What would the American automotive landscape be without pickup trucks? This distinctly American segment has been ruling the roads and the interstates for 100 years, and it still is one of the most popular products in the country. The pickup truck is a lot cooler than a crossover and more capable than any SUV, combining undeniable practicality and good road manners with the durability and power of a V8 engine.
In a sea of different pickup truck models, there are ones that stand apart with attractive technical solutions, versions, or drivetrain configurations. The following models are not just for towing or carrying; they've become somewhat of icons in the pickup world. Here are the 15 most badass trucks of the 21st century.
15 Jeep Gladiator
For decades, customers asked for a pickup version of the Wrangler, and Jeep finally answered their prayers. With signature looks, a four-door setup, a Wrangler Unlimited chassis, and legendary on and off-road capabilities, the Gladiator is one of the best and toughest trucks you can find and an instant classic.
14 Ford F-150 Tremor
After the Lightning model discontinued, Ford was left without proper high-performance trucks until the Tremor version. Powered by an EcoBoost V6, it delivered 365 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. With an optional four-wheel-drive system, the Tremor had a respectable performance.
13 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
The mid-size truck game has been pretty exciting recently, with the Colorado ZR2 being the coolest of them all. The ZR2 is a fantastic off-road-oriented package that can be powered with an optional 308 hp engine. Compact, capable, and affordable, the Colorado ZR2 is truly a badass truck.
12 Dodge Ram Power Wagon
The Ram Power Wagon is based on 2500-series chassis and features a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 410 hp. This truck is built for people who need a competent vehicle that can go off-road, cruise the highways, and still look cool when parked. Although pricy, the Power Wagon is the only truck you will ever need.
11 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
We feel that the Explorer Sport Trac doesn't get the respect it deserves since it was a great truck with perfectly balanced driving dynamics. Apart from almost all other trucks on this list, the Sport Trac was built on the Explorer platform, which made it comfortable but still capable and durable pickup.
10 Mercedes G63 AMG 6x6
With the base price of $1.5 million, a twin-turbo V8 engine, and a 6x6 drivetrain, this G-Class is the epitome of a badass truck. During its two year production period, Mercedes built around 100 of these crazy things. Initially intended for the Austrian Army, the G-Class with six wheels became a toy for wealthy Arabs.
9 Lincoln Blackwood
Despite being a sales flop, the Blackwood was an exciting and cool truck. Built on an F-150 base, it had a Navigator front end, a luxury-filled interior, a barn-style rear door, and a bed cover. Sadly, Lincoln made only about 3,300 of these. Who knows, it may soon become a coveted collector's piece?
8 Ford F-150 Raptor V8
The truck world went bonkers when Ford introduced the first Raptor in 2010. Never before has any manufacturer made a strictly off-road going truck that has more in common with the Baja 1000 race cars than an ordinary pickup. Powered by a 6.2-liter V8, the first-gen Raptor was even used by US Border Patrol.
7 Dodge Ram SRT-10
Called a "Viper with the truck bed," the 2004 to 2006 Dodge Ram SRT-10 had a Dodge Viper V10 engine and 500 hp at its disposal. It was sold as a single or double cab, and with such firepower under the hood, no wonder it was the fastest truck of its time and one of the most badass vehicles ever made.
6 Ford F-150 Harley Davidson
Ford cooperated with Harley Davidson on several special edition trucks in the last two decades. Although those models weren't any different from regular F-150 and F-250 models, the cool paint job, details, and trim made them stand apart. If you had a Ford 1-50 HD, you needed a bike to have a matching pair in the garage.
5 Chevrolet Silverado SS
Ford had the Lightning; Dodge had the Ram SRT-10, so Chevrolet came up with the Silverado SS. It had a 6.0-liter V8 with 345 hp, a performance suspension, and a unique body kit. Although not as popular as the two competitors, the Silverado SS is still a great truck, especially when painted in jet black.
4 Ford F-150 Raptor V6
If you think that the old Raptor was badass, the current one will blow your mind. It is a desert-conquering beast and a super truck powered by a deceivingly small 3.5-liter, twin-turbo V6 very similar to the one in Ford GT. The result? 450 hp and 0 to 60 mph time of 5.1 seconds.
3 Ram Rebel TRX
The upcoming 2021 Rebel TRX is finally a Ram that can fight the Raptor and a definitive badass truck. Coming this fall, it will be a Hellcat-powered Ram Rebel with enough power to be a muscle car and a desert warrior. We cannot wait to drive it and compare it to the Raptor.
2 Cadillac Escalade EXT
Cadillac couldn't deny the appeal of the luxury truck class and launched its vision of what expensive pickup should look like. Called Escalade EXT, it was an Escalade with the truck bed. Not that much practical over standard Escalade but cool none the less.
1 Ford Ranger Raptor
The Ranger Raptor is the younger and smaller but almost as capable brother of F-150 Raptor truck. Available with 2.0-liter diesel for export markets and 2.3-liter Eco Boost gasoline engine with 350 hp for US market, Ranger is a compact and practical machine, kind of Focus RS of mid-size trucks.