Six-cylinder Trucks

2014 toyota tundra

There was time when a six-cylinder engine wasn’t considered quite robust enough to seriously power a full-size pickup. Lots of compact pickups run them—in fact those are the ‘big” engines in that class. But when you started talking 1500-series trucks, six-cylinder engines weren’t taken seriously at all. With today’s advances in turbocharging, direct fuel injection, and variable valve timing, getting 300-horses from a V6 engine is practically child’s play. Further, these power increases come with strong fuel economy and lower emissions too. Thus, today’s list of six-cylinder trucks contains some of the most noted models in the category.

Chevrolet Colorado

All-new for the 2015 model year, the Chevrolet Colorado will feature a 3.6-liter V6 with 305 horsepower and 269 ft-lbs of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission will be the standard offering, although a six-speed manual will be paired exclusively with rear-drive versions of the pickup. The mid-size six-cylinder truck will feature an extended cab with a six-foot bed, and a crew cab with five- or six-foot bed lengths. Colorado is estimated to be capable of towing up to 7,000 pounds when properly equipped. The model goes on sale in the autumn of 2014.  Colorado pricing will start at $20,120.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500

All-new for the 2014 model year, the Chevrolet Silverado runs a 285-horsepower normally aspirated 4.3-liter V6 with 305 ft-lbs of torque. For the first time in the Silverado’s history, the V6 will be offered across the entire range, where the previous version of the Silverado only offered six-cylinder power with the very basic model. This means the V6 can be had with all three cab configurations, and all three bed lengths. Fuel economy is rated at 18 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway. Maximum towing capacity with the V6 is 7,600 pounds. Pricing starts at $25,575.

Ford F-150

Ford is big on turbocharging these days, so it comes as no surprise to find a blown V6 in the engine bay of the F-150. In this case, it’s a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 pumping out 365 horsepower and 420 ft-lbs of torque. Ford claims an 11,200-pound tow rating with this engine—when the truck is properly tow configured. The F-150 can also be ordered with a 3.7-liter V6, which makes 302 horsepower and 278 ft-lbs of torque. The Ford will tow 6,700 pounds with the 3.7-liter engine. Both powerplants can be teamed with four-wheel drive. Pricing starts at $25,025.

GMC Canyon

All-new for the 2015 model year, the GMC Canyon will feature a 3.6-liter V6 with 305 horsepower and 269 ft-lbs of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission will be the standard offering, although a six-speed manual will be paired exclusively with rear-drive versions of the pickup. The mid-size six-cylinder truck will feature an extended cab with a six-foot bed, and a crew cab with five- or six-foot bed lengths. Canyon is said to be capable of towing up to 7000 pounds when properly equipped. The model goes on sale in the autumn of 2014.  Canyon pricing will start at $20,955.

GMC Sierra 1500

All-new for the 2014 model year, the GMC Sierra 1500 offers a 285-horsepower normally aspirated 4.3-liter V6 with 305 ft-lbs of torque. For the first time in the Sierra’s history, a V6 will be offered across the entire range—except SLT models. The previous version of the Sierra 1500 only offered six-cylinder power with the very basic model. The V6 can be had with all three cab configurations and all three bed lengths. Fuel economy is rated at 18 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway. Maximum V6 towing capacity is 7,600 pounds. Pricing starts at $26,075.

Six-cylinder Trucks: Honda Ridgeline

The Honda of pickup trucks, the Honda Ridgeline drives more like a car than a truck, and the people who like the Ridgeline prefer it that way. Power comes from a 3.5-liter V6 producing 250 horsepower and 247 ft-lbs of torque. The all-wheel drive pickup defaults to front drive operation in steady state conditions, employing all-wheel drive capability only when traction is marginal. A five-speed automatic handles transmission duties. The five passenger Ridgeline features four doors and a midgate pass through from the five-foot cargo bed to facilitate the transport of larger items. Honda Ridgeline pricing starts at $29,575.

Nissan Frontier

Offered in both extended- and crew cab body styles, for V6 power the Nissan Frontier runs a 4.0-liter good for 261 horsepower and 281 ft-lbs of torque. A five-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive is the standard powertrain configuration, while a five-speed automatic and four-wheel drive can be ordered as options. A V6 Frontier equipped with the proper towing kit can pull 6,500 pounds. Fuel economy with rear drive and the manual transmission comes in at 19 mpg combined, while four-wheel drive models equipped with the automatic transmission are said to be good for 17. Pricing starts at $17,990.

Photo by Nissan

Ram 1500

The Ram 1500 offers two V6 engines: a 305-horsepower, 3.6-liter with 269 ft-lbs of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel with 240 horsepower and 420 ft-lbs of torque. The 3.6 tows 7,300 pounds, the diesel does 9,200. Both are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and both can be teamed with four-wheel drive. Fuel economy for the gasoline engine is rated at 20 mpg combined with rear-drive, and 19 with four wheel drive. The diesel’s fuel economy had yet to be quoted when this was written, but was said to be better than the gasoline engine’s. Pricing starts at $24,810.

Toyota Tacoma

Toyota’s Tacoma is one of the most versatile mid-sized pickups available. Offered in three cab styles with two bed lengths, as well as rear- and four-wheel drive the Tacoma is good for almost any mission. Its 4.0-liter V6 is rated at 236 horsepower and 266 ft-lbs of torque. The engine can be paired with either a five-speed automatic, or a six-speed manual transmission. Further, it can be had with either rear- or all-wheel drive. Fuel economy is rated at 19 mpg combined with the automatic and rear-drive, or 17 with the manual and four-wheel drive. Pricing starts at $20,765