Whether you’re looking at gas or diesel trucks for sale these days, you can’t help but notice that modern trucks are no longer just the utilitarian workhorses of the past. They’re bigger, more spacious, and bursting with tech features that serve both practical and comfort purposes. Near the top of every full-size truck lineup is a luxury trim like the GMC Sierra Denali, Ram 1500 Limited, or Ford F-150 King Ranch.
Shifting Design and Function
Today’s pickups barely resemble those of 20-30 years ago other than their basic design. Trucks from the 1990s featured boxy angles and prominent grilles with chrome accents. Inside, these trucks were very basic with only simple technology, vinyl seats, and durable materials. Top models like the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Dodge Ram boasted towing and hauling numbers to appeal to those who needed work vehicles.
Fast forward some 30 years and the modern pickup features a sleek design, a crew cab layout, and tons of modern tech and niceties inside. Back in the 1990s and even early 2000s, crew cab trucks were rare, now they’re the rule rather than the exception. Interiors of even midrange models often feature leather upholstery and advanced infotainment systems. The days of the basic work truck are all but gone.
Powerful and Efficient
The trucks of today aren’t just luxury family-haulers, they can also tow and haul more than ever before. Some trucks feature eco-conscious engines that deliver much better fuel economy than before. Most models like the Sierra, Silverado, Ram 1500, and F-150 offer a wide range of powertrains to choose from. For example, the GMC Sierra 1500 offers best-in-class 4WD diesel towing of up to 13,200 pounds. It also offers a 40-inch diagonal information display.
Move up to higher trims of the Sierra 1500 and you’ll find increasingly luxurious interiors. Meanwhile, it also delivers the best combined fuel economy for full-size trucks at up to 24 MPG. Rivals like the Ram 1500 and Ford F-150 also deliver reasonably good fuel economy at 23 MPG combined and 22 MPG combined respectively. These numbers depend on the engine and layout of the truck, but they would be unheard of back in the 1990s.
Tech Centers on Wheels
Back in the 1990s, you might expect an AM/FM radio, maybe a cassette player, and some basic climate controls for the average pickup. The most you’d get for safety features might be airbags and anti-lock brakes. Today’s pickups are fully equipped with advanced infotainment systems, smartphone integration, huge touchscreens, and tons of driver-assistance systems.
Of course, this transformation has a lot to do with the advancement of technology period. Most modern vehicles have these tech features, but one might argue that they’re especially useful on trucks. New trucks have parking sensors and surround-view cameras that make maneuvering even the largest ones easier than ever. Considering that today’s trucks are also larger than before, it could easily be argued that this tech is more necessary than ever.
Specialty Models
Pickups from the past were mostly a one-size-fits-all situation. Today’s pickup models offer a long list of trims, powertrains, and packages for more specific customization. You can get off-road models like the Ford Raptor and luxury cruisers like the Ford F-150 King Ranch. Today’s pickups are more often purchased as family haulers than work trucks.
Ultimately, diesel trucks for sale these days can do just about anything, which explains why they continue to be the top-selling segment in America.
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