Bestselling Trucks of 2016: Bring a Big Haul With These Top Pick-Ups

In 2016, truck sales soared even higher on low-priced fuel at the pumps. Midsize trucks made a strong comeback, and full-size trucks didn’t slow down on the heels of last year’s nearly 10 percent growth. And to make things even more competitive, the Honda Ridgeline and redesigned Nissan Titan spurred on the truck market.Without further ado, here are the bestselling trucks of 2016, rated by number of sales.11. Nissan TitanThis truck is fresh. What a spectacular specimen. If you haven’t had a chance to check it out in person, you might want to make it a priority. Choose from a two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive model, the entry-level Titan S or the decked-out Titan XD Platinum Reserve edition. One thing is for sure – this is no ordinary truck.The gas version has the 5.6-liter V-8 with 390 rock-crushing horsepower. Or, choose the XD with 5-liter Cummins diesel engine with 310 horsepower and an astounding 555 lb-ft of torque. This Titan is just that – a titan. For 2016, 21,880 Nissan Titans went into service, up 80.2 percent from the previous 12 months.10. Honda RidgelineEnter the 2017 Honda Ridgeline. Gone are the flying buttresses on the box sides and in with the more reserved trucklike appearance. Yet, beneath the new subdued looks, the Ridgeline still has the endearing qualities of its past generation. And it has a few new ones, too.You’ll still love the in-bed trunk and the dual-action tailgate. You’ll be familiar with the i-VTM4 All-Wheel Drive system. And the spacious interior for SUV owners who occasionally need a truck – that’s still standard equipment. You’ll get optional truck bed lights and an in-bed inverter, and a whole host of interior amenities. The Ridgeline broke into 2016’s sales with 23,667 vehicles sold.9. GMC CanyonShowing a touch more class than its cousin, the Colorado, the GMC Canyon is still a bit off-pace. The GMC badge has an attitude of business and as such is often neglected by the private use purchasers. It’s too bad because the Canyon’s actually pretty sharp.Power equipment is plentiful, from standard power driver’s seat to MyLink infotainment system. The extra touches are all there. Every Canyon has the CornerStep rear bumper and projector-beam headlamps. Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning are available, as are the EZ-Lift and Lower Tailgate and 8-inch touch-screen. The Canyon sold a paltry 37,449 vehicles in 2016, although up 24.5 percent from the previous year.8. Nissan FrontierCompared to its competition, the Frontier is no longer a breath of fresh air. It’s getting a little long in the tooth, in need of a redesign to get back in touch with the market. Still, the Frontier is a decent midsize truck with a good composition. If the Titan is overkill, the Frontier will fit the bill for you.The Frontier’s standout version is the PRO-4X. Bilstein shocks, a locking rear diff, available manual or automatic transmission, and a standard NissanConnect Navigation package make it a winner. For 2016, the Frontier sold 86,926 units, up a surprising 38 percent over last year.7. Chevrolet ColoradoBeating out the Canyon and Ridgeline in the midsize truck segment is the Colorado, Chevy Silverado’s baby brother. The Colorado is really a sport ute with a truck box, and one you won’t mind putting through its paces. The Colorado is more affordable than its counterpart Canyon, but only because it comes in a stripped-down version.Its standout feature is the available diesel engine, a 2.8-liter Duramax inline four-cylinder. Equipped as such, the Colorado can achieve 30 highway miles per gallon and boosting torque to 369 lb-ft. In 2016, 108,725 Colorado trucks were sold, spiking up 28.8 percent from 2015.6. Toyota TundraEdging up on its domestic rivals is the Toyota Tundra. The Tundra is a full-size truck for someone that wants a pickup that stands out, but not too much. Competitively priced and well-equipped, the Tundra has the makings of a top-3 competitor, but falls far back in numbers for some reason.Standard equipment includes an electric brake controller, easy lift and lower tailgate, backup camera, and an assortment of power goodies. Pricing is perhaps the biggest surprise – a fully-loaded 1794 Edition rings in at the $47,000 mark. The similarly-equipped Ram 1500 Limited is an extra five grand. As usual, great value from Toyota. 115,489 Tundras hit the streets in America for the first time in 2016.5. Toyota TacomaThe only midsize truck to beat its full-size sibling is the Toyota Tacoma. This midsize pickup has big attitude, visible from first glance and every look thereafter. The Tacoma is bred as a plaything, a weekend warrior. But it’s oh so much more. Available Multi-Terrain Select and CRAWL make the Tacoma an off-road master, combined with FOX shox and RIGID Industries LED fog lights for an aggressive presence.Tacoma is making a sprint up the best-selling trucks list. Closing in on the domestic full-size trucks, the Tacoma sold 191,631 units last year.4. GMC SierraLike the Canyon, the Sierra is left to its own devices in the larger truck category. In appearance, it seems to outdo its cousin, the Silverado, and with just a minor bump in price. It boggles the mind why the Sierra comes in a distant 4th place, barely edging out the midsize Tacoma.Expect the boldest of front appearances with brazen HID headlights and bright flashes of chrome. Inside, you’ll sink into comfort and a quiet ride courtesy of Bose noise cancellation. The Sierra is simply a great truck with not enough sold. Its sales plateau for 2016 at 221,680 sold.3. Ram PickupThe top three starts out with a model that has sales numbers more than doubling the No. 4 spot. The Ram pickups have a dominating presence on the road and are gaining ground on the No. 2 position. Ram trucks include three-fourth-ton and 1-ton models, but far and away, the half-ton is the best-seller of the bunch.Dominating looks, over 10,000 pounds of towing capabilities, 1,880-lb payload rating, and the standard swath of infotainment and technology equipment are a great start. Add to the mix a fantastic 3.0-liter Cummins diesel engine for impressive fuel economy as an option, and you’re beginning to look like the favorite horse in the race, even if you don’t win. 489,418 Ram pickups were sold in 2016, up nearly 9 percent from 2015.2. Chevrolet SilveradoLosing ground on the Ram pickups but still with a healthy hold on second place is the Silverado. Chevy’s full-size pickup series got a touch-up on the 2014 redesign. Grille enhancements and lighting were the main items to receive attention, not enough to make current buyers trade in their two-year-old trucks. The Silverado is still a great buy, offering best-in-class towing at 12,500 lb and best-in-class V-8 horsepower with available 420-hp engines.The cockpit can look busy but that’s because the Silverado is so well equipped. You can get an integrated trailer brake controller, oodles of USB ports, wireless charging and LTE Wi-Fi as options. In 2016, 574,876 Silverado trucks took their place on the pavement, down from 600,544 the previous year.1. Ford F-SeriesOnce again, Ford trucks were the best-selling pickups in America. For 2016, the Ford F-150 continues its roll despite continuous attacks from its competition. Whether or not you like the aluminum body, it serves its intended purpose – weight reduction and improved fuel economy. And they’re a great-looking truck!Its 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine and 10-speed transmission are phenomenal. And there’s no doubt that the 2017 Raptor drew attention as well. For 2016, the Ford F-Series pickups sold 820,799 units, up over 5 percent from 2015. With nearly 250,000 units more than second place, their position is all but assured for next year too!

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