Australian new vehicle buyers have seemingly decided that bigger is indeed better.
SUV sales are through the roof, while utes remain perennially popular in the local market. Meanwhile, sales of small cars and sedans continue to decline, and the light car segment is a shadow of its former self.
At the other end of the spectrum, the full-sized pickup pool is as healthy as ever, with a handful of manufacturers offering supersized alternatives to the best-selling Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.
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From Ram to Ford, Chevrolet and now Toyota, there’s a big truck out there for just about everyone.
The Toyota Tundra boasts hybrid efficiency and renowned brand build quality, while the Chevrolet Silverado HD appeals to purists with its turbo-diesel V8 and muscular styling.
Then there’s the new Ram 1500, which ditches V8 power for an equally potent twin-turbo-six, coined the ‘Hurricane’.
We asked the CarExpert team to break down this ultra-competitive market niche, and here’s what they’d pick.
Let us know your pick in the comments below!
Paul Maric: Ram 1500
The new six-cylinder RAM is an absolute ripper.
Yes, it’s not a V8, but it delivers huge power and torque and an interior that rivals some of the most luxurious cars on the market.
It’s the perfect size for Aussie roads and does everything from towing to off-road to family hauling with absolute ease. Although I am tempted by a dually, just for added effect.
Interested in buying a Ram 1500? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Ram 1500
Marton Pettendy: Ram 1500
If I was in the market for a full-sized pickup – and I’m not since the only 4×4 dual-cab I’d trade my VFII Holden Ute SS for is a Ranger, which is plenty big and capable enough for me – I’d buy the MY24 Ram 1500 Big Horn.
Apart from the Silverado, it’s the only US pickup still available with a V8, and what’s a big American pickup without a V8, right?
Even in pre-facelift from, the Ram 1500 has the performance, refinement, technology and luxury to match or better its newer rivals, including the F-150 and Tundra, which is why it’s been the top-seller in its segment for the last seven years.
What’s more, you’ll probably get a good deal on the outgoing entry-level Ram 1500, which starts from $120K and will soon be replaced by an inline six-powered model that will be quicker and more powerful but won’t sound as good, because there’s plenty of stock available until the MY25 Ram 1500 Big Horn arrives in the second half of this year.
Interested in buying a Ram 1500? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Ram 1500
James Wong: Ford F-150
Do I really have to? Fine, I’ll take the more popular one (in its home market).
‘Built Ford Tough’ and I like the SYNC system. Twin-turbo V6 should out-punch the V8s too.
Thank you, next.
Interested in buying a Ford F-150? Get in touch with one CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Ford F-150
William Stopford: Ford F-150
Unlike my friend James, I like these full-sized American pickups. I never thought I would until I started driving them for work.
Would I own one? No, I don’t need anything quite this large, and frankly I don’t even need a ute, but I thoroughly enjoy myself whenever I get the chance to have one.
And there’s really not a dud in the bunch. I haven’t driven a Toyota Tundra yet, but I’ve driven the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and (pre-update) Ram 1500, and I’m hard-pressed trying to pick a winner.
The Ford F-150 is the cheapest way to get into a full-sized, factory-backed American pickup, and it’s impressively refined, comfortable to drive and has a practical cabin.
The halogen headlights and 8.0-inch touchscreen in the base XLT are a bit low-rent, but it costs thousands less than rivals. Besides, an imminent update should address those issues.
It’s a huge jump up to the top-spec Lariat, and it’s more expensive than a comparably equipped Chevrolet Silverado 1500 or Ram 1500.
But if you’re getting an American pickup, you may as well go full lux, and with the F-150 you get a longer warranty than rivals plus capped-price servicing.
Honestly, though, they’re all pretty good trucks. Drive ’em all before you buy one.
Interested in buying a Ford F-150? Get in touch with one CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Ford F-150
Jack Quick: Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD
I am a country boy at heart, so it’s safe to say I love pickups. I even have a Heavy Rigid truck license, so I’m able to drive more than mere mortals with just their car license.
With this in mind, I have to go for the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, which is well and truly above the regular full-size pickups. It’s 450mm longer and 1.2 tonnes heavier than the Silverado 1500.
Sure, there’s the Ram 2500/3500 which is its closest rival, but it doesn’t speak to me the same way the Chevy does.
This is primarily put down to what’s under the bonnet. The Silverado 2500 HD has a stonking 6.6-litre V8 turbo-diesel engine, whereas the Rams have an inline-six turbo-diesel engine instead. It’s just not the same.
Although you wouldn’t think so, this humongous pickup is a pretty easy and relaxing car to drive, though you’ll have to get used to having the lane markings on both sides of the car being a lot closer than you would in a Ranger, for example. You’ll also need to be patient with parking because this is certainly one big mumma.
Interested in buying a Chevrolet Silverado HD? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Chevrolet Silverado HD
Jordan Mulach: Ram 1500
A genuinely tricky choice this one, with each model offering strengths and weaknesses.
Given my lifestyle, the heavy duty models aren’t necessary, so this is purely a 1500-class battle.
I love the Silverado’s thundering V8 (you can’t take the bogan out of the boy), and love the idea of the Tundra being made to Toyota’s high standards.
Millions can’t go wrong with the F-150, but it’s hard to go past the new Ram 1500, particularly in Limited guise with its high output engine.
Yeah, it’s not a V8 anymore, but it’s as potent as anything and arguably the most well-equipped model in this lineup.
Interested in buying a Ram 1500? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Ram 1500
Max Davies: Ram 1500
I’ll echo the thoughts of my colleagues and outline that I really wouldn’t buy a truck of this calibre. It’s just completely unnecessary for my lifestyle.
That being said, something is appealing about being able to cruise down the freeway (as I so often do) at 110km/h in something like a Ram 1500. Yes, there’s no thumping V8 that would happily chug along at high speed, but I’ve heard very good things about the new high-output six cylinder Ram is now putting in its place.
More power and torque than you could ever need, plus the size and refinement to keep you happy and comfortable as the hours tick by. I also like being able to see out and over the other cars on the road.
Granted, I’ve never driven any of the vehicles in this class, so my opinion has been formed purely on specs. All I know is that if you had the keys to these vehicles lined up in front of me, the Ram 1500 is the one I’d be going for first.
Interested in buying a Ram 1500? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Ram 1500
Sean Lander: Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD
They don’t sell the dually in Aus, or the larger F series Super-Duty trucks, otherwise they would be my pick.
I love this truck. It’s a looker, has a massive bed and more room inside than a Melbourne one-bedder.
Best of all it has that incredible 6.6-litre V8 Duramax engine – any engine that has a quadruple digit torque output is alright in my book, in this case it’s 1322Nm. It also has an exhaust brake, 14 camera angles and ventilated seats.
It’s capable of pulling the moon into the earth and it’s so supremely comfortable, travelling our wide brown land would be a dream. And at just under 2.3 metres wide, it still has over a metre of space on a standard Australian lane.
These op-eds are usually just a bit of fun, but I have been on the record on numerous occasions that I would ACTUALLY buy one of these, for the above mentioned reasons and also, because it would really upset protestors and greenies.
Interested in buying a Chevrolet Silverado HD? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Chevrolet Silverado HD
Josh Nevett: Ram 1500
I can’t say I’m particularly taken by any of the vehicles in this category, aside from the not-so-recently discontinued Ram 1500 TRX.
As such, I’m going to bank on the incoming Ram 1500, now powered by a twin-turbo ‘Hurricane’ six-cylinder. It packs heaps of visual presence, and the cabin is a pretty luxurious space to spend your time.
Given I wouldn’t be keen to spend this kind of money on a workhorse in the first place, I’d be more than happy with the base, ‘standard output’ Laramie Sport.
Interested in buying a Ram 1500? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Ram 1500