3.2 seconds.

1 2022 GMC Hummer EV Pickup: 3.0 Seconds

2022 GMC Hummer EV Pickup - Front Right
Via: YouTube

We must have entered a parallel universe where the Hummer evolved into an EV. Wait, that's this universe. The GMC Hummer EV pickup is the most beastly EV out there, with over 1000 horsepower, and all that power is on tap thanks to three electric motors. With a beefed-up battery, the Hummer EV pickup ranges up to 350 miles, which is impressive for a vehicle of this size!

These powerful motors launch the Hummer EV Pickup to 60 MPH in only 3 seconds. That kind of speed is quicker than the likes of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage and the Chevrolet Corvette. Though the top speed is only 106 MPH, the Hummer EV Pickup makes up for that with the huge compliment of features such as the infamous "crab-walk" feature.

Source: carophile.com