Year after year, it’s tough to determine which full-size pickup trucks are really the best of the bunch. There are longtime staples that always receive fresh updates and upgrades, like the classic Ford F-150 and Ram 1500. But increasingly, automakers are innovating in areas like towing and hauling, driver safety features and technology, and trucks’ ability to perform under pressure and in work environments. This means for 2023, you’re able to choose from a selection of top trucks with impressive features and capabilities.
But which full-size trucks are truly the top choices to consider? While it does depend on what, exactly, you’ll be using your truck for, we’ve taken a look at innovations, advancements, and key stats like horsepower and torque across the 2023 full-size truck lineup to help you narrow down your options.
Learn more about our picks for the best full-size trucks of 2023 below.
Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 is undeniably America’s truck, and it’s probably sitting at the top of your list. Well, the F-150 tops ours as well – and for good reason. This best-selling truck is a standout year after year, but what makes it particularly special for 2023 is its sleek, modern styling paired with an impressive array of engine options. And when it comes to technology, you’ll find plenty inside the cab and under the hood.
The 2023 Ford F-150 offers plenty of different engine and powertrain choices, including:
- 290-hp 3.3-liter V-6
- 400-hp 5.0-liter V-8
- 325-hp twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6
- 400-hp twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6
- 250-hp 3.0-liter diesel V-6
All are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and you can choose between rear- and four-wheel drive for any powertrain. Plus, there’s also a hybrid option and an all-electric model, too.
Beyond this long list of powertrain options, you’ll also find that Ford offers an extensive range of trims. From the trail-focused Tremor to the luxury-like Platinum and Limited, the features are practically endless. Plus, no matter which trim you opt for, you’ll still enjoy classic F-150 hallmarks, like high towing and payload ratings, plenty of configurable options, and three bed and three cab choices for total customization.
We also have to award Ford some additional points for addressing affordability within the full-size segment. It’s no secret that new truck prices are eye-wateringly high – the average price paid for a new pickup passed $59,000 in 2022. But that doesn’t stop folks from wanting to get behind the wheel of a truly capable rig. The automaker found an admirable compromise with the new Rattler trim.
Intended as an off-road focused base model, the new trim sports some impressive onboard 4x4 upgrades, including specially tuned off-road shock absorbers and an electronic rear-locking differential – all for a sub-$40k price tag. For budget-conscious truck shoppers regularly caught drooling over Raptor and Tremor models, that entry point should be particularly appealing.
Ram 1500
While the 2023 Ram 1500 is technically still the same generation that debuted back in 2019, this full-size truck is no slouch. And for this year, the pickup is one of the best options available when it comes to comfortable driving and on-road performance. Sure, other top truck picks on our list may outshine the Ram 1500 in features and options – but this is the pickup that’s tough to beat when you’re looking for comfort and capability in harmony.
You do have a lineup of powertrain options to choose from when you’re picking out a 2023 Ram 1500, including:
- 260-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel V-6
- 305-hp 3.6-liter V-6
- 395-hp 5.7-liter HEMI V-8
All three are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. However, you can really level up your truck’s power and torque by opting for the TRX model which wears a fire-breathing 702-hp 6.2L Supercharged HEMI V-8 under the hood. You can expect to get anywhere from 12 to 24 MPG combined, depending on your exact configuration. And you’ll be able to comfortably haul up to 2,300 pounds and tow up to 12,750 pounds.
Inside the Ram 1500, you’ll find that the top-tier rear suspension makes for a very smooth ride (yes, even with an empty bed). The interior of the cab is filled with SUV-like luxuries and features, plus plenty of room for up to six people total. Standout extras - like an oversized 12-inch infotainment screen with particularly user-friendly software and built-in lockable storage compartments - make this full-size truck a versatile and hardworking one for 2023.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
At the end of the day, a pickup truck was made for workin’ – and the Chevy Silverado gets the job done. This pickup makes our list because it simply can’t be bested by most other leading trucks available today. In towing, it beats out the Ram 1500 and its sister truck, the GMC Sierra 1500, and comes pretty close to the standout capacity of the Ford F-150. With plenty of power and responsive handling, it’s a truck that’s fun to drive – and one that works hard.
The 2023 Silverado 1500 features a few different powertrain options, including:
- 310-hp 2.7-liter L3B turbo I4
- 335-hp 5.3-liter L84 EcoTec3 V8
- 420-hp 6.2-liter L87 EcoTec3 V8
- NEW turbocharged 305-hp 3.0-liter inline-six Duramax diesel
The steering is crisp and the brakes are responsive, allowing you to feel in charge no matter what you’re hauling. And you’ll love the Silverado’s max towing capacity of 13,300 pounds. True, the inside doesn’t come standard with as many refinements or luxury touches as some of its competitors. But this is a tough-as-nails vehicle, and if specific appointments are what you’re after, it’s safe to say: ‘There’s a Silverado for that.’
From the classic and capable LT to the rugged and ready Trail Boss, the everyday cowboy Work Truck trim and all the way up to the highfalutin High Country, Chevy has all but mastered the art of options.
Notable for the automaker is the addition of the new-for-2022 Silverado ZR2. Designed to compete with the Jurassic-inspired Raptor and TRX models from its domestic competitors, the ZR2 is an off-road truck disinterested in gimmicks or novelty; this is a pickup with business to attend to. Drawing upon the same reliable power and driver-friendly handling found in the everyday Silverado, the ZR2 is a truly impressive addition to the Chevy lineup and helped cement the badge on our Top 3.
Honorable Mention—Toyota Tundra
The three full-size trucks above are the best, in our opinion, of the 2023 model year. But that doesn’t mean other popular pickups aren’t worth considering. And while loosening the Detroit automaker’s hold on the full-size pickup truck segment is no easy task, Toyota makes a valiant effort.
All-new for 2022, the 2023 Tundra is a great pickup truck for those who are looking for a newly-revamped model that’s loaded with features (and some fun details). It carries over many of the previous year’s upgrades and improvements in key areas – most notably, the available hybrid engine, more refined suspension system, and a much-improved infotainment system.
You can choose between gas and hybrid powertrain options, and with ten trim levels to consider, it thoroughly gives Chevy a run for its money in the customization department. No matter which trim catches your attention though, you’ll still find the Tundra’s cab filled with driver comforts and plenty of handy perks, from a large 8- to 14-inch (depending on the trim and package you choose) infotainment screen to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to subscription-based WiFi hotspot. Plus, each Tundra features a full suite of driver assistance technology, regardless of trim level.
New or used, domestic or imported, whatever truck you drive deserves quality aftermarket parts and accessories to keep it looking good and performing well for the long haul. Shop all your favorite brands right here on Parts Via, and remember that you can select FREE shipping to a shop near you for convenient pickup or installation.