Half Ton Truck Comparison

The Ford F-150 is also all-new this year and sports a new interior and exterior look. Ford has, by far, the most configurations available between the three different cabs, three engines, five wheelbases, three beds, and seven unique trim levels. Front and rear suspension setups are similar to previous-gen F-150s, but have been modified. Of note, the rear leaf springs are longer and wider, the steering geometry has been retuned, and there are 11 new wheel combinations. In addition, SuperCrew models have a flatter rear floor, more sound-deadening material, and longer front doors. Ford doesn't offer a V-6, but does have three V-8s: a 248-horsepower, 4.6-liter; a 292-horsepower, 4.6-liter; and a 310-horsepower, 5.4-liter.

Our GMC Sierra came with the topline All Terrain package, which gives it the big 6.2-liter all-aluminum V-8, the six-speed transmission, and a host of upgraded interior mats and materials. Although sharing the same structure and powertrain as the Chevy, GMC offers its own sheetmetal, looking to capture the more upscale buyer. The hood and grille look more muscular, with wheelwell arches and side panels also offering a more bulky and curved style. Although a first for the Chevy brand, the 6.2-liter V-8 was offered in the GMC Sierra Denali last year with the six-speed transmission (as well as in the Cadillac), but only with a permanent AWD system. Now the 6.2-liter GMC is available with the five-position transfer case.

There are no changes for the Nissan Titan for the 2009 model year, but we did get a PRO-4X for the competition, which is Nissan's new-for-last-year off-road package. Ours came in short-wheelbase configuration with custom-tuned Rancho shocks, a rear locking differential, a unique interior seat and stitching package, white-face gauges, bigger wheels and tires, bodycolor trim pieces, and extra skidplating underneath. The Titan's Endurance V-8, although listed as having just 318 horses, has been known as a strong puller and hauler from its introduction. As to its exterior styling, mixed reviews best describe the unique and polarizing look.

A brand-new entry last year, the much anticipated Toyota Tundra won Motor Trend's 2008 Truck of the Year title with relative ease and, as noted earlier, the model here is not a 2009. The Tundra has a fully boxed frame with a high-tech, all-aluminum, 32-valve, variable valve-timed 5.7-liter V-8 that makes over 400 pound-feet of torque. Across the lineup, it offers three engine choices (one V-6 and two V-8s), three wheelbases, three cab configurations, three bed lengths, and three trim levels. Our Tundra came loaded in SR5 trim with the CrewMax cab and equipped with one of the best nav systems around. The truck is the largest of our set and, by the numbers, slots in between a half-ton and 3/4-ton truck.