It’s really not surprising that new pickup trucks in 2017 will be bigger, more powerful and more luxurious than existing models.
If you are going to be looking at new pickup trucks this September, you are going to have a mind-boggling selection of upgrades, new designs and even new models to choose from.
Let’s start with Ford’s redesign of their serious work trucks. F-250s, 350s and 450s that come badged as Super Duty trucks have always been marketed to commercial customers or to consumers who have serious toys they want to tow. The differences in the 2017 models will not be so much in what you see although they will have a new quad beam headlight set up and clever storage space in the crew cab. It will be in what you feel when you drive one.
Why buy a truck? The 2017 Super Duty is a good reason. It will be the strongest truck Ford has ever built for the general public. It will have a box frame made of high strength steel with up to 10 through welded cross members. The frame will be 24 times stiffer than any previous frame making this ride incredibly stable despite road conditions, load or terrain. A choice of two gas engines and a 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel coupled with a six speed automatic that generates massive torque provide the muscle to haul and tow the largest loads.
The Brazilian made Toro is a compact truck that comes in three trims: Urban, Adrenalin (you’ve got to wonder where that came from) and Country.
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Size wise the Toro is 123.5 inches long, which makes it 26 inches longer than a Jeep Renegade and 20 inches shorter than a Chevy Colorado. It will come with a choice of front wheel drive or 4×4 (Country trim only) and will be powered by a 1.8-liter with a six-speed auto or a 2.0-liter diesel with either a six-speed manual, six-speed auto or nine-speed automatic. It’s a compact but it’s rated to pull 2,200 pounds.
What does it look like? The Toro sort of looks like a Fiat with a truck bed added. That’s not to be derogatory, it’s just that it looks rather cute for a truck. It has a long list of options that Fiat claims will turn the little mule into a luxury compact truck.
Completely redesigned inside and out for 2017, the Colorado will have a curvier, more sleek appearance than previous models giving it a refreshing contemporary look. Regarding appearance and performance, look to Australia Holden Colorado for clues.
Holden, a GM subsidiary, has brought out its new Colorado, and it is a handsome mid-sized truck with a whole new front fascia, angular daylight running lights, rounded wheel arches, and slight buttresses connecting the cab to the truck’s bed. Inside the dash appears more contemporary and the Australian model comes with Chevy’s MyLink Infotainment system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay telematics. Even better, if you’re looking for cheap pickup trucks, this one is definitely a contender.
The Ridgeline is back! First introduced in 2005 the sports utility truck with the unique design and unibody construction was discontinued in 2014 due to lagging sales. In a sense, the original Ridgeline was one of the first crossovers thanks to its unibody construction rather than body on frame. It was slick looking and drove like a car.
Honda is going to give the pickup another shot this time using the light-truck platform that underpins the Acura MDX and the new Honda Pilot. Also borrowed from the Pilot is the same direct-injected 3.5-liter V-6 and six-speed automatic, as well as its four-wheel-drive system. The V-6 should generate close to 300 hp and a cylinder deactivation feature should greatly enhance its EPA rating over the 2014 model. Expect to pay about $30,000 for this resurrected truck.
This one is totally speculative because nobody is talking officially about the Ram 2500 for 2017. However, there have been multiple sightings of Ram 2500 trucks with high clearance suspensions and impressive front and rear axles. The distinctive hood scoop is causing a stir, too.
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Rumor has it Ram is going to dump the 6.2L Supercharged Hemi Hellcat engine under that scoop giving the Ram truck an engine that will pour out 707 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. Now that might be a bit of overkill for most. But if the suspension can be tuned to accommodate it, the Ram Hellcat would make an awesome high performance offroad ride. It will definitely give the Ford F-150 Raptor a run for its money. See how the two fare in a side-by-side comparison of the 2017 Ford Raptor vs 2017 Ram Power Wagon.
That’s a brief list of new pickup trucks on the 2017 horizon. It certainly isn’t all inclusive. And you can bet that the 2017 truck season will be a real exercise in comparative shopping. If you are a pickup lover this will be a great year for you.
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