There are many different surveys about new cars every year, but it's rare for that data to all be compiled in one place. Forbes recently broke the mold by publishing its picks for the best pickup trucks on the market by looking through results of three different respected sources: J.D. Power, Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
In the end, Forbes' picks had to have excellent reliability scores from J.D. Power, a "recommended" rating from Consumer Reports and a "good" or better safety score from the IIHS. When the dust settled, only three models fulfilled this criteria: the Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra and Honda Ridgeline.
The F-150 is no surprise, as it's the best-selling car in the country and has been for the past 30 years. The Tundra and Ridgeline, however, are typically seen as inferior to domestic pickups like the Ram or Silverado. Yet their consistent ratings seem to support the fact that these are truly excellent pickups.
If you plan on using your pickup truck for work, you'll need to ensure that it's in tip-top condition. Putting on new tires regularly and keeping up with auto maintenance can ensure that no surprises or car repairs arise at inopportune times.