Top 10 Trucks for Daily Use (Midsize, Full-Size, HD, Diesel)
Modern pickup trucks have made tremendous improvements in their on-road ride quality and are more suited for daily driving than their predecessors.
Various truck sizes are available, and some are more than livable for daily use.
Best Daily Driver Truck (SMALL)
#1 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Similar to the slightly larger Honda Ridgeline (later in the post), the small Hyundai Santa Cruz is a smooth-riding truck on pavements and the most comfortable pickup for everyday use.
It is perfect for those wanting a stylish truck with car-like ride quality, impressive handling, and an open bed for the occasional cargo.
The following qualities sum up why the Hyundai Santa Cruz is ideal for daily commuting:
- Rides smoothly over most surfaces.
- Athletic handling – ably holds its line through corners.
- Good visibility – thanks to slim pillars and the low dashboard.
- Above-average fuel economy for its class – mid-20s mpg combined.
- Feature-rich for the money.
- Long warranty.
Best Daily Driver Truck (MIDSIZE)
#2 Jeep Gladiator
If you have minimal or light-duty work for your truck, a midsize may suffice for everyday use.
And if you desire the best midsize truck for daily driving and off-roading, the Jeep Gladiator, with its rugged terrain capabilities, is the top pick.
It is essentially the pickup version of the iconic Jeep Wrangler, placing it as one of the better off-road 4×4 vehicles for daily use among trucks and SUVs.
Despite some flaws, the Gladiator is a reasonably good daily driver overall:
- Healthy tow rating despite the off-road prowess – up to 4,500 lbs, depending on the trim level.
- Superior off-road, but less comfortable on-road – this trait is somewhat typical of Jeeps. The subpar ride comfort is inevitable, given the solid-axle front suspension, but it’s nowhere near disagreeable. The seats are supportive, however.
- Good visibility – squat but wide windshield.
- Spacious rear seats – a clear advantage over rival crew-cab midsize pickups.
Plus, its convertible body style adds appeal to a midsize truck that can tackle the rockier territories better than rivals.
You can opt for the soft top or removable hardtop, and you could remove the doors and fold down the windshield for a truly outdoor experience.
#3 Honda Ridgeline
The Ridgeline is unique among pickup trucks with its car-based construction – although similar pickups have emerged, the Ridgeline remains a compelling pick.
Although it is no off-road champ, the Honda Ridgeline, with its unibody chassis, independent suspension front and rear, and all-wheel-drive, is the most comfortable truck for daily use if you’re after a midsize pickup.
It drives more like an SUV than a conventional rough-and-tumble workhorse, and the ride is comfortable and composed.
Plus, the cabin remains quiet once the vehicle gets moving, making it feel more upscale and refined than the typical pickup.
The unified construction provides the Ridgeline with a cornering ability that trumps other pickup trucks, so it is decidedly livable and quite enjoyable to drive.
The V6-equipped Ridgeline returns a commendable low-20s mpg overall, better than its Toyota and Chevrolet rivals with a similar engine.
#4 Nissan Frontier
The Nissan Frontier had never been one to recommend for the day-to-day grind in nearly every practical aspect.
However, the latest-generation Frontier is much-improved, offering a better prospect for daily use.
The Nissan Frontier’s appeal includes:
- Secure handling – confident around turns and stable on the highway.
- Relatively comfortable ride – a marked improvement over the previous generations.
- Strong powertrain – ample midrange power for everyday driving.
The Frontier’s ride comfort won’t rival class leaders like the Honda Ridgeline, but it is better than a Chevy or a Ford in the segment.
Best Daily Driver Truck (FULL-SIZE)
#5 Ram 1500
In a segment dominated by Ford in vehicle sales, the Ram 1500 is a close match and a solid choice among light-duty full-size pickups.
The Ram 1500 can satisfy the most demanding commercial duties while providing the best-in-class comfort and tranquillity, making it the best full-size truck for daily driving.
The suspension does an expert job soaking up surface imperfections, and the cabin stays remarkably quiet, with little road and wind noise.
Besides the eight-cylinder and diesel engines, the six-cylinder gas/electric mild hybrid powertrain is common across most trim levels, achieving a segment average of 21 or 22 mpg combined, depending on the cab style.
The turbodiesel engine is the most fuel-efficient (later in this post).
Head-, shoulder-, and legroom for the rear passengers are abundantly spacious in the crew-cab Ram 1500, a class leader in these aspects.
Another crucial daily-driving aspect is the vehicle’s crash safety, and the fifth-generation Ram 1500 (2019 debut) is a champ, winning consecutive awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
| IIHS Award | |
| 2022 Ram 1500 Crew Cab | Top Safety Pick |
| 2021 Ram 1500 Crew Cab | Top Safety Pick |
| 2020 Ram 1500 Crew Cab | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2019 Ram 1500 Crew Cab | Top Safety Pick + |
| 2018 Ram 1500 Crew Cab | – |
| 2017 Ram 1500 Crew Cab | – |
| 2016 Ram 1500 Crew Cab | – |
| 2015 Ram 1500 Crew Cab | – |
| 2014 Ram 1500 Crew Cab | – |
| 2013 Ram 1500 Crew Cab | – |
#6 Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 is a superior all-rounder pickup, and its inclusion on this list should come as little surprise.
It has long been America’s top-selling truck and the best daily driver tow vehicle in the light-duty full-size class, with a massive towing capacity that surpasses segment rivals.
Besides, this Ford truck has a comfortable cabin, and its overall on-road ride quality is only marginally less than the plush Ram 1500.
The F-150 boosts:
- Superior tow and haul capacities in the class – 14,000 lbs and 3,300 lbs, respectively, when properly equipped.
- Strong fuel economy for a V8 – the 20 mpg overall betters the Chevy and Ram with a similar-size engine. Opt for the hybrid version for lower fuel consumption.
- Feature-rich, with a broad selection of engines to suit any taste and need.
- Top-notch safety ratings – see the two tables below.
| IIHS Award | |
| 2022 Ford F-150 SuperCrew | Top Safety Pick |
| 2021 Ford F-150 SuperCrew | Top Safety Pick |
| 2020 Ford F-150 SuperCrew | – |
| 2019 Ford F-150 SuperCrew | – |
| 2018 Ford F-150 SuperCrew | Top Safety Pick |
| 2017 Ford F-150 SuperCrew | Top Safety Pick |
| 2016 Ford F-150 SuperCrew | Top Safety Pick |
| 2015 Ford F-150 SuperCrew | Top Safety Pick |
| 2014 Ford F-150 SuperCrew | – |
| 2013 Ford F-150 SuperCrew | Top Safety Pick |
| 2012 Ford F-150 SuperCrew | Top Safety Pick |
| 2011 Ford F-150 SuperCrew | Top Safety Pick |
| 2010 Ford F-150 SuperCrew | – |
| 2009 Ford F-150 SuperCrew | Top Safety Pick |
| 2008 Ford F-150 SuperCrew | – |
Although the SuperCab has two rows of seats, the back row has less knee room than a SuperCrew, so it’s a kinder place for pre-teen kids.
| IIHS Award | |
| 2022 Ford F-150 SuperCab | Top Safety Pick |
| 2021 Ford F-150 SuperCab | Top Safety Pick |
| 2020 Ford F-150 SuperCab | – |
| 2019 Ford F-150 SuperCab | – |
| 2018 Ford F-150 SuperCab | Top Safety Pick |
| 2017 Ford F-150 SuperCab | Top Safety Pick |
| 2016 Ford F-150 SuperCab | Top Safety Pick |
| 2015 Ford F-150 SuperCab | – |
#7 Toyota Tundra
If you appreciate Toyota’s renowned durability and lower running costs, the full-size Tundra pickup offers you that option plus marked ride comfort improvement in the latest, new-for-2022 generation.
The newest Toyota Tundra matches the offerings from the leading three truck makers – Ford, Ram, and GMC – with a powerful engine, secure handling, and storage innovations in the second row; it’s a solid, well-rounded work truck for everyday use.
Tundra’s silky-smooth new powertrain is a standout, together with Toyota’s impeccable reliability record, although its V8’s fuel economy is mediocre, especially when equipped with four-wheel drive.
Although Toyota is a trusted brand in the automotive industry, pre-2022 Tundras were considerably less comfortable, thirstier, and harder to maneuver around town. Its large steering wheel and poor handling make the vehicle feel bulkier than the competition.
Best Daily Driver Truck (HEAVY-DUTY)
#8 GMC Sierra 2500HD
When you need a more powerful workhorse for heavier loads, upgrading to a heavy-duty truck is ideal.
HD trucks boast a 1,500 to 6,000 lbs increase in towing capacity and up to 2,000 lbs in maximum payload over a light-duty truck of similar size.
Plus, HD trucks ride on a 4-5-inch longer wheelbase and are marginally wider and taller, a combination that translates into a bigger interior.
While Ford and Ram produce equivalent models, GMC’s Sierra 2500HD is a capable heavy-duty truck for everyday driving, possessing one of the quickest accelerations in the intermediate segment – 3500 tops the truck line – plus an appreciably roomy second row.
GM claims the latest 2500HD can tow a massive 35,000 lbs when properly equipped.
As with most heavy-duty trucks with work as its primary focus, the 2500HD’s ride comfort is agreeable, while its fuel economy rarely reaches 20 mpg with the smoothest driving style under heavy loads.
#9 Ram 2500
Like the Ram line of trucks, the 2500 is massively comfortable and the superior choice if ride quality is the top priority.
The Ram 2500 beats the Sierra 2500HD and F-250 Super Duty as the most livable daily truck in the heavy-duty segment, thanks to its enhanced ride comfort and relatively luxurious cabin.
Opt for the rear air suspension as it complements the 2500’s coil spring suspension to provide a more SUV-like ride and decidedly more comfortable cruising experience for the family.
Other Ram 2500 qualities include:
- Impressive power from the optional diesel engine.
- Appealing interior with high-quality materials.
- Useful in-cabin tech features.
Suppose you need your truck for the occasional adventure off the beaten path; the Ram 2500 Power Wagon is the best heavy-duty truck for daily use, offering terrific off-road ability with various modifications.
Best Daily Driver Truck (DIESEL)
#10 Ram 1500 Cummins
Ram, Ford, and GM offer diesel options in their light-duty and heavy-duty trucks, so you have plenty to choose from for added strength, depending on your work needs.
Still, suppose you’re after the most comfortable among them; in this case, the Ram 1500 Cummins is the best diesel truck for daily driving, with impressive torque for outstanding towing ability (20,000 lbs when properly equipped).
As impressively, the diesel engine returns an estimated 26 mpg overall, a remarkable frugality considering most full-size trucks do not exceed 22 mpg combined.
Opting for the Ram 1500 diesel version gets you the same segment-leading ride comfort of the standard model.
The Best Truck for Your Daily Use
The leading truck manufacturers – Ford, Ram, and GM – offer three full-size entries in their pickup lineup: light-duty, heavy-duty, and super heavy-duty.
However, your specific work needs will determine the truck segment that suits you best.
Still, the Ford F-150 is a superb all-rounder that is hard to beat, offering massive performance and towing ability. Meanwhile, the Ram 1500 provides the most comfortable ride and a refined cabin to keep the family happy.
Honorable mention goes to the Hyundai Santa Cruz, the top pick in the compact truck category, ideal for those who need a comfortable family hauler with a small cargo bed.
References:
https://www.carsforsale.com/used-cars-for-sale