The most luxurious full-size pickup trucks on the market

2024-12-19 15:47:50 My

Trucks are long past functioning as mere workhorses, utilitarian brutes you’d only want to drive or live with if your days are spent dragging huge trailers or hauling stuff in the pickup bed. These days, full-size truck buyers needn’t choose between capability, a commanding view of the road and luxury-car-grade accommodations.

Sure, the most luxurious versions of the trucks sold today give up some ultimate capability to more modestly equipped rigs — after all, adding panoramic sunroofs, adjustable suspensions and other niceties cuts into payload and towing maximums, which are calculated off a truck’s GVWR — but the average half-ton truck of today can easily out-muscle yesterday’s three-quarter-ton pickups. Go ahead, spring for that luxurious pickup — if you can afford it. Even mainstream full-size trucks today carry luxury car price tags; opting for the best truck from each manufacturer? That’ll cost you truly big bucks. If you have the means, here are the nicest, must luxurious full-size, half-ton trucks sold by every player in the game:

2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country

Within the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 lineup, the High Country isn’t the most expensive truck you can drive away from a bow-tie dealership, but it’s a close second behind the off-road-focused ZR2. The High Country is, of course, the most overtly luxurious Silverado, trading the ZR2’s hardcore hardware for cowboy Cadillac finery.

Chevrolet has morphed the High Country’s more street-focused flashiness from standard fare to optional goods, meaning out of the box, the truck gets more rugged-looking 20-inch wheels and beefier tires than it used to. The 22-inch rollers sold with previous High Country models are still available as part of the truck’s Premium packages, however. Chevy also has democratized the High Country’s engine choices, making it so you can pick from the 1500 lineup’s 5.3-liter V-8 and 3.0-liter turbodiesel I-6 in addition to the mightiest 420-hp 6.2-liter V-8. Pricing starts at the lowest amount of any truck on this list, though partly that’s because so much is optional (where most of the other trucks are mono-spec, fully loaded rigs), at just $68,195; but go ham with those options and more powerful engine choices, and you can quickly spin the High Country’s MSRP into, well, higher country.

Price: $68,195
Engines: 5.3L 355-hp/383 lb-ft V-8; 6.2L 420-hp/460 lb-ft V-8; 3.0L 305-hp/495 lb-ft turbodiesel I-6
Max towing capacity: 9,500 lb

2024 pickup trucks:The most fuel-efficient new models so far

2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV First Edition RST

If your head is stuck in the early 2000s, then wheel size is as much a factor in a truck’s bling factor as its price tag, and by that measure, the Silverado EV First Edition RST is definitely a luxury item: Its wheels are a massive 24 inches in diameter. We’re leaning on this unconventional metric of luxury because, well, other than those rims and the all-electric Chevy’s launch edition pricing ($96,495!), not much else about the truck is overtly luxurious. It’s simply the most expensive way to buy a new Silverado EV.

Take the cabin, for example, which has huge, crisp displays, a panoramic sunroof and GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving assistant included — but also plenty of hard plastics and vinyl seats. As we found in our first drive of the electric Chevy pickup, the cabin isn’t quite a highlight. But anyone can appreciate the clever midgate, which has been remastered here since dying with the Chevrolet Avalanche pickup years ago; it allows you to fold down the wall between the pickup bed and the interior, opening up an even longer cargo floor atop the folded seatbacks. And with 440 miles of range, the First Edition RST goes farther than any other electric pickup offered today (besides, of course, the mechanically similar GMC Sierra EV). In the world of EVs, range is luxury, and the Chevy has plenty of it.

Price: $96,495
Motors: 1 front permanent-magnet electric motor, 1 rear permanent-magnet electric motor; 754-hp/785 lb-ft comb
Max towing capacity: 10,000 lb

2024 Ford F-150 Platinum and King Ranch

Here’s a humdinger of a question: Which Ford F-150 is the priciest (outside of the supercharged, off-road-trophy-truck-wannabe F-150 Raptor R)? If you guessed the King Ranch, you’re correct. If you guessed the Platinum, you’re also correct. The two luxurious trucks start at the exact same $75,840. Consider them two versions of the same theme, with the King Ranch’s leather-lined interior getting a more traditional, vaguely western-themed luxury vibe with earthier tones and the Platinum going with a sleeker, more urban take with cooler, more modern colorways.

Both trucks get Ford’s Multicontour power front seats with myriad adjustments and massage functions, heating and ventilation. The second-row seats also are heated, and new-for-2024 is the Pro Access tailgate with its swing-down center section. Special 20-inch wheels are part of the kit on both, too, as is Ford’s 400-hp, 510 lb-ft twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine. Buyers can upgrade to the PowerBoost Hybrid version of the same engine, which brings 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque. Unlike some of the other trucks on this list that take an everything-and-the-kitchen-sink approach, the priciest Fords still offer a few option packages, giving buyers some leeway in customizing the equipment onboard, at least on the Platinum. Those packages are pricey, however, and range from $6,540 to $11,475. Ditto the BlueCruise hands-free driving assistant, which runs $2,100.

Price: $75,840
Engines: 3.5L 400-hp/510 lb-ft twin-turbo V-6; 3.5L 430-hp/510 lb-ft twin-turbo hybrid V-6
Max towing capacity: 10,800 lb

2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum

If the Platinum variant stands atop the F-150 lineup, it stands to reason the Platinum would also crown the all-electric F-150 Lightning family, too. So it does. The Lightning Platinum gets the same dual-motor setup as lesser Lightnings, but with the biggest available Extended Range battery pack; the combo is good for 580 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque, along with 300 miles of EPA-estimated range.

Where the Platinum separates itself from lesser Lightnings is, of course, mostly inside its plush cabin. A standard 18-speaker B&O audio system, the Lightning’s largest 15.5-inch central touchscreen, Multicontour Nirvana power seats, and Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving assistant up the Platinum’s game over regular Lightnings. Externally, a set of flashy 22-inch wheels and a panoramic sunroof are the biggest giveaways that this is the $93,990 Lightning Platinum (at least, before applicable EV tax credits cut $7,500 off that price tag).

Price: $93,990
Motors: 1 front permanent-magnet electric motor, 1 rear permanent-magnet electric motor; 580-hp/775 lb-ft comb
Max towing capacity: 8,500 lb

2024 GMC Hummer EV 3X

GMC’s rollout of the resurrected Hummer sub-brand has been a little hard to follow, with the first electric Hummer technically arriving as a 2022 model-year offering. That EV pickup came only in 1,000-hp, tri-motor First Edition guise. Fast forward to today, and more of the lineup has emerged, with the current top of the heap being the 2024 GMC Hummer EV Pickup 3X variant. The 3X shares its three-motor layout with the First Edition, as well as its 1,000 hp maximum output; air suspension; four-wheel steering; and goofy Watts to Freedom (WTF) drive mode. Buyers can also upgrade from the $106,945 3X to a limited-production Omega Limited Edition for an extra $43,350.

While the Hummer might not smack of “luxury” at first glance, you must zoom out a little to see its schtick. This was, at least before Tesla’s Cybertruck arrived, the zaniest truck out there, with its ability to crab walk sideways, shoot away from a stop in spite of its massive 9,000-pound curb weight, and available removable roof panels that make it, yes, a sort of targa-topped truck. There are so many widgets, features and surprises within — and the pricing is so dear — it can’t be viewed as anything other than a luxury item.

Price: $106,295
Motors: 1 front permanent-magnet electric motor, 2 permanent-magnet rear electric motors; 1000-hp/1,200 lb-ft comb
Max towing capacity: 12,000 lb

2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate

Wait, isn’t “Denali” the nicest version of a given GMC you can buy? It was, until the Denali Ultimate trim level arrived for 2022 on the Sierra 1500 pickup. This new trim level includes everything — and we mean everything — offered on the Denali, except the Denali’s lower-output 5.3-liter V-8 option. That leaves buyers with the choice of GM’s smooth and efficient 3.0-liter turbodiesel I-6 or a 420-hp 6.2-liter V-8 (for an additional $1,005), and their desired paint color.

Inside, the Ultimate gets the same unique dashboard as the regular Denali, with air vents across the top of (not flanking, as on lesser Sierras) a central 13.4-inch touchscreen with Google Built-In assistant and mapping. Alpine Umber leather slathers the seats and armrests, and wood trim adorns the dash. There is a power sunroof, head-up display, Bose audio system, power-folding steps and 22-inch wheels. Prices start at $83,495.

Price: $83,495
Engines: 6.2L 420-hp/460 lb-ft V-8; 3.0L 305-hp/495 lb-ft turbodiesel I-6
Max towing capacity: 8,900 lb

2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1

The new GMC Sierra EV is coming, and though it shares its Ultium electric platform and batteries with the Hummer EV Pickup, it’s all packaged in a much more conventional truck form. Oh, and with only two electric motors, the first-out-of-the-gate Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 will deliver “only” 754 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque — far less than the 1,000-hp Hummer. That said, it’s claimed to return 440 miles (!) of driving range, a huge figure among today’s electric trucks.

With “Denali” in its name, you can probably guess that the Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 is nicer than your average Sierra EV. There's an appropriate amount of digital real estate, some dark wood-like trim, a massive panoramic sunroof and a Bose audio system. Like its Silverado EV sibling, the Sierra EV’s cabin isn’t as overtly “nice” as the internal-combustion Sierra 1500’s, but the luxuries are as much embedded in the hardware as in the stuff you see and touch — remember that huge range figure? That should ensure the GMC can not only go far per charge, but possibly go farther per charge than other electric trucks when towing or hauling, activities we’ve found seriously dent the range of other rigs. Should that occur here, the Sierra’s starting with a much higher number…

Price: $99,495
Motors: 1 front permanent-magnet electric motor, 1 rear permanent-magnet electric motor; 754-hp/785 lb-ft comb
Max towing capacity: 10,000 lb

2024 Nissan Titan XD Platinum Reserve

Nissan’s Titan might seem like a forgotten member of the full-size pickup tribe, and, well, it kind of is. It’s far less visible than even Toyota’s Tundra, itself another truck caught on the outside looking in on its domestic competitors from Detroit’s Big Three. But the Titan’s still here, and even in its priciest form — the beefier XD model in Platinum Reserve trim — it costs way less than nearly everything else on this list, at a mere $68,770.

Where the other truckmakers’ nicest models come essentially one way (loaded), the XD Platinum Reserve offers buyers a few choices, namely a panoramic sunroof ($1,490) and a Utility package ($1,390). But even opting for those extras, you’ll still pay nearly the lowest amount of any truck in this roundup. The overall upgrades are fairly tame, mostly consisting of quilted leather, heated seats, special 20-inch wheels and chrome and brushed metal exterior trim.

Price: $68,770
Engine: 5.6L 400-hp/413 lb-ft V-8
Max towing capacity: 9,650 lb

New pickup truck models:These are the best small and midsize for 2024

2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten

New for 2025 and joining a refreshed Ram 1500 lineup, the Tungsten trim leapfrogs last year’s Limited Longhorn to become the half-ton Ram’s snootiest setup. It not only lands the 2025 1500’s optional twin-turbo Hurricane I-6 “H.O.” (high output) engine with 540 hp and 521 lb-ft of torque as standard, but also gets an exclusive body-color and fully integrated front bumper (note how the nose resembles that of a full-size SUV, not a traditional truck with its separate metal bumper), 22-inch polished wheels, acoustic front door glass, a power tailgate, power folding running boards, a tonneau cover and RamBox cargo bins in the bed.

The Ram 1500 Tungsten's interior kicks things up several notches, too, with a standard Klipsch Reference Premiere audio system with 1,228 watts of power and 23 speakers; 24-way power-adjustable, massaging, ventilated and heated front seat (20-way passenger seat); and a “jeweled” rotary shift knob. Upper-level Ram interiors have been nice for years, but the 2025 update improves things further, making the Tungsten’s improvements on top of those all the more wow-inducing. Of course, bring money — the Tungsten starts at $89,070.

Price: $89,070
Engine: 3.0L 540-hp/521 lb-ft twin-turbo I-6
Max towing capacity: 7,820 lb

2024 Toyota Tundra Capstone

Looking for the fanciest factory Toyota truck money can buy? Meet the Capstone, an all-new trim level introduced to the then-just-redesigned Tundra lineup for 2022. Aptly named — it caps the Tundra family, after all — the Capstone wears blingy 22-inch chrome wheels, chrome mirror caps, chrome grille mesh and even chrome “TUNDRA” lettering in the tailgate. Toyota mounts the Capstone’s cab to the frame using hydraulic mounts, and electronically adjustable dampers help further smooth the ride. The Tundra’s i-Force MAX hybrid twin-turbo V-6 engine is standard, too, making the same 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque as in other Tundras so equipped.

The cabin gets a glow-up in the form of a black-and-white color scheme and semi-aniline leather seats, dark American walnut trim and every available Tundra option. Acoustic front glass helps shush the interior at speed. The Tundra family’s largest screens are included, too — there’s a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10.0-inch head-up display and a massive 14-inch touchscreen. The only two options offered above the $80,840 base price are a load-leveling rear air suspension and power extending heated tow mirrors, which can be added for $1,335.

Price: $80,840
Engine: 3.4L 437-hp/583 lb-ft twin-turbo hybrid V-6
Max towing capacity: 10,340 lb