Inside the LA Auto Show
Story By: Kyle Callen
Photos By: Provided by the manufacturers
It is undeniable that the pickup truck has come a very long way since its inception by Chevrolet in 1931. Back then, they made just enough power to get a small load down the dirt roads and literally bounced around like a horse carriage. They lacked power windows, heated seats or bluetooth connectivity that we have all grown accustomed to. I often wish I could go back to those days, back to a simpler time. Then again, hooking up a 32ft bumper pull toy box loaded with toys to head for the dirt would be quite difficult with a 1931 Chevrolet. Quickly we realize how nice all the latest and greatest features really are.
We were recently invited to the 2018 LA Auto Show to see all the latest and greatest, and oh boy, I will say it again, trucks have come a very, very long way. The new breed of well equipped trucks will rival any high end passenger car in terms of comfort, features, and ride quality. Add 4 wheel drive and a bed to put the dogs in, and we start to understand why the top 3 selling vehicles in the United states are trucks, according to Business Insider.
Being a firm believer in safety on the road, we always lean towards choosing a more capable truck than may be needed to get the job done. If you have ever overloaded a truck and tried to stop quickly, or tried to keep your speed down while descending a very long grade, you will understand this concept. Finding the limits of the braking system isn’t something you want to do. Horsepower and Torque and plentiful in today’s half tons, but the brake packages are still lacking for the bigger loads. Chevrolet is coming into 2020 swinging with a bold new look, while maintaining the quality chassis and the slam-you-back-in-the-seat 910 ft lbs of torque Duramax Turbo-Diesel V-8 they are known for.
“We know the needs and priorities of heavy-duty customers are different than those of either light-duty or medium-duty customers,” said Jaclyn McQuaid, chief engineer, Silverado HD. “As such, we built a heavy-duty truck tailor-made for them that has more differentiation than ever before from light-duty models, offers advanced towing technologies to improve towing confidence and includes new features such as the integrated Bedstep, which makes it easier to access the bed while pulling a fifth-wheel trailer.” as said in a recent Chevrolet press release. With the very modern new look, along with the power and amenities, we feel they have a winning combination on their hands.
When you need a truck that pulls double duty as a commuter vehicle as well as something that will tow a medium sized trailer, the large 1 ton and ¾ ton trucks might be a bit much. The ride quality and fuel mileage offered by the new half tons are exceptional, while still comfortably seating 4 adults. Ram is making a strong showing in the this class with their 1500 saying,
“The all-new 2019 Ram 1500 is a no-compromise truck, leading in luxury, efficiency, capability and innovation. Defining future pickup trucks, the 2019 Ram 1500 commands with innovative design, the highest quality materials and class-exclusive technology.”
The Ram 1500 is available with the 3.6L Penstar V-6 engine or their iconic 5.7l Hemi, and for EcoDiesel fans, don’t fret, it will be available summer of 2019.
Ford Motor Company has realized that not everyone needs a “big” truck with big towing capabilities, and 2019 finally brings the return of the Ford Ranger, completely redesigned to meet the modern needs of the light duty truck owner. With a 7500 lb towing capacity, this mighty mover will get you, your friends, and your toys to the destination while passing every fuel station along the way.
“The adventure-ready 2019 Ford Ranger is the most fuel-efficient gas-powered midsize pickup in America – providing a superior EPA-estimated city fuel economy rating and an unsurpassed EPA-estimated combined fuel economy rating versus the competition. The all-new Ranger has earned EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined for 4×2 trucks.When configured as a 4×4, Ranger returns EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 20 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. This is the best-in-class EPA-estimated city fuel economy rating of any gasoline-powered four-wheel-drive midsize pickup and it is an unsurpassed EPA-estimated combined fuel economy rating.”
Not only will the 2019 Ford Ranger make a excellent daily driver, but it also makes a great platform for those that love to explore the outdoors. This will be one capable little truck.
Showing massive growth, the SUV market is hard to ignore. They are essentially built like their 6ft bed counterparts, but offer enclosed and secure storage straight from the factory. The Toyota 4Runner is not only a great looking vehicle but very capable on and off-road. It is right at home pulling through the valet at a 5 star restaurant as it is in the wooded mountain trails. Combine the reliability that Toyota is known for with the Fox Shocks equipped TRD Pro package and you can truly go anywhere in comfort.
“The 4Runner TRD Pro returns in 2019 with some significant changes, the most crucial being an all-new suspension package that includes 2.5-inch Fox Internal Bypass Shocks for impressive off-road performance that doesn’t sacrifice on-road handling. 4Runner TRD Pro also gains a TRD Roof Rack, standard JBL Premium Audio and moonroof, and an updated front skid plate with red TRD lettering.
Regardless of the grade or package, the 4Runner is as versatile as ever. It is a family-hauling, boat-towing, hill-climbing sport-utility SUV that can adapt to just about any situation. Oh yeah, and it offers room for up to seven passengers. Whether blazing trails or navigating the concrete jungle, 4Runner is up to the task.” Says the Toyota PR Team and we think they hit the nail on the head.
In years past, an ample amount of research was needed to make sure you were getting the best vehicle for your needs as well as looking for a vehicle that had the least amount of problems. It seems that all of the manufactures have really stepped up their game to make sure they are bringing quality and innovative technology to the market. It is still wise to do your homework and select a vehicle that is right for you.
