Power may not be the only thing when it comes to pickups, but it affects everything. There is a direct correlation between the amount of horsepower and torque available under the right foot and the amount of fun a truck is to drive. Well, this is the case in our world at least. Engine output in one way or another affects drivability, fuel economy, towing and hauling capacity, how well the truck performs off-road, and so much more. While power is just one small consideration when buying a new truck, it’s one of the first thing most truck buyers will ask about. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the most powerful new trucks available for the 2021 model year and have broken them down by class, separated horsepower and torque, and divided up gas and diesel models where applicable.
Photo 2/14
| 002 Most Powerful Trucks For 2021 Nissan Frontier
Midsize Trucks With The Most Horsepower
For 2021 the midsize truck class includes the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, Jeep Gladiator, Nissan Frontier, and Toyota Tacoma. Midsize trucks come with either 4- or 6-cylinder engines that range between 159 and 310 hp.
3. 2021 Jeep Gladiator – 3.6L V-6 – 285 hp
2. 2021 Chevrolet Colorado – 3.6L V-6 – 308 hp
2. 2021 GMC Canyon – 3.6L V-6 – 308 hp
1. 2021 Nissan Frontier – 3.8L V-6 – 310 hp
Photo 3/14
| 003 Most Powerful Trucks For 2021 Jeep Gladiator Ecodiesel
Midsize Trucks With The Most Torque
There are three trucks in the midsize class; Colorado, Canyon, and Gladiator, that come with diesel engines. These provide the most torque in the class, while Ford’s 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 tops gasoline engines.
3. 2021 Honda Ridgeline – 3.5L V-6 – 280 lb-ft
2. 2021 Nissan Frontier – 3.8L V-6 – 281 lb-ft
1. 2021 Ford Ranger – 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 – 310 lb-ft
* 2021 Chevrolet Colorado & GMC Canyon – 2.8L Duramax Diesel I-4 – 369 lb-ft
* 2021 Jeep Gladiator – 3.0L EcoDiesel V-6 – 442 lb-ft
Photo 4/14
| 004 Most Powerful Trucks For 2021 Ram 1500 Trx
Half-Ton Trucks With The Most Horsepower
Half-ton trucks come fitted with the most diverse choice of engine options, ranging from a 2.7L I-4 up to a bonkers supercharged 6.2L V-8 and even include three diesel options. The bulk of this class’s engine options make around the 400 hp mark.
Gas
3. 2021 Chevrolet Silverado – 6.2L V-8 – 420 hp
3. 2021 GMC Sierra – 6.2L V-8 – 420 hp
2. 2021 Ford F-150 – 3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid V-6 – 430 hp
1. 2021 Ram 1500 TRX – 6.2L Supercharged V-8 – 702 hp
Diesel
3. 2021 Ford F-150 – 3.0L PowerStroke V-6 – 250 hp
2. 2021 Ram 1500 – 3.0L EcoDiesel V-6 – 260 hp
1. 2021 Chevrolet Silverado – 3.0L Duramax I-6 – 277 hp
1. 2021 GMC Sierra – 3.0L Duramax I-6 – 277 hp
Photo 5/14
| 005 Most Powerful Trucks For 2021 Ford F150 Powerboost Hybrid
Half-Ton Trucks With The Most Torque
In an interesting twist, it’s gas trucks that rule the torque roost in the half-ton world.
While the diesel engines top out at 480 lb-ft for 2021, Ford’s 3.5L EcoBoost and PowerBoost engines make 500 and 570 lb-ft, respectively. The TRX lays down a wild 650 lb-ft of torque as well.
Gas
3. 2021 Ford F-150 – 3.5L EcoBoost V-6 – 500 lb-ft
2. 2021 Ford F-150 – 3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid V-6 – 570 lb-ft
1. 2021 Ram 1500 TRX – 6.2L Supercharged V-8 – 650 lb-ft
Diesel
3. 2021 Ford F-150 – 3.0L PowerStroke V-6 – 440 lb-ft
2. 2021 Chevrolet Silverado – 3.0L Duramax I-6 – 460 lb-ft
2. 2021 GMC Sierra – 3.0L Duramax I-6 – 460 lb-ft
1. 2021 Ram 1500 – 3.0L EcoDiesel V-6 – 480 lb-ft
Photo 6/14
| 006 Most Powerful Trucks For 2021 Jeep Gladiator Ford F250 Super Duty
Heavy-Duty Trucks With The Most Horsepower
Until recently, heavy-duty and horsepower were two words not often uttered together. Thankfully, the most recent class of gas and diesel engines all produce more than 400 hp.
Diesel
3. 2021 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty – 6.7L Cummins I-6 High-Output – 430 hp
2. 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500HD – 6.6L Duramax V-8 – 445 hp
2. 2021 GMC Sierra 2500/3500HD – 6.6L Duramax V-8 – 445 hp
1. 2021 Ford F-250/350/450 – 6.7L Power Stroke V-8 – 475 hp
Gas
3. 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500HD – 6.6L V-8 – 401 hp
3. 2021 GMC Sierra 2500/3500HD – 6.6L V-8 – 401 hp
2. 2021 Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty – 6.4L V-8 – 410 hp
1. 2021 Ford F-250/F350 Super Duty – 7.3L V-8 – 430 hp
Photo 7/14
| 007 Most Powerful Trucks For 2021 Ram 3500 High Output
Heavy-Duty Trucks With The Most Torque
Torque is the name of the game with heavy-duty trucks. All of the big players have models that tow more than 30,000 pounds and all have diesel engines that churn out more than 900 lb-ft of torque.
Diesel
3. 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500HD – 6.6L Duramax V-8 – 910 lb-ft
3. 2021 GMC Sierra 2500/3500HD – 6.6L Duramax V-8 – 910 lb-ft
2. 2021 Ford F-250/350/450 Super Duty – 6.7L Power Stroke V-8 – 1,050 lb-ft
1. 2021 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty – 6.7L Cummins I-6 High-Output – 1,075 lb-ft
Gas
3. 2021 Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty – 6.4L V-8 – 429 lb-ft
2. 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500HD – 6.6L V-8 – 464 lb-ft
2. 2021 GMC Sierra 2500/3500HD – 6.6L V-8 – 464 lb-ft
1. 2021 Ford F-250/F-350 Super Duty – 7.3L V-8 – 475 lb-ft
