Article Highlights

• Toyota tosses all V8s in favor of a powerful and efficient turbocharged Tundra V6
• The new GMC Sierra can not only drive without your help, it can trailer too
• The Rivian R1T is an electric pickup truck that has Tesla playing catch-up

In a bygone era, the pickup truck was a nearly overlooked automotive segment. Since the legendary Dodge Power Wagon, with its tractor-like PTOs, the truck was considered a farm implement. Many truck manufacturers considered an overdrive gear an unnecessary luxury. Fast-forward to 2022 and pickup trucks are some of the most technologically-advanced vehicles around. Here are three that blow the doors of most anything on the road.

2022 Toyota Tundra offers next-generation fuel savings

Is the V8 outdated? Toyota certainly thinks so. The world’s largest auto manufacturer is tossing its naturally-aspirated V8. Starting in 2022, the Toyota Tundra will only come with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6.

The V8 in question pushes the horsepower slightly (to 389), but it sends the torque rating sky-high (489 lb-ft). Better yet, Toyota is engineering a hybrid version, the iFORCE MAX, which will make more torque than the Ford Raptor. The early real-world road trip fuel mileage numbers are in–and they’re promising.

See the Tundra’s first mileage reviews.

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate can drive itself, even while pulling a trailer

A truck that can drive itself seems like a fantasy straight out of the space age. But thanks to General Motors, the future is here. Since 2017, the American automaker has been slowly improving its Super Cruise software. The technology allows you to set a speed and take your hands off the steering wheel while driving over 200,000 miles of premapped interstates.

For 2022, the company is debuting the second generation of Super Cruise. Now your car can change lanes to pass slower vehicles and use your map software to slow down for upcoming bends. What’s more, you can use Super Cruise while towing a trailer. This feature is available on the top-trim Silverado and Sierra and comes standard on the 2022 Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate.

Learn about the dangers of full self-driving modes.

2022 Rivian R1T is advanced, even among EVs

Rivian is a testament to American ingenuity. For eight years, the company has been perfecting an electric truck, then building it in its factory in Normal, Illinois.

The result is not only the first electric pickup truck to market, it is the first four motor electric vehicle available. Its already setting records off-road and a full second faster to 60 mph than the Ram 1500 TRX. MotorTrend said the Rivian pickup, “changes everything” and awarded it 2022 truck of the year.

Read about how Rivian’s quad-motor drive will revolutionize the industry.