If you’ve been paying attention to automotive sales statistics at all lately, you probably know that most of the best-selling vehicles in the United States are pickup trucks. People buy trucks for all sorts of reasons but generally, the towing capacity and flat-bed storage space are the two biggest perks over other vehicles.
However, as newer trucks continue to push the envelope with increasingly luxurious interiors, comfort has become one of the key factors to consider when conducting a comparison between pickup trucks. After all, every modern truck is going to come with plenty of power and durability, so the comfort and functionality of the interior really become the selling point in many ways. With that said, here the eight most comfortable pickup trucks on the market today:
1. Dodge Ram Series
The latest edition of the Dodge Ram 1500 has an incredibly spacious interior that can comfortably seat up to six passengers. The default configuration comes with a five-inch touchscreen, push-button start, three built-in USB ports, reclining back seats, and the most rear legroom in the class. With the highest interior rating of any pickup truck, the RAM 1500 is available in Crew Cab and Quad Cab configurations. Plus, the Ram series has always been visually stunning from the outside, with few vehicles commanding more respect on the road than a lifted RAM 3500. You can learn more about customizing and lifting your Dodge Ram on Legend Auto’s blog.
2. Honda Ridgeline
The second-highest rated interior goes to the Honda Ridgeline, which also comes with a five-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth functionality, and push-button start. There’s plenty of storage space throughout the cabin but the interior materials are really the highlight. Honda has gone the extra mile to provide some of the softest and plushest seats you’ll find in any vehicle, let alone just pickup trucks. Another feature that makes this a very comfortable ride is that the cabin is well-insulated and ultra-quiet.
3. GMC Sierra 1500
GMC went big with a seven-inch touchscreen in the 2019 Sierra while also incorporating Apple’s CarPlay and theAndroid Auto operating system to facilitate seamless interfacing with mobile devices. The only downside is that the standard configuration comes with cloth upholstery, but you can upgrade to leather or vinyl.
4. Ford F-150
While Ford has gone with a sleek and smooth look for the latest F-150 interior, it’s not as plush as the in-class leaders in the interior category. You won’t get a touchscreen, Bluetooth, or navigation in the base model. The option to upgrade to massaging front seats is nice and the futuristic look of the interior isn’t what you’d expect from most pickup trucks.
5. Chevrolet Silverado
This six-passenger, a near-luxury pick-up truck is a top choice for families. Even in the lower trim levels, the seats are surprisingly comfortable and smooth. You’ll enjoy the heated steering wheel, heated and cooled seats, and fine leather upholstery. You also get Bluetooth in the standard configuration, as well as a long list of tech-friendly features to explore. The Silverado has been one of the top 10 best-selling pickup trucks in the U.S. for decades.
6. GMC Canyon
The Canyon is the first compact truck on this list, and while the interior isn’t nearly as amazing as the four models mentioned above, it’s certainly worthy of a mention. GMC made up for the lack of extra interior space with a generous seven-inch touchscreen in the base model, along with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth functionality. This truck was commonly overlooked until recent years, with a sharp increase in sales seen during the past three years.
7. Chevrolet Colorado
While the interior of the Chevy Colorado isn’t as aesthetically appealing as the other trucks on this list, the comfort is definitely there with plenty of cabin space and plush seating. You’ll get a rearview camera, 4.2-inch touchscreen display, and integrated navigation and Bluetooth functionality. You also have the option of upgrading to leather upholstery and heated front seats. The ultra-quiet cabin is well-insulated from the noises of the road, adding to the overall comfort of the ride.
8. Nissan Titan
The Nissan Titan’s interior doesn’t pretend to be that of a luxury vehicle. Instead, it’s built to withstand heavy use with durability held as the highest priority in the cabin’s design. However, you’ll still get the tech advantages seen in the other trucks on this list, such as a five-inch touchscreen display and built-in Bluetooth. You can also upgrade to the higher trim levels to get closer to the luxurious looks seen in some of the flagship Dodge and Ford trucks.
When Will We Get an Official Third-Row Truck?
For years, consumers have been practically forced into choosing SUVs over pickup trucks for the third-row seating alone. People with larger families or those who’d prefer the ability to carry extra passengers are swayed away from buying pickup trucks, even though they’d probably love to have the enhanced power, towing capacity, and flatbed space of a pickup truck as well.
Many aftermarket customization shops will gladly slice up your truck and add a third row for a fee of about $30,000, but you’ll need to provide the truck and you’re not getting any sort of factory warranty or manufacturing assurances as you would if you were to purchase an authentic third-row pickup truck released by Ford or Dodge.
It’s almost as if auto manufacturers are afraid that a line of pickup trucks with third-row seating would somehow make their SUVs obsolete. However, such a massive, luxurious, and powerful ride could command some of the highest sales prices in the domestic auto market.
In other words, there would still be plenty of people who don’t really need towing capacity and a flat-bed enough to spend $20,000-$50,000 more for the third-row pickup instead of a standard SUV. For anyone who wants the ability to travel with their family or a large group, having that third-row option in pickup trucks would be a game-changer in the comfort department.