Truck

These days, trucks have become more car-like in terms of comfort and everyday livability without sacrificing the utility that has made them a staple of the automotive industry for so long.

Full-size pickups, true to their name, are the best bet for heavy hauling and towing duties, offering the most variations of powertrains, cab configurations and bed lengths. The Ford F-150 is the perennial favorite in this class, but other desirable options include the Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra twins, the slightly smaller Toyota Tundra and the recently introduced Nissan Titan.

The compact truck scene has also evolved in ways that make the task of hauling people and things much easier. Standard- and extended-cab versions of compact trucks are definitely best suited to carry just two people, but compact pickups with four conventional doors, such as the Nissan Frontier Crew Cab, Toyota Tacoma Double Cab, Dodge Dakota Quad Cab, Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon Crew Cabs, and even the SUV-like Ford Explorer Sport Trac, make it much more comfortable to carry three or more people at once. Something to be aware of, however, when shopping four-door compact pickups is bed length, which can be as short as 4' 8" in length. Ensure that the bed is still long enough to suit your hauling needs.

Whether you go big or small, a multitude of configurations, body styles, drivetrain choices and appearance packages make it easy to build a truck that suits your needs and your desires.