What is the Best 2019 Truck from the Detroit Show? TFLInsider (Wrap-up Video)

What is the best 2019 truck from the 2018 Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS)? This year’s show was a true pickup truck celebration with four new production truck debuts. In alphabetical order, we saw the all-new 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500, the new American 2019 Ford Ranger, the 2018 Ford F150 with a turbo-diesel engine, and the all-new 2019 Ram 1500. How is that for a show?

Each manufacturer came out with guns blazing.

2019 Chevy Silverado 1500

 

Chevrolet redesigned their entire half-ton truck lineup with an upgraded frame and a bold new style. The 2019 is now about 450 lbs lighter than the predecessor, due to the use of high-strength steel and aluminum hood, doors, and the tailgate. The truck is also larger with a roomier interior.

The truck will initially offer two engines: the 5.3L and the 6.2L V8 engines. It will use the 10-speed automatic transmission, and the company promised an all-new 3.0L straight-6 turbo-diesel during the first model year for 2019. This truck has a new bed design with more volume than ever before and a thoroughly updated interior. It also has a fancy power down and up tailgate option.

There will be two Trail Boss off-road versions of the truck. This is an off-road package with a two-inch factory lift, Goodyear Duratrac tires, and many other goodies.

The 2019 Silverado 1500 will go on sale in Q4 of 2018.

2019 Ford Ranger

The American Ford Ranger returns as a 2019 model after an eight year absence. The truck has been updates for the U.S. market with special steel bumpers and a rounded design. The only power train combination is a 2.3L EcoBoost I4 and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The truck will be offered in XL, XLT, or Lariat trim levels with several more Chrome and Sport packages. We do not know any specifications at this time.

The Ranger will be available in Q1 2019.

2019 Ram 1500

The Ram 1500 and Rebel are also all new for 2019. The truck lineup has been redesigned from the frame up. The new Ram is also larger than before, but it lost up to 225 lbs via the use of high-strength steel and aluminum hood and tailgate. The truck will launch with a 5.7L HEMI V8 that also has an available eTorque mild hybrid system. The power rating is 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to a heavier duty 8-speed automatic transmission. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 (and optional eTorque) will join the lineup a little later. This one will also be connected to an 8-speed automatic.

The maximum ratings are: 2,300 lbs of payload and 12,700 lbs of maximum towing.

The Rebel off-road truck is back with more choices. It will be available as a quad (extended) cab or crew cab, with steel or air suspension, with a V6 or a V8. It offers a one-inch factory lift and Goodyear Duratrac off-road tires.

The truck will be available in Q2 2018.

I chose the 2019 Ram 1500 Rebel as the best of the Detroit Show. However, the other guys did not agree.