Nissan Frontier NISMO
Base price: $22,450
Year on the list: 2nd
Like the Angels and the Athletics in the AL West, the Frontier and Toyota Tacoma have become perennial archrivals in the midsize pickup truck category. We usually spend a lot of time debating which way to go on this choice. Where the Toyota has grown in size and has climbed a rung in refinement, the Nissan still feels rugged and unbreakable, ready to take you down any trail. In addition to an excellent platform shared with the Xterra, the Frontier fun-to-drive factor is what gives it our nod over the Tacoma. The Toyota is no slouch on the trail, but the Frontier is even better.
Others Considered: Toyota Tacoma TRD
| QUICK SPECS |
| Vehicle/model | Nissan Frontier NISMO King Cab |
| Estimated price | $22,450 |
| ENGINE |
| Type | 4.0L DOHC V-6 |
| Horsepower @ rpm | 265 @ 5,600 |
| Torque @ rpm | 284 @ 4,000 |
| EPA city/highway mpg | 15/20 |
| DRIVETRAIN |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual/five-speed automatic |
| Transfer case | Part-time two-speed |
| Transfer case ratio | 3.692:1 |
| Axle ratio | N/A |
| SUSPENSION |
| Front | IFS, double-wishbone, stabilizer bar |
| Rear | Solid axle, leaf springs |
| WHEELS AND TIRES |
| Wheels, base | 17x7.5 alloy |
| Tires, base | P265/75R16 |
| BRAKES |
| Front | 11.65-inch vented disc |
| Rear | 11.25-inch solid disc |
| DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES |
| Wheelbase, in. | 125.9 |
| Length, in. | 205.5 |
| Width, in. | 72.8 |
| Height, in. | 73.9 |
| Curb weight, lb. | 4,323 |
| Fuel capacity, gal. | 21 |
| Ground clearance, in. | 10.1 |
| Seating | 4 |
| Towing capacity, lb. | 6,300 |
Dodge Ram Power Wagon
Base price: $37,775
Year on the list: 2nd
The bottom line is that Dodge's Power Wagon is a four-wheeler's dream come true-pure pickup perfection in our eye, with its solid axles, Bilstein shocks, supple suspension, 33-inch BFGoodrich tires, front and rear lockers, 4.56:1 gearing, electronically disconnecting front sway bar, factory Warn winch, and rocker protection, all without losing its 31/44-ton capability. We've wheeled the snot out of this truck from the Sierras to Moab, and nothing else available even comes close to doing what the Power Wagon can do. Here's to the Gold Standard in fullsize trucks.
Others Considered: None
| QUICK SPECS |
| Vehicle/model | Dodge Ram Power Wagon Regular Cab |
| Estimated price | $37,775 |
| ENGINE |
| Base Type | 5.7L OHV V-8 |
| Horsepower @ rpm | 345 @ 5,400 |
| Torque @ rpm | 375 @ 4,200 |
| EPA city/highway mpg | Not rated |
| DRIVETRAIN |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual/five-speed automatic |
| Transfer case | Part-time two-speed |
| Transfer case ratio | 2.72:1 |
| Axle ratio | 4.56:1 |
| SUSPENSION |
| Front | Solid axle, coil springs |
| Rear | Solid axle, leaf springs |
| WHEELS AND TIRES |
| Wheels, base | 17x8 alloy |
| Tires, base | LT285/70R17D |
| BRAKES |
| Front | 13.9-inch vented disc |
| Rear | 13.9-inch disc |
| DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES |
| Wheelbase, in. | 140.5 |
| Length, in. | 229.7 |
| Width, in. | 79.5 |
| Height, in. | 80.6 |
| Curb weight, lb. | 6,200 (est.) |
| Fuel capacity, gal. | 35 |
| Ground clearance, in. | 8.4 |
| Seating | 3 |
| Towing capacity, lb. | 10,500 (est.) |