The attraction was palpable the day I first met the 2024 Ford F-150 Raptor R. And I feel it was mutual. I had no idea how enamored I would become with this rock star truck, or how quickly it would happen either.

Late spring in the Southern California desert brings lots of promise. You see brightly colored wildflowers dotting the landscape, sharply contrasting in nature with sandy trails and cooler temperatures. They serve as a reminder of renewal and curiosity and inspiration.

All that and the cooler temperatures, however, did not have an impact on the hot crush I was pursuing recently. You see, I have come to determine that I have a terrible crush on a truck. And that truck is the Ford F-150 Raptor R, which has a starting price of $110,225.

The Ford F-150 Raptor has been around since 2009, and the more powerful Raptor R debuted in 2022, outdriving others in its high-performance, off-road category. In fact, it is so well-received that its legacy now extends into the Bronco and Ranger models. It’s pretty clear I am not the only one dreaming of a truck like this, and with more passion than I realized.

Aside from some exciting new features, this truck has presence, confidence. This truck can do whatever you want it to do. And the best part? You’re in for a hell of a good time.

Related: The 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor: When a Pickup Truck is Meant to Make You Feel Alive

The Superior Components of the Ford F-150 Raptor R

The Ford F-150 Raptor is in its third iteration now. It’s clearly established itself as a sand-racing demon that takes no prisoners. I got to experience this firsthand in the beautiful and vast Johnson Valley in the Southern California desert. This is where Ford Performance development roads are located, as well as the racecourse for the Ultra 4 truck race. It is sand dunes and craggy brush as far as the eye can see, and it is quite striking.

To be honest, there really is no terrain or location that this truck could not handle, except maybe super tight passageways that don’t allow a spread for a full-size truck to pass. The 5.2 L supercharged V8 generates 720 hp and a substantial 640 lb.-ft. of torque, and sits on 37″ tires.

Related: 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R – So Extra, So Wanted

What’s new for the 2024 Ford F-150 Raptor R?

The most significant development in the Ford F-150 Raptor R is the addition of Fox live valve shocks with dual valve technology. For those of us who aren’t gearheads, this means the performance team has created a cushy ride to optimize comfort and control. The dual valve technology doesn’t just apply to articulating wheels on deeply rutted trails; it also applies to your comfort on the highway.

Combined with the five-link rear suspension system, this truck was built for superior traction, stability, and control, no matter the location, but especially in challenging off-road terrain.

On the front, they’ve lowered the hood just a little bit more to allow for maximum visibility. They’ve also included a modular bumper in front for marvelous aftermarket accessories, an improved performance view screen in the driver panel, and a head-up display for tech lovers to enjoy.

Related: The 2024 Ford F-150 Tremor Kicks Butt (and the Platinum Rocks)

How did the Ford F-150 Raptor R Do in the Sand?

I was assigned the Ford F-150 Raptor R in my favorite Shelter Green finish. Feeling snug and comfortable in the Recaro leather seat with Code Orange stitching, we slowly proceeded in our caravan which was about an hour away from the base camp. And I started to get really excited.

At one point, I owned a Jeep Renegade, which I had bought after a rental car experience in Colorado. I wanted access to off-road adventures after my week with that small SUV, so I bought one. However, at the time, I was living in the city of Chicago, and there really aren’t very many convenient places to take trucks and jeeps to test their capabilities. So until I traded her in, she stuck to the paved roads that I knew so well.

I always wanted to drive it off-road, though I couldn’t. So, I take it whenever I get an experiential opportunity like this. There’s something very freeing, a little dangerous, and always exciting about taking your ride off the asphalt. Kind of like a hot summer romance.

After creating a trail of dust deep into the desert, we had finally arrived at the course. We were put through our paces on the way there to get a feel for the terrain, which was sandy and rocky and rutted on the way to the race course.

Wait. How Fast Can I Go?

I did the race course and a fun speed jump multiple times, and I definitely can say two things: 1) this was one of the best off-road courses I’ve ever been on, and 2) I tested the capabilities of this truck; oh yes, I did. They were tight 90° turns, soft sand curves and corners, and lots of elevation changes. It was glorious, and the best part was that I was allowed to go as fast as I wanted.

When I did that, maybe I did over-correct my steering a skinch because I did not expect the truck to handle so well when I hit a hard left turn. Maybe I straddled a bush or two. Maybe, just maybe, I knocked a few cones down on the racecourse… but I wouldn’t know how well I could drive the truck and how well the truck could handle me and my driving until I tried, right? I can thank Ford Performance for developing off-road algorithms that constantly monitor the truck and driver to ensure things don’t get too out of hand for my security behind the wheel.

Just like getting a crush, the Ford F-150 Raptor R made me sweat. Coming back down after the initial run, I felt hot and breathless. I noticed beads of sweat on my forehead. I had a death grip on the steering wheel. I received lots of good-natured feedback from the professionals standing by. And I got a feeling of relief and just a little sadness, crossing the course’s finish line. It made me want to do it over again, which I was able to do. What a thrill.

It Was a Total Chick Fantasy

A dear friend and longtime California resident mentioned to me that the desert is cleansing. Well, I can tell you this much—it’s totally true. This experience completely swept away all of my previous notions about being neat and tidy, tooling around town in my performance vehicle, which I love dearly. But this truck. Well, it’s something special.

The Ford F-150 Raptor R has a starting price of $110,255. It’s a truck for a badass who loves being a road boss. Incredible performance, incredible control, incredible comfort. More than a few times I flew up out of my seat testing the capabilities of the truck (and of me!) with my seatbelt on. I was the only one in the truck, so only the Raptor heard me laugh loudly and squeal whenever it happened. It was an amazing ride, altogether too brief, and left me wanting more. And isn’t that what a substantial, powerful and playful summer lover should do?

Disclosure: I was a guest of Ford for this test drive. Travel and accommodations were provided but all opinions are my own. Additionally, A Girls Guide to Cars may earn a commission from affiliate links in this story.

Or is that the Ford F-150 Tremor Rocks and the Platinum Kicks Butt? It’s really hard to say.

I had more of a hard time deciding what the title of this story should be compared to the magical experience I had driving a few versions of the 2024 Ford F-150. First, there was the Platinum series, which starts at $73,735, and then came the F-150 Tremor series, which starts at $64,150.

The location was perfect too, in the beautiful Southern California desert. Forest, desert, and lots and lots of highway. What I discovered was that it’s all about the balance. Not just when testing the capabilities of trucks, but with the pickup itself. The Ford F-150 offers a gorgeous array of choices, ones that can easily take you over rocks and into a new adventure you never even imagined, while sitting in a luxurious position.

I’m not sure that there is a more versatile and capable truck out there that could surpass this one. Every luxury you enjoy in your car can be found in these trucks, and then some. And some luxuries you may not have even experienced yet.

Ford has made some key improvements in the 2024 F-150 to elevate the artful combination of driving and pursuit of off-road adventure, and I’m so pleased to tell you all about it.

Related: The 2024 Ford F-150 Pickup Truck Got a Makeover — and a Bevy of New Benefits 

That F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid Engine

Let’s refresh our memory and talk about what’s under the hood of the 2024 Ford F–150 Platinum that I tested. It’s a 3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid engine with 430 hp, and it cranks the torque up to 570 lb.-ft. The hybrid engine has proven to be quite popular, to the point that Ford is dedicated to an uptick in production of this engine for the 2024 model year – from 10% of all trucks to 21%. And this engine is fully capable. In other words, this engine provides a responsive and smooth acceleration on entrance ramps, while saving you a bit more on gas too. It can also outhaul most everything else, with a max towing capacity of 11,200 lbs.

If you’re dead serious about towing, choosing this truck with the available 3.5L EcoBoost V6 ups your maximum available towing to 13,500 lbs, so bring all the things. Ford makes it easier too, with the Pro Trailer Hitch Assist. This is one of the things I find extremely convenient about this truck. It uses AI to automatically back up and align the hitch and trailer. And it all happens with one knob on the dashboard. No more “a little to the left, a little to the right” when it comes time to add your precious cargo.

Related: The 2025 Ford Explorer Just Got a Subtle, Modern Makeover

The Art of the Tailgate

I wasn’t planning to lead with this feature. I had planned to work up to my favorite feature on the truck, but I can’t hold back. The Pro Access Tailgate is my favorite new feature on the Ford F-150, and here’s why: increased inclusivity.

The swing gate can open as little as 37° or as wide as 100°, and you can open it with one hand. If you open the gate for quick access at the first angle, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see how much reach you have deeper into the truck bed.

This is a wondrous feature for those of us with shorter limbs or limited range of mobility. It’s nice to know that you can open the tailgate and grab something you might need without disturbing the trailer hitch.

At the presentation, I was told that 75% of Ford owners tow something, so it’s pretty clear to me that Ford listens to their customers and focuses on human-centered design improvements when it comes time to upgrade. As a potential new buyer, I appreciate that.

Related: Ford Maverick Tremor Pickup Truck: The Billy Goat of Small Pickup Trucks

The Proof is in the Tech

Ford has upped the ante regarding update and connectivity facilitation, so they’ve put a 5G LTE modem on board. Along with that, there’s ProPower available onboard, which consists of a 2.4kW or 7.2kW battery that will provide exportable power. Enough power to operate a shop for 85 hours. For many F-150 owners, this means being able to run your shop remotely, but for some of us without those requirements, having an extraordinary tailgate party sounds like fun.

As we previously reported, the 2024 Ford F-150 will also be connected to Ford Stolen Vehicle Services, which can help locate your truck if you need help recovering it.

This truck has never been safer either, as there are 10 standard driver-assist features in the F-150 now. These include:

• Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking
• Blind Spot Information System
• Cross Traffic Alert
• Lane-Keeping System
• Rear View Camera
• Auto High Beams
• Reverse Sensing System
• Reverse Brake Assist
• Post-Collision Braking
• Auto On/Off Headlamps

Finally, the 12” multimedia touchscreen is now standard on all models, complementing the 12” driver info panel. A bright and clear head-up display is available that gives information for all modes, including BlueCruise 1.2, which I tried firsthand.

Related: The 2024 Ford Ranger Reminds Me That Editing Is Good

No Hands and No Crashes on the Freeway

My driving partner and I had a delightful stretch of the California interstate to drive on to test the Ford BlueCruise 1.2. This current Level 2 version of their hands-free highway driving assistant is the most up-to-date, and it includes new features like lane change assist and in-lane repositioning when the truck senses that somebody’s right on the line next to you.

I did enjoy watching the truck show off that feature when a big 18-wheeler appeared to drift over toward me. It wasn’t easy to keep my hands off the wheel, but I did. And I’m old-school. This type of option did not exist when I learned to drive back when the dinosaurs still roamed the earth, so I’m pretty proud of myself.

Sitting behind the wheel, letting the car work its way down the highway, I marveled at the ease of modern-day driving. It seems like more and more niceties are contributing to a more relaxing experience, even if it’s at rush hour on a Monday.

Related: The Ford Maverick Lobo Brings Street Style to Pickup Trucks

The Ford F-150 Tremor Made Me Forget the Highway

After marveling at all the new technology on the highway, Ford wanted us to experience their trucks on the Burns Canyon Trail. This trail took us on a lush journey through the San Bernardino National Forest. We were treated to a dense trail filled with pine and Joshua trees as we climbed and then descended over a variety of terrain, which was technically moderate. We ventured through loose rocks, deep ruts, hairpin turns, tight spaces bookended by big boulders, and a lot of dust.

The Ford F–150 Tremor was our sturdy companion. And sturdy is an understatement. It has presence. It’s a beefy ride which almost makes it seem like this truck is too easy to drive. Sitting on 33” all-terrain tires gave us additional ground clearance and a wider stance made it easy to keep a grip on the assorted terrain.

How Did The Ford F-150 Tremor Do on the Trail?

The Ford F-150 Tremor I drove had a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine with 400 hp and 500 lb.-ft. of torque. We had multiple steep hills to climb, and I had no doubt that this truck would reach the destination summit, which it did easily.

This truck makes it easy to go off-roading too. It has a plethora of technical features, including:

• Trail Control with One-Pedal Drive
• Trail Turn Assist
• Tremor-specific front and rear springs and shocks
• An electronic locking rear differential
• Special control arms and front knuckles uniquely designed for the Tremor

Additionally, some beautiful hot orange graphics on the Tremor exterior carry over into the interior, which has tactile surface materials that remind me of dark denim, with happy orange stitching, dashboard accents and embroidered badging on the seats. There is an available modular bumper that aftermarket accessories can easily be added to as well. An adventurous tone is set with the distinctive Tremor grille, with orange accents that play right into the turn signal lights, and very cool patterned running boards that are unique to this truck.

How much does the Ford F-150 Cost?

Ford is making it easy to order a truck by making certain features standard. This includes:

• 36-gallon fuel tank (non 8-ft. box and PowerBoost Hybrid)
• Class IV Hitch
• 12-inch Touch Screen

There are multiple series and plenty of choices for everyone with a variety of budgets, with prices starting at:

• XL $36,770
• STX $43,895
• XLT $47,620
• Lariat $65,195
• King Ranch $73,735
• Platinum $73,735
• Tremor $64,150
• Raptor $78,330
• Raptor R $110,225

Plus a $1,995 destination and delivery fee

You’ll start to see more unique features as your budget increases, of course; things like wood trim on the interior, special running boards, or leather and Alcantara seating. Options like the panoramic moonroof or axle upgrades can also be added at the time of purchase.

Who is the Ford F-150 Tremor For?

The Ford F-150 certainly has a wide appeal since it’s the only full-size pickup truck to offer gas, full hybrid, and all-electric powertrain options to customers. The Ford F-150 Tremor is the perfect truck for people who wish to incorporate off-roading as part of their lifestyle. Outdoor aficionados and petite people might be thrilled with the Pro Access Tailgate because the truck bed just got a whole lot easier to access. And, tech-oriented folks will appreciate the enhanced connectivity and precision of the Trail Control one-pedal driving, the thrill of circling a campfire using the Trail Turn Assist, or the excellent camera system to see how close they are to the edge of the path.

The Platinum series I drove on pavement made me feel so elegant, and the Tremor series I drove off-road was so easy to drive. I really do believe the value you get for the dollar will translate into a smile on your face every time you take this thing out, whether going for a fabulous dinner in the city or heading deep into the forest for some much-needed alignment with nature. Smiles are valuable currency.

I cannot emphasize how much fun I had driving, feeling relaxed and secure in every aspect in these trucks. We live in an era of modern, comprehensive technology. Isn’t it nice to know your truck behaves like a guardian and keeps you and your passengers comfortable on any adventure, no matter the details? I’d say a truck like that kicks some serious butt.

Disclosure: I was a guest of Ford for this test drive. Travel and accommodations were provided but all opinions are my own. Additionally, A Girls Guide to Cars may earn a commission from affiliate links in this story.

I am not a truck person by any stretch of the imagination. But after driving this 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X around for a week, I could definitely see myself becoming one.

Before we dive in, there are two things you should know about my week with this bad boy right off the bat:

1. I am way too small to drive this truck.
2. I loved it.

Let’s get down to it. The base price on this Duramax diesel version of the Sierra was $79,200, but with options and the destination fee, it topped out at $88,585. That’s a number that feels out of reach for most, but let’s dream for a moment, shall we?

Related: The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X: For the Country Girl In Us All

Outsizing the Rest of the World

The first thing you notice about the GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X is its sheer size. Even though it’s not a heavy-duty pickup, it looks, feels, and acts like one. Sitting up in the cockpit, I mean crew cab, I felt like I was on top of the world. Everything else shrinks from that vantage point. I passed a Honda Pilot that suddenly looked more like a Mini.

The downside was that the lanes also felt narrower. It was actually kind of hard for me to tell if I was centered in my lane at times. Fortunately, one of its standard features is the safety seat alert, which vibrates on either the right or left side, letting you know you’ve departed from your lane. Once I figured out it wasn’t my iPhone that was buzzing, I thought that was pretty cool.

Sit Back, Relax, and Enjoy the Flight – I Mean, Drive.

Speaking of pilots, my son is currently in flight school, which means I am learning a lot of airplane lingo. He recently taught me about the difference between a glass cockpit and one with “old-school steam gauges.” A glass cockpit is full of screens that are constantly relaying important information. Likewise, the GMC definitely has a glass cockpit feel to it.

The 13.4-inch touchscreen houses both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get navigation, climate controls, and satellite radio, just to name a few. The head-up display indicates your speed, the current speed limit, and the following distance behind the car in front
of you.

Related: 2025 GMC Terrain First Look

GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X is Big on the Inside, Too.

The interior is spacious, to say the least, with a big center storage console that will hold almost anything you can think of, including a decently sized handbag. Heated leather front and rear seats, plus ventilated front seats add a nice dose of luxuriousness.

Being that winter still seems to have a tight grip here in Utah, I enjoyed gripping the heated steering wheel. It eats snow for breakfast. Speaking of winter, I drove through a pretty decent mountain snowstorm on Easter Sunday, and it was like the pickup almost yawned. The weather was absolutely no challenge for this behemoth, which has every drive mode you could
imagine.

It Drives Like a Truck Because That’s What it IS.

But how does it handle? First of all, at 5’6” I would have liked another inch or two in seat height adjustment because I could not see past the massive nose of this truck. Parking lots are a challenge. I looked for spots where I could pull through so that I wouldn’t have to back out. I took advantage of the cameras to help me make sure I was within the lines. So that’s the thing about this truck, right? It’s designed for someone much larger, but comes equipped with all the
aids to help someone smaller like myself and a lot of other women, manage it.

I felt the acceleration was quite decent. It’s powered by a 3.0-liter Duramax diesel engine that generates 305 horsepower and a whopping 495 lb-ft of torque. The accelerator responds nicely to a little pressure, so I definitely did not need the full length of the on-ramp to get up to highway speeds. In fact, there were times when I realized I could let off the gas a little. It’s a truck, and it behaves like one.

While the GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X rides a little rough compared to the smaller cars I usually drive, it is definitely not abusive. In fact, I can see it being really great on a long road trip. You’ve got a lot of space to spread out in, and the cabin is comfortable and quiet.

It can do the heavy lifting. If you’ve got stuff to tow, this truck can tow 8,800 pounds, plus carry a payload of 1,380 pounds. It gets about 19 miles per gallon, but I think I averaged a little better than that. The first night I drove it, I took about a 100-mile round trip in it and the gas needle didn’t budge.

Off-roading? We’ve Got You Covered.

This GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X – which is GMC’s adventure trim – came with the AEV package. AEV stands for American Expedition Vehicles, a well-known brand in the off-roading world. The package adds on nearly $7,400 in options, like skid plates, front and rear differentials, and some cosmetic upgrades. But unless you’re an enthusiast who is out rock crawling on the weekends, I’d imagine you could get by without some of these things, thought the skid plates are a must if you think you might ever go off road. They protect things that might leak from damange and sieze the engine.

Party on, Wayne!

One feature I appreciated was the GMC Multipro Tailgate. It opens up and creates a step ladder of sorts for getting into the truck bed. Additionally, it comes equipped with a Kicker audio system for some added fun.

Partying, I Mean – Parting – Thoughts:

So, am I a truck convert? In our test model, I was impressed. Nothing was left out. However, with a starting price of about $49K, a lot of these features are included. For about $59K I could choose the Turbomax 4-cylinder turbo that generates 310 HP and 430 lb.-ft. of torque, not as much as the Duramax, but not far off. For about $2K more in the AT4 model I could go all in with the V8 and drive away with 420 HP, though I think I’d save myself a little money and go without the AEV package.

Either way, I liked all the little things that made it easier to drive. And that made it easier to be a truck girl. I ended my week by going to see Tim McGraw in concert, who opened his show with the song, “Truck Yeah.” I was feeling it.

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For a few gorgeous days in early April, Toyota invited me to get behind the wheel of some brand new 2024 Tacomas that are rolling out today on none other than “Taco Tuesday.” But these are not the Toyota Tacos we saw earlier this year when we first test drove the redesigned 2024 Toyota Tacoma. These are new on the Tacoma menu: trucks with Toyota’s i-FORCE MAX hybrid engine. This is what we got a delicious taste of; I was able to test drive three different versions of the Toyota Tacoma HEV trucks, which start at $46,300: The TRD Off-Road, the TRD Pro and the Trailhunter. with this hybrid engine option, on four different off-road trail courses.

Related: 2024 Toyota Tacoma First Drive: All the Choices Are the Luxury 

i-FORCE Max HEV is the “Taco Especial” Version of an Already Epic Tacoma

What goes into this i-FORCE MAX version of the beloved Taco? The star feature is a 2.4 liter turbo engine combined with a 48 hp electric motor and 8-speed transmission, making this the most powerful powertrain ever offered on a Toyota Tacoma. To be fair, while there is negligible impact on fuel efficiency (est. combined 24 MPG), what this hybrid engine really delivers is an improvement in power, producing up to 326 horsepower (depending on model) AND a whopping 465 lb.-ft of torque. That’s a 75% increase in torque over the previous generation gas-only V-6. These new Tacos have the salsa caliente built in. The 2024 i-FORCE MAX Tacoma is the most powerful Tacoma truck to date.

Related: We Drove the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser. This is What You Need to Know

Electrifying Power from Takeoff to Landing

The i-FORCE MAX engine certainly produces the power. But power also shows up in a highly responsive acceleration. The Toyota Tacoma knows that a foot on the accel pedal means business, and you’ll feel the difference with the electric motor’s instant boost. Flooring it in a 6,000-pound truck and hitting speed while powering uphill on a dirt road is… intoxicating. There, I said it. I felt so high on that thirst-quenching 0-60 punch that I was absolutely giddy and craving more.

My drive partner’s jaw dropped. She has known me as a laid-back surfer-mom-Prius driver for almost 12 years yet had never seen this side of me: a thrill-seeking off-road adventurer who loves to floor it and let’er fly. And fly we did!

At one point, we accelerated uphill on a dirt road (controlled course) so fast that when we hit a bump, we flew, and I don’t mean out of our seats. I mean, we literally caught air in the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, with all 4 wheels off the ground! Oh. What. A. Feeling.

Built to Stick the Landing

During that split second of time being airborne in the Tacoma TRD Pro, it occurred to me that trucks can’t stay in the air for long and inevitably, we were coming down fast. But that landing was not the abrupt jolting slam I was bracing for. Rather, it was a surprisingly soft rumble – not unlike mild airplane turbulence – and I seemed to have floated right down into the seat cushion where I needed to be, with sunglasses and stomach still intact. That’s due partly to the re-engineered suspension, which you don’t see, and the IsoDynamic performance front seats, which you DO see. They are equipped with shock absorbers in the seats, and you can dial up or down the shock absorption. These seats are downright magic, like a magic carpet ride.

The IsoDynamic shock-absorbing system stabilizes the neck and head and keeps the spine in alignment while allowing for simultaneous vertical and lateral seat movement. It doesn’t do justice to describe the mechanics of it, but it’s a game-changer for the Baja racing enthusiasts. I expected to be plenty sore after bumping around the rugged off-roading courses, but the ISODynamic seats should save you from visiting the chiropractor or needing a massage.

Related: Which Toyota SUV is the Right One For You?

Adventure and Performance Flavor Accents in the 2024 Toyota Tacoma

You know you’re enjoying a great taco when you can taste every ingredient – you just think about it, and there it is. That is exactly how I felt driving the 2024 Toyota Tacoma. Whenever I thought about a particular adjustment to spice up my drive experience, the Tacoma was ready to serve it. Here’s what I tried and tasted at the Tacoma salsa bar.

• On-demand 4WD – The Limited grade comes with full-time 4WD. The other grades offer On Demand 4WD, with two speeds 4H and 4L, depending on your terrain. 4H (high) is best for straight-line driving, and 4L (low) is preferable when you need more power at slower speeds, such as on difficult terrain or in snow and mud.

• Multi-Terrain Select – These adjustable settings allow you to control wheel spin in a range of conditions, such as sand (dunes), dirt (trails), and sticky mud.

• Stabi Disconnect Mechanism (SDM) – The front end Stabilizer bar means a great drive on the road. But when you get off-road, you can get even greater performance and articulation. Why? Because when the trail gets demanding, you can disconnect the stabilizer bar with the push of a button, expanding the truck’s range of vertical motion and preventing the tires from lifting off the road surface on one side or the other.

• Crawl Control – This blew my mind. You know how you have cruise control for highway speed? Would you ever dare to hand over control to a truck in rugged off-road conditions? It’s called crawl – not cruise – for a reason, and that is because it keeps the truck moving at low speed, so all you have to do is steer. It’s not new, but it was new for me and I got to try it in a couple of speeds and circumstances. In the lowest Crawl Control setting, 1 = 1 MPH. On the technical course, I took my foot off the pedal and focused only on steering through a rocky patch of boulders. There were moments when the truck would hesitate, reading the terrain, then proceed steadily ahead at 1 mile per hour. Later on I dialed up to 2 and 3, and loved not having to worry about jolty accel and braking for bumpy dirt trails and controlled descent. Crawl Control was an absolute dream driving downhill on gravel, holding speed and traction while I just watched and held the steering wheel.

The Taco’s Crunch is All in the Tech

You know you have all those yummy taco fillings, but they don’t make a taco without a shell holding it all together. For the Toyota Tacoma, it’s the technology that wraps around everything and seals the deal.

There’s plenty of charging ports, including a mag charger that keeps your phone upright and viewable, yay. The 12-inch digital driver display goes beyond the basics with a button on the steering wheel to scroll through various checks, like tire pressure, angle of truck on terrain, and more.

The available 14-inch multimedia touchscreen has everything you’d expect, like Navigation, custom settings, wireless Apple Care Play and Android Connect, and music channels. And speaking of music, the center wireless bluetooth speaker is removable to take your music with you after the drive. So great to have that for those camping adventures in the backcountry.

The Best Overland and Off-Road View is Not the One out the Window

There was one thing in the Toyota Tacoma i-FORCE MAX that satiated me above all else. It was the 3D Multi-Terrain Monitor that I couldn’t live without. This camera system allowed me to view potential obstacles I couldn’t see through the windshield. Seeing what’s directly in front and behind at ground level is further assisted with an underbody view, so I can look at the screen and literally watch the terrain as I drive over it.

The camera view on both sides of the truck were the “scratch-savers” – and helped to make sure I would clear a narrow section of trail. With boulders on my left and trail edge on my right, I could see precisely how close I could pass the boulder while watching my right side tires to be sure I wouldn’t go over. Driving up a dirt trail with only the sky through my windshield, I relied heavily on that monitor to know what lay over the hill. This 3d Multi-Terrain Monitor decreased the stress of navigating unknown terrain and really made the drive so much more enjoyable and comfortable. That, for me, is a perfect Taco.

So, What Are the Costs and Available Trimmings for the i-FORCE Max Taco?

TRD Sport and Offroad grades start at $46,300. The TRD Sport has a more responsive feel on and off pavement, and the Offroad is geared primarily toward, you guessed it, off-roading. The TRD Sport upgrade package adds on $8,290, and the TRD Off-Road premium package adds $8,540. 

Limited—This is the favorite of the paved-road Toyota Tacoma driver for daily driving and road trips, while still capably handling overland and off-road adventuring. This grade features full-time 4WD and adds two pre-programmed drive modes, Sport S+ and Comfort. Plus, there is a Custom mode for the driver to have ultimate control over the handling and experience. Pricing starts at $55,800.

Trailhunter—This first-ever Tacoma Trailhunter grade is factory-developed as an overlanding beast ready for hitting the dirt at higher speed (Baja, anyone?). There are lots of bells and whistles here, including a high clearance front bumper and trail exhaust tip, steel underbody protection, steel rock rails, a snorkel for fresh air intake, a passenger hold bar in the center, and my favorite interior trim: Mineral – yellow accents against granite gray. Gorgeous. Trailhunter starts at $62,900 for 4×4 and $63,400 for 4×4 with a 6’ bed.

TRD Pro—This is the most expensive Toyota Tacoma, starting at $63,900, but also the most powerful overall. The TRD Pro is capably suited for off-road rock crawling and mountain climbing, with beautiful design elements and comfort inside and that 14-inch multimedia monitor as standard. It’s packed with inclusions, leaving the only option of $500 for two-tone paint.

Toyota Trucks, and Tacos, are Popular with San Diegans, in Particular

Starting at the water’s edge, what do San Diego lifeguards rely on to drive across the sand to rescue and save lives? Toyota trucks (the 4Runner is the choice here).  At the beach, the parking lots are populated with all sizes, years, and models of Toyota trucks, with surfboards sticking out of the truck bed and wetsuits hanging to dry off the rearview mirrors. Surfer friends who drive Tacoma trucks would not have it any other way. Further, there’s an undeniable cross-segment of the surfing population that is crazy about skiing and snowboarding, too. Here in San Diego, it’s possible to do both – hit the slopes and hit the waves – in a single day. It’s an adventure getting from sea level to the snowy slopes, and Toyota trucks are there for it.

For me, I’m not so much into being cold and frostbitten in high elevations (translation: I suck at skiing), but I do love getting away from the coast in San Diego’s backcountry for some scenic driving and off-road fun (translation: badassery). From offshore to off-road, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma is making a truck girl out of this ocean-loving, Prius-driving surfer.

Have a thought or comment? Share it with us on social media! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. And be sure to sign up for our email newsletter!

More and more women are buying trucks these days. And why not? Aside from their convenience and versatility, trucks these days are loaded with tech and safety features and they’re more stylish than they’ve ever been. It makes sense that they’d appeal to female buyers.

This year, there’s a new sheriff — or rather, a new ranger — in town that might just catch the eye of women who want a midsize pickup truck with plenty of muscle and a whole lot of charm. The 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor isn’t technically new to the automotive market, but this year marks the first time this model will be available in the U.S.

Now, I know that Ford didn’t necessarily craft the Ranger Raptor for this express purpose, but… could this high-performance truck actually be the ideal mom car?

Well, this mom-of-two got to drive it up, down, and all around some dusty Utah trails and roads recently – which buyers also get to do, compliments of Ford — and I think I’ve got the answer for you.

Related: The 2024 Ford Ranger Makes Me Feel Right At Home

Before You Knock the Idea, Consider This…

I feel like there’s a good portion of women out there who’d argue with me about the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor being ideal for moms.

It’s not practical, you might say. I need a third row. Or maybe you’re thinking, I don’t go off-roading enough to justify it. Just hear me out…

Once upon a time, a younger me would never have entertained the idea of owning something like the Ranger Raptor. I couldn’t have even envisioned owning a new vehicle, period. Growing up, it was Used Car City all the way. We’d buy the most affordable beaters available, and then we pretty much ran them into the ground. But then I got married to a wonderful, car-obsessed man who opened my eyes a little to what a car’s purpose really is: It’s not just meant to keep you alive; it’s meant to make you feel alive.

It makes me think of a quote from Stanley Tucci’s character Nigel in “The Devil Wears Prada” when he chides Andy (played by Anne Hathaway) for reducing the fashion industry down to something vain and frivolous.

“Don’t you know that you are working at the place that published some of the greatest artists of the century? Halston, Lagerfeld, de la Renta. And what they did, what they created was greater than art because you live your life in it.”

Used in a slightly different context, I think we could easily say the same thing about the Ranger Raptor — many cars and trucks, for that matter. Some of the greatest minds and engineers collaborated to make this amazing machine, and it’s not just a mode of transportation. It’s more than just a material object. It’s important because you live your life in it.

So… allow me to give you a little preview of what your life could look like with the Ford Ranger Raptor.

Related: Ford Maverick Tremor Pickup Truck: The Billy Goat of Small Pickup Trucks

What the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor Costs — and What It Gives In Return

Let’s just address the elephant in the room first, shall we? With a starting MSRP of $55,470, the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor is on the pricier end of things for a midsize pickup truck. The one I tested came with an optional spray-on bedliner and Raptor graphic that boosted the price to $58,300, including destination fees.

Still, the 2022 model year midsize SUV in my garage was only slightly less than that. Sure, it’s got better fuel economy and a third row, but the list of major advantages pretty much stops there. As a work-from-home mom, most of my driving is within a three-mile radius of my house, so my fuel economy is pretty poor most of the time anyway. (I routinely average around 16 mpg or less.) And guess how much we use that third row? Most of the time, I fold it flat to maximize cargo space.

Now let’s take a quick glance at what the Ranger Raptor gives you for $55–$58k:

• Great performance. You might be an off-road-ready mama who wants to push this thing to the limits over dirt and rocks, or you might be a mom who simply wants a truck that can brave any and all elements on the road. With a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that puts out 405 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque (a class-leading best, by the way), there’s almost nothing the Ranger Raptor can’t handle.
• Plenty of passenger space. The Ranger Raptor may not be the truck you buy if you have more than a few kids to tote around, but there’s an impressive amount of space in the rear seat for families with two or three children. Among the midsize pickup trucks we’ve tested, both the Ranger and the Ranger Raptor seemed to be much more accommodating in that second row than others.
• Cargo room to spare. Go ahead and load up all that new couch, the garbage bags of donation items, and all your groceries in that five-foot bed. Need a little extra room? The seatbacks in the second row fold down flat so you can carry even more items inside if you want. Plus, there’s extra storage underneath the seats.
• Modern, straightforward tech. Ford keeps its infotainment system clean and simple. A 12-inch center touch screen gives you wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, fast access to climate controls (including some physical buttons just below the screen) and all pertinent information about the truck right at your fingertips. No need to shuffle through several different screens to find what you’re looking for. This user-friendly, intuitively laid-out system helps you keep your focus on the road.
• Ample safety features. Think about all of your must-have driver-assistance features, and the Ranger Raptor probably has them: adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers… and there’s plenty more where that came from.
• It’s not branded as a luxury vehicle, but you’re still treated to some nice creature comforts. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, supportive, power-adjustable performance seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control will keep you and everyone else happy on the road.

And when you consider how well Ford trucks retain their value, the Ranger Raptor becomes an even more compelling option. Should you eventually part ways with it, you’ll likely recoup a decent amount of money when you sell it.

Related: Ford F-150 Raptor R: So Extra, So Wanted 

That Driver’s Seat Might Be Magic

Any car or truck that gives you a greater sense of confidence and control is automatically a top contender when you’re looking at your options. The Ford Ranger Raptor checks this box.

During the off-road portion of my test drive, I first rode as a passenger and my anxiety started to build as I saw the jagged trails I’d soon have my turn to tackle. See, I’m not an off-roader and I’d only done extreme off-roading once before this experience. My co-driver made it look fairly easy, but I was still skeptical about my own capabilities.

And then I climbed into the driver’s seat — and all that trepidation melted away. It was crazy. As soon as my hands gripped the steering wheel and I lightly touched the gas pedal, I felt instantly at ease. It was almost like I could feel this performance pickup’s capability emanating directly into my hands.

Related: The 2024 Ford Ranger Reminds Me That Editing is Good

Ford Will Teach You How to Off-Road if You Want

As I mentioned before, you don’t have to be an off-road enthusiast to appreciate all that the Ford Ranger Raptor has to offer. But if you want a crash course in how to make use of all of its performance features, then I’ve got some good news: If you purchase a new Ranger Raptor, you get to attend the new Ranger Raptor Assault School in Utah for free.

This one-day course is led by friendly, patient, and knowledgeable Ford team members who will show you all the ropes. You’ll get to put it to the test on the mountainside, race it through a handling track and a Baja course, and even mash the throttle and jump it.

I got to do all of those things with a group of journalists, and I have just one major complaint: I want to do it again. As my confidence built with every lap on the track and every boulder conquered, I just wanted to keep going to see what this thing could do. However, Ford wisely cut us off before we got too confident.

If you become the proud owner of a 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor, the Assault School isn’t a must, but it’s a good resource for anyone who wants to get the most out of this truck. Besides, it’s only open to new owners, so you’ll get specialized attention — and they even provide you with food.

Related: BFGoodrich and New Tech Brings More Fun to Off-Roading on The World’s Best Trails

A Midsize Pickup Truck Just Makes Life Easier

My husband and I have been fans of the F-150 Raptor since it came out in 2010, and until I drove the Ranger Raptor, I was convinced the F-150 Raptor was the only way to go. No offense to the big guy, but there’s something to be said for driving a smaller, more manageable truck. There’s less to fret about when you’re parking, taking tight turns, or driving down a narrow road. For a much lower price, you get a pretty similar experience to the full-size version.

Related: The Ford Maverick Lobo Brings Street Style to Pickup Trucks

When You Look Good, You Feel Good

Finally, there’s one more factor that I believe plays a part in the Ranger Raptor being the ideal mom pickup: It’s a good-looking truck.

It’s no secret that what you wear can have a profound effect on your mood. Why else do women (and men) sometimes spend several minutes just staring at the clothes in their closet? Sometimes all you need to nail an interview, ace a test or just feel plain unstoppable throughout your day is the right outfit because it subconsciously gives you a boost of confidence.

For me, that’s one attribute that tips the scales in the Ranger Raptor’s favor over the competition — and even over the regular Ranger. It just looks so darn cool, and it’s something I would be proud to drive.

What You Need to Know

• Starting MSRP: $55,470
• 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that generates 405 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque
• 10-speed automatic transmission
• 33-inch BFGoodrich tires on 17-inch wheels
• Drive modes: Normal, Tow/Haul, Sport, Slippery, Off-Road, Rock Crawl and Baja
• Class-exclusive Pro Trailer Backup Assist
• Class-exclusive 2.5-inch Fox shocks
• 12-inch center touch screen and 12.4-inch digital driver display
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 360-degree camera system

So… Is the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor the Best Truck for Moms?

Obviously, what’s “best” for you largely comes down to personal preference. There will always be reasons to buy something — and reasons not to buy something. If you want the most fuel-efficient, low-cost pickup available, the Ranger Raptor is not for you. But if you’re ready to break out of the traditional SUV or minivan shell and treat yourself to something special — dare I say fun — this truck makes a pretty strong case for itself.

If you’re going to jump on the pickup truck bandwagon, this isn’t a bad place to start.

Disclosure: I was Ford’s guest for this driving event. All opinions are my own.

Have a thought or comment? Share it with us on social media! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. And be sure to sign up for our email newsletter!

The last time I drove a Ford Ranger, it wasn’t pretty. That’s because it was my brother’s 2000 model — and it had a manual transmission. I still remember with painful clarity every shuttering stop each time I tried to slowly take my foot off that clutch and give it some gas. (My dad constantly telling me, “It’s just a FEELING, Allison!” really didn’t help.)

My then-teenage self, with her all-too-fragile ego, began to resent this truck. I gave up trying to drive it after just one frustrating lesson and would only ride in it as a passenger ever since. Those were the days when there was no real second row — just those itty bitty jump seats that are cool when you’re a kid but less so when you start developing hips. Unfortunately, as the youngest of the brood, I was frequently relegated to the jump seats.

I couldn’t drive the truck, and I couldn’t even comfortably sit in it as a passenger. We were “work friends,” nothing more. Maybe that’s why I never saw myself driving one in my adult years—too many tainted memories.

But then… Ford recently brought the updated 2024 Ford Ranger to my neck of the woods for a test drive — and I may have changed my tune.

Related: 2024 Ford Ranger Mid-Size Pickup Truck: More Powerful, Off-Road Capable

The Midsize Pickup Truck is Just Getting Better With Age

With this latest redesign, the Ford Ranger is now entering its fifth generation. It’s got a wider grille, a wider body (all the better to haul that plywood), and an updated cabin with more storage compartments. It’s also now exclusively offered as a four-door crew cab (ta ta forever, jump seats!) that comes with a five-foot bed.

For one full day, Ford let us drive Rangers through the Utah mountains — just a stone’s throw from my house — and it didn’t take me long to feel right at home behind the wheel.

But not before I had a little heart attack first.

Related: The 2024 Ford F-150 Pickup Truck Got a Makeover — and a Bevy of New Benefits

I Still Can’t Believe They Made Me Do That…

I would like to preface this next part with a disclaimer: Never before in my life have I towed anything. I’ve never needed to, I’ve never wanted to, and I never expected I would ever have to do it. And yet, in an effort to show off the new Ranger’s unique towing capabilities, the Ford team threw me right into the fire first thing and had me back up a trailer in the tightest, most un-beginner-friendly course they could have devised.

But with just a little guidance from a co-pilot in the passenger seat, I was shown how to activate the towing assistance, and the Ranger pretty much took it from there. Not only did I get stellar camera views from both sides of the truck that showed exactly where my trailer wheels were, but the Ranger automatically turned the wheel for me. I only had to make minor adjustments with a rotary knob in the center console, lightly touch the gas, and bam! I made it to my target in just a minute or so. Relief, pride, wonder — I felt it all.

Oh, but the torture had just begun. The Ford team also brought along a competitor (which I will politely refer to as “The Other Guy”), and they made me do the same course with that truck’s tech. I don’t think I have ever sweat so much in my life. Crunch went one cone. Then another. Then another. I considered begging the Ford rep (who was not getting paid nearly enough for this) to let me out and take over The Other Guy, but we got there. Eventually. It probably took at least 10 or 15 minutes. I wish that were an exaggeration.

Once I “successfully” completed the course, I jumped out and vowed never to haul a trailer again—unless I had a Ranger.

Point taken, Ford. Point taken.

Related: You Got This: Everything You Need to Know about Towing 

Go, Go, Power Ranger

Aside from getting a fresh makeover inside and out, Ford focused on boosting the Ranger’s performance capabilities for 2024. Buyers will have the choice between two engines: a 2.3-liter EcoBoost or a more powerful 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6. The latter will be available later this year.

My XLT trim tester had the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, which I got to put to the test on mountain roads and the freeway. While its power didn’t blow me away, the words “confident,” “comfortable,” and “capable” kept coming to mind. As a Utah local, I’ve spent plenty of time cruising the winding road up Big Cottonwood Canyon, and not every car I’ve driven has been totally up to the task. You can almost hear the engines wheezing by the time you make it to the top.

That wasn’t the case with the Ranger. It never struggled to maintain speed even at climbing altitudes, and the fact that the automatic transmission never really caught my attention was a good sign. It did its job silently, smoothly, and well.

Merging onto the freeway was pretty similar. I wasn’t blowing past anyone with my 270-horsepower EcoBoost engine, but I wasn’t falling behind either. It worked just fine. And that’s all I needed…

…But I may just have to take that V6 variant out for a drive once it becomes available around here so I can compare and contrast it.

Hooray For a Family-Friendly Second Row!

It’s a pet peeve of mine when a second row has a ridiculously small amount of legroom. I know, I know — you can’t expect a midsize pickup to be as accommodating as a full-size truck. That’s fair. But when even my kids’ little legs are cramped against their boosters with my seat pushed as far forward as I can stand, that’s where I draw the line and say “no, thank you” to a vehicle.

Luckily, I’m very happy to report that the Ranger did not have this problem. I don’t know how Ford did it, but they managed to maximize the roominess in the rear row so that even I, as an adult, felt comfortable enough to stretch my legs out without bumping into the seatbacks in front of me. I immediately thought of how easy it would be to get our two kids back here co mfortably and made a mental note to mention this to my husband. That one feature alone could ensure that this truck ends up in the Bell family garage someday.

But in case you’re not hauling around kiddos or other passengers in the second row, Ford made it possible to fold those rear seatbacks down flat so you can carry all your non-human cargo with ease. Brilliant!

How Much Does the 2024 Ford Ranger Cost?

Maybe I’ve just grown used to things being so pricey these days, or maybe I’m just completely out of touch with midsize pickup truck prices, but I was pleasantly surprised when I learned how relatively affordable the 2024 Ranger was. Excluding the all-new Raptor trim, the “regular” Ranger comes in three trims (XL, XLT, and Lariat) with an MSRP range of $32,670 to $43,630.

The XLT trim, which I drove, had a base MSRP of $39,490. It came with a few added bonuses, such as the Advanced Towing package and Tech package to bump the price to $45,545. Even with the added goodies, it seemed like a very reasonable asking price.

But How Much Does It Really Cost?

Sticker price is one thing, but the true cost of any car, truck, or SUV manifests itself over time. This is where Ford has some bragging rights. According to a press release, Kelley Blue Book recognized the 2023 Ranger model as the midsize pickup truck with the lowest five-year total cost of ownership. That’s taking into account such things as insurance, maintenance, fuel costs, and depreciation. Definitely something to keep in mind if you’re considering buying one.

What You Need to Know about the 2024 Ford Ranger

• Three trims available: XL, XLT, Lariat
• MSRP range: $32,670 to $43,630
• 3-liter EcoBoost (270 horsepower, 310 pound-feet of torque) is still the standard engine
• 7-liter EcoBoost V6 (315 horsepower, 400 pound-feet of torque) will be available later this year
• 10-speed automatic transmission
• 7,500-pound towing capacity
• Premium cloth seats are standard
• 8-inch digital instrument cluster standard; 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster available
• 1-inch center touch screen standard; 12-inch center touch screen available

Nothing “Mid” About This Midsize Pickup Truck

I thought I was solidly in the camp of “go big or go home” when it came to trucks. Give me all the power! All the second-row space! All that extra towing capacity! (I don’t really need that last one, but I’m drunk with greed and want it anyway.)

The 2024 Ford Ranger is perhaps the first midsize pickup truck that might make me change my mind about needing something bolder and beefier. It checks so many of the Mom-must-have boxes: It’s durable, it’s reliable, it comes with enough basic tech and driver-assistance features to make my life easier, and there’s a pretty good amount of legroom for my kids in the rear seat. Plus, it’s a fair amount cheaper than the midsize SUV we currently own, which may be the most compelling selling point of all from a mom standpoint.

I consider myself extremely fortunate that I was able to drive this truck through hills and roads that I regularly frequent with my family. If we were to buy the Ranger, this is exactly what we’d be doing with it: loading up the kids, heading for the hills, and doing a little adventuring.

My teenage self has grown up — and she can definitely see herself driving this thing.

Disclosure: I was Ford’s guest for this test drive event. All opinions are my own.

Have a thought or comment? Share it with us on social media! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. And be sure to sign up for our email newsletter!

With V8 engines losing the battle to environmental protection initiatives, truck companies like Ram have had to figure out how to get the same power and stamina out of a smaller engine. Ram answers this dilemma with the brand’s new twin turbo 3.0 liter Hurricane and High Output engines, which is the focus of the 2025 Ram 1500 , as well as a new look and a stunning new trim, the Tungsten.

Ram’s Hurricane engines, paired with eight-speed transmissions, offer 420 horsepower with 468 lb.-ft. of torque and 540 horsepower with 521 lb.-ft. of torque respectively and are more powerful than an the V8s, and more fuel efficient too. After driving the 1500 both on and off-road, I can personally say they are the smoothest, most responsive Ram trucks I’ve ever driven. And if you aren’t brave enough to drive a Hurricane, the Ram 1500 is still available with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 eTorque engine.

Related: The Most Powerful Pickup Truck Made Me Squeal with Delight: Ram 1500 TRX

Same Reliability, Bold New Look

We’ve all seen cereal boxes boasting the flavor is what you know and love, even if the box looks different. The Ram 1500 might say the same thing: A bold new look from some pretty major upgrades, but it’s still a Ram 1500 through and through. Even the most loyal Ram owner (myself included) will love this truck for everything that makes it a Ram truck: it’s built to serve, ready to work, and instantly recognizable, even with it’s sleeker, more aerodynamic appearance and bold new grille and lights.

And, the lights! The LED headlamps frame the high beams and create a sleek modern line that wraps slightly around the front corners of the truck. These and the new tail lamps have a fun sequential light-up feature when you turn the truck on and directional headlamps that steer with the truck for better visibility at night.

The grille of the 2025 Ram 1500 has grown both taller and wider with the RAM emblem raised a bit, increasing the heroic appearance of the truck. And, the new Tungsten trim offers a new facia color-matching front, extra chrome and 22” wheels that really bring the luxe vibes.

Related: Why Girls Love Trucks, and How the Best Trucks Make Us Feel

Ram Celebrates Technology with Three New Screens + Hands Free Driving

Bigger isn’t always better, but the new Unconnect 5 multimedia system with the available 14.5” screen proves that sometimes a few extra inches goes a long way. With static buttons at the bottom of the multimedia screen, the things you need are always easy to find. This makes for a safer driving experience because you’re not hunting for the climate controls, media, navigation and settings.

The screen can be set to a split screen, and drag-and-drop icons allow for customization of the home screen and the ability to add new widgets. This massive new screen comes standard with the Tungsten trim and is available on the Limited trim; the 12” screen is standard on everything above the Big Horn and Tradesman trims which come standard with a 5” screen that can be upgraded to an 8.4” screen. 

The Ram’s new 12.3” digital driver’s display, head up display and digital rear-view mirror offer the driver plenty of views to help to keep your eyes on the road.

New for 2025 is an available 10.25 inch passenger display that’s inset into the dashboard. It has with co-pilot functions, entertainment, and exterior camera views so your passenger can help you to navigate, or sit back and enjoy a movie while you drive. And, it’s distraction free: it’s positioned at an angle and dimmed so the driver can’t see the screen from the driver’s seat.

For 2025 Ram has added hands free driving on limited access highways. There are two levels of drive assist, one hands-on and one hands-off. The hands-free technology is reliant on GPS and works on most interstates, whereas the hands-on is more of a radar/sight technology that helps to keep you in your lane and prevent collisions by sensing vehicles or objects you may not see. Then to top it all off, the multimedia system has a voice-activated assisstant. The “Hey Ram” voice activation helps you navigate, change the climate controls and more without ever touching a thing. 

Related: The Best Road Trip Car Just Might Be a Truck: RAM 1500 Laramie Crew Cab

New Year, New Trim

This new 5th generation Ram 1500 comes with a new trim option that we absolutely love. It’s a little less western than the Laramie or Longhorn and even more luxurious. I’d call this high-fashion, ready for a night on the town. It’s beauty in all the right places without feeling gaudy or over-the-top.

We saw this new trim level in Indigo/Sea Salt interior, with premium leather, real suede and textured metal trims. Adding to the luxe feel are the 24-way power front seats that massage and have 4-way adjustable headrests, heated and ventilated rear seats, a unique keyfob with power up and down tailgate button, ultra-premium Klipsch audio system with 23 speakers, dual wireless chargers (the first we’ve seen of this in a pickup truck!) and metal pedals for an extra sporty look.

Tungsten trim’s luxe details are also seen in the rear seat, which features all the leather seating details, beautiful speaker grilles, and a luxe fold-down center arm rest with cup holders and storage.

But if you know, you know: The front seat with massaging seats is the way to go. I really, really enjoyed the massaging seats on my 2.5 hour drive through central Texas – and would happily do it again!  The large drivers display and head up display completed the experience.  

What You Need to Know About the 2025 Ram 1500

Key details include:

• Available as 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive
• Maximum Payload: 2,300 pounds
• Maximum Tow capacity: 11,580 pounds
• Available dual-wireless charging
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Smartphone as key technology + card key backup
• Advanced safety including adaptive cruise, brake assist, forward collision protection, lake keep assist alerts and assist, park assist, plus trailer-sway control and braking
• On-board power (up to two kilowatts) with two covered outlets inside the bed to power tools, a TV, or lights and fans
• Up to 24-inches of water fording

Pricing for the 2025 Ram 1500

• Tradesman $40,275
• Big Horn/Lone Start $44,195
• Rebel $64,194
• Laramie $60,030
• Limited Longhorn $75,650
• Limited $75,155
• Tungsten $87,155

On and Off-Road Driving in the 2025 Ram 1500

At the launch event for the Ram 1500 we had the opportunity to drive the trucks for several hours, on and off-road. I found the new Hurricane High Output and absolute thrill to drive both in the city and in the country. Between the efficiency of the engine and the smoothness of the transmission I couldn’t detect the gear changes as I drove up and down the mountainous roads and I never experienced a single second of lag or hesitation when starting from a stop. 

Off-road, the Rebel version of the Ram 1500 with its extra ground clearance, trail control and off-road suspension dominated the mud, rocks and steep inclines like a mountain goat. We cheered and laughed the whole way as we bumped over rocks and holes, made it to the bottom of a mountain side and watched our trail mates sling mud all over our trucks. It’s just the best when the work of getting to the far side of the mountain to check on your fences or herd is fun, too.

Ram’s [Electric] Journey

As if all of this new technology and design wasn’t enough, we got to see the new all-electric 2025 Ram 1500 REV that arrives in dealerships toward the end of 2024: the all-new Ram 1500 Ramcharger featuring a gas-powered electric motor that acts as a generator to power the electric motor. With electric drive, the Ramcharger will have all the torque and power we love in EVs, but with a gas-powered generator, drivers won’t have to worry about “range anxiety;” with a full tank and a full battery it is expected to have nearly 700 miles of range.

We also got a peek at the Ram REV all electric pickup truck. This truck will have a range of 500 miles and a huge ‘frunk.’

What impressed me the most about these new electric trucks is they look and function like the Ram 1500’s we already know and love. They aren’t super futuristic or off-putting to the truck fan. The Ramcharger has me especially intrigued with its ability to drive all-electric without range anxiety.

But that’s why Ram fans love the brand: The always-evolving quest to get just a bit more – power, performance, tech, luxury – from the truck we have come to know and love.

Disclosure: I was a guest of Ram for this first drive; hotel and accommodations were provided but all opinions are my own.

Once I saw it in person, it was clear: the Cybertruck from Tesla is a video game but in real life. Those are dark, urgent battle-driven games in which the protagonist (you) flees monsters and bad guys while fighting off incoming ammo and rescuing others. Often in a post-apocalyptic world in which everything is somewhat familiar but smoldering and deconstructed. And, it’s very masculine.

That’s what it felt like climbing inside, with a man cave vibe. Bare. Utilitarian. Video focused. And deconstructed.

Related: The Most Powerful Pickup Truck Made Me Squeal with Delight: Ram 1500 TRX

What’s So Cool About This Truck

The Tesla team certainly figured out how to reinvent key required components, which might seem boring enough to completely ruin a futuristic design — mirrors, windows, turn signals, gear shifters — and came up with novel designs that meet federal safety requirements. The side mirrors have the same wedge shape as the truck. Windshield wipers are a dial on the steering wheel, just like they are on a Lamborghini. The windshield wiper itself is baseball-bat sized and there’s only one.

The gear shifter is a touch bar on the touch screen — that’s the first I’ve seen. But everything is on the touch screen with the exception of a few controls on the steering wheel: the wipers, turn signals, and voice activation. The rest are on the large center screen. There is not even a driver display screen, a trend we see more of today. The minimalist feel extends to the cabin, which is open and rugged, with leatherette seats and all-weather floor mats throughout. And the ceiling panel is all glass and tinted, giving the cabin an open but slightly dimmed feel; it’s light but not bright, as if the entire car is covered by a pair of sunglasses.

Related: I Spent a Week In the 2022 Ford Lightning Electric Pickup Truck

Stainless Steel … A Good Thing?

The Cybertruck’s exterior is clad in stainless steel that is .071” thick — though it seems thicker — and feels much more solid than the sheet of stainless that covers your refrigerator or dishwasher. The stainless steel panels have the feeling of being cut with a saw; the edges are square and sharp, without that slightly rounded feel to door panels on most car doors.

Like the stainless on your refrigerator, it’s prone to stains (odd, I know) and fingerprints. Driving around town, I saw several other Cybertrucks with stained siding. Our test models didn’t shed the carrot stains as I’d expected; the panels looked like a messy table in a commercial kitchen.

And they are sharp, which, I found out firsthand, can be dangerous. During my experience with the Cybertruck, a friend, Kyle Conner, did some extensive testing with three electric trucks and put them all to the “pinch” test. The question is: Would they snap a carrot in half, or would they retract away from an object that gets in the way, like an elevator door that opens if you put your hand in front of it?

Turns out, the Rivian R1T passed the pinch test easily; a carrot extended across the rim of the frunk was enough to make the frunk lid bound back open when we tried to close it.

The Tesla’s, however, did not. It closed with a loud ‘thunk’ and chopped the carrot in half. So did the Cybertruck’s doors. Just imagining the hand of a small child or even a grown adult makes me shiver. Keep your fingers and hands out of the way of a closing door or frunk lid in the Tesla (and the Ford F-150 Lightning; it turns out that one didn’t pass the pinch test either).

Related: Why So Many People Are Happily On the Waitlist for Their Rivian R1T Electric Pickup Truck

What’s The Cybertruck Like to Drive? 

Just getting into the Cybertruck is novel. There is no door handle; nothing pops out to greet you; there is nothing to insert your finger in to open the door. There is a single lit button on the door pillar. Touch it, and the door pops open.

Once inside, it took me a minute to find the gear shifter – after that, I put my foot on the brake, and the truck instantly came to life. Soon, I was ready to put it in gear, which I found on the touch screen; slide the truck icon up for reverse and down for drive.

From there, I grabbed the ‘yoke’ style steering wheel, which is flat on the top and bottom. The yoke uses a technology called steer-by-wire, which is essentially computer or electric steering; there is no physical connection between the steering wheel and the car’s wheels.

Steer by wire is very cool. I tried this out in the Lexus RZ, and I’d opt for it if I could. Again, like a video game, it requires very little input; turn the wheel just a bit and for what seems like a large turn.  Once you get used to this, you’ll love it.

Finally, Taking Cybertruck For a (Short) Drive

Then, with the car powered, I drove it a very short distance. About 50 feet and backwards: I only backed it from the center of the parking lot into place for a video shoot. My first impressions are two-fold: First, the blindspots in this truck are huge. That’s because with the cover over the truck bed closed, the rear window is essentially useless. With it open, it’s probably a bit better, but I didn’t have that advantage. Drivers will find the side mirrors and rearview camera very handy, as that is the only way to see what’s behind you.

Then, it turned quickly and easily. The Cybertruck has rear-wheel steering, so it was easy to angle this huge blocky truck into the parking spot. It turned handily, and I could see the wheels turning in the side mirror.

My “test drive” was certainly short, but I hope to take a longer test drive soon.

Is it Good for Off-Roading?

Well, critics say no. Tesla says yes. I say, be careful. While the Cybertruck has a nice high ground clearance, it does not come with skid plates, which means you could possibly damage the undercarriage where the battery and some other functions are housed. Without an oil pan or transfer case, the Cybertruck is less at risk of damage from off-roading, but not completely. Though you can have a skid plate installed.

Still, experts report that the Cybertruck isn’t as capable off-road as its gas and electric counterparts and that it’s better suited for city driving.

It Is What It Seems

That it’s not the ultimate off-roader isn’t a surprise. The Cybertruck looks and feels and lives the part of the post-apocalyptic truck that can go anywhere and protect you from it all. It’s a tank with its sharp, straight lines, pencil-sketched shape, and wouldn’t-it-be-cool-if features. And, with a price tag of $100,000, it’s targeted at just the right audience: people — mostly men, I’m guessing — who have grown tired of the in-game app purchases and are ready for the real thing. And here it is… in real life, and ready to go.

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From the base trim all the way up to the extremely capable luxe-filled top of the line Limited trim, the redesign (finally!) of the Toyota Tacoma makes this super popular mid-size pickup truck better in every way. For now, buyers can opt for the now more efficient iForce 6-cylinder gas-powered models, but a hybrid model is one the way soon and it promises top-drawer features and power (and we’re more than just a little excited for that).

“There really is a Taco for everyone,” as Scotty Reiss (our Editor-in-Chief) put it in her first look at the Tacoma: six trims ranging from a base manual SR model starting at $31,500 that seats two, to the new top Limited trim, priced from $52,100. It shouts capable luxury from every angle of its new interior and exterior.

Well, getting behind the wheel, it’s even more impressive. I got a taste-test of the various options and grades, and the TRD Off-Road trim was my favorite. It comes in a manual version (starting price, $41,800), though I drove the automatic version (starting price, $52,900). I spent a day the day climbing the hilly trails of Malibu, California and it easily handled the extreme off-road course, allowing me to enjoy all aspects of the trail behind the wheel and then take in the surrounding beauty while I rode along as a passenger.

Related: Toyota Tundra Limited TRD Off-Road: Work All Day, Tailgate All Night

It’s Your Ultimate Adventure Machine

With up to 326 HP and up to 465 torque, Toyota made the ever-popular Tacoma mid-size pickup truck better in every way for 2024, both inside out. And it’s engineered to drive better, too. All six trims have an individually tuned suspension, new disc brakes and electric power steering.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma can tow up to 6,500 lbs with the SR5 i-FORCE, TRD PreRunner, and XtraCab trims. Also available is a 360-degree view backup camera and a wireless trailer camera which helps you see behind your trailer on the digital rearview mirror.

New safety tech includes standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 across the lineup (detailed below), new screens and new interiors that create a better experience for drivers and passengers.

Related: 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser: A Big, Bold Trail and Traffic Boss

Back to the TRD Off-Road (My Tacoma!)

Off-roading trail in Malibu, California, is more beautiful than you can imagine, and we drove and one of the most challenging trails I have driven. But the Tacoma did it with ease. The Tacoma TRD Off-Road’s  articulation, acceleration, rock-climbing, and hill descent were all done with ease.

Using the front camera on the giant new 14” screen, I could see the rock pile directly in front of me that the Tacoma was about to drive over BY ITSELF. Without me touching the gas pedal using Crawl Control. This system acts like cruise control for off-roading, keeping your speed slow and steady for maximum traction; you still have to steer, though, but on some trails, that’s more than enough to pay attention to.

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Crawl Control literally drives the course for you so you can focus on the trail. If you need to, you can adjust the system’s speed or turn it off if you no longer need it. It’s a good companion to have.

Interior Technology is Majorly Improved

The Tacoma, poor girl, needed a makeover. And the new one is a good one. It starts with a new 8” touchscreen that is standard, but buyers have the option of upgrading to the 14” touchscreen seen in other Toyotas including the Tundra and the Grand Highlander. Also standard are wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and two front seat USB-C ports. A wireless charging pad and rear USB-C charging ports can be optioned.

The driver display is also updated with a standard 7” digital display on the lower trims and a 12.3” display on the upper trims.

New, and standard, is a smart key with push-button start. Phone-as-key, or digital key, is available with an active Remote Connect trial or subscription. You can even get a card-as-key for the Tacoma if you really just can’t carry a key fob.

And then, there’s a new optional 10-speaker JBL sound system. Sound is really important to me; when you’re off the trail and on the highway (or, uh, in traffic) you can enjoy a full, robust sound system. There’s even a portable JBL speaker that docks on the dash and can pump music to your campsite or the river; it’s  waterproof in up to three feet of water.

Related: 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Edition: 80’s Nostalgia, Modern Convenience

More Power is a Must, and the New Tacoma Delivers

Tacoma’s I-Force Max Hybrid will make its way to dealers in April 2024, and when it does it’ll be the most powerful Tacoma ever. The hybrid will be offered on TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road and Limited model and will be standard on Trailhunter and TRD models. Again, we can’t wait to drive this one, but we’re fans of Toyota’s hybrid engines for the power and efficiency so we anticipate this will be a good combination of the two.

All Tacoma gas models are now equipped with a 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder; some with 278 horsepower and some (manual transmission) with 228 horsepower.

New Safety Systems Do More of the Driving For You 

To make on-road driving easier, especially with more power and more towing capacity, Toyota added a key new system to the TSS Safety suite: Proactive Driving Assist. This uses the vehicle’s camera and radar to provide gentle braking around curves or gentle braking and/or steering to help support distance control between you and the car ahead, as well as pedestrians or bicyclists. This works in addition to the pre-collision system and both depend on the circumstances on the road, including traffic, terrain and weather.

Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is standard on all trims of the new Tacoma and includes:

• Pre-collision system
• Lane departure alert with steering assist
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane trace assist
• Road sign reader
• Automatic high beam headlights
• Proactive driving assist

Which One Will You Choose?

With 6 trims, all unique and full of their own ‘Tacoma-ness,’ there really is a Taco for everyone. All have been improved and uniquely specified inside and out to suit the right person. From two seats to five, from a rugged manual transmission yet capable base model to the luxe-filled Limited, and of course, superior off-road capability in the TRD, there’s a plethora of choices for everyone who wants to live the Taco life.

Disclosure: I was a guest of Toyota for this test drive. Travel and accommodations were provided, but all opinions are my own. Additionally, A Girls Guide to Cars may earn a commission from affiliate links in this story.

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline is one more truck that is raring to dive into the mud. This medium-sized pickup truck has been refreshed with the TrailSport trim package for 2024. This package gives the Ridgeline driver more capabilities and a chance for off-road enthusiasts to hit the trail in this handsome vehicle. The Ridgeline is offered in a variety of trims, and another piece of good news is that the other trims of Ridgeline also get more standard features, better design, and more premium specs on the top trim.

Related: The Honda Pilot Has Removeable Seating for 7 or 8 – Get Out!

Let’s Take the TrailSport Trim Off-Road

Honda has offered the TrailSport badge and its off-road chops on both the Passport and the Pilot, and now, for the first time, the Ridgeline joins the TrailSport family. This gorgeous Diffused Sky Pearl blue paint is exclusive to the TrailSport. The TrailSport trim gets all-terrain tires, an off-road-tuned suspension, and steel underbody construction so that you can enjoy all the benefits of off-road adventuring. And the Ridgeline is all-wheel drive on all trims.

Related: The Honda Passport TrailSport is Built to Handle Your Adventures

New Badging across the Dual-Action Tailgate

I love seeing versatility in a vehicle. The tailgate on this pickup truck gets new big and bold Ridgeline embossing across the back, and the tailgate, while not new for 2024, opens two ways, both folded down and swinging open like a door.

Not only is the tailgate multi-functional but there is also a very large trunk inside the Ridgeline truck bed that can serve as a drainable cooler. You’ll see just how big it is in our YouTube Video here:

More Upscale Styling on Other Trims, Too

New gloss black mirror caps and new black door trim give the other trims of the Ridgeline look more premium as well.

A Larger Console Really Caters to Families

The whole center console is improved; it’s larger and more versatile, with room for side-by-side smartphones, a standard wireless charging pad, and even enough space in the center bin to fit a tablet.

More Tech in All Trims

The driver display adds a 7-inch digital cluster, and the media touchscreen is now 9 inches larger than the outgoing Ridgeline. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the system’s processor is now faster with less lag time.

I would like to point out that Honda does a fantastic job with a responsive wireless CarPlay. I’m always impressed with their models, and how quickly they connect to my phone when I start the car. It is consistently seamless and for those who find themselves frequently using their phones, this is a real convenience. Then again, Honda has always been known for offering excellent driver support.

The New Ridgeline will arrive this Winter and will continue to be built in Lincoln, Alabama.

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