The Top 10 Significant Trucks of the Decade

Posted by Mike Levine | December 28, 2009

Despite the economic challenges of the past two years, it’s hard not to look back at the past 10 years without calling it the Decade of the Pickup Truck. Sales of full-size pickups hit 2.56 million units in 2004, and Ford’s F-Series trucks remain the nation’s best-selling vehicles, 33 years in a row.

PickupTrucks.com and AutoPacific have compiled a list of the Top 10 Significant Pickup Trucks of the Decade from all of the new trucks sold between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2009. These trucks introduced new innovations, pushed the segment into new territory and made the competition sweat while helping their driver’s sweat less. There’s no rank order, but we’ve identified the pickup that was Most Significant.

2000 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab

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Why it’s significant:
First compact pickup truck to offer four full-size doors and a configuration that prioritized passenger space over cargo capacity.

Crew cab pickups were popular in overseas markets long before they arrived in the U.S. Nissan was the first to offer buyers another choice beyond a regular or extended cab. Buyers loved the idea because entire families could now travel comfortably in pickup trucks on long trips or around town jaunts. The idea quickly gained traction with every manufacturer, and soon the crew cab made up almost half of the mix of all trucks sold.

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2001 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra Heavy Duty with 6.6-Liter Duramax Diesel

2001-silverado-3500

Why it’s significant:
Made GM a serious player in heavy-duty pickups and raised the bar for diesel engines.

In 2000, GM held less than 10 percent market share in the three-quarter-ton and one-ton truck segments. Its 6.2-liter and 6.5-liter diesel engines weren’t competitive with the mills in Ford’s and Dodge’s trucks. But GM’s joint venture engineering and manufacturing agreement with Isuzu Motors of Japan changed all of that. With Isuzu’s help, the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks debuted with the all-new 6.6-liter V-8 turbo-diesel. It broke new ground in horsepower, torque and fuel economy and helped GM jump to more than 30 percent market share by 2002.

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2002 Chevrolet Avalanche

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Why it’s significant:
Combined the best attributes of a full-size SUV and pickup truck in a single vehicle.

The wild-looking Chevrolet Avalanche debuted as a lightly disguised concept at the 2000 North American International Auto Show, though GM intended to build it to fill the gap between the Suburban and Silverado full-size trucks. Its patented convert-a-cab system made it versatile for carrying passengers or cargo, by offering pass-through access between the cabin and bed and a removable rear window. Unibody exterior styling was unique, as well as the use of a multilink rear suspension and composite bed — traits that would be reused later in the decade by the Honda Ridgeline.

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2004 Nissan Titan

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Why it’s significant:
The first true full-size half-ton pickup truck from a Japanese automaker.

Japanese car companies had successfully entered almost every segment of the U.S. car and truck markets except the unique domain of the North American full-size pickup truck when Nissan unveiled the 2004 Titan. Sure, Toyota marginally stuck its toes in the segment with its T100 pickup in 1993, but the T100 was too small and underpowered to be a serious contender.

The Titan met about 80 percent of half-ton buyers’ needs with its 300-hp, 5.6-liter V-8, an advanced five-speed automatic transmission and a choice of extended cab or crew-cab configurations. It quickly gained a loyal following, but later years' sales were hampered by reliability issues with early trucks.

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2005 Toyota Tacoma

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Why it’s significant:
The best-selling small truck in the U.S.

Small truck sales have dwindled throughout the decade, but Toyota has managed to keep sales of the Tacoma relatively strong and take market share in this neglected segment. Just before the turn of the century, the Ford Ranger outsold Tacoma by more than 2-to-1. Today, it’s the exact opposite. The Tacoma offers a broad lineup of cab, body, wheelbase and engine choices with strong capabilities and excellent performance and refinement. What more could small-truck buyers want if they’re not going to buy a full-size pickup?

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2006 Honda Ridgeline

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Why it’s significant:
Created a class of one with its unique unibody construction and a trunk in the bed.

Love it or hate it (there’s no in-between), the Honda Ridgeline did what Japanese pickups have consistently done over the years: break new ground in terms of form and functionality. The Ridgeline came to market in 2005 with controversial slab-sided lunar-lander looks and all-wheel drive. It did away with conventional leaf springs in favor of an independent rear suspension that gave it great ride comfort and enough room for an in-bed lockable trunk, the first in a pickup. The Ridgeline also featured a dual-action tailgate that folded down or off to the side, like a door, to allow unimpeded access to the cargo box.

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2007 Toyota Tundra

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Why it’s significant:
Toyota’s no-holds-barred attempt to gain ground in full-size trucks.

When the 2007 Toyota Tundra debuted, it was notable for being two things: big and powerful. The Tundra was also the first truck in the half-ton segment with a six-speed automatic transmission. But just being big and powerful doesn’t automatically sell trucks. Several mechanical issues that garnered high visibility online with truck buyers and a lack of a large loyal buyer base contributed to a huge falloff in Tundra sales after it almost met its first-year sales goal of 200,000 units. Today, the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra and Ram 1500 all offer more powerful V-8 engines than the Tundra, and Ford is about to join that group, pushing the Tundra to fourth place for bragging rights. Tundra sales have shrunk to well below 100,000 units per year. It’s proof that the domestics still know how to build a superior vehicle.

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2009 Dodge Ram 1500

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Why it’s significant:
Ditched conventional leaf springs for a coil spring rear axle and added side saddle storage to the cargo box.

The 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 could have impressed many simply for its more powerful Hemi V-8, handsome exterior and totally revised interior. But Chrysler carried its half-ton pickup much further by featuring a coil spring rear axle — resurrecting an idea that GM tried between 1967 and 1972 in its C10 and C20 pickups — that gave the Ram 1500 unparalleled ride comfort and quality for a half-ton pickup. Towing was limited to only 9,100 pounds, but after a year of additional testing and real world results, Dodge re-rated the Ram 1500 to tow up to 10,450 pound - with no mechanical adjustments.

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2009 Ford F-150

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Why it’s significant:
Remains the gold standard against which other half-ton pickup trucks are compared.

Ford gave its F-150 half-ton pickup a major revision for 2009 and gave buyers an astonishing seven different models to choose from before they even considered engine choice or cab type. Two more models have been added for 2010! It’s not the most powerful truck, but the F-150 features an excellent six-speed transmission and innovative features like Ford Work Solutions that make doing jobs with a truck easier. From contractor to urban cowboy, Ford has an F-150 to meet almost anyone’s needs.

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2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor:

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Why it’s significant:
Ford had the guts to build a go-fast pre-runner-style factory pickup for less than $40,000

There’s nothing else like the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, and there likely may never be. It features a unique Fox Racing long-travel suspension that has a full 11inches of travel in the front dampers to absorb the impact from jumps – jumps! – made in the desert at speeds up to 100 mph. Its six-speed transmission is specially tuned with an off-road mode, and there’s a rear locking differential that works in two-wheel or four-wheel drive at speeds up to 66 mph. When other truck manufacturers mumble to themselves about the truck they wish they had in their lineup, Raptor is usually the first word that comes from their lips.

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Honorable Mention: 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

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Several trucks in the list can be classified as sport utility trucks or SUTs. The Ford Explorer Sport Trac was one of the first SUTs and it continuously satisfied buyers in surveys. Based on the very successful Explorer SUV, the Sport Trac combined crew cab capability with SUV comfort and amenities but Ford never truly took advantage of the vehicle. The next generation Explorer, coming in 2010, will not have a Sport Trac derivative.

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Honorable Mention: 2009 Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra Two Mode Hybrids

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Today, the price of oil is well below $100 a barrel and calls for fuel efficient big trucks aren't quite as urgent as they were when GM first showed off its segment-exclusive full-size Two-Mode Hybrid pickups. The 2009 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Hybrids featured a 332 horsepower 6.0-liter V-8 paired with a technically advanced automatic transmission that included two 80 horsepower electric motors, three planetary gear sets, four sets of clutches and two hydraulic oil pumps. A 300 volt battery pack under the rear seat was powerful enough to accelerate the truck up to 20 mph on electricity alone -- while pulling a 5,000 pound trailer! Fuel economy was rated at a remarkable 21/22 mpg city/highway. If GM can lower the cost of its next-generation hybrid pickups, perhaps we'll see this technology gain popularity.

Update #1 Dec-31-2009 08:25 PDT:
Added line to 2007 Toyota Tundra that it was first half-ton to debut with a six-speed automatic transmission.

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Comments

Tundras are butt fugly. They are good trucks even if I don't like anything with a Jap name. I just couldn't love a good woman that is ugly either. I never have liked Fords. My Dad is a Dodge man. I'm a Chevy guy. GM makes good trucks but I admit they could do better. I have a 2004 Silverado SS. They should have put about 100 more HP in the motor and used a 4L80e instead of a 4L60e tranny. I haven't had any tranny probs but these trucks are hot rodded a lot and the tranny is weak point. I had to get used to the front end on the 04s, but it still isn't as ugly as those Toyotas. They look like some retard put a chromed grill on a Dodge. This truck gives me a headache when I look at it.

Posted by: dude | Dec 30, 2009 1:28:42 PM

In today's global economy, there's not an easy way to determine just how American a car is," Olsen said. "Most cars built in the U.S., for example, are assembled using at least some parts that come from somewhere else. Cars.com's American-Made Index helps consumers identify the most-American vehicles based on production location, percentage of domestic-parts content, and American sales volume for each vehicle."

Rank Make/Model U.S. Assembly Rank in July 2008
Location(s)*

1. Toyota Camry** Georgetown, Ky.; --
Lafayette, Ind.
2. Ford F-150 Dearborn, Mich.; 1
Claycomo, Mo.
3. Chevrolet Malibu*** Kansas City, Kan. 3
4. Honda Odyssey Lincoln, Ala. 7
5. Chevrolet Silverado Ford Wayne, Ind. 8
1500***
6. Toyota Sienna Princeton, Ind. 6
7. Toyota Tundra San Antonio 5
8. GMC Sierra 1500*** Fort Wayne, Ind. --
9. Ford Taurus Chicago --
10. Toyota Venza Georgetown, Ky.

Posted by: dude | Dec 30, 2009 1:40:59 PM

I have owned six ford f-150s, since graduating from my mazda rangers and a '86 ford ranger 4x4, the latest being my 2006 crew cab 4x4. I have had a 2005 chevy 2500 diesel, [along with a ford '03 f-250], and a '79 dodge ramcharger 4x4 and a '98 dodge durango, [ for sake of newer dodge products]. I generally drive the "normal" 60,000 miles yearly for a southern cal. worker who uses their truck to make a living, [constuction, distribution, etc.].The ford f-150 by far, over and over again, has been the best value for my money, both in reliability, cost to operate, and just generally the best thing out there. That's not saying that chevy and dodge don't make a good U.S. truck,[some of those dodges are made in mexico, uknow, with no sticker cost lower price for the lower wages paid to put it together, my gripe]. But sales can be AN INDICATOR as to why more folks buy a f-150. WORD OF MOUTH WITH THE OWNERS, year after year, makes your sales go up. I had the LEMON ford f-250, '03, and turned it back in, as was the case with the chevy 2500, neither one of these powertrains lasting me to even 100,000 miles in two years. so sales fall if you make a crappy product. Sales do count, but the real proof is in registration of owners, and the ford f-150 I think has that sewed up for the last 33 years, yes? Oh, and btw, I have 175,000 miles on this f-150 that I bought new in sept., of 2006, and one tune-up later it still is making my paycheck for me. That's my kind of truck! chris agrella

Posted by: Christopher Agrella | Dec 30, 2009 2:56:53 PM

@ Tundra Headquarters You're biased and misinformed. I like that you listed Consumer Reports, as I'm a subscriber and they've never recommended Tundra over F-150 or Silverado/Sierra twins. In their "best of" issues they've repeatedly recommended F-150, Silverado/Sierra and also named Avalanche the best pickup.
The Texas "assembled" Tundra (by the way, NOT born in Texas, NOT made by Texans) had camshaft issues, four wheel drive system issues and now Tundras are subject to a massive recall due to rust issues.
As for the San Antonio plant, yes Toyota invested money in it, but not nearly as much as the state did. Texas won't see any revenue from that plant for nearly 20 years. Assembling a Tundra in Texas does not make it American. Buying a puzzle in Japan and assembling it in Texas won't make it a Texan puzzle. Even if the Tundra or any other foreign brand were completely built in America, all of the profits would go to their respective countries and now you're supporting their social services, their government...Even if a U.S. auto is assembled in Mexico or Canada, its profits stay right here in the U.S.A.
I don't care what anyone chooses to drive. I choose to drive domestic..Just don't call a Toyota American. That's just showing ignorance and how little you know about business.
But Japanese, support Japan...it's that simple..Especially when Toyota makes billions in just the currency conversion! How lucky, too for Toyota. They got bilions of our tax dollars in the cash for clunkers program..Free American money, compliments of the U.S. taxpayer.
OH, and by the way, according to Consumer Reports domestic automakers produce at least 75% of of all product domestically...

Posted by: RDL | Dec 30, 2009 3:42:59 PM

sorry but the f150 have no engine,and nothing special on this truck...dodge have a better set up...bot because this truck some media don't like the dodge they take the f150...stop to suck ford and give what dodge deserve y drive a Chevy but y no to recognise what is good or not...

Posted by: miath | Dec 30, 2009 5:40:58 PM

@ RDL - Toyota spent around 1.2 billion on the Tundra plant in Texas. It's not surprising that the state of Texas would put up money as well. It's a win/win situation for Texas and Toyota. I like your puzzle analogy but it isn't the case with the Tundra. You should read through all the previous posts. The whole domestic/foreign thing has already been thoroughly debated in this thread. Same goes for the "made in America" parts content. If you don't feel like reading 3 pages of posts(it is worth reading) then look at the following link:http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=top&subject=ami&story=amMade0709

Posted by: Lou N | Dec 30, 2009 10:18:20 PM

Toyota wants a arm and a leg for a tundra i went with a 08 silverado 5.3 ext cab cost me 27500 tundra was going to cost me 35,000 with the 4.7 doing the math like am sure most of the people did tundra just not worth the money also noy really a ford guy ford has no h.p if i had the money would have got a sierra denali 6.2 thats heaven:)

Posted by: Edgar | Dec 31, 2009 2:28:51 AM

I have owned Ford, Dodge, Chevy and Now Tundra... In that Order. I own a tundra, I have had no issues since 2007, (not one) I also never had an issue with My Chevy or My Ford. (dodge was another story)

I give you this as a quick back ground that I really hold no brand loyalty....

This list of Significant Trucks is fun. The Tundra was significant because it caused the 3 Domestic Manufactures to up the quality of their trucks right away. In 2007 during the release of the tundra it offered a slew of things never seen in a 1500 series truck segment.

6 speed transmission (worlds better than all I have owned)
Class leading HP
Class leading Tow Rating 10,000lbs
Class leading Braking distance

Why can't you talk about these positive reasons why the truck is significant? Instead you talk about 3 years after the release that they no longer offer these perks.... Of course they don't the rest of the market finally caught up!

Mike Levine Your bias is not a good trait to have for a writer in your position, It causes you to miss the facts. Report the facts, on all trucks, not your bias.

Posted by: Joe K Chitown4x4 | Dec 31, 2009 9:34:42 AM

Dear John, if you base 100% of your buying decision on how something sells....knock yourself out.

It just amazes me that in EVERY 3rd party comparison the Tundra leads or is at the top in every OBJECTIVE test.

I agree with a few of the subjective comments.....our guages could be easier to read at a glance. I covered up all my two-tone dash with faux-wood that rivals the best from GM (LOL!!)

But as a 1/2 ton TRUCK, when performance is factored in, the Tundra is at the top.

Again, read Levine's own test, look at the measured (objective) numbers. If you and others cannot see it, then blind loyalty comes to mind.

To others who somehow think the profits makes one company more patriotic than another, ask yourself this:

After stockholders get paid (since they are all publicly traded companies) how does GM build factories in China to build Buicks??? Why do some GM products have Chinese motors?? Why does Ford build factories in other countries (Brazil is the latest) while shutting down abroad??

Lastly, to the guy that keeps harping on Mexico only building chassis cabs, my F-250 with its 3F VIN says you're wrong.
They may no longer build full bodied trucks Hencho in mexico but they certainly used to.......at the expense of the U.S. auto worker!!!

Posted by: Jack | Dec 31, 2009 12:17:27 PM

The one thing I can say about all 3 of the big auto makers (Ford, Dodge, GM) is that their trucks speak for themselves. They don't need someone in an office to defend them. To bad Toyota can't say the same.

Posted by: Josh | Dec 31, 2009 8:03:23 PM

Ford should win because they have the only real truck in the segment plus they started lots of industry first when coming to trucks. And people needs to stop complaining about Ford not selling more trucks then GM because still to this day GM combine sales of the silverado and sierra still has not surpass the record Ford brought to the truck world in 2004. This was the year that Ford sold over 940,511 trucks that one year. Not even Gm best year in sales for there Silverado and sierra combine could crush that, that year they sold over 935,468 trucks there higest ever for the Silverado an Sierra. Every other truck in the segment is all about power and Acceleration and Ford still has the lowest horsepower out of the half tons but still manage to out tow an out haul every other truck in its class and that is why Ford should take the title plus the Raptor is a first of its kind.

Posted by: Desmond Minson | Jan 1, 2010 2:07:29 AM

wow 111 comments...112 now

Posted by: unger | Jan 1, 2010 12:17:37 PM

Maybe if Toyota had the fleet following and the federal government there to slurp up excess production capacity and pad sales numbers they'd be right with the domestics. But for some crazy insane reason they have this wierd idea it's better to keep volume to an amount of trucks you can actually sell profitably rather than to flood the market because labor agreements won't let you restrict supply appropriately.

Posted by: e | Jan 2, 2010 10:09:27 AM

Why is it that this site seems to all Ford, especially Mike Levine. Ford F150 is the gold standard Ca'mon it's a underpowered piece of crap.

Posted by: madmax | Jan 2, 2010 4:08:33 PM

toooooyooootaaaa JUNK

Posted by: ironblock | Jan 4, 2010 5:57:24 PM

the vega of the 21st century.

Posted by: ironblock | Jan 4, 2010 5:58:31 PM

All full-size trucks of today are great. Each has its own advantage in particular areas and has upped the bar in that area. Some are more powerful, some ride better, some are safer and so on. It all comes down to what each individual owners preferences are. Me, I have my own view of what the "best overall truck" is on the market, but of course that will differ from others. Lets congratulate all makes for the improvements they've made over the years, since competition breeds competition. Without it, our trucks would never improve. Will like to see the reviews of the Fords when they get their new powerplants (5.0L Coyote, 3.5L EcoBoost and possibly 6.2L Boss) and are brought in line with the other makes big guns. It is an exciting time for us truck owners!

Posted by: Justin | Jan 5, 2010 11:53:28 AM

madmax: Last time I checked, hp/lb-ft didn't make the best truck. It's about the overall pkg, not soley one aspect. Just like the new Camaro. Just because it offers the most power motor, doesn't mean it's the best overall pony/muscle car. And I think Levine may refer to it as the gold standard, since it has been the best selling over 32yrs running. If a sports team held a record of such nature, people would consider them the gold standard.

Posted by: Justin | Jan 5, 2010 12:03:13 PM

lol gm makes better trucks than ford my mom had a 2006 ground effects gmc serria z71 got it brand new it was a real head turner but so much went wrong over 8000 bucks gm had to pay though warrenty work on that thing it had 56000 km on it she got rid of it bought a 2010 harley f150 . i had a 2006 chevy colorado crew cab z71 my first brand new truck got 12 mpg i could not keep it on the road more than once i look at that gas tank to see if there was a hole in the tank it was a super crappy truck i bought a 2008 harley f150 new my sister owns a 2008 foose f150 put alot of xtras on it never lost a race yet lol any takers my dad owns a 2009 platium f150 i guess we all turned ford and will stay like that for life !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Bill | Jan 5, 2010 7:47:55 PM

...huh?
don't see the RAM SRT-10 in your selection...
ok - it aint a pickup to haul stuff, but it's a big@$$ truck, if not for else, but for the mere idea of planting under the hood that Viper ten-banger, making out of the ole' 1500er a street-legal digger...

Posted by: boggy | Jan 16, 2010 4:52:26 PM

Whats significant was that Titan. Up until the Titan came out the full size half ton offerings from Ford, Dodge, Chevy & Toyota were pretty pathetic. The 04 Titan had more standard HP and TQ than the F150, Silverado 1500, Ram 1500 or Tundra. It also was the first truck to open rear doors more than 90 degrees... amongst other things.
The Titan was the catalyst that caused ALL the other manufactures to step it up, to reach the level that they are talked about in the reviews. Like the "innovations" of the 09 F150, and "powerful" Hemi of the 09 Ram. Even made Toyota steup up from their weak 280hp 4.7 to the bloodthirsty 5.7 now. Note, if you compare 2004 Model year trucks you will find the Titan providing the best options.

I really think the Titan deserves alot more credit because although not much has changed NOW at this point. The truck market was really bland until it came out and forced everyone to up their game. And the Ridgeline? There's nothing "innovative" about a Ridgeline. Its just a car wearing a uni-truck body, its not really a truck. As is evident by their failing transmissions and differentials if they ever try to actually behave like a truck.
Which brings me to another point on the Titan, reliability issues? Not more than any other truck listed on there. How about Ford and Chevy with their garbage transmissions? I'd say thats reliability issues.
Case closed ;)

Posted by: Grimsta | Jul 6, 2010 10:24:05 PM

as always the same junk you hear pages and pages of. its funny that people like josh up above this comment.
the technology on the tundra is so far ahead that people dont understand it nor know how to explain it. its funny that people protect only what they know and never study to learn whats real.

FYI to all above about the tundra and us parts ect.....
it has 80% USA parts content, thats 5%more than the F150 and is the ONLY one 100% USA assembled, and sorry the money stays right here in the USA with new plants being built one after another and a new R&D facility in michigan over 500 million. so you fellas can keep comin with the false statements, the tundra is still by FAR a better half ton by every metric measurable.

Instead of bashing it, maybe you should go look up the stats on the truck and learn a little bit, the not so big 3 have been studying the tundra since its release in 07.

Posted by: hemi lol | Jul 20, 2010 1:27:25 AM

2001 f150 supercrew? changed trucks forever, hello super short beds.

Posted by: mec | Mar 8, 2011 7:41:29 PM

The 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 Power Wagon has just as much reason to be on this list as the 2010 Ford F-150 S.V.T. Raptor.

Without Dodge taking a chance first, by making the ultimate 4X4 pickup (Power Wagon), there would be no Raptor.

Posted by: Buy American Or Say Bye To America! | Oct 12, 2011 7:38:25 PM