Top 10 Full-Size Pickup Trucks 2019 — Best Overall + Best Value

Direct Answer

The best full-size pickup of 2019 was the all-new Ram 1500, our Best Overall pick at a 2019 MSRP of $33,340 (Tradesman) — a clean-sheet redesign that swept that year's major awards, including Motor Trend Truck of the Year and North American Truck of the Year. For shoppers who wanted maximum capability for the fewest period dollars, the Best Value of 2019 was the Ram 1500 Classic with the 5.7 Hemi, a holdover of the prior generation that started near a 2019 MSRP of $28,200 yet still towed over 11,000 pounds.

Looking back, 2019 was a watershed model year: Ram launched its acclaimed fifth-generation truck while General Motors fully redesigned the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and Ford's mature F-150 continued to set the bar for towing and payload. This retrospective ranks the ten standout trucks and trims of that year and revisits how they hold up as used buys now.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each truck the way a real 2019 buyer would have, then revisited the picks with the benefit of hindsight on reliability and resale.

• Towing and payload — 25%: Real published max tow and payload figures, by configuration.
• Reliability and durability — 20%: Period reputation plus how each truck has aged in the used market.
• Value in period — 15%: What you actually got for the 2019 sticker.
• Powertrain and efficiency — 15%: Engine output, transmission, and EPA-rated MPG.
• Ride and interior — 15%: Cabin quality, technology, and on-road comfort.
• Used value now — 10%: How well each holds money as a used purchase today.

Sources named throughout include period road tests from Edmunds, Car and Driver, Kelley Blue Book, U.S. News, MotorWeek, TFLtruck, and manufacturer spec sheets, cross-checked against Wikipedia and Cars.com.

1. Ram 1500 (Fifth Generation) 🏆 BEST OVERALL

2019 MSRP: $33,340 | Best for: The buyer who wanted the most well-rounded half-ton of the year

The all-new Ram 1500 earned Best Overall by leading in nearly every category that mattered. Its 5.7-liter Hemi V8 made 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, and the available eTorque mild-hybrid system smoothed out stop-start and added low-end shove while nudging fuel economy toward an EPA-rated 17/22 mpg in many 4WD builds.

Properly equipped, it towed up to 12,750 pounds and carried up to 2,300 pounds of payload, available in RWD or 4WD. Reviewers praised the segment-best ride from its rear coil suspension and the 12-inch Uconnect touchscreen, and the truck holds strong used value today. Period jurors called it the year's most balanced pickup.

Pros:

• Won both Motor Trend and North American Truck of the Year for 2019
• Smoothest ride and quietest cabin in the class
• Class-leading 12-inch touchscreen and material quality
• Strong 12,750-pound max tow with eTorque refinement

Cons:

• Top trims climbed past $54,000 quickly.
• ETorque was a then-new system with a thin track record.

Verdict: The most complete full-size truck of 2019 and a benchmark the rest chased.

2. Ford F-150 (3.5 EcoBoost) 🏆

2019 MSRP: $28,155 | Best for: The towing-and-payload maximizer

The F-150 remained the capability king of 2019. With the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 (in standard tune around 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque) and a 10-speed automatic, a properly configured F-150 led the segment with up to 13,200 pounds of towing and an enormous 3,230 pounds of max payload.

Its aluminum body kept weight down, EPA ratings reached 18/25 mpg with the EcoBoost, and RWD or 4WD were both on the menu. Reliability was proven and parts are everywhere, which keeps used values firm. The interior trailed the new Ram, but no truck moved more weight that year.

Pros:

• Best-in-class 13,200-pound max towing
• Massive 3,230-pound max payload
• Wide engine range from 3.3 V6 to twin-turbo EcoBoost
• Excellent used availability and parts support

Cons:

• Cabin felt a step behind the redesigned Ram.

Verdict: The capability champ — buy it if numbers on a hitch and a scale matter most.

3. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (Redesigned) 🏆

2019 MSRP: $29,795 | Best for: The buyer who wanted V8 grunt and big payload value

Fully redesigned for 2019, the Silverado leaned into capability. The familiar 5.3-liter V8 made 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet, while the optional 6.2-liter V8 delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet with a 10-speed automatic. Max towing reached 12,200 pounds and payload topped out near a class-leading 2,543 pounds, in RWD or 4WD.

EPA ratings ran about 16/20 mpg with the 6.2. Reviewers dinged the plasticky interior versus the Ram, but the Chevy's bones are durable and used pricing is sensible today.

Pros:

• Up to 2,543-pound payload, among the best of 2019
• Strong 420-horsepower 6.2 V8 option
• Deeper, more usable bed than the prior generation
• Reasonable used values now

Cons:

• Interior plastics lagged the segment.
• Ride was firmer than the Ram's.

Verdict: A capable, value-minded V8 hauler held back only by its cabin.

4. GMC Sierra 1500 Denali (CarbonPro)

2019 MSRP: $56,520 | Best for: The luxury-leaning buyer who wanted a tech showcase

The Sierra shared the Silverado's redesign but aimed upmarket, and the Denali trim was its statement. The 6.2-liter V8 produced 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet through a 10-speed automatic, good for 12,100 pounds of towing, with a 0-60 around 5.7 seconds.

Denali introduced the segment-first MultiPro tailgate and the optional CarbonPro carbon-fiber bed that shaved about 62 pounds. Reviewers loved the gadgets but felt the cabin did not fully justify a sticker that could crest $70,000. Used Denalis have softened, which makes them a relative bargain now.

Pros:

• Class-exclusive MultiPro six-way tailgate
• Available CarbonPro carbon-fiber bed
• Quick 420-horsepower 6.2 V8
• Heavy depreciation makes used examples a value

Cons:

• Interior fell short of its luxury price.
• Loaded pricing topped $70,000.

Verdict: A clever, tech-forward truck whose value is far better used than it was new.

5. Ram 1500 Classic 💎 BEST VALUE

2019 MSRP: $28,200 | Best for: The work buyer who wanted Hemi capability for the least money

Ram sold the prior-generation truck alongside the new one as the 1500 Classic, and it was the smartest value play of 2019. The base 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 made 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet, while the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 brought 395 horsepower, 410 pound-feet, and up to 11,610 pounds of towing — all from a truck starting thousands below the redesigned models.

Available RWD or 4WD, it traded the new truck's tech and coil-spring ride for proven hardware and low entry cost. Used Classics remain some of the cheapest ways into a Hemi today.

Pros:

• Hemi capability at a sub-$30,000 starting price
• Up to 11,610-pound towing for the money
• Proven, widely serviced fourth-generation hardware
• Cheapest path into a V8 half-ton, then and now

Cons:

• Older interior and tech than the new 1500.
• Ride less refined than the redesign.

Verdict: The 2019 value champion — maximum capability per dollar, new or used.

6. Ford F-150 Lariat (3.5 EcoBoost 4WD)

2019 MSRP: $41,700 | Best for: The buyer balancing capability with everyday comfort

Stepping up to the Lariat trim turned the F-150 into a well-equipped daily hauler without going full luxury. Paired with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost and the 10-speed automatic, a 4WD Lariat still towed in the 11,000-to-13,000-pound range depending on configuration and carried over 2,000 pounds of payload.

EPA ratings near 17/23 mpg were respectable for the output. Leather, larger screens, and driver aids made it livable, and the F-150's resale strength keeps used Lariats in demand. It is the sweet spot of the F-150 lineup.

Pros:

• Strong towing with EcoBoost flexibility
• Comfortable, well-equipped Lariat cabin
• Excellent resale and parts availability
• Available 4WD for all-weather duty

Cons:

• Options pushed the price toward luxury-truck territory.

Verdict: The everyday F-150 to own — capability and comfort in the right balance.

7. Toyota Tundra (5.7 i-Force V8)

2019 MSRP: $31,520 | Best for: The buyer who prized long-term reliability over modern specs

By 2019 the Tundra was aging, but its reputation for durability carried it. The 5.7-liter i-Force V8 made 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet through a six-speed automatic — old-school next to ten-speed rivals — towing up to 10,200 pounds with payload up to 1,730 pounds, in RWD or 4WD.

EPA ratings were thirsty at roughly 13/17 mpg. What you gained was legendary mechanical longevity, which is exactly why used Tundras command stubbornly high prices today. It was not the most capable or efficient, but it may run the longest.

Pros:

• Legendary Toyota reliability and longevity
• Strong, smooth 5.7 V8
• Exceptionally high used resale value
• Simple, durable six-speed drivetrain

Cons:

• Poor fuel economy and dated transmission.
• Lowest tow and payload of the V8 contenders.

Verdict: The reliability pick — slow to modernize, but it holds value like nothing else.

8. Nissan Titan (5.6 Endurance V8)

2019 MSRP: $36,190 | Best for: The value buyer who wanted standard V8 power

The Titan made its case with one engine done well. The standard 5.6-liter Endurance V8 produced 390 horsepower and 394 pound-feet through a seven-speed automatic, with no four- or six-cylinder to water it down. Half-ton Crew Cab towing landed around 9,400 to 9,660 pounds, in RWD or 4WD, with a smooth, effortless highway cruise.

Fuel economy was unremarkable and the truck sold in small numbers, which now means generous incentives translated into steep depreciation — great news for used shoppers. It was the underdog value of the segment.

Pros:

• Standard 390-horsepower V8 across the lineup
• Smooth, refined on-road manners
• Strong factory warranty when new
• Heavy depreciation makes used examples cheap

Cons:

• Lower towing than domestic V8 rivals.
• Thin dealer and used-market presence.

Verdict: An overlooked V8 bargain — better appreciated used than it ever was new.

9. GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation (5.3 V8)

2019 MSRP: $38,500 | Best for: The buyer wanting a blacked-out look without Denali money

For shoppers who liked the redesigned Sierra but balked at Denali pricing, the Elevation trim offered monochromatic styling and the 5.3-liter V8 (355 horsepower, 383 pound-feet) with the eight-speed automatic. Towing reached roughly 11,200 pounds with sensible payload, available RWD or 4WD, at EPA ratings near 16/22 mpg.

It skipped Denali's CarbonPro and leather but kept the MultiPro tailgate availability and modern bones. Used Elevations split the difference between work-truck pricing and loaded-luxury depreciation.

Pros:

• Sharp blacked-out exterior styling
• Capable 5.3 V8 with solid towing
• MultiPro tailgate availability
• More affordable than Denali, new or used

Cons:

• Same interior-plastics gripe as the Silverado.

Verdict: The style-conscious GM half-ton value — most of the truck for far less than Denali.

10. Ford F-150 Raptor (3.5 EcoBoost High-Output)

2019 MSRP: $52,855 | Best for: The off-road enthusiast who wanted a factory desert runner

The Raptor was the wild card of 2019 — less a work truck than a high-speed off-road weapon. Its high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost made 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet, paired to the 10-speed automatic, with Fox Live Valve shocks and massive suspension travel. It hit 60 mph in about six seconds flat, but the desert focus capped towing near 8,000 pounds and fuel economy at roughly 15/18 mpg.

Loaded examples crossed $73,000 new. As a used buy it is a specialist toy that holds value better than ordinary trims thanks to enthusiast demand.

Pros:

• 450-horsepower high-output EcoBoost
• Genuine factory desert-running suspension
• Strong enthusiast resale demand
• Surprisingly civil on the highway

Cons:

• Limited towing for the price.
• Thirsty and expensive to run.

Verdict: A purpose-built off-road specialist — thrilling, but not the all-rounder of this group.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One Was Right for You?

What to Look For in a 2019 Full-Size Truck (Then and as a Used Buy Now)

Whether you shopped new in 2019 or are hunting one used today, the priorities are similar with a few age-related additions.

• Verify the real tow and payload of the exact configuration — cab, bed, axle ratio, and 2WD versus 4WD swing the numbers by thousands of pounds.
• On redesigned GM trucks, check the 8-speed automatic for the shudder some early examples showed.
• On Ram eTorque trucks, confirm the 48-volt system and battery are healthy, since it was a first-year technology.
• Inspect the bed and frame for work wear — these were sold as tools and many led hard lives.
• Confirm service history on the Hemi and EcoBoost for plugs, oil changes, and any turbo or cam concerns.
• Compare used pricing across brands — Titans and Sierras depreciated hard, while Tundras and Raptors hold money.

One honest note: peak horsepower matters less than nostalgia implies. For real-world towing and daily driving, transmission behavior, ride quality, axle ratio, and proven reliability shaped ownership far more than the biggest dyno number on the brochure.

FAQ

What was the best full-size pickup of 2019 overall? The all-new fifth-generation Ram 1500, which won both Motor Trend Truck of the Year and North American Truck of the Year for its blend of ride quality, capability, and interior tech.

Which 2019 full-size truck towed the most? The Ford F-150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost led the segment at up to 13,200 pounds, with the Ram 1500 close behind at 12,750 pounds.

What was the best value full-size truck in 2019? The Ram 1500 Classic with the 5.7 Hemi — it started near $28,200 yet still towed over 11,000 pounds, making it the cheapest path into a capable V8 half-ton.

Which 2019 pickup is the most reliable used buy? The Toyota Tundra earns the durability nod and holds resale value accordingly, though its old drivetrain and thirsty 5.7 V8 are the trade-offs.

Was the redesigned 2019 Silverado better than the old one? Yes on capability — payload rose to about 2,543 pounds and the bed grew — but reviewers still preferred the Ram's cabin and ride.

Which 2019 truck depreciated the most, making it a used bargain? The Nissan Titan and loaded GMC Sierra Denali saw the steepest depreciation, which makes clean used examples genuine values today.

Bottom Line

Looking back, 2019 was one of the most consequential model years in full-size pickup history. Ram's clean-sheet 1500 redefined what a half-ton cabin and ride could be and earned Best Overall, while GM's redesigned Silverado and Sierra pushed payload and tech forward, and Ford's F-150 stayed the towing-and-payload champion.

The smartest money, then and now, went to the Ram 1500 Classic Hemi — our Best Value — which delivered serious capability for the fewest dollars. As used buys today, the Ram and F-150 remain the all-rounders, the Tundra is the reliability play, and the Titan, Sierra Denali, and Raptor reward buyers who know exactly what they want.

Sources

• Motor Trend — 2019 Ram 1500 Truck of the Year
• North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year — 2019 Truck of the Year (Ram 1500)
• Edmunds — 2019 Ram 1500 and 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reviews
• Car and Driver — 2019 Ford F-150 and F-150 Raptor specifications
• Kelley Blue Book — 2019 Ram 1500, Sierra Denali, Tundra, and Titan pricing and reviews
• U.S. News & World Report — 2019 Ram 1500, Silverado 1500, and Nissan Titan performance and towing
• MotorWeek — 2019 GMC Sierra Denali road test
• TFLtruck — 2019 half-ton towing and capability comparisons
• Cars.com — 2019 Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 trims, specs, and pricing
• Wikipedia — Ram 1500 (DT and DS Classic), Ford F-150 (thirteenth generation), and 2019 GM full-size truck overviews

*Full-size truck review — 2019 full-size truck reviews, rating, best full-size pickup 2019, and a retrospective review of the top used truck picks for buyers.*