Finding the best pickup trucks of 2022 might be a hard list to make objectively. We all look for different things out of our pickup trucks. Different publications have their own hierarchy of grading criteria, of course. But, it would seem, based on this list of the top six best pickup trucks of 2022, that US News has a bit more diversified list of criteria than most. 

Best compact pickup trucks of 2022

This list isn’t likely to surprise or amaze you. It has all the pickup truck greatest hits. But, in some ways, that’s what’s so great about the segment. Even after changing nearly everything about the car market – short of cars having four wheels – pickup truck buyers still need the same things they’ve always needed; a bed, some torque, and four-wheel drive. 

US News picked the top three of both pickup truck segments, compact and full-size. Even within the separation of these two segments, the top three for each group offer a little bit of everything. 

2022 Ford Ranger 

The 2022 Ford Ranger landed in third place with a 7.7/10. Technically, the Ranger was in fourth place, but the Chevy Colorado and the GMC Canyon tied for second place. Seeing as how similar the two GM trucks are, we will discuss the 2022 Ford Ranger instead of the pricer of the two GMs, the GMC Canyon. 

The 2022 Ford Ranger is a popular little pickup. Although the interior can be a bit stark, there is plenty to love about the Ranger. It makes the most of its compact pickup truck size, getting an average of 22 mpg. It only comes with one engine option; the sweet little turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive are standard; four-wheel drive is also available.

2022 Chevrolet Colorado 

The Colorado earned the number two spot with a 7.8/10. US News liked the Colorado for a few key reasons. The Chevy Colorado, equipped with the turbodiesel, can tow up a massive 7,700 lbs. But if diesel isn’t your style, the gas-powered V6 can still pull 7,000 lbs. 

The 2022 Chevy Colorado is also said to offer a comfortable ride with tight handling in the corners. A smooth ride isn’t all the Colorado offers; US News says that the interior is nice and spacious despite its smaller size. 

2022 Honda Ridgeline 

Both Consumer Reports and US News have the Ridgeline as their highest-rated compact pickup truck at 8.3/10. It makes plenty of sense. The Honda Ridgeline offers the perfect amount of pickup truck for most people while also remaining easy and nice to drive. 

The Honda Ridgeline isn’t all that exciting, but it hits every mark needed to be a great truck. Honda’s pickup truck pulls down a combined 21 mpg from its 3.5-liter V6. It also offers comfortable seating for five, decent handling, and an interesting look. 

Now for the full-size pickup trucks

Full-size trucks tend to draw a slightly different crowd. Unlike the plucky little compact trucks, the full-size models are made for working. This segment is defined by performance. Of course, plenty of people buy pickup trucks who never work them. But even these examples are desirable because of the work they could do. So, here are the best full-size pickup trucks, according to US News. 

2022 Toyota Tundra

The 2022 Toyota Tundra is a strong third place holder. US News gave the new Tundra a score of 8.2/10. With these bigger trucks, opinions between reviewers start to vary wildly. The Tundra is often beloved for its strength and cursed for most other aspects like ride comfort and handling. However, US News says the new Tundra has a “composed ride and handling” and “Comfortable, spacious seats.” This is a far departure from some other reviews. 

While opinions may vary on handling and comfort, you’ll be hard-pressed to too many people willing to argue against the Tundra’s strength and dependability. Although the Ford F-150 can out tow the Tundra by 2,000 pounds, the Tundra still holds its own. The 2022 Tundra can tow up to 12,000 pounds (up from 10,200) and haul up to 1,940 pounds (up from 1,730). 

The 2022 model comes with a 389-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 as the base engine. The optional powerplant is a 437-horsepower hybrid powertrain that combines the twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor. Both powertrains have the same 10-speed automatic transmission. 

2021 Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 is most likely to pop into someone’s head if you ask them to think of a pickup truck. It is the default. US News hasn’t rated the 2022 model yet, so they gave the 2021 Ford F-150 a score of 8.7/10 last year, where it still stands in second place.

The 2021 Ford F-150 got a major redesign. The result of that redesign is the class-leading pickup truck in towing and payload (14,000 lbs and 3,325 lbs, respectively). Ford offers a staggering total of six engine options starting with the base 290-hp V6 and ending with the all-new F-150 hybrid, featuring the larger EcoBoost V6 and an electric motor. This package makes a total output of 430 horsepower. 

2022 Ram 1500 

The only truly unanimous truck consensus is that the 2022 Ram 1500 is great. Hell, US News gave it an impressive 9.1/10. 

The Ram 1500 really has it all. There are piles of gas and diesel engine options, all offering great power and strength. Next on the list of pros is the Ram’s plush interior, of which it is the finest of its class. The only aspect as plush as the interior is the Ram’s ride. 

The base model engine is V6 making 305 hp with a mild hybrid system that boosts torque under heavy acceleration. If towing is what you need, look at the V6 diesel or one of the two V8s. The 2022 Ram 1500 can tow up to 12,750 pounds and haul up to 2,300 pounds when properly equipped. 

The best pickup trucks of 2022

Although this list of trucks is plenty varied, there is one common thread between them all. Pickup truck owners all have their own criteria for what they need. These trucks cover different needs with various sizes, engines, cabins, and equipment. Despite the variety, they all meet the needs of their owners, which is what landed them here.