Yes, we’re all aware that pickup trucks offer unrivaled cargo room, making them the perfect vehicle for a worksite. However, many customers often overlook what a truck can do on the actual road. There are several pickups that offer capable and powerful engines, including some motors that rival those from impressive racers.
We’ve compiled several of the most powerful pickup trucks currently on the market, including one that you can find at a Chevy truck dealer. These vehicles have been selected not only for their power specs, but also for their manipulated mechanics. While a high-horsepower engine would normally be tough to operate, these trucks each offer excellent handling and drivability. Take a look at our list, and we’re sure you’ll be itching to get behind the wheel of one of these powerful pickups…
2016 Ford F-450
As Autobytle.com writes, the giant Ford pickup features the incredible Powerstroke 6.7-liter V8 diesel engine. For such a large unit, you’d presumably expect premier power specs. Well, you certainly won’t be disappointed. The vehicle delivers a class-leading 440 horsepower, as well as an impressive 860 pounds-feet of torque. These specs combine to produce an eye-popping 19,000-pound towing capacity, which is basically like hauling a garbage truck. Of course, the improvements to the vehicle’s weight also play a role in those specs.
The engine is coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, meaning you’ll have no issues accelerating while behind the wheel of the large truck. The handling of the Ford’s engine is certainly one of the most impressive aspects of the entire unit. For such a powerful engine, you’d expect some difficulties as you adapt to this previously-unfound power. Luckily, there are not such issues with the F-450.
2016 Ram 2500
The 2500 Power Wagon offers one of the most impressive engines in the class: the 6.4-liter HEMI V8. The motor can deliver 410 horsepower and 429 pounds-feet of torque, and these specs are barely limited when the RPM is chopped in half (350 horsepower).
“These engines enable Ram Heavy Duty pickups to do whatever our customers need them to do and more,” said Bob Lee, Vice President and Head of Engine, Powertrain and Electrified Propulsion Systems Engineering — Chrysler Group LLC. “At the end of the work day, our customers will know the satisfaction that comes with owning the most capable trucks on the road.”
The Ram 1500 would realistically come in third on this list, as the 3.6-liter V6 offers 395 horsepower and 269 pounds-feet of torque. The 1500 also delivers a best-in-class 29 mile per gallon fuel efficiency. The Ram 3500 ranks sixth, as the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 delivers 383 horsepower.
Per usual, the Ram pickup trucks are going to offer everything you could possibly want from a pickup: a stylish exterior, an innovative interior, excellent cargo room… and, of course, excellent power specs. What else could you need?
2015 Ford F-150
The King Ranch includes an impressive 5.0-liter V8 engine, which was capable to pumping out 385 horsepower and 375 pounds-feet of torque. The unit also delivers solid fuel economy, delivering a 18 city/25 highway mile per gallon efficiency.
Perhaps the biggest development for the Ford F-Series was the fact that the brand was going to invest $1.3 billion into a new Kentucky Truck Plant, allowing them to focus solely on producing these pickups (and their accompanying engines).
“With the introduction of the all-new Ford Super Duty, America’s best-selling heavy-duty pickup, we expect to continue growing our truck leadership,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president of The Americas. “Through this investment, we are continuing to show our commitment to Kentucky and the city of Louisville, as well as bringing to customers industry-leading trucks to help them take care of business and earn a living.”
Meanwhile, the F-250 delivers an impressive 383 horsepower. Ford continues to produce powerful and capable trucks, and we should expect to see similar specs in future years.
2016 Toyota Tundra
“In the full-size pickup market, there is no more important element in the equation than a V8 engine,” said Don Esmond the Toyota Division group vice president and general manager for Toyota Motor Sales (via a press release). “Among all standard V8s in the segment, the Tundra i-Force V8 is without peer in power, refinement and technical sophistication. It is the force behind Tundra’s claim to ‘best in class’ performance.”
That sentiment has proved to be true more than 15 years later. Esmond originally made that comment when the Tundra’s V8 engine first hit the market. While the unit wasn’t initially a hit, it’s evolved into the motor we see in the brand’s current crop of trucks.
If you’ve shopped for a Toyota pickup, you’re probably familiar with this engine. The i-FORCE 5.7-liter V8 (the brand’s most popular engine option) can pump out 310 horsepower and 327 pounds-feet of torque.
2015 Chevy Silverado 2500HD
The Silverado’s engine may not be as large as the other units on this list, but it’s certainly just as powerful. The Vortec 6.0-liter V8 (with the accompanying six-speed automatic transmission) delivers an impressive 360 horsepower and 380 pounds-feet of torque. This results in an incredible 13,000-pound towing capacity.
Best of all, the system runs on either gasoline or compressed natural gas, and the unit can seamlessly switch without losing it’s ability. When combined, the two engines will offer the driver a 650-mile range.
“Customers are choosing our bi-fuel trucks because they provide the same high level of GM truck performance and versatility but can also help businesses control their fuel costs and reduce their carbon footprint,” said Ed Peper, General Motors’ U.S. vice president of Fleet and Commercial Sales (via a press release).
The 3500 matches the 2500, as the pickup truck also delivers 360 horsepower. We’ve pretty much come to expect these kind of power specs from Chevy’s vehicles, and the Silverado’s engineers certainly continued with that theme.
Of course, if a customer opts for the Duramax engine, they can expect a whole lot more power. The diesel truck delivers a solid 397 horsepower and an absolutely incredible 765 pounds-feet of torque.
“It is a no-compromise turbocharged engine that is also really fun to drive, with excellent responsiveness,” said Scott Yackley, assistant chief engineer. “It was also designed specifically for trucks and has undergone many of the same validation tests as the 6.6L Duramax, contributing to legendary Duramax durability and reliability.”
Surprised? I never would have guessed that so many pickup trucks offer such impressive and powerful engines. Furthermore, each of the truck’s mechanics did a commendable job of catering the vehicle’s mechanics to adapt to the truck’s capabilities. This means you shouldn’t only expect ultimate power specs, but you can also expect excellent handling.
Either way, if you’re seeking a pickup truck that offers some incredible power specs, we’re sure you’ll be satisfied with any of the previously-mentioned options. These engines should only continue to evolve over the coming years, and we can anticipate some insane power specs soon enough. In the meantime, we can appreciate the current crop of pickups and their accompanying engines.
