How Do the Features of Top-Spec Full-Size Pickups Compare?
You want luxe? It's going to cost you.
Ford | Chevrolet | Ram | GMC
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Not so long ago, pickup trucks were only for the rough-and-tumble folks who needed the utility only a truck could deliver.
Nowadays, a fully loaded pickup can crack six figures and boast myriad luxury features, from massaging seats wrapped in sumptuous leather to audio systems tuned by the home audio industry's top ears. Let's look at the top trims of full-size truck offerings and see how upscale it gets.
Ford
2023 Ford F-150 Limited
The Ford F-150 is America's best-selling truck, and it's easy to see why in this top trim. It's only available as a four-door SuperCrew with a 5.5-foot bed, but you'll get four-wheel drive (4WD) and Ford's 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain with 430 horsepower. The Limited can tow 13,900 pounds and comes standard with Pro Trailer Backup Assist to help reverse that trailer like a boss.
However, many folks might buy the F-150 Limited for its standard features like power running boards, heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, heated rear seats, and wireless phone charging. A big bonus here is the 7.2 kW onboard generator that can power on-site tools or even keep juice flowing to your home in an emergency.
A 12-inch touchscreen running Sync4 with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard, as is a 12-inch configurable digital gauge cluster. The Limited trim starts around $87,000.
Nissan
2023 Nissan Titan Platinum Reserve
The top-trim Nissan Titan is only available as a four-door crew cab with a 5.5-foot bed. You'll get 4WD standard, but the powerplant is a 5.6-liter V8 engine with 400 ponies under the hood. Unfortunately, this trim can only tow 9,167 pounds.
However, you'll find high-end touches like heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and an upmarket Fender audio system with 12 speakers. The Platinum Reserve still has a relatively small infotainment screen, just 9 inches on the diagonal. Apple CarPlay is wireless, but Android Auto users still need a cord. The Nissan distinguishes itself with two-tone exterior paint, but the chrome running boards are fixed in place. This top trim starts around $64,000.
Toyota
2023 Toyota Tundra Capstone
The top Toyota Tundra Capstone trim is available only in a four-door CrewMax cab with a 5.5-foot bed and 4WD. Under the hood is a hybrid powerplant with an electrified 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 making 437 horsepower. This top trim can tow up to 10,340 pounds and features front and rear heated and ventilated seats.
The Capstone features a premium 12-speaker audio system from JBL and a 14-inch touchscreen runs a much-improved infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Tundra also gets a standard 10-inch color head-up display, and drivers can power down the large rear window. The Toyota Tundra Capstone starts at around $79,000.
Ram
2023 Ram 1500 Limited
The Ram 1500 offers two different trim levels with Limited in their names: the Limited Longhorn (about $62,000) and the Limited (about $66,000). Equipment-wise, they both start off with a big, vertically-oriented 12.0-inch touchscreen that handles audio, climate, and navigation inputs, plus their cabins are draped in leather and wood trim.
The Longhorn's brown leather gives off a decidedly Western vibe, while the Limited goes for a more city-slicker style with either all-black or contrasting light gray/dark blue hues. Both upscale Ram versions can be tricked out with numerous options, including a tailgate that can either drop down or swing open in a 60/40-split arrangement.
Chevrolet
2023 Chevrolet Silverado High Country and 2023 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate
Built on the same platform, you'll find many of the same basics on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500. However, the GMC wears its own design and goes a little more upscale with its features.
Both come with a four-door crew cab, but the Chevrolet gets a standard 6.5-foot bed, while the GMC gets a 5.5-foot bed. However, the two trucks can be fitted with a 6.2-liter V8 under the hood, good for 420 horsepower. You'll find plenty of screens in both trucks as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
GMC
However, the GMC gets heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats as well as heated rear seats. The Silverado does not get the massage function. The GMC also gets an adaptive suspension and can tow up to 8,900 pounds. The Silverado gets no such suspension, but can tow up to 9,000 pounds. The GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate will set you back around $83,000. The Chevrolet is just over $67,000.
