One of the defining things about our homeland is the popularity of pickup trucks compared to other countries, especially in Europe and Asia. This love for pickup trucks is not just a perception, but a fact backed up by real sales numbers. According to Kelly Blue Book, full-size trucks made up 15% of the sales in 2017, while the top three spots for the most vehicles sold here in 2017 are occupied by trucks. At position three is the Ram with 500,723 cars sold, at position two is the Chevrolet Silverado with 585,564 units sold and at the top position with a considerable margin is the Ford F-Series with 896,764 units sold. More important still is the fact that each of these pickup trucks all recorded growth in sales from the previous year while other car segments recorded dips in sales.

Updated March 2022: Pickups are the premier vehicle to own in 2022. Despite the elevated status, there are still some hold-outs to the pickup game. That's why we've updated this list to include even more compelling reasons to invest in a pickup truck, should additional convincing be required.

Of the millions buying pickup trucks, a good number is men. Though many of them have yet to appreciate its essential role, there is no doubt any man could benefit from having a pickup truck parked in the driveway. In a world mainly enjoying the advantages of a small car, the pickup truck has retained its attraction as a solid and useful option. Regardless of an individual's trade, location, and preferences, owning a pickup truck has become something to look forward to and even expected of any man. Here are several reasons why everyone should own a pickup at least once in his life.

Related: These Were The Most Powerful Pickup Trucks Of The '70s

23 They're The Backbone Of Construction

1932 Ford Flathead Pickup: The best pickup truck of the '30s.
via: Classic Cars

The modern world relies on infrastructure. A large part of that construction takes place thanks to some handy trucks. Being a part of a growing neighborhood, business, or even park can be deeply satisfying, and the pickup is at the center of it all.

Pickups offer the perfect platform for workers to transport people and materials across sites. The utility isn't limited to just the workers, either. The pickup is a statement for the foreman as well. The big boss driving the big truck gets everyone's attention, and that type of power only comes from owning a pickup!

22 Everyone's Doing It

Best Pickup Trucks of the 2000s
Via: Zach Vessels, Unsplash

Throughout its existence, the F-Series has sold tens of millions of vehicles. In 2021, the most popular vehicle was the truck. In fact, the best-selling model in the world was the Ford F-150, with a mind-boggling 726,000 units sold. That isn't even including the F-250 or F-350 models.

These sales figures blow away even the best sedans. Even the RAV4, the best-selling SUV in 2021, falls to the number four spot overall, with the top three models being pickup trucks. It seems that everyone has a truck nowadays; why not you, too?

21 You Have Too Much Money

2021 Ram 1500 TRX
Via Stellantis

New trucks like the Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Ford Maverick show the world that owning a pickup doesn't have to be expensive. On the other hand, most trucks fetch a pretty penny, and more models are pushing the boundaries of what's possible from a truck.

Take the Ram 1500 TRX, for example. This monster can produce 702 horsepower from a massive Hemi-powered V8. As you would expect, the purchase price for one of these bad boys can stretch well past $100,000. So a great way to burn off some of that extra cash hanging around your bank account is to dump vast amounts of it into a performance-orientated pickup!

20 The Ultimate Tool And Toolbox

Decked Toolbox with Ladder Via AutoEvolution
Via AutoEvolution

Men love tools and toys, and they do not come better or more complete than a pickup. A pickup completes your tool collection, providing storage and means to ferry your other tools quickly. In itself, it is the perfect tool to solve several problems.

Whether you are looking for a farm workhorse or an instrument to ferry items at a construction site and anything in between, you can rely on your truck to complete it all with minimum fuss. All the tools you will need for the task can be accommodated in different capacities; something, not even an SUV, can provide.

19 They Are Incredibly Versatile

GMC Truck In Snow - GMC
Via: GMC

Having a truck offers plenty of flexibility, more than you would get in any other car. While your Toyota Camry will appear to be ideal for the usual routine trip to work and back, it would not even cross your mind for an adventure trip or camping outside town.

Most sedans and small cars are not even fit for a shopping trip. Compared to a truck, you can get to the office shop a full market of produce and house needs. The pickup will be there more than ready for that cross-country trip and all off-road adventures you want to engage in all kinds of weather and all manner of road types with minimum fuss. Basically, if you had to get just one car, make it a truck.

18 Customization Options

Ford Truck Lineup
via ars technica

Men love options, and one of the main advantages trucks offer is the range of customization opportunities provided. You are not limited to just one look, size, or accessories scope.

Each carmaker has gone the extra length of ensuring each pickup series ranges from light to super heavy-duty trucks. Besides the size and volume capacity, you can choose accessories for further utility and comfort. You also have aftermarket options, and it is tough to go wrong with a truck, however extreme your needs or fancies are. There is just a whole world to deal with, from the tires to the front, interior to the bed. Adding more personality to your truck is more accessible than any other vehicle type.

17 Luxury

Thundertruck EV Interior
Via Clean Technicia

Trucks have a reputation of having been utilitarian in the past. They primarily used to cater to the minimum needs with a bit of luxury. Even seating was limited to a single passenger, and all luxury elements were spared mainly for the driver. Going with your truck for a long ride was a test of endurance, but that is no longer the case.

The seats are plush, and depending on the cabin body type, you can even get seating for six adult passengers comfortably while having ample space. Heated seats, air conditioning, satellite navigation, and quality surround systems are now standard in most trucks.

16 Value For Money

2022 tundra trd pro grey nardo grey grille front raptor best pickuptruck value for sale
toyota.com

One major worry for all car buyers is the value they get from their car. As a person, getting the most for your money is a quality to build, and owning a truck provides you with that in multiple ways.

Firstly, trucks are affordable in their base models, and even when you start racking up the options, each offers a distinct quality worth the money. More than that, you get a vehicle that can serve diverse needs at a cost that is a bargain compared to deals offered by SUVs, sedans, and compact cars.

Related: Check Out This Vast Collection Of 1950s-1980s Classic Cars And Trucks

15 The Perfect Off-Road Machine

These Are The 10 Most Competent Pickup Trucks For Off-Roading In 2021
Via FourWheeler

If you are a person who truly loves cars, then a trip on a muddy and uneven track or road is something you look forward to. The rough and tumble are where you can honestly tell if your machine will last and suit your demands. Even if you do not fancy terrains such as riverbeds, sand, mud gravel, and other off-roading surfaces, necessity can still get you in such a situation.

You want to be well-prepared and not stuck with a sedan in snow or have to cancel your trips, especially with your family, because of the condition of the terrain. There is nothing as thrilling as beating the rough and tumble conditions nature can offer.

14 To Stand Out From The Crowd

This is what makes the Dodge Cummins the best truck for mud bogging
Via: Dodge Forums

A person should be able to stand out from the crowd in their own unique way, and in parking lots and roads filled with similar-looking SUVs and sedans, the pickup truck will always emerge on top.

The bold, masculine looks, the broad frame, and thick tires command respect and earn attention. Unlike the attention screaming supercars and sports cars, a truck offers a significant presence without drama. It is impossible to ignore it, and even if it is a light-duty truck, it still communicates the power underneath it like still waters, just what a man will want to convey.

13 Resale Value

2006 Ford F-150 Pickup Truck
Via: Flickr

More data from Kelly Blue Book shows there is more reason to get a pickup truck; they hold on to much of their value for longer than any other car.

While market statistics show that, on average, a 2018 car model will only retain about 35.1% of its value five years down the line, pickups tend to hold on to almost half their value five years later with little further depreciation after that. For example, Toyota Tacoma, the truck with the best resale value, retains 69.6% percent of its value five years down the line, almost double the value of your average.

12 Their Durability

Durable Truck
Via Autoversed

Part of the reason trucks maintain a high resale value is their durability. Having a pickup truck is a love affair as it allows you to exert your personality and style it for your purposes more than any other car. You want such a car to be able to take well all that age, and rough terrains along with accidents can throw at it.

A pickup truck will take the beating and be back for more with minimum need for repairs. This rigidity makes it possible to keep a truck in good conditions several decades down the line and even pass it on to your son.

11 Easy Maintenance

Toyota Tundra TRD Pro truck engine compartment
Photo by Bassem Girgis

Some cars come with pretty demanding maintenance schedules or simply lack any challenge that makes the maintenance process fun. With a pickup truck, there is a lot you can do on your own with only the manual to follow.

The whole cleaning process, along with fitting new parts and options, is simple in the sense that it does not call for much technical knowledge in the application but is also challenging enough to land on your top DIY projects list. Much of the upgrading can be done over time, and you will derive fun with cost-effective hacks for improving your truck.

10 Increased Road Safety

Scania electric truck crash testing left
Via Scania Group on YouTube

For a long while, the safety feature of trucks has basically boiled down to their size, which they have relied on for stability and fewer injuries in crashes. However, the advancement in other car classes in terms of passenger safety and the car's integrity has since resulted in the need for pickup trucks to match the other vehicles in safety offerings.

Building on their inherent advantage of strength and size, newer safety features both in times of crashes and during driving has been added to lower the risk of an accident significantly. These additions further enhance the truck, making them some of the safest vehicles to use for you and your family.

9 Better Visibility

Toyota Tundra TRD Pro truck interior dashboard shot
Photo by Bassem Girgis

Visibility can be a severe challenge in most cars, especially in heavy traffic or around corners. Most cars limit one to just a few meters, while SUVs with more robust roof frames end up hampering visibility. Besides, knowing the positioning of other road users is much more comfortable when they can see without much straining the road beneath them and the margins on both sides.

With its size and height, a pickup truck offers you increased visibility than any other car. Even on a busy road, you can easily see over the cars ahead and behind you. This allows you to anticipate better and aids a more effortless driving experience.

8 A Chance To Be The Go-To guy

Snowplow
via Boss Snowplow

As a man, it is always nice and ego-boosting to solve problems and be the go-to guy around the house, and even better, around the neighborhood. Well, having a truck in your yard allows for just that.

Whether a neighbor needs to move or someone is stuck in the snow, your truck is a handy resource. If you are in the countryside, it is even better with the numerous work needs that the environment presents. Among friends and family, you quickly establish your place as they are left having to request your assistance on the heavy lifting or resilience requiring tasks.

Related: These Are America's Most Badass One-Off Trucks

7 A Pickup Hauls Stuff

2021 Honda Ridgeline's Spacious Truck Bed
Via Honda Latin Caribbean

The design and primary purpose of pickups have been to ferry things, cumbersome things. Modern additions have made this aspect easy to overlook, given the extent to which they have improved the whole truck experience.

Even the lightest compact or half-ton pickup trucks like the Honda Ridgeline have a payload capacity of about 1,500 pounds for the 2018 version. This should be enough to ferry around much of your needs if you are not into heavy commercial needs. Should you require more hauling effort, there is a wide range of options to pick from, ranging by your needs, and you will hardly get close to hitting the massive payload capacity of the Ford-350 at 7,200 pounds.

6 A Pickup Tows Stuff

2021 nissan titan XD
via nissanusa

While in the hauling department, a pickup is used mainly for work; it is in the towing of stuff where adventure is had. Whether you are looking for a reliable way to move the camping van, tow your boat to the river, pull a stuck car, or move around with a trailer for extra storage capacity, a pickup is always ready.

As usual, the towing capacity differs across the range of the different segments and carmakers. Again the Honda Ridgeline has the least ability having 5000 pounds, while at the other end of the spectrum is the Ford F-350, with the most considerable towing capacity of 21,000 pounds.

5 Space, Space, And More Space

King Ranch Truck Interior - Ford
Via: Ford

The one thing modern cars seem to struggle with is providing all the necessary and fancy amenities while still providing you with enough space to enjoy all that. It is always like you have to compromise something; it could be the legroom, the driver’s cabin, the middle, rear passenger seat, the boot, and where a luxurious option provides the needed space, you pay with head and legroom, and sometimes it even hurts just sitting there.

Thankfully, the interior of trucks is roomier than what you even get in SUVs and at a fraction of the price of all these cars. There is hardly any sacrifice or compromise on space, and you can pack the whole family in along with pets and toys.

4 Fun and Adventure Await

dmx funeral on a monster truck
Source: Fox

Trucks have just about everything a person wants in their toys. They are mighty; they are filled with enough gadgets to satisfy curiosity and pack enough challenges to sustain the interest. Nothing screams fun and adventure like a truck roaring through puddles or cruising on a highway with music coming through the modern audio system.

A truck allows a man to push show his wild side without worrying about being let down by his machine or limited by its power or its ability. They are a joy to drive too, making up for what they lack in small-car agility with the stability, elevation, and the power they pack.