Best V6 Trucks of 2024

An appealing middle ground between the new batch of turbocharged four-cylinder power plants and old-school V8s, the V6 engine is a solid option for pickup trucks spanning the mid-size and full-size segments. Many of our favorite pickups in 2024 have V6 engines, and some are turbocharged to deliver V8-like power and performance. Chevrolet and GMC are the only major truck brands that are conspicuously absent from this list, as they use four-cylinder or V8 engines for their pickups. Both have a six-cylinder turbodiesel in their stables, but that’s an inline-six, not a V6. If a V6 truck is on your list, these are the best of the breed, based on our BuzzScore methodology.

2024 Ram 1500

Despite great strides being made by the competition in recent years, the Ram 1500 is still one of the best pickups you can buy in America. Its high-end interior and smooth ride equate to a driving experience that can challenge many SUVs. Although the 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6 with a 48V mild-hybrid system isn’t the most powerful engine choice for the Ram, its 305 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque will be adequate for daily commuting and some lighter workloads. A refined eight-speed automatic transmission meshes well with the V6.

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Expert Opinion

This Ram is so comfortable, we need to throw away the term “rides like a truck.”

2024 Ford F-150 Raptor

2024 Ford F-150 Raptor

Base MSRP

$78,440

Fuel Economy

15/18 MPG

Horsepower

450 hp

Engine

3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 Gas

Whereas the far more expensive Raptor R has a V8, the regular F-150 Raptor uses a high-output 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 making 450 hp and 510 lb-ft. That makes it more powerful than most pickups, and it can reach 60 mph in approximately 5.5 seconds. A sophisticated four-wheel-drive system and FOX Dual Live Valve shocks, along with 24-inch coil springs, give the V6 Raptor incredible off-roading abilities – it can sprint over dunes at high speeds without breaking a sweat. As exhilarating as the Raptor R’s V8 is, the V6 is more than adequate and can achieve 4 mpg more on the EPA’s combined cycle.

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Expert Opinion

That sensational suspension setup doesn’t just give it the ability to stack up frequent flyer miles; it’s also pretty handy during the daily grind. Like a supercar, the Raptor offers performance that most drivers will never take full advantage of, but it’s nice to know that it can tear up a sand dune, then cruise home comfortably with kids in the back.

2024 Ford F-150

For the 2024 model year, Ford discontinued the naturally aspirated 3.3-liter V6, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have America’s best-selling pickup with V6 power. A 2.7-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 with 325 hp and 400 lb-ft is now standard, while a 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost (400 hp/510 lb-ft) and a 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost hybrid (430 hp/570 lb-ft) are available. The latter is even torquier than the Raptor, yet it can manage 23 mpg combined.

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Engines aside, the normal F-150 range is huge and has a configuration and/or trim for every need and budget. It’s a solid workhorse if you need it to be and a luxurious family pickup at the opposite end of the range.

2024 Toyota Tundra

2024 Toyota Tundra

Base MSRP

$39,965

Fuel Economy

18/24 MPG

Horsepower

358 hp

Engine

3.4L Twin-Turbo V6 Gas

Towing Capacity

up to12,000 pounds

The latest generation of the Toyota Tundra is a significant departure from the previous model in every way, including the fact that it no longer has a V8. Instead, the Japanese pickup has a V6 boosted by twin turbos to produce 348 hp and 405 lb-ft, or 389 hp and 479 lb-ft in upper trims. We haven’t mentioned the more powerful hybrid V6, but that’s covered separately. The 389-hp Tundra is good for a swift 0-60 sprint time of just over six seconds. Towing, meanwhile, peaks at 12,000 pounds. The 10-speed automatic is smooth and the coil-spring suspension at the back has made the Tundra more pleasant to live with, but it still looks every bit the full-size macho pickup.

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2024 Toyota Tundra Hybrid

Known as the i-Force Max, the Tundra Hybrid’s V6 powertrain is a revelation compared to the old V8. Paired with an electric motor that contributes 48 hp and 184 lb-ft, this powertrain produces total outputs of 437 hp and 583 lb-ft. It results in rapid acceleration, with the 0-60 time taking about 5.5 seconds despite the pickup’s curb weight of over 6,000 lbs. In 4×2 guise, the Tundra Hybrid can manage up to 22 mpg combined, which is 2 mpg better than the non-hybrid versions. Overall, it’s an extremely capable pickup and a fine alternative to the Ford F-150 Hybrid.

2024 Jeep Gladiator

2024 Jeep Gladiator

Base MSRP

$37,895

Fuel Economy

16/23 MPG

Horsepower

285 hp

Engine

3.6L V6 Gas

There’s no sophisticated hybrid or turbocharging tech at play here… for now. The Gladiator sticks with the simple and well-known 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that makes 285 hp and 260 lb-ft. Unlike many other pickups, a six-speed manual gearbox is standard. This powertrain speaks to the rugged, unpretentious nature of the Gladiator – the engine gets the job done without any fireworks. The Gladiator’s tricks are reserved for its superb off-road prowess and famous Jeep features like removable doors and up to four different 4×4 systems, making it a brilliant adventure truck. If you’re willing to live with less refined manners on normal roads, the Gladiator will reward you when it’s time to tackle serious off-road obstacles. Its 84:1 crawl ratio (Rubicon), 11.6 inches of ground clearance, and water fording of up to 31.5 inches enable the Gladiator to go where many of the other V6 trucks here can’t.

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2024 Honda Ridgeline

The antithesis of the robust Gladiator, the Ridgeline is the ideal truck for less demanding jobs and normal roads. If you need a family vehicle that can occasionally handle some towing or the transportation of awkwardly shaped items, it’s perfect. Unibody construction imbues the Honda with excellent ride quality, and the 3.5-liter V6 develops 280 hp and goes about its job effortlessly. The towing capacity of 5,000 lbs is low by mid-size truck standards, but it will suffice for many people. A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard on all Ridgelines, and the truck can attain 21 mpg combined in non-TrailSport guise.

2024 Nissan Frontier

Like the Ridgeline and Gladiator, the Nissan Frontier is another capable mid-size pickup with a V6 engine. It’s still fresh, too, with the new generation of the Frontier arriving for the 2022 model year. Power comes from a 3.8-liter V6 delivering 310 hp and 281 lb-ft. A nine-speed automatic transmission and RWD are standard, with 4×4 being an option. Although it’s good value and should prove reliable, the new Frontier isn’t as adept as the Gladiator when heading off-road, nor can it tow as much as rivals like the GMC Canyon. Still, it’s far better than the previous gen and will please Nissan fans.

2024 Ram 1500 Classic

The Ram 1500 Classic is based on the previous-gen Ram pickup, so it’s the oldest truck on this list by some margin. Ram has kept it around for value-conscious shoppers, but it’s debatable whether it’s worth the saving over the much fresher Ram 1500. The Classic starts at $38,705 and has a 3.6-liter V6 making 305 hp. For only $715 more, you can buy the new-gen 1500 with the same V6 and 305-hp output. The 1500 Classic is an honest worker and rides comfortably, but it lacks the safety equipment and trim selection of other V6 pickups.

2024 Ford Ranger Raptor

2024 Ford Ranger Raptor

Base MSRP

$55,470

Fuel Economy

16/18/17 mpg

Horsepower

405 hp

Engine

3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 Gas

Towing Capacity

5,510 lbs

The F-150 Raptor’s smaller sibling is an excellent off-road pickup. Its 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 makes 405 hp and 430 lb-ft, resulting in a 0-60 time of 5.8 seconds. This powerful mill complements the heavily upgraded suspension with its FOX shocks and ample ground clearance. Not only does the V6 elicit a distinctive growl from the dual exhausts, but the Ranger Raptor’s ten-speed automatic does a brilliant job of always choosing the right gear. Brawny styling and a modern interior complete this package.

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Characteristics Of The Best V6 Trucks

With the move to electrification and the availability of smaller-displacement turbocharged mills and the brawny V8 power plants still on the market, what do the best V6 trucks have to offer?

• They usually power mid-size and full-size trucks
• They provide strong outputs and good performance
• They can usually tow heavy loads and have a high payload capacity
• The V6 engine can be hybridized for efficiency and power

What To Consider When Buying V6 Pickup Trucks

With some trucks offering as many as four different engine options, how do you know whether V6 pickup trucks are still the right option?

Pros

• Trucks with hybrid V6 engines are frugal and powerful
• V6 engines weigh less than V8 engines
• More fuel-efficient than eight-cylinder options
• The status of V6 is important to some
• Higher outputs and better performance than four-cylinder engines

Cons

• Not the most fuel-efficient configuration
• Higher starting price
• Complexity of the engine may mean higher maintenance costs

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Is a truck with a V6 engine more reliable than pickups with smaller engines?

There’s no correlation between how many cylinders there are in an engine and its reliability. Theoretically, a V6 mill has more moving parts and is more complex, so it may cost a little more in terms of maintenance, but it’s just as reliable as other motors are. V6 power plants are known for being extremely durable.

Do trucks with V6 engines cost more than other trucks?

Entry-level trucks with four-cylinder mills are generally cheaper, but nowadays, you can get a V6 truck at around $30k, in the case of the new Nissan Frontier. In the case of the Ford F-150, the V6 is the cheapest option in the range, with the V8 costing around $2,500 more.

What are the best V6 pickup trucks to buy in the US?

If you’re looking for outright power and performance, the Ford F-150 Raptor and the Ranger Raptor are some of the best V6 trucks to consider. The F-150 Raptor makes 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque from its twin-turbo V6, while the smaller Range Raptor’s V6 mill generates 405 hp and 430 lb-ft. If sheer power isn’t your only priority, the Ram 1500 matches the F-150 Raptor in our BuzzScore ratings.