10 Best Trucks for Winter

2018 Ram Rebel snow hero ・ Photo by Ram Trucks

If you need to haul the family and a load of firewood to grandma’s house in the middle of winter, a reliable 4X4 pickup truck is the only way to go. When you must endure deep snow and ice-covered roads in the wintertime, four-wheel-drive is a necessity, not a luxury. That said, our list of the 10 Best Trucks for Winter run the gamut from stout workhorses to comfy family haulers.

High-end trucks feature sumptuous interiors packed with creature comforts and technology that rivals luxury sedans and crossovers, with the bonus of ample ground clearance and cavernous cargo boxes. A rugged and properly-equipped pickup truck brings peace of mind when temperatures plummet and an extra set of winter-specific tires is the best upgrade for cold-weather trucks.

2017 Ram 2500 Power Wagon

The 2017 RAM 2500 Power Wagon's lineage runs all the way back to the mid-1940s. The Power Wagon is one of America’s toughest trucks and is ideal for winter use. Standard front and rear locking differentials ensure maximum traction when the going gets tough, and the front-bumper mounted 12,000-pound Warn winch will come in handy when the road gets slippery. The Power Wagon rides on 17-inch alloy wheels with LT285/70R17 Goodyear Duratrac tires, which meet the tire industry's severe snow service standards, as indicated by the three-peak mountain/snowflake symbol. Unfortunately, the Power Wagon is not offered with a turbodiesel engine. If you have your heart set on a three-quarter ton Ram with a Cummins turbodiesel, you’ll need to opt for a different 2500 trim level.

Photo by Ram Trucks

2018 Ford F-Series

The Ford F-Series is well suited for cold-weather chores. We’ve chosen the mighty F-150 Raptor as the best F-150 half-ton of all for winter use, due to its stout EcoBoost V6, highly advanced drivetrain, and acclaimed LT315/70R17 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires, which carry the three-peak mountain/snowflake rating. The 2018 F-150 stands out from the crowd by earning the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award when equipped with optional front crash prevention. Sales are up approximately 10% over the same period last year and the Ford F-Series continues its lead as the best selling truck line in America, with nearly 660,000 units sold through the first nine months of 2017.

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2017 Toyota Tacoma

The 2017 Toyota Tacoma is America's most affordable 4x4 truck for winter, with the 2.7-liter four-cylinder Tacoma SR access cab short bed’s MSRP starting at just $24,285 when equipped with a five-speed manual transmission. That said, we’re partial to the rugged Tacoma TRD Pro ($42,215) for all-around use, both on- and off-road, in all seasons. The top-of-the-line TRD Pro features a leather-trimmed interior and a beefed up suspension system with FOX internal bypass shock absorbers. It’s fitted with Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure Kevlar tires which do not wear the three-peak mountain/snowflake symbol in the 265/70R16 size (although other sizes are three-peak rated.)

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2017 Honda Ridgeline

With its unibody construction, comfy crossover-inspired interior, and smooth ride, the 2017 Honda Ridgeline is the least “truck-like” entry on our list of the best trucks for winter. The top-of-the-line 2017 Ridgeline RTL-E features the full Honda Sensing safety suite as standard equipment and is the only pickup that earns the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ award. The standard tire is a highway all-season 245/60R18 Firestone Destination LE 2. Upgrading to a winter-specific tire like the Bridgestone Blizzak is a wise choice for severe conditions. While it was the slowest selling pickup truck in America for the first nine months of 2017, Ridgeline sales have doubled over the same period last year.

Photo by Honda

2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD

The 2017 Chevrolet Silverado is the most popular pickup truck in America’s most northern states and is a great choice for winter use. You’ll want to opt for a Silverado 2500 equipped with the 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine if you plan to plow snow. The LTZ is our pick of the pack, with heated front seats, leather upholstery, dual-zone HVAC, and a remote starter as standard equipment. LT265/70R18E all-season Michelin LTX A/T 2 tires are standard. An extra set of General Grabber Arctic LT tires is a good pick for demanding winter conditions. The Chevrolet Silverado holds onto second place among best selling pickup trucks, with close to 420,000 units sold over the first nine months of 2017.

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2017 Ram 1500 Rebel

The 2017 RAM 1500 is offered in a wide array of trim levels, from the base Tradesman model, all the way up to the luxurious western-themed Laramie Longhorn and top-of-the-line Limited. It is the third best-selling pickup truck in America, and while it’s tough choosing between all of those models, we opt for the 5.7-liter HEMI V8-powered RAM 1500 Rebel as the choice for best winter truck. The Rebel includes Active-Level Four Corner Air Suspension and 9.3 inches of ground clearance to rise to the occasion. It rides on 17-inch alloy wheels, wrapped with 33-inch Toyo Open Country AT II tires, which are rated for light snow. If you encounter heavier snow, upgrading the tires is a wise choice.

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2017 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali HD

The GMC Sierra 2500 Denali HD is one of the most luxurious pickups on our list of the best trucks for winter, with a handsome leather upholstered interior and the full gamut of creature comforts. There are two engine choices. The standard E85-capable 6.0-liter Vortec V6 engine produces 360 horsepower (HP) and 380 lb-ft. of torque, while the optional 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel cranks out an astounding 445 HP and 910 lb-ft. of torque. The Denali HD’s 20-inch wheels are wrapped with LT265/60R20 Goodyear Wrangler SR-A highway all-season tires and are not appropriate for the most severe winter conditions. A set of Yokohama Geolander A/T G015 or Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure Kevlar winter tires should be considered for winter use.

Photo by GMC

2017 Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition

The half-ton Toyota Tundra is a solid choice for winter use and a worthy competitor to the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and RAM 1500. The top-of-the-line Tundra 1794 Edition pays homage to the state of Texas, which is now home to Toyota’s US headquarters. The luxurious Western-themed interior features perforated leather upholstery and a full gamut of conveniences. The Toyota Safety Sense technology package is standard, along with blind spot mirrors and rear cross traffic alert. 275/55R20 all-season Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza tires are standard. You’ll want to upgrade to a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks for severe winter use, or consider BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2s for on- and off-road capability with a three-peak rating.

Photo by Toyota

2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

The 4x4 Chevrolet Colorado is one of the most capable entries on our list of the best trucks for winter. The 2017 Colorado ZR2 is the pick of the litter, with standard front and rear locking differentials that allow it to climb like a cat over through terrain and loose surfaces. Two engine choices are offered. The 3.6-liter gasoline powered V6 produces 308 horsepower (HP) and 275 lb-ft. of torque, while the efficient 2.8-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-four delivers 181 HP and 369 lb-ft. of torque. The ZR2 package includes an off-road suspension system that provides increased ground clearance. Highly-advanced Multimatic DSSV dampers keep the truck composed under all conditions and the 17-inch alloy wheels are clad with 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac off-road tires.

Photo by General Motors

2017 Nissan Frontier King Cab

The 2017 Nissan Frontier King Cab SV is the second most affordable entry on our list of the best 4x4 trucks for winter, at a starting MSRP of $27,860 for the V6. While it’s a bit more expensive than the least expensive Toyota Tacoma, the Frontier’s standard 261 horsepower V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission are better suited to everyday work chores. The Frontier King Cab SV V6 is fitted with 265/70R16 Hankook Dynapro HT RH12 highway all-season tires. You’ll want to upgrade to a set of Bridgestone Bizzak DM-V2 or Michelin Latitude X-Ice X12 tires for serious winter conditions. 2017 Nissan Frontier sales are running roughly 20% behind last year’s sales, over the first nine months of the year.

Photo by Nissan