Step up: GMC Sierra 1500
The Champ: Ford F-Series
Having convinced brawny truck drivers that aluminum body panels won’t crumple and turbo engines aren’t feeble, F-Series advances from its 2015 overhaul.
Joining King Ranch and Lariat luxury models are appearance packages on XLT and Lariat with sinister 20-inch dark-painted wheels, smoked headlamps and Alcantara seat inserts with red stitching.
The F-150 adopts Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system with more intuitive controls and adds Pro Trailer Backup Assist, a knob-controlled backing system that semi-automatically adjusts steering and vehicle speed. Engines range from a 325-horsepower 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine to a 365-hp 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine and 385-hp V-8 engine.
Bigger news comes next year when Super Duty gains aluminum panels, seven-camera towing assist system, in-cab trailer tire pressure monitor, adaptive cruise, and lane keep assist.
“I think (Super Duty) will do OK,” Caldwell said. “There hasn’t been much blowback from the F-150 with an aluminum body. It is important to get the aluminum body to help fuel economy. There is only so much you can do with the shape to improve aerodynamics. Finding ways to change it up is important.”
Quieting critics who moaned about the truck’s boring design, styling is updated with a more sculpted hood, signature LED driving lights, LED
Contender, not pretender: RAM 1500
Big rig styling is the foundation for two new models: Laramie Limited and Rebel. Laramie Limited spoils passengers with Argento wood accents, premium leather, air suspension, and blinged chrome grille with “RAM” spelled in large font.
That grille is the new face of Ram, which looks