They Mocked Police Until This Happened

Navigating the 2025 Full-Size Pickup Landscape: Our Expert Verdict on America’s Top Contenders From the bustling construction sites to the winding suburban school drop-off lines, full-size pickup trucks have long been the quintessential American workhorse, a symbol of utility, power, and burgeoning luxury. As we delve into the 2025 model year, this segment continues its relentless evolution, blending rugged capability with cutting-edge technology and unparalleled refinement. Having spent over a decade immersing myself in the automotive industry, meticulously scrutinizing countless trucks and analyzing market shifts, I can confidently say that the 2025 lineup presents some of the most compelling options yet. These aren’t just vehicles; they’re mobile command centers, family haulers, and serious work partners, all rolled into one. The sheer variety available, from specialized off-road variants to opulent luxury rigs, makes choosing the “best” a deeply personal, yet highly informed, decision. The stakes are higher than ever, with manufacturers pushing boundaries in design, powertrain innovation, and in-cabin experience. What was once purely utilitarian has transformed into a sophisticated blend of performance and premium comfort, often dictating the entire driving experience. For 2025, the market is buzzing with advancements in hybrid powertrains, powerful turbocharged engines, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) that redefine what a pickup can be. Consumers today demand not only raw power for heavy-duty tasks but also the fuel efficiency, advanced safety features, and connectivity that rival high-end luxury SUVs. This intricate dance of expectations is precisely what drove our rigorous evaluation for the best full-size pickup truck of 2025. Our mission was clear: identify the ultimate full-size pickup by subjecting the industry’s titans to a battery of real-world tests. We gathered three of the most anticipated and prominent players in the premium light-duty truck segment: the 2025 Ford F-150 Platinum (equipped with Ford’s innovative PowerBoost hybrid system), the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate (showcasing its robust 6.2-liter V-8), and the newly revamped 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten (featuring its potent high-output Hurricane twin-turbocharged inline-six). These weren’t basic work trucks; these were the cream of the crop, high-end, crew-cab, short-box configurations, each carrying an approximate market value between $87,000 and $90,000. This price point puts them squarely in contention for discerning buyers seeking the ultimate combination of performance, luxury, and advanced truck technology. Our comprehensive assessment spanned every conceivable performance metric and user experience detail. We meticulously evaluated towing capabilities, real-world payload hauling, critical acceleration and braking performance, and, perhaps most importantly for many buyers, true observed fuel economy both with and without a substantial load. The subjective elements were equally crucial, with our panel of seasoned automotive experts—Managing Editor Joe Bruzek, Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman, and Road Test Editor Brian Normile—conducting extensive back-to-back driving loops. Their expert insights covered everything from overall driving dynamics and ride comfort to the intuitive nature of the vehicle’s user interface, the palpable quality of interior materials, and practical in-cabin storage solutions. Beyond the blacktop, we tackled a demanding 200-mile real-world drive route, repeating it twice to accurately gauge fuel consumption with and without a 20-foot travel trailer in tow. We quantified acceleration and braking with roughly 1,000 pounds of payload in each truck bed, simulating common work scenarios. Essential family considerations weren’t overlooked; child-safety-seat fitment was rigorously tested, and the efficacy of each truck’s advanced safety systems and overall value proposition was scored. After tabulating every point, the results were definitive, painting a clear picture of the 2025 full-size pickup hierarchy: 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate 2025 Ford F-150 Platinum Let’s dissect these findings further, exploring where each contender truly shone and where they ultimately fell short, providing the critical insights you need to make an informed choice in the competitive 2025 market. Diving Deep: The Contenders in Detail 2025 Ford F-150 Platinum (Total Score: 848 points out of 1,295) The Verdict: While the 2025 Ford F-150 Platinum maintains its strong heritage of utility and innovative towing solutions, its performance in areas of ride comfort and interior luxury noticeably lagged behind its rivals in this premium segment. Its practical advantages are undeniable, but it struggled to deliver the refined driving experience and upscale cabin expected at this price point. The Good: Unmatched Utility and Towing Tech: The F-150 continues to set the benchmark for practical utility, highlighted by its revolutionary Pro Power Onboard generator. This integrated power source, particularly the 7.2-kilowatt variant included with the PowerBoost hybrid, is a game-changer for tailgaters, contractors, or anyone needing substantial electrical power on the go. Its towing technology, including the intuitive Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and the highly effective Trailer Reverse Guidance system, remains in a class of its own for ease of use and genuine assistance. As Bragman noted, Ford’s towing innovations are genuinely useful, not just gimmicky features. Bruzek also found its trailer backup system superior in capability and user-friendliness compared to the Ram’s. Exceptional Visibility: The F-150 shines brightly in outward visibility, a critical safety and comfort factor. Its unique window-sill cutouts in the front doors and lower-mounted side mirrors provide an expansive view, reducing blind spots. The upright windshield and low hood further enhance the driver’s perspective, making it feel less imposing despite its size. Intelligent In-Cabin Storage: Ford has masterfully engineered the F-150’s cabin for practical storage. The combination of a generously sized front storage bin, smartly placed cubbies in the center console, and excellent under-rear-seat storage makes it an incredibly work-friendly and organized environment. Class-Leading Real-World Fuel Economy: The PowerBoost hybrid powertrain truly delivers on its promise of efficiency. Our observed fuel economy of 23.3 mpg was the highest among the three trucks tested, closely mirroring its EPA combined rating. This makes the F-150 a strong contender for those prioritizing running costs in a full-size pickup. Solid Safety & Driver-Assist Tech: The F-150 scored well in safety features and tied for first in driver-assist tech, providing a confident and secure driving experience. It also performed admirably in child-safety seat fitment, tying with the GMC. The Bad: Disappointing Seat Comfort: This was a major point of contention among our judges. The F-150’s front and rear seats were universally criticized for their discomfort, particularly a noticeable lumbar “lump” that proved unadjustable. For a Platinum-level trim, this is a significant drawback, impacting long-distance driving enjoyment. Subpar Interior Quality for the Price: At a near-$90,000 price tag, the F-150 Platinum’s interior materials and overall luxuriousness fell short. Bragman’s assessment that it felt like “a little bit of leather upholstery on the basic XLT” speaks volumes, highlighting a disconnect between the price and the perceived premium feel. It significantly trailed the competition in this regard. Compromised Ride and Handling: The F-150 exhibited the most “jittery” and “uncontrollable” ride quality on rough roads when unladen, with Bruzek noting the rear end prone to skipping around. Normile also reported excessive fore-aft motions, making highway driving fatiguing and towing tense, reflected in its low scores for ride and handling. Muted Brake-Pedal Feel: The F-150’s regenerative braking system, a characteristic of its hybrid powertrain, resulted in a comparatively “mushy” brake pedal feel. This lack of responsiveness, particularly when towing, eroded driver confidence. Lack of Cabin Quietness: Despite its hybrid powertrain, the F-150 was surprisingly the loudest in the test, with judges noting more noise, vibration, and harshness compared to the remarkably quiet Ram and GMC. Ergonomic Missteps: Small, low-mounted climate control buttons were deemed difficult to see and operate while driving, a minor but persistent annoyance. 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate (Total Score: 971 points) The Verdict: The 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate stands as GMC’s most refined Denali to date, presenting a formidable challenge to the Ram for the title of “nicest cabin.” It exudes a premium feel, boasts striking aesthetics, and delivers the powerful V-8 performance and distinctive rumble that remains a favorite among truck enthusiasts. It’s an almost perfect blend of luxury and traditional truck prowess. The Good: Exceptional Vehicle User Interface: The Sierra’s infotainment system was highly praised. Normile highlighted its superior graphics and intuitive usability, while Bruzek appreciated the tactile physical controls strategically placed below the touchscreen, making it exceptionally easy to operate without distraction. Commanding V-8 Towing Performance: The 6.2-liter V-8 engine is a towing powerhouse, offering direct, confidence-inspiring power delivery. Bruzek lauded its immediate response, stating, “hit the accelerator, and it goes.” While noisier and less refined than some competitors, its unwavering capability when pulling heavy loads is a significant asset. Unflappable Overall Towing Manners: Beyond just power, the Sierra exhibited the best overall towing manners. Bragman described its “tank-like demeanor” and “unflappable” stability, even when encountering severe crosswinds. It often feels more akin to a heavy-duty truck, providing immense confidence with a trailer attached. Versatile Cargo-Box Storage: The CarbonPro carbon-fiber composite cargo box is a standout feature. It boasts the widest space between the wheel wells (51 inches) and a generous length of 70 inches, maximizing cargo versatility. Effortless Bed Access: The MultiPro Tailgate, combined with standard bumper-step cutouts and power running boards that extend rearward, makes accessing the Sierra’s bed remarkably easy. This thoughtful design significantly enhances functionality for daily use. Sophisticated Super Cruise Hands-Free Driving: GM’s Super Cruise system proved to be an outstanding hands-free driving assistant. Bruzek found it highly effective in maintaining lane centering, even in challenging conditions, providing a comfortable and trustworthy experience that instills confidence. Normile also applauded its smooth automated lane changes. Strong Child-Safety Seat Performance: Similar to the Ford, the GMC performed well in our Car Seat Check, only receiving a minor deduction for a floppy driver-side belt buckle. The Bad: Challenging Outward Visibility: This was the Sierra’s most significant drawback. Normile criticized its “atrocious outward visibility,” attributing it to small side mirrors, a tall hood, and a diminutive rear windscreen. This created a sensation of driving a “rolling bunker,” making it the most difficult truck to see out of and maneuver in tight spaces. Limited In-Cabin Open Storage: While the center console offered ample enclosed storage, our judges noted a lack of convenient open storage areas within the cabin. Bruzek expressed a desire for more accessible cubbies for smaller items, leading to the lowest score in this category. Underwhelming Measured Acceleration: Despite its powerful V-8, the Sierra was noticeably the slowest in acceleration tests, both with and without payload. Normile observed that it “makes a lot of noise it can’t back up in terms of performance,” lagging behind the Ford by half a second and the Ram by a substantial 1.4 seconds to 60 mph. Inconsistent Google Built-In Voice Commands: While the integrated Google system offers impressive functionality, its voice command recognition was inconsistent. Bragman experienced frustrating instances where it failed to understand specific SiriusXM channel requests, contrasting with the Ford’s faster and more reliable voice controls. 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten (Total Score: 1,059 points) The Verdict: The 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten has redefined the luxury pickup segment. Its blend of unparalleled interior refinement and a sophisticated powertrain delivers a driving experience that rivals high-end luxury vehicles. Bruzek aptly described it as “the recipe for a Land Rover Range Rover pickup truck.” Despite some notable technological glitches and an over-reliance on touchscreen controls, the Tungsten’s overall excellence and innovative Hurricane engine have cemented its position as our top pick for 2025. The Good: Benchmark Interior Quality: This is where the Ram 1500 Tungsten truly distinguishes itself. Bruzek declared its interior “top of the charts,” a genuine luxury environment that would satisfy buyers from any premium segment. The exquisite materials, meticulous craftsmanship, and thoughtful details, such as seat controls on the doors, elevate it far beyond typical truck interiors. Exceptional Front and Rear Seat Comfort: Our judges unanimously praised the Ram’s seats, awarding them the highest scores for both front and rear-seat comfort. The plush cushioning, ergonomic support, and available reclining rear seats contribute to an incredibly comfortable ride, whether on a short commute or a long road trip. Refined Powertrain Performance (Non-Towing): The new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six Hurricane engine is a marvel of engineering. Its incredible quietness and silky-smooth refinement impressed all judges, feeling more like a luxury sedan engine than a truck powerplant. As Bragman noted, the only thing you’ll miss compared to the traditional Hemi is the V-8 rumble. Blistering Acceleration Performance: The Hurricane engine doesn’t just offer refinement; it delivers serious speed. Normile reported high-4-second 0-60 mph times without payload, and even with 1,000 pounds in the bed, it remained the fastest truck in our test, outperforming the competition significantly. Superior Ride Quality (With or Without Trailer): The Tungsten’s standard air suspension provides an “incredible” ride quality, gliding over bumps with minimal bounciness. Normile was so impressed he initially thought the truck had smaller wheels than its 22-inch units. This air suspension also aids ingress/egress by allowing the truck to lower to an entry/exit height. Precise Handling and Steering: Despite its luxury focus, the Ram’s steering feel and handling were notably superior. Normile found the steering communicative and accurate, with the air suspension effectively controlling body roll, leading to a surprisingly agile feel for a full-size pickup. Unparalleled Cabin Quietness: The Ram 1500 Tungsten offers a hushed interior that stood in stark contrast to its competitors. The significant reduction in road and engine noise contributes immensely to its luxury ambiance, making for a serene cabin experience. Exceptional As-Tested Value: Though the most expensive, the Ram’s array of exclusive features—including dual wireless chargers, heated and ventilated rear seats, a multi-level heated steering wheel, and reclining rear seats—justified its price, earning it the highest score in our value category. Functional RamBox Storage: For specific use cases, the optional RamBox integrated bed storage system is a highly practical feature. Normile appreciated the lockable, drainable side compartments, providing secure, accessible storage without having to climb into the bed. The Bad: Problematic Vehicle User Interface: The 14.4-inch portrait-style touchscreen, while visually impressive, suffered from several usability issues. Normile found its tiny icons difficult to press while driving, and too many crucial controls, including the trailer brake gain adjustment, were buried within the screen. The vertical orientation also negatively impacted the backup camera display, relegating it to a small portion of the screen, and glare was a significant issue. Bruzek expressed frustration with digital-only controls for essential functions like heated seats and navigation. Persistent Electrical Glitches: Our testing uncovered numerous electronic bugs, from the driver’s-window auto-up feature malfunctioning to Apple CarPlay frequently freezing, and the trailer backup tech proving unreliable. This “Guts, Glitches, Ram” narrative, as Bragman put it, detracted from the otherwise premium experience. Strained Powertrain When Towing: Paradoxically, the refined Hurricane engine, while stellar when unladen, felt the most strained during our towing test. It also proved to be the thirstiest in terms of towing fuel efficiency, a stark contrast to its otherwise effortless power delivery. Child-Safety Seat Fitment Issues: The Ram scored lower in our Car Seat Check due to harder-to-use tether loops, non-removable head restraints, and floppy belt buckles. While it offered an extra set of Latch anchors, these shortcomings ultimately hindered its score. RamBox Space Compromise: While useful for some, the RamBox system inherently eats into the width of the main cargo bed. Bruzek highlighted this as a significant trade-off, emphasizing that buyers must consider their primary use case: maximum bed width versus covered, side-accessible storage. Missing Luxury Feature: In an interior brimming with luxury, the inexplicable absence of a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel was a curious omission, noted by Bragman. Which 2025 Full-Size Pickup Truck Reigns Supreme for Your Needs? Our exhaustive 2025 Full-Size Pickup Truck Challenge unequivocally crowned the Ram 1500 Tungsten as the overall winner, a testament to its groundbreaking blend of luxury, refinement, and potent performance. Yet, the nuanced results underscore a crucial point: the “best” truck is ultimately the one that perfectly aligns with your specific requirements and priorities. If your daily grind demands exceptional utility, class-leading innovative towing technology, and the unmatched convenience of an onboard power generator, the 2025 Ford F-150 Platinum, with its robust PowerBoost hybrid system, remains an exceptionally appealing and practical choice. Its real-world fuel economy is a clear advantage for those mindful of running costs, making it a powerful and efficient work partner. Should your ideal pickup evoke a sense of unshakable confidence when towing heavy loads, coupled with the satisfying rumble of a proven V-8 engine and a refined, tactile user experience, then the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate warrants serious consideration. Its superior towing manners, versatile MultiPro tailgate, and sophisticated Super Cruise system deliver a premium, yet traditionally powerful, truck experience. However, if your pursuit is the pinnacle of luxury in a light-duty package – a truck that seamlessly blends opulent comfort, a supremely quiet cabin, thrilling acceleration, and a remarkably smooth ride with the capability to still tackle demanding tasks – the 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten stands head and shoulders above the rest. Its transformative interior and innovative Hurricane engine captured our attention and will undoubtedly elevate your driving experience to new heights. The 2025 market for full-size pickup trucks is more dynamic and competitive than ever, offering a diverse array of capabilities and creature comforts. Each of these contenders brings a unique set of strengths to the table, designed to meet the evolving demands of American drivers. Ready to find the perfect blend of power, luxury, and technology for your next adventure or toughest job? The road ahead with a 2025 full-size pickup is waiting. Discover the future of American trucking today. Explore the latest 2025 models, compare their advanced features, and schedule your test drive to experience these industry leaders firsthand.