Top 5 New Trucks We’re Dying to Drive in 2016 and Beyond

2017 ford super duty grille emblem badge

2016 is going to be a hell of a great year for truck guys and gals. There are at least five new trucks waiting in the wings and ready to roll out onto the world stage.

To a large extent these new trucks promise to redefine both their segments and perhaps even the pickup truck world. Without further ado here are the Top 5 new trucks that we are dying to drive this year.

5) 2017 Ford Super Duty

When: Coming this fall.

What makes it important: It’s the first all aluminum heavy duty truck.

What we know: It shares its cab with the current F-150, plus all of the technology and creature comforts of the current Ford F-150 including a panoramic sunroof, safety tech, and even massaging seats.

Engines: 6.2 gasoline V8 and 6.7L Turbo Diesel V8 Power Stroke, but the torque and horsepower ratings are still not public.

Rumor: Massive 1,000 lb-ft of torque for the the 6.7L Turbo Diesel Power Stroke.

4) Hyundai Santa Cruz

Hyundai Santa Cruz Concept

When: Perhaps it will be introduced this year at a North American Auto Show as a 2017 or 2018 model.

How do we know: “It hasn’t been officially announced yet. Our timing is not crossing our fingers and waiting for approval, it’s trying to figure out when we’re going to announce it.” said Hyundai USA CEO Dave Zuchowski in January 2016.

What makes it important: Hyundai’s first U.S. lifestyle pickup that will compete with the new Honda Ridgeline.

Rumor: The Santa Cruz may tow a jet ski or two but don’t except it to tow much more than 3,000 pounds.

2017-honda-ridgeline-chicago3) Honda Ridgeline

When: This Spring…any month now!

What we know: The new 2016 Honda Ridgeline has an audio system in the bed of the truck plus a large trunk underneath the bed. The double hinged tailgate is also back.

What makes it important: This is Honda’s second attempt at breaking into the mid-sized truck segment by improving on the previous vehicle by combining crossover comfort with pickup truck utility.

Engine: Same 3.5L V6 that is in the current Honda Pilot paired to either a 9-speed or 6-speed automatic transmission.

Rumor: The Ridgeline will tow 5,000 pounds. Confirmed (Click HERE) by TFL at the Chicago Auto Show.

2017 Ram Power Wagon Crew Cab 4x42) 2017 Power Wagon

When: This Fall

What we know: The new 2017 Power Wagon is the same truck in different clothing, inspired by the Ram Rebel. The grille, the interior, and colors have changed but the basic off-road goodness of the current Power Wagon remains unchanged.

What makes it important: If you can get 10 friends to also buy one, Ram will paint it a custom color of your dreams. America’s oldest and most established off-road truck gets a modern look with a retro stripe.

Engine: Current 6.4L V8 Hemi.

Rumor: The 2017 Power Wagon may get a different sticker than the “Simon and Simon” stripe shown on the truck at the Chicago Auto Show debut.

2017-Ford-F-150-Raptor-SuperCrew-front-three-quarter1) Ford Raptor

When: This Fall

What we know: The new 2017 Ford Raptor will get a new 3.5L EcoBoost Twin-Turbo engine paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission with stronger frame and larger 3-inch diameter Fox shocks.

What makes it important: Ford takes the “Ferrari” of pickup trucks to 11 by giving it two turbos, more power, and four more gears.

Engine: 3.5L EcoBoost Twin-Turbo V6.

Rumor: The new 2017 Ford Raptor will produce just under 500 HP making it the fastest and most powerful half-ton truck you can buy from the factory. A true Baja Pre-Runner, the new Raptor will do most things that a current F-150 can do, but it will do it with more style and smiles per mile.

2017 nissan titan xd gas v8 engineBonus: Nissan Titan XD Gasoline V8

When: We’ll be driving this truck at the end of this month in Tennessee. Please stay tuned for a first drive review coming very soon!

What we know: The Titan XD launched with a 5.0L V8 Cummins turbo-diesel. Now, the truck is getting a new version of the 5.6L V8 gasoline engine that is good for 390 horsepower.

What makes it important: Nissan is looking to get back into the full-size truck market in a big way, and the gasoline V8 is the next step in the strategy.

Engine: 5.6L V8 with 390 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque.

Rumor: The light duty version of the 2017 Nissan Titan is coming this summer. It will also use the 5.6L gasoline V8 as well as a new V6 gasoline engine.

Roman Mica
Roman Mica is a columnist, journalist, and author, who spent his early years driving fast on the German autobahn. When he’s not reviewing cars or producing videos, you can find him training for triathlons and writing about endurance sports for EverymanTri.com as our sister blog’s publisher. Mica is a former broadcast reporter with his Master’s Degree in journalism from Northwestern University.