2019 Ram 1500

You have to be impressed with what FCA designers have done with the 2019 Ram 1500 styling. They’ve finally dropped the cues that were once part of the Dodge design, creating a true separation between the Dodge and Ram Trucks brands. The front end has a classier appearance without the crosshairs and the overall shape is less bulbous and more straight-laced.

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Both the Pentastar and HEMI engines will have a minor hybrid integration. A generator will power a 48-volt battery pack that can add a torque boost when needed. It’s called eTorque. I know, it’s creative.

2019 Toyota Avalon

The new Toyota Avalon will come out in 2019 and resembles the new Camry, albeit an upscale version. The monstrous piano-black honeycombed front grille looks a little bit Lexus, a little bit rock-and-roll. It’s longer, lower and wider, and it has LED headlights and adaptive cornering lights.

The Avalon is powered by either of Toyota’s large-car offerings, a 3.5-liter V6 or a hybrid gas-electric system.

What might be the most significant detail is a small thing: it’s the first car Toyota will equip with Apple CarPlay. Toyota is finally relinquishing some control and letting non-Toyota tech into a model.

2019 Ford Ranger

Since being canned in North America eight years ago, the Ford Ranger will finally return in the 2019 model year. Competing directly with the Honda Ridgeline, Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon and Toyota Tacoma, Ford is hoping to take a slice of the small truck market for themselves. It has a fully boxed frame like a truck should have, and will be available in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations.

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Look for a 2.3-liter EcoBoost V6, making around 300 horsepower, to power the 2019 Ford Ranger. Further, it’ll be paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and will be available in two- or four-wheel drive.

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