When an automaker launches a pickup truck, they mostly do so with a variety and complexity of engines, from the cheapest and most affordable base engine that put-puts by, to beastly V8s and V6s.
But sometimes, in the name of affordability, the base engines are the only engines, and the truck does not rise to its full potential. Or even if they do bear engines with greater displacement, they are not as refined and jet out less horsepower or torque. Consequentially, they also have smaller payload and tow ratings.
While this is acceptable in an old truck, sometimes it’s the new trucks that desperately need more power but don’t get it because of affordability and other similar obstacles. So here go the new pickup trucks of today that need more power, but may not get it. Still, for many of the cash-strapped customers, that’s okay because a truck is a truck and gets the job done.
10 Ford Ranger: Runs On One Engine, Period
Ford offers just one powerplant for this truck. It’s a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo-four that pumps out 270-horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. And, it’s tied to a one-and-only quick-shifting and well-programmed 10-speed automatic transmission.
So when it comes to the Ford Ranger, you take it or leave it, period. It’s easy to decide whether it’s underpowered or not, at least for your needs. You get a maximum of 7,500 pounds for haulage and 1,860 pounds for payload. That makes it weaker than its less-than-stellar rivals but it's affordable and gas savvy.
9 Jeep Gladiator: Hogtied Wrangler
The Jeep Gladiator is unlike the brave ancient gladiators of Rome. It’s weaker than its competitors when it comes to pick-up and towing so it can’t take them head-on that easily as Russell Crowe did. The base V6 can tow up to 7,650 pounds which is as good as Chevrolet Colorado's 7,700 pounds.
But the V6 diesel can’t even give more than the old-school Toyota Tacoma and can only manage 6,500 pounds. On top of that five recalls have been registered in total since it went on sale in the spring of 2019.
8 Ram 1500 Classic: Old Is Not Always Gold
The American truck bazaar is massive, perhaps, that’s why Ram offers two generations of its 1500 pickup at the same time. The yesteryear’s Ram 1500 Classic has been on sale alongside its latest version bearing the burden of a low-cost offering.
And Ram doesn’t want to leave this segment of “affordable” buyers. Trying to lock horns with its midsize contenders, Ram 1500 Classic offers limited choices. Its towing and payload trail other players in the segment but its USP is affordability, not power.
7 GMC Canyon: Not Up To The Mark
The GMC Canyon has been there for ages but hasn’t been able to make a mark. Buyers have only three powertrains and two transmissions in case if they are impressed by its exterior. It’s got a tamed 2.5-liter inline-four coughing up 200-horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque as a base mill.
Then there is a 2.8-liter turbodiesel inline-four that makes 186 horsepower. The trim with the underpowered base engine can tow 3500 pounds and has a payload capacity of 1599 pounds so it’s a hard-working truck but comes minus big power.
6 Honda Ridgeline: Barely Able & Can’t
The Ridgeline is a bit of a conundrum as it has strong sales figures but it can't match the skills of its mid-size competitors. It rides on a strong monocoque chassis and a 3.5-liter V6 engine that lacks turbocharging.
The V6 engine is paired with a smooth nine-speed automatic transmission that cranks out 280-horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque but the truck’s towing capacity could have been better. If serious off-roading is on your mind, the Ridgeline is not your cup of tea. What it is, is a great city dweller. And that’s why it sells.
5 GMC Sierra 1500: Feels Geriatric
This GMC truck shares its underpinnings with the Chevy Silverado but the latter can tow and haul more. The 2021 GMC Sierra offers two underpowered engines, a 277-horsepower 2.7-liter turbo-four, and a 310-horsepower 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six.
The small engine can haul up to 9,300 pounds and lug 2,060 pounds. But the bigger V8 is no great shakes either as it offers 9,900 pounds and 2,180 pounds, for hauling and lugging respectively. At maximum capacity, it feels asthmatic.
4 Chevrolet Colorado: A Limited Truck
The 2022 Colorado looks promising with its fresh looks and new colors but performance has never been its strong suit. Except for its high-end model, the ZR2, known for its off-road prowess.
Colorado’s base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and puts out a measly 200-horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque. Dubbed as Silverado’s poor cousin, its four-pot can only cope up with 3,500 pounds of conventional trailering. There are other engine choices but they all offer a limited towing capacity.
3 Nissan Frontier: Needs To Be Put Out To Pasture
What lies under the hood of the Nissan Frontier is not much muscle. The 2022 Frontier is all-new in terms of its appearance but its towing capacity is the same as its previous generation. It maxes out at 6720 pounds, less than most of the players in the midsize truck market.
Even the payload capacity at 1610 pounds falls short of others. The 3.8-liter V6 from the last generation powers the 2022 Frontier that makes 310 horses and records a 7.3-second 0-60-MPH time. A bit meh, frankly.
2 Toyota Tacoma: A Bit Too Old-School
The Tacoma offers great engine choices but the base four-cylinder is underpowered and mated to an uncoordinated automatic transmission. There is a V6 option too but it’s tied to the same rickety gearbox. When properly equipped, the 2021 Tacoma can pull a maximum of 6800 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 6500 pounds with a four-wheel-drive trim.
Even the payload capacity is on the lower side, at just 1685 pounds. These low figures are the reason that pushes prospective buyers to look for other brands.
1 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Not Up To The Par
The Silverado is a decent offering from one of the Detroit three. However, when competing with the stalwarts, like the Ford F-150 and the new-age Ram 1500, it falls a bit short. According to Consumer Reports, it’s the runt of the litter of trucks this year, and one of the least reliable ones.
And the credit, or should we say debit, goes to its weak and underpowered powerplant. Even the payload and two ratings are not impressive. To make things worse, it's marred with a mediocre ride quality, a less-than-impressive interior, and lags behind its rivals in safety ratings too.
Sources: MotorTrend, CarandDriver, ConsumerReports