2016 Pickup Truck of the Year Scoring
How We Score It
Our Pickup Truck of the Year scoring procedure utilizes seven weighted categories as the means to declaring a winner. The breakdown is as follows: 15 percent Highway Performance (vehicle handling, ride quality, steering feel, NVH, etc.), 15 percent Towing and Hauling (how the vehicle reacts with a trailer weighted to 75 percent of its rating and a full payload), 15 percent Off-Road Performance (evaluating each vehicle’s performance and off-road–centric features such as traction aids, tires, and four-wheel-drive system operation in a specific off-highway environment), 10 percent Interior (instrumentation, ingress and egress, seat comfort, storage, appearance, stance, material choice), 10 percent for Exterior (styling, appearance, and features), 15 percent Functionality (passing power, parking prowess, ease of use of technology), and 20 percent Empirical Data (loaded and unloaded acceleration, braking, and quarter-mile; weight, pricing, and fuel economy). These individual categories each contain a series of subsection on which each judge assigns a numerical value to (excluding Empirical). All of the judges’ votes are then tabulated, and total scoring is averaged and normalized.
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| 94 Pickup Truck Of The Year Track Testing
Final Results
| GMC Sierra | Ram 1500 Rebel | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | Nissan Titan XD | Toyora Tacoma TRD | GMC Canyon | Chevrolet Colorado | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highway | 12.5 | 12.1 | 12.55 | 11.58 | 11.5 | 11.75 | 11.95 |
| Towing & Hauling | 11.7 | 11.83 | 11.38 | 12.08 | 10.33 | 11.8 | 12.18 |
| Off-Road | 10.43 | 12.7 | 10.18 | 11.9 | 13.1 | 10.63 | 10.83 |
| Interior | 8.52 | 7.88 | 8.02 | 7.77 | 6.9 | 7.02 | 6.77 |
| Exterior | 8.07 | 8.02 | 7.93 | 8.2 | 7.57 | 7.98 | 7.33 |
| Functionality | 11.93 | 11.53 | 11.8 | 11.38 | 10.98 | 11.15 | 11 |
| Empirical | 18 | 15.8 | 16.1 | 14.4 | 14.7 | 13.3 | 12.5 |
| Total | 81.13 | 79.85 | 77.95 | 77.29 | 75.07 | 73.63 | 72.55 |
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| 03 2016 GMC Canyon Trailer Hook Up
Fun Facts
Total Miles Driven: 8,033
Total Gallons of Fuel Used: 473.637
Total Cost of Fuel Used: $1,445.63
Total Gallons of DEF Used: 3.851
Total Fuel Stops: 9
Total Monsters Drank: 32
Total Red Bulls Drank: 8
Worst Single Tank: 10.44 mpg (Ram Rebel)
Total Trucks Stuck In Sand: 1 (Titan XD)
Total Judging Book Pages: 520
Total Cost of Trucks Tested: $355,454
Total Weight of Trucks Tested: 38,502 lbs
Total Weight of Judges: 1,440 lbs
Total Hours Driving: 456
Total Flat Tires: 1 (Sierra)
Pounds of Ballast Moved: 41,600
Trailer Weight Empty: 3,545 lbs
Total Horsepower: 2,120
Total Torque: 2,811 lb-ft
Total Cylinders: 46
Total Engine Displacement: 31.3L
Smallest Engine Displacement: 2.8L
Total Transmission Gears: 48
Total Pounds of Ice Used: 63
Highest Altitude Achieved: 9,845 ft
Total Tacos Consumed: 36
Longest Burnout: 212 ft
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| 93 2016 Chevrolet Silverado High Country Rear Three Quarter
Vehicle Specs
General
| Vehicle/model | Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Duramax | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country | GMC Canyon SLT Duramax | GMC Sierra 1500 Denali | Nissan Titan XD | Ram 1500 Rebel | Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base price (incl. destination) | $39,690 | $52,045 | $42,500 | $53,565 | $50,970 | $45,100 | $33,730 |
| Price as tested | $42,690 | $57,095 | $45,280 | $60,965 | $58,430 | $53,175 | $37,819 |
Engine
| Vehicle/model | Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Duramax | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country | GMC Canyon SLT Duramax | GMC Sierra 1500 Denali | Nissan Titan XD | Ram 1500 Rebel | Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | DOHC 16-valve diesel I-4, iron block/aluminum heads | OHV 16-valve gas V-8 with cylinder deactivation, aluminum block/heads | DOHC 16-valve diesel I-4, iron block/aluminum heads | OHV 16-valve V-8 with cylinder deactivation, cast-aluminum block/heads | DOHC 32-valve diesel V-8, compacted graphite iron block, aluminum heads | OHV 16-valve gas V-8 with cylinder deactivation, cast-iron block/aluminum heads | DOHC 24-valve gas V-6, aluminum block and heads |
| Displacement (ci/liter) | 170/2.8 | 325/5.3 | 170/2.8 | 376/6.2 | 305/5.0 | 345/5.7 | 241/4.0 |
| Bore x stroke (in) | 3.70 x 3.94 | 3.78 x 3.62 | 3.70 x 3.94 | 4.06 x 3.62 | 3.70 x 3.54 | 3.92 x 3.58 | 3.70 x 3.74 |
| Compression ratio (:1) | 16.5 | 11 | 16.5 | 11.5 | 16.3 | 10.5 | 10 |
| Intake/FI | Turbocharged and intercooled, direct injection | Naturally aspirated, direct injection | Turbocharged and intercooled, direct injection | Naturally aspirated, direct injection | Two-stage turbocharged, direct injection | Naturally aspirated, multi-port injection | Naturally aspirated, multi-port injection |
| Mfg.'s power rating @ rpm (hp) | 181 @ 3,400 | 355 @ 5,600 | 181 @ 3,400 | 420 @ 3,000 | 310 @ 3,200 | 395 @ 5,600 | 236@5200 |
| Mfg.'s torque rating @ rpm (lb-ft) | 369 @ 2,000 | 383 @ 4,100 | 369 @ 2,000 | 460 @ 1,600 | 555 @ 1,600 | 410 @ 3,950 | 266 @ 4000 |
| Mfg.'s suggested fuel type | Ultra-low sulfur diesel | Regular unleaded | Ultra-low sulfur diesel | Premium unleaded | Ultra-low sulfur diesel | Regular unleaded | Regular unleaded |
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| 38 2016 GMC Sierra Denali On Trail
Drivetrain
| Vehicle/model | Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Duramax | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country | GMC Canyon SLT Duramax | GMC Sierra 1500 Denali | Nissan Titan XD | Ram 1500 Rebel | Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic |
| Axle ratio (:1) | 3.42 | 3.42 | 3.42 | 3.23 | 3.92 | 3.92 | 3.73 |
| Transfer case | Part-time 2-speed, electronic engagement | Part-time 2-speed, electronic engagement | Part-time 2-speed, electronic engagement | Part-time 2-speed, electronic engagement | Part-time 2-speed, electronic engagement | Part-time 2-speed, electronic engagement | Part-time 2-speed, electronic engagement |
Frame/Body
| Vehicle/model | Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Duramax | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country | GMC Canyon SLT Duramax | GMC Sierra 1500 Denali | Nissan Titan XD | Ram 1500 Rebel | Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Steel body on steel ladder frame | Steel body on steel ladder frame | Steel body on steel ladder frame | Steel body on steel ladder frame | Steel body on steel ladder frame | Steel body on steel ladder frame | Steel body on steel ladder frame |
Suspension
| Vehicle/model | Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Duramax | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country | GMC Canyon SLT Duramax | GMC Sierra 1500 Denali | Nissan Titan XD | Ram 1500 Rebel | Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front | Short- and long-arm independent, coil-over gas-charged shocks, stabilizer bar | Short- and long-arm independent, coil-over gas-charged shocks, stabilizer bar | Short- and long-arm independent, coil-over gas-charged shocks, stabilizer bar | Short- and long-arm independent, coil-springs, gas-pressurized shocks, stabilizer bar | Double-wishbone independent, coil springs, monotube shocks, stabilizer bar | Upper and lower A-arm independent, air springs, gas-charged shocks stabilizer bar | Independent, coil springs, gas-charged shocks |
| Rear | Rigid axle leaf, gas-pressurized shocks, electronic limited-slip differential | Rigid axle leaf, gas-pressurized shocks, electronic limited-slip differential | Rigid axle leaf, gas-pressurized shocks, electronic limited-slip differential | Rigid axle leaf, gas pressurized shocks, electronic limited-slip differential | Rigid axle leaf, coil springs, monotube shocks, stabilizer bar, electronic locking differential | Five-link with track bar, air springs, gas-charged shocks, stabilizer bar, electronic limited-slip differential | Rigid axle leaf, remote-reservoir shocks, electronic limited-slip differential |
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| 30 2016 GMC Canyon On Trail
Steering
| Vehicle/model | Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Duramax | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country | GMC Canyon SLT Duramax | GMC Sierra 1500 Denali | Nissan Titan XD | Ram 1500 Rebel | Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Electric power rack-and-pinion | Electric power rack-and-pinion | Electric power rack-and-pinion | Electric power rack-and-pinion | Hydraulic power recirculating ball | Hydraulic power rack-and-pinion | Hydraulic power rack-and-pinion |
Brakes
| Vehicle/model | Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Duramax | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country | GMC Canyon SLT Duramax | GMC Sierra 1500 Denali | Nissan Titan XD | Ram 1500 Rebel | Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front (in) | 12.2 x 1 vented rotor | 13 x 1.18 vented rotor | 12.2 x 1 vented rotor | 13 x 1.18 vented disc | 14.17 x 1.5 vented disc | 13.2 x 1.1 vented disc | 12.48 vented disc |
| Rear (in) | 12.75 x 0.7 solid rotor | 13.6 x 0.79 vented rotor | 12.75 x 0.7 solid rotor | 13.6 x 0.79 vented disc | 14.37 x 1.2 vented disc | 13.8 x 0.87 vented disc | 10.0 drum |
| ABS | Four-wheel | Four-wheel | Four-wheel | Four-wheel | Four-wheel | Four-wheel | Four-wheel |
Wheels/Tires
| Vehicle/model | Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Duramax | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country | GMC Canyon SLT Duramax | GMC Sierra 1500 Denali | Nissan Titan XD | Ram 1500 Rebel | Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheels (in) | 17 x 8 | 20 x 9 | 18 x 8.5 | 20 x 9 | 18 x 7.5 | 17 x 8 | 16 x 7 |
| Tires | P255/65R17 | P275/55R20 | P265/60R18 | P275/55R20 | LT275/65R18 | LT285/70R17 | P265/70R16 |
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| 28 2016 Chevrolet Silverado Dune Blasting
Dimensions/Capacities
| Vehicle/model | Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Duramax | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country | GMC Canyon SLT Duramax | GMC Sierra 1500 Denali | Nissan Titan XD | Ram 1500 Rebel | Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase (in) | 128.3 | 143.5 | 128.3 | 143.5 | 151.6 | 140.5 | 127.4 |
| Overall length (in) | 212.7 | 230 | 212.4 | 229.3 | 243.2 | 229 | 208.1 |
| Overall width (in) | 74.3 | 80 | 74.3 | 80 | 80.7 | 81.5 | 74.6 |
| Height (in) | 70.6 | 74 | 70.6 | 74 | 78.3 | 79.1 (off-road) | 70.1 |
| Track f/r (in) | 62.4/62.4 | 68.7/67.6 | 62.4/62.4 | 68.7/67.6 | 68.6/68.0 | 63.0/63.4 | |
| Minimum ground clearance (in) | 8.2 | 8.9 | 8.4 | 8.9 | 8.9 | 8.8 | 9.3 |
| Turning diameter, curb-to-curb (ft) | 41.3 | 47.2 | 41.3 | 47.2 | 53.8 | 39.8 | 40.8 |
| Approach/departure angles (deg) | 17.3/22.1 | 18/23.2 | 17.3/22.1 | 17.4/23.2 | 20.9/23.9 | 25.3/23.0 (off-road) | 37.8/25 |
| Breakover angle (deg) | 19.8 | 19 | 19.8 | 19 | 20.1 | 19.6 (off-road) | 20 |
| GVWR (lb) | 6,200 | 7,200 | 6,200 | 7,200 | 8,990 | 6,800 | 5,500 |
| Payload (lb) | 1,354 | 1,485 | 1,407 | 1,447 | 1,945 | 1,051 | 1,250 |
| Maximum towing capacity (lb) | 7,600 | 9,100 | 7,600 | 9,100 | 11,784 | 10,160 | 6,400 |
| Seating | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Fuel capacity (gal) | 21 | 26 | 21 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 21.1 |
