10 New Pickup Trucks With The Best Predicted Reliability Ratings

Aug 27, 2023

Experts predict that these pickup trucks will be more reliable than most of their 2023 and 2024 competitors.

With roughly 20% share of the US automotive market, pickup trucks comprise America's 2nd-largest passenger car segment today. Moreover, the best-selling vehicle model in the country for over 40 years now has been the Ford F-Series pickup truck line.

With continuous innovations in automotive technology, pickup trucks have become more powerful, tech-laden, and versatile than ever before. Innovations, however, do not necessarily equate to better reliability. In fact, the more new parts and features that a pickup truck gets, the more it becomes possible for something to go wrong – thus bringing down the vehicle's reliability ratings. Some pickup trucks do prove their reliability even during their debut years, but many others take years of corrections and improvements. Reliability ratings can vary greatly with every model year, or with every generation.

If you're currently shortlisting your options for a brand-new pickup truck, then this is a great read for you. Based primarily on ratings from Consumer Reports (CR), and backed up by cross-referenced vehicle reviews and pricing information from J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book (KBB), and Edmunds, here are 10 brand-new and upcoming pickup trucks that have the highest predicted reliability scores.

The Ram 3500 is the 1-ton representative of the Ram HD truck lineup. For 2023, the Ram 3500 received new camera system upgrades, a new trailer reverse steering system, and an optional digital instrument cluster. Power comes from either a 6.4-liter gasoline V8 (410 hp, 429 lb-ft) or a 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel I-6 in two configurations: standard (370 hp, 850 lb-ft) and high-output (420 hp, 1,075 lb-ft). With the high-output Cummins block, the 2023 Ram 3500 gets a towing capacity of 37,090 lbs.

The 2023 Ram 3500 - currently with a starting price range of $45,120 to $79,885 - received a 3/5 predicted reliability score from CR and a decent 4.5/5 expert rating from KBB. With optional features, the highest dual rear wheel (DRW) trim can sticker for up to $112,409.

For Ram pickup truck fans who need something more robust than the half-ton 1500 model, yet don't need all the might of a DRW 3500, the 3/4-ton Ram 2500 is the perfect option. The 2023 Ram 2500 has a 4,000-lb payload capacity with the 6.4-liter gasoline V8 (410 hp, 429 lb-ft) and a 19,980-lb towing capacity with the Cummins I-6 turbo diesel mill (370 hp, 850 lb-ft). For 2023, the Ram 2500 lineup includes the new Ram Rebel HD - an on-road and off-road performer that still has heavy-duty work truck capabilities.

Although CR has only released a predicted reliability rating of 3/5, JD Power already gave the 2023 Ram 2500 lineup an "average" quality and reliability score of 79/100. If you're interested in a 2023 Ram 2500, prices currently start from $44,675 for the base variant, and $77,860 for the top Limited Longhorn trim.

The half-ton Ram 1500 is currently Ram Trucks' smallest and most popular pickup truck model. For 2023, the Ram 1500 lineup uses 4 different engine options, starting from a base 3.6-liter V6 mild-hybrid mill (305 hp, 269 lb-ft), up to the range-topping 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8 engine (702 hp, 650 lb-ft) that powers the fire-breathing 2023 Ram 1500 TRX.

The 2023 Ram 1500 received a 3/5 predicted reliability rating from CR, a 4.5/5 expert review rating from KBB, and an 8.4/10 overall rating from Edmunds. Currently, the 2023 Ram 1500 lineup has a starting price range of $37,410 up to $84,355, depending on the trim level. When fully decked out, the top Ram 1500 trims can cost up to $102,000.

The Honda Ridgeline is one of the first midsize pickup trucks to use a monocoque construction - which helps in passenger comfort and handling characteristics but reduces off-road capability and overall utility. Although the Ridgeline was often ridiculed as "not a true truck" during its introduction, many buyers have now come to appreciate the compromise that Honda has done for this midsize pickup. After all, some pickup buyers want a comfortable daily driver with average utility, not a daily workhorse that offers little by way of driver and passenger comfort. Power-wise, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline uses a 3.5-liter V6 gas engine that puts out a decent 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline has a starting price range of $38,800 to $46,230. This Honda midsize truck received a 3/5 predicted reliability score from CR and an 80/100 quality and reliability score from JD Power.

The Ford Ranger is the smaller, midsize brother of the best-selling Ford F-series. For 2023, the Ford Ranger uses a 2.3-liter turbocharged I-4 engine (270 hp, 310 lb-ft) to power its XL, XLT, and Lariat trims. A Tremor package for upgraded off-road performance is also available for SuperCrew 4WD configurations of the XLT and Lariat trims.

The 2023 Ford Ranger received a 3/5 predicted reliability score from CR and a "great" 86/100 quality and reliability rating from JD Power. As of May 2023, a brand-new Ford Ranger has a starting price range of $27,400 up to $40,945.

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The all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma has been one of the most anticipated new offerings in the pickup truck segment for the past few years. Last May 19th, 2023 – after months of hints and teasers – the 2024 Toyota Tacoma finally debuted as the pioneer of the nameplate's 4th generation. Based on the latest official specifications, the 2024 Tacoma will use two new powerplant options: a 2.4-liter turbo I-4 engine (278 hp, 317 lb-ft) and an i-FORCE MAX turbocharged hybrid system (326 hp, 465 lb-ft), also based on the new 4-cylinder block.

CR has already given the 2024 Toyota Tacoma a predicted reliability score of 3/5, but JD Power, KBB, and Edmunds have yet to release their review scores. Toyota USA hasn't released any official prices as of this article's writing, but KBB predicts a starting price of $29,000.

The 2024 Ford Ranger is another full redesign model that's been creating a buzz in the American pickup truck community. Expected to arrive in the late summer of 2023, the 2024 Ford Ranger will be using the current model year's 2.3-liter turbo-four engine (270 hp, 310 lb-ft) as its base option, but an available 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 will be joining the powertrain selection to provide 315 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. Moreover, the much-awaited 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor trim will also enter the lineup.

CR gave the 2024 Ford Ranger a predicted reliability score of 3/5 based on the American brand's reliability history as well as the previous Ranger model years' reliability verdicts. KBB expects the 2024 Ford Ranger to have a starting price of $29,000.

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Ford has used the "Maverick" nameplate for different models across different decades and regions, but in 2021, the Blue Oval group decided to recycle the model name again for its pickup truck lineup. The current Ford Maverick compact pickup truck is the newest and smallest member of the Blue Oval's truck stable. With a 2.5-liter I-4 hybrid engine as the standard powerplant, the 2023 Ford Maverick offers 191 hp, 155 lb-ft of torque, and a class-leading fuel economy rating of 37 MPG. There's also an optional EcoBoost engine, but CR decided to provide separate reviews for hybrid and non-hybrid Maverick variants.

The 2023 Ford Maverick hybrid, which starts at $22,595 for the XL trim, received a 4/5 predicted reliability rating as well as an 80/100 overall score from CR. Regardless of engine option, the 2023 Ford Maverick earned an 81/100 quality and reliability score from JD Power.

Optional for all three of the 2023 Ford Maverick's trims (XL, XLT, and Lariat) is the 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4 engine, which puts out 250 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. The fuel economy for this EcoBoost engine isn't bad for a compact pickup truck, at 25 MPG.

Although CR gave the non-hybrid Ford Maverick the same 4/5 predicted reliability score that it gave to the hybrid variants, the EcoBoost-powered Maverick received a slightly lower overall score of 78/100. Nevertheless, if a Maverick buyer needs power for hauling, towing, and moderate off-road activities, the EcoBoost option is the way to go.

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Last on this list is the final model year of the 3rd-generation Toyota Tacoma. As the 8th installment of the generation, the 2023 "Taco" has already overcome its earlier model years' growing pains, thus leading to better reliability ratings. For 2023, the Tacoma still uses a base 2.7-liter I-4 engine (159 hp, 180 lb-ft) and a more robust 3.5-liter V6 (278 hp, 265 lb-ft) to power its midsize body-on-frame construction over tarmacs and trails alike.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma received a 4/5 predicted reliability rating from CR and an 83/100 quality and reliability score from JD Power. The 2023 Tacoma has a starting price range of $28,250 up to $50,390, depending on the trim.

Ron has worked in the strategy and marketing departments of a few automotive brands. When he's not writing about cars, he likes to analyze auto industry data to share with fellow enthusiasts.. or his pet dogs.