New pickups add power,
Canadians like pickups so much that four of the eight top-selling vehicles last year were trucks
Despite the steady rise of SUVs and crossovers during the past decade, the tops of the sales charts in North America are loaded with light duty trucks, particularly the full-size variety.
Four of the top eight bestselling vehicles in Canada in 2019 were full-size pickups and the Ford F-Series led the way with more than 145,000 units sold. The F-Series is so entrenched at the top of the market that 2019 marked its 10th consecutive year as the bestselling vehicle in Canada and its 54th straight as the top selling truck.
Other truck brands also had a good year in Canada in 2019, with FCA’s RAM truck division selling almost 90,000 units (second-best selling vehicle behind the F-Series), while GM’s Chevrolet and GMC truck brands sold more than 94,000 Silverados and Sierras combined.
Simply put, Canadians still love their trucks, and plenty of them will be on display from a variety of manufacturers at the Canadian International AutoShow, which opened Friday at the downtown Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Spotlighted here are four that have received significant updating for the 2020 model year.
Ford Super Duty
The biggest F-Series pickup receives a significant refresh for 2020 that includes powertrain and design updates.
The most significant changes are under the hood, where the Super Duty is now available with a 7.3-litre V-8 that produces 430 horsepower and 475 lbft. of torque. Available with all Super Duty engines is a new 10-speed TorqShift automatic transmission with a wider gear ratio than the standard sixspeed automatic.
On the design front, the Super Duty sports a new high-airflow grille, redesigned front bumper and air dam for improved cooling, along with updated LED headlights. The rear of the truck also gets some freshening with new tailgate design, new tail lights and redesigned bumper.
Finally, changes to the interior vary depending on grade. For example, the decorative trim on the doors and media bin door have been updated for Lariat models, while the Platinum grades now receive Onyx Argento wood. The interior for Limited models has been significantly updated with new Ebony and Highland Tan finishes complete with ash wood and brushed aluminum trim pieces.
The 2020 Ford Super Duty is on sale now.
Nissan Titan
The second-gen Nissan Titan is extensively overhauled for 2020. Among its many changes are a design update, a new transmission and interior refinements.
The new Titan, which arrives at dealerships this month, is available with one powertrain: a 5.6-litre Endurance V-8 (400 hp / 413 lb-ft.) paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission. All 2020 Titans come equipped with standard 4x4 with a shift-on-the-fly transfer case.
The Titan also receives several design updates. The ‘Powerful Warrior’ theme remains, but with new LED headlights and LED daytime running lights, and new grilles that are modelspecific. LED lighting is now also available in the bed and tail lights. The tailgate itself is new and, like the grille, will vary in design depending on grade. Among the changes made to the interior are a standard eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, which Nissan claims is the largest in class, and an available nine-inch version. The latter boasts improved graphics, screen resolution and response time. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is a Wi-Fi router (data subscription is required and sold separately).
Other interior updates include new available Fender audio system, Zero Gravity seating, Dual Panel Panoramic Moonroof and more.
Ram 1500 EcoDiesel
The Ram 1500 was all-new in 2019, but there are more changes in store for 2020, including an all-new diesel engine option.
The 3.0-litre EcoDiesel V-6 produces 305 horsepower and 480 lb-ft. of torque. Ram claims the EcoDiesel is the most powerful half-ton diesel pickup available in North America not only due to its torque output, but its maximum towing capacity which is rated at 5,697 kg (12,560 lb). The EcoDiesel V-6 is available across all eight Ram 1500 grades.
Other changes across the 2020 Ram 1500 lineup include the Night Edition package, which includes black wheels (22-inch on Laramie, 20-inch on Bighorn), black badging and other exterior details. The Ram Rebel Black Appearance Group also returns and includes black wheels, skid plate and all-black interior.
Three new exterior colours are also available: Hydro Blue, RV Match Walnut Brown and Olive Green.
Toyota Tundra The big news for Toyota’s fullsize pickup is the introduction of new 4x4 models, including TRD Sport Premium and TRD Off Road Premium grades.
Like other Tundra models, these newcomers are powered by Toyota’s 5.7-litre iFORCE V8 engine that produces 381horsepower and 401 lb-ft. of torque and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Towing varies depending on model, but the Tundra can tow between 8,800 and 10,000 pounds. As for TRD Sport Premium and TRD Off Road Premium, they each come equipped with Premium Audio with Remote which includes embedded navigation and destination assist, leather seat cladding, leatherwrapped steering wheel, dualzone climate control, Toyota Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and spray-in bed liner.
If you’re a truck fan, you won’t want to miss an opportunity to check these — and others — out. This content was funded but not approved by the advertiser.