The Ranger has long been regarded as one of the best trucks for gas mileage, and the 2019 XLT model is no exception, delivering 21MPG in the city and 26MPG on the highway. This is to be expected: as a recent model, this Ranger is able to take advantage of new fuel-saving technologies, helped further by its comparatively compact frame.

But it’s not just fuel economies that make the 2019 Ranger XLT an intriguing proposition, as Car and Driver’s Tony Quiroga discovered. In his review, the Ranger won praise for its quiet operation, with Quiroga noting scarcely any engine noise penetrated the cabin. And although the Ranger XLT seems best equipped for on-road utility driving, the vehicle showed itself to be adept on more rugged terrain. 

“The FX4 Ranger will go farther off-road than most folks will dare. Even though the FX4 suspension doesn't raise the 4x4 Ranger's ride height, its standard 8.9 inches of ground clearance and the off-road package's skid plates make trail work and boulder humping easy,” he wrote. 

Looking for something that’s well-suited for work, but can also tackle the school run and other day-to-day tasks? The 2019 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition is one of the best trucks for families, thanks to its generous cabin space and well-equipped interior, as well as solid fuel consumption. You can expect 18MPG while driving through city roads, with 25MPG on the highway.

It’s this overall practicality that caught the eye of Car and Driver’s Alexander Stoklosa, who praised the 2019 Ridgeline for its all-round performance and buttery-smooth suspension, even when hauling heavy loads. 

“During our truck's 40,000 miles, we never encountered a towing task it couldn't handle,” he said. “Even while towing the maximum weight limit, the Ridgeline's rear suspension never unduly sagged or felt overburdened.” 

Stoklosa also complimented the Ridgeline roomy cabin, top-notch reliability, and solid fuel efficiency, describing the vehicle as an “excellent and widely versatile truck.”

Priced towards the bottom of the pack, the Chevrolet Colorado offers exceptional value, and is one of the best trucks for the money on this list. Touting a generous selection of modern conveniences (including a back-up camera and Wi-Fi) and solid towing performance, the Colorado doesn’t compromise function or comfort. 

Following an exhaustive year-long review, Motortrend’s journalists raved about the 2015 Colorado’s versatile capabilities. “It rode smooth on- and off-road, had the right power, and was easy to park," video producer Corey Lutz said. Reliability was a shining spot, even with over 30,000 miles on the clock. 

“Our [Colorado] had no repair issues or out-of-pocket expenses of any kind, though we did have to see the dealer for four recalls, including one for improper wiring in the airbag system,” the site wrote.

Size matters, especially if you plan on using your truck for work. Enter the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT, which stands tall when it comes to cargo and towing capacity, and is one of the best full-size trucks on the market.

It accomplishes this while offering solid interior comforts and safety features. With Bose speakers, a generous 8-inch infotainment screen, as well as a comprehensive package of driver alertness technologies, this vehicle is a solid all-rounder.

Reviewed in Autotrader, the publication praised the vehicle’s light and sturdy carbon fiber bed, which has been designed to make it easier to load-and-unload cargo. This is accompanied by GMC’s MultiPro tailgate tech, which makes it easier to carry awkwardly-sized loads. 

“The MultiPro tailgate might seem gimmicky, but we love it. We think its many functions can actually save you a lot of time for specific hauling purposes like long items that require load stops. It also makes it a breeze to climb in and out of the bed and easier to reach your cargo,” they said. 

Autotrader also complemented the five-seater truck’s comfort, saying: “One of the first things we noticed when we spent some time behind the wheel of the new 2019 Sierra is just how smooth and comfortable it is… Regardless of the payload you’re carrying or the load that you’re towing, if any at all, the Sierra is just a nice highway cruiser”.

The humble Ford F-150 is among the best selling trucks on the US market, and it’s for one simple reason: it’s a solid ride. From handling to reliability, the F-150 has it all. 

Yes, it can tow and haul with the best of them. But it’s also well-equipped with a comfortable and capacious cabin, a powerful engine that delivers a smooth (if not sporty) package, and a generous array of configuration options 

Writing in the Car Connection, Aaron Cole praised the interiors, writing: “All-day comfortable bench seats or cozy buckets are equipped in every model, and most buyers will find nearly every modern convenience inside—storage cubbies, power plugs, USB ports, a big touchscreen, et al.”

“The 2020 Ford F-150 is a best-selling vehicle for good reason: it’s comfortable, quiet, and capable. Millions of owners aren’t wrong,” he added.