A major auto show is a great place to see all of the latest and coolest new trucks, and the 2020 Chicago Auto Show is no exception. Here are the Top 10 new trucks of 2020.
2020 Jeep Gladiator Mojave
This truck makes its world wide debut at the 2020 Chicago Auto Show.
The new Mojave model is not just an appearance package, this is a whole new trim level that is focused on high speed off-road capability and catchy style. Jeep fans know and love the Rubicon models from Jeep. The Jeep Rubicon will continue with a focus on low-speed rock crawling and off-road capability. The Jeep Mojave line has the frame, suspension, driveline, and style changes to back up its “Desert Rated” badge.
Jeep says the frame has been strengthened, the truck is using new 2.5-inch body internal bypass FOX off-road shocks front and rear. The fronts have a remote reservoir with a very long hose line. The rears have a piggy-back reservoir. The front is also equipped with FOX hydraulic junce bumpers to coushin big impacts. The transfer case has a 2.72-to-1 and the axle ratio is a 4.10. The Mojave does not get the same 4-to-1 transfer case that is in the Rubicon. The Mojave also does not get a locking front differential. The rear locker is still. All this is there to enable high-speed running. Jeep says the truck is capable of 50 MPH speed in 4-LO transfer case setting. Jeep says the Gladiator Mojave is still capable of 1,200 lbs of maximum payload and 6,000 lbs of maximum towing.
The Gladiator Mojave will be available in Q2 2020, but the price has not yet been announced.
2020 Nissan Titan XD
The Titan XD is updated for the 2020 model year with a new engine power level, new transmission, and an updated interior. The 5.6-liter V8 can produce up to 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. The only transmission choice is a 9-speed automatic. The interior has been redone with nicer materials, and an optional 9-inch infotainment screen. There is also a new panoramic sunroof, and many more luxurious features. The 2020 Titan XD is only offered as a crew cab 4×4 with a starting price in the $45,000 range.
2021 Toyota Tacoma Trail Edition
The popular Toyota Tacoma continues for the 2021 model year with minor changes. The bigger news is that it will be available in two new special edition trims: Trail & Nightshade Special Editions. Both of these Tacoma trucks make their debut at the auto show this week. While the Nightshade edition is more of a luxurious truck for the city that is based on the Limited grade, the Trail edition is about going off the beaten path and doing it on a budget.
The 2021 Trail Edition is based on the SR5 trim level. It’s offered in a crew cab configuration with 2WD or 4×4. It’s an appearance package with blacked out badges and wheels, but it also includes special stitching on the seats, and additional storage boxes in the bed. The Tacoma boxes are lockable and removable with just several bolts. The driver-side box is insulated and can carry ice for longer periods of time.
The Tacoma Trail Special Edition will be available in August / September 2020 timeframe and pricing is not yet announced.
2020 Nissan Frontier
The Frontier is not all-new for the 2020 model year, but it does have an all-new 3.8-liter gas V6 and a 9-speed automatic transmission. The older 4.0-liter V6 is gone, as are the 2.5-liter I4, and a manual transmission option. The new 3.8-liter power rating is 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. This is the highest horsepower rating in the midsize pickup truck segment. Nissan says the new engine and transmission combination will offer a 10% improvement in efficiency.
The 2020 Frontier will go on sale in the Spring 2020, but the pricing has not yet been announced.
2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Truck
Mercede-Benz is showing a new Sprinter chassis cab at the show, and it is a customized work truck with a utility body in the back. It has a brush guard in the front with a winch, off-road tires, eye-catching color scheme, and enough off-road lights to light up everything around it in a 360-degree radius.
#Vanlife continues to be popular, and this Sprinter truck shows another way to equip a big van that can go off the pavement, work hard, and play hard as well.
2020 Ford Tremor
Ford introduces a new 2020 Ford Super Duty Tremor off-road factory truck package. It includes a suspension lift front and rear. It allows the truck to roll on 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires – the tallest off-road tires in the segment. The truck is equipped with a locker out back and a limited slip differential in the front.
The 2020 Tremor can be had with a new 7.3-liter gas V8 or an updated 6.7-liter turbo-diesel V8. Both engines are backed up by a new 10-speed heavy duty automatic transmission. The Tremor is available in XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum trim levels.
The F-250 Tremor truck displayed at the show this week is an XLT with a 7.3-liter V8 and a 4.30 rear axle ratio. This is one of the more affordable Tremor trucks for 2020 at just over $55,000.
2021 Chevy Silverado HD Carhartt
Customization continues to be extremely popular, and Carhartt clothing and accessory brand teams up with Chevrolet on this Silverado HD Z71 special edition. The truck has a very unique paint with a bright yellow stripe that runs the entire length of the crew cab heavy duty. It has unique interior seat stitching and a lockable rear under-seat storage. Out back is unique tonneau cover with a Carhartt logo.
This special edition truck will go on sale later this year.
2021 Toyota Tundra Trail Edition
Perhaps one the most important news at the show is the introduction of the 2021 Tundra Trail and Nightshade special editions. This is the first official word from Toyota that the Tundra truck will remain largely unchanged for the 2021 model year. Many of you have been expecting an all-new Toyota Tundra truck at the show, but we will have to wait longer to see it.
The Tundra Trail Special Edition follows much the same pattern as the Tacoma counterpart. This SR5 grade crew cab has a unique 1794 Edition grille, blacked out wheels and badging, and large in-bed storage boxes that are also lockable and removable.
2020 Ram HD
We continue to get many questions from you about additional testing of the new 2020 Ram heavy duty trucks with the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 and the new 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. Rest assured that many more towing tests with this truck are coming over the nest several weeks.
This truck is on our top 10 coolest list because Ram HD trucks continue to bring all the features and style to be highly competitive and capable. This naturally includes the latest 2020 Ram Power Wagon.
Oshkosh JLTV Military Truck
The coolest truck we saw at the show is the Oshkosh JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) that replaces the Humvee as the troop 4×4 vehicle. This truck is massive. It rides on giant off-road tires. It’s powered by a modified 6.6-liter GM-based turbo-diesel V8 engine. It has a very capable suspension that can absorb rough terrain but also level the truck out front to back or on a side slope.
Bonus:
There are many more cool trucks at the show, but the 2020 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson edition stands out above the rest. You may have seen us profile the truck last year, but the 5.0-liter “coyote” V8 is not supercharged with over 700 horsepower. The Harley-Davidson edition of the truck is built by Tuscany Motors (part of FOX Factory). It includes a suspension lift, unique FOX shock tuning, Fat boy-style wheels, customized exhaust system, special interior trim and much more.
Here is the 2020 Top 10 Trucks video. Please join Nathan and I as we go around the show on our quest to find the coolest pickup trucks.
