6 Best Heavy Duty Trucks for the Money According to TrueCar
If you’re in the market for a new heavy-duty truck, you’ll find multiple options. But many aren’t worth your money or time. And because heavy-duty trucks aren’t cheap, you’ll want one that will last, tow and haul what you need, and tackle all terrains and conditions. TrueCar put together a list of the best heavy-duty trucks for your money, so check out the roundup below before you buy.
TrueCar’s top 6 heavy duty trucks: The bottom 4
Coming in at number six in TrueCar’s “Best Heavy Duty Trucks for the Money” is the Nissan Titan XD. With a starting MSRP of $47,575, the 2022 Titan XD seats six and comes in four trim levels. According to TrueCar, the four-wheel-drive-standard truck has a 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. With that powertrain, it can haul up to 2,240 pounds in its standard 6.5-footbed and tow up to 11,040 pounds. It’s not a bad choice, but its competitors can tow and haul more.
In fifth place is the GMC Sierra 2500HD, which comfortably hauls and tows more than the Titan XD. Priced at $39,895, the Sierra 2500HD comes with a 6.6-liter V8 gas engine or a 6.6-liter V8 Duramax diesel engine, the latter producing a whopping 910 lb-ft of torque. It can carry up to 3,979 pounds in its bed or haul up to 18,500 pounds. It also has neat performance amenities, such as an all-wheel-drive mode in its 4WD standard system.
Just missing the top three is the 2500HD’s sibling, the GMC Sierra 3500HD, starting at $41,095. It has the same powertrain options as the 2500HD. But what sets the 3500HD apart is its max trailering capacity of 36,000 pounds. That’s a commanding standard for any heavy-duty truck to top. But among the factors that kept it from ranking higher were its colossal size, lack of standard advanced safety features, and sparseness of its luxury trim.
TrueCar gave the bronze medal to the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD, also capable of hauling up to 36,000 pounds, thanks to the powertrain it shares with its cousin, the Sierra 3500HD. What sets the Silverado 3500HD apart is best-in-class cabin space and smooth performance. And though advanced safety features like forward-collision warning and parking sensors aren’t standard on the Silverado 3500HD, the relatively low price, space, and performance make this model a standout.
The runner-up is a tough competitor
The Ford Super Duty F-350 is TrueCar’s second-best heavy-duty truck for the money. Competitively priced at $40,705, this behemoth comes with a 385-hp 6.2-liter V8 engine standard, but a 430-hp 7.3-liter V8 is available. For the best performance, a 6.7-liter turbocharged diesel V8 generates 475 hp and a whopping 1,050 lb-ft of torque.
With a max trailering capacity of 35,750 pounds, the F-350 hauls a little less than the Sierra and Silverado 3500HD. But the Ford truck also has an impressive payload limit of 7,850 pounds. The F-350 is an excellent choice for drivers needing a comfortable vehicle for work that can easily haul cargo and equipment. And despite its massive size, its suite of available advanced safety features can keep drivers safe on the road.
The 2022 F-350 missed the top prize because its base model lacks tech features such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and its 4.2-inch infotainment screen is small. Also, higher trim levels with better options quickly escalate to luxury vehicle prices. In addition, the towing software is a bit less refined than its rivals. For those reasons and more, TrueCar put the F-350 in second place.
TrueCar’s pick for the best heavy duty truck of 2022: Ram 2500
Though this heavy-duty truck has a lower max towing capacity than the previous three pickups, the 2022 Ram 2500 has plenty going for it. It starts at $40,955 with a standard 410-hp 6.4-liter V8 gas engine producing 429 lb-ft of torque. Upgrading to a Cummins 6.7-liter diesel engine brings only 370 hp but a massive 850 lb-ft of torque.
Thanks to a rear coil spring suspension, performance and steering are precise and superior. The Ram 2500 also leads its segment in off-roading capability, ensuring it makes up for what it lacks in towing capacity in versatility. It offers standard single cab and crew cab configurations. But if you need as much cabin space as possible, consider the Mega Cab, offering five additional cubic feet of space. Plus, the interior stylings are well-designed and comfortable.
The 2022 Ram 2500 also maintains the rugged exterior stylings of earlier models and remains a favorite among heavy-duty truck drivers. And according to TrueCar, it will give you the most bang for your buck.