Consumer Reports – There’s no horsing around with these pickups

Full-sized pickups with four doors and crew cabs are often seen as alternatives to SUVs. They provide seating for five or six passengers, allowing these trucks to do double duty hauling families and towing a big trailer or lugging building supplies. But as a class, fuel economy is poor for full-sized pickups and handling is anything but nimble. Also, most models have a very large blind zone behind the bumper: Only the Toyota Tundra and the 2008 Fords remedy that with a rear-view camera.

The Tundra and Ford’s F-150 joined the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the Dodge Ram 1500 for Consumer Reports’ recent tests of four full-sized crew-cab pickup trucks. While the Tundra and the Silverado performed impressively overall in measures including acceleration, braking and handling, they trail the previously tested Chevrolet Avalanche LT ($46,560, with the 5.3-liter, 310-hp V8 engine) in CR’s ratings of half-ton pickups.

Although CR can’t yet recommend the Avalanche or the Silverado (both are too new for CR to have reader-generated reliability data), the Tundra and Dodge Ram get the nod by testing well on the track, showing average or better reliability and performing at least adequately in crash tests conducted by the government and/or insurance industry. The Ford F-150’s below-average reliability prevents CR from recommending it.

‘ Toyota Tundra. Redesigned for 2007, the Tundra surrendered some comfort and refinement as it bulked up to take on Detroit’s full-sized workhorses. The ride, especially with the TRD off-road package, is jittery. The 381-hp, 5.7-liter V8 delivers very strong performance, making the Tundra notably quicker than the other trucks in this group. It is mated with a six-speed transmission that shifts quite smoothly. It pulled CR’s 7,400-pound test trailer to 60 mph in 16.1 seconds, the fastest in the group. The tested SR5 version with the TRD package cost $34,738.

‘ Chevrolet Silverado 1500/2500. The Silverado (and its twin, the GMC Sierra) is considerably improved over the previous model. It has a fairly comfortable ride and easier access and cargo loading than the others. The Silverado 1500 rides well for a pickup; but the 2500’s ride is very stiff. In CR’s tests, the 1500 absorbed bumps better than the Tundra and was more relaxed on the highway. Both transmissions were smooth, but the 1500 only had a four-speed automatic transmission. The 315-hp, 5.3-liter V8 delivers good performance, and its 14-mpg average was a bit less than the Tundra. It pulled CR’s 7,400-pound test trailer to 60 mph in 22.6 seconds. CR testers appreciated the selectable full-time 4WD and standard stability control (optional on non-crew cab versions) on the 1500. Inside, there’s plenty of leg, head and foot room for the driver. As tested, the 1500 LT2 version cost $37,235.

‘ Ford F-150/F-250. The F-150’s handling is sound and the cabin is roomy, but the ride isn’t that good and the noisy engine (a 300-hp, 5.4-liter V8) strains under acceleration. Stability control, full-time four-wheel drive and side-curtain airbags are all lacking. The F-250 Super Duty is based on Ford’s commercial truck platform (different from the F-150) and is a work truck with moderate payload but great towing capabilities and little else to recommend it. With options including running boards, power driver’s seat and tow package, the tested XLT version cost $36,705.

‘ Dodge Ram 1500/2500. The Ram 1500 has improved since the last time CR tested it in 2004. It rides and handles better, and is quieter. The 2500 heavy-duty version has a harsher ride and longer braking. Both have disappointing fit and finish. Average reliability allows the 1500 to be recommended. The 2500 scores too low to be recommended. Optional full-time four-wheel drive and electronic stability control (ESC) are definite pluses. But the ride remains jittery, braking is mediocre, the rear seat is cramped and getting in and out requires a steep climb. The basic interior looks cheap and dated. As tested, the SLT version of the Ram 1500 cost $38,370 with options including ESC, 20-inch wheels and tow package.