When it comes to high-speed acceleration and performance, it’s easy to overlook the humble pickup truck. Though they’re designed for transporting goods, tackling tricky terrain, and other utilitarian purposes, most hide a brawny engine under the hood. In some cases, those engines have more than enough power to offset their bulky chassis, producing unexpected, jaw-dropping performance. In fact, some of the fastest production trucks ever made for the U.S. market can give some sports cars a run for their money.
16 Fastest Production Trucks in America
Nissan Titan
Nissan pickup trucks are not the most popular in North America. However, the vehicle manufacturer has been slowly gaining popularity, thanks in part to the Nissan Titan. Apart from being one of the fastest pickup trucks in the world, it is one of the most established models that Nissan offers in the States. The pickup does 0-60 in 7 seconds flat, with a top speed of 110 mph.
The secret behind the Titan’s speed is the truck’s beefy engine — a powerful 5.6L DOHC V8 engine (32-valve) that produces 400 hp at 5,800 rpm and 413 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. The engine also uses VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift) technology, which is instrumental in reducing fuel consumption, making it both fast and efficient.
Toyota Tacoma
The popular Toyota Tacoma is a practical and versatile truck that packs some serious punch. If optioned with the 3.5L V6 powerplant, the Tacoma puts out 278 hp and 265 lb.-ft. of torque which is good for a top speed hovering around the 109 mph marker. In terms of acceleration, 0-60 is achievable in a tidy 7.0 seconds.
The base engine is an uninspiring 2.7L 4-cylinder, with a lackluster 159 hp. You can even opt for a 6-speed manual transmission if you prefer to row your own gears. And though the Tacoma lacks the towing capacity of the beefier Toyota Tundra, it is rated at 6,800 pounds which, depending on your use case, can still come in handy.
Toyota Tundra
Traditionally, the Toyota Tundra came with a V8 engine. One of the options was a 5.7L V8 that produces 401 lb.-ft. of torque and 381 hp which was good for a 6.7-second 0-60 mph, making it one of the fastest production trucks on the market. The latest 2022 Tundra TRD Pro comes with a 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 that makes 437 hp and 583 lb.-ft. and runs up to 60 mph in 6 seconds flat.
The Tundra isn’t just fast; it’s also strong, boasting more torque than many of its competitors. And with a towing capacity of 12,000 pounds, the Tundra has plenty to offer in the realm of towing. However, though this pickup is fast and powerful, it is not efficient. It is the only pickup truck in its category that does not meet the 20 mpg on the highway mark. The 2022 Tundra is rated at 19 mpg combined.
Chevrolet Colorado
The Chevrolet Colorado is a popular truck that balances everyday practicality with boisterous engine performance. In higher-end trim levels, the Colorado sports a 3.6-liter V6 that produces a hearty 275 of lb.-ft. and 308 hp. With the power delivered using an 8-speed automatic transmission, the Colorado can hit 60 from a standstill in just 6.1 seconds.
Compared with the other available engine options, the V6 might not be the most economical, but with an estimated 25 mpg highway and 18 mpg city, it’s hardly a gas guzzler. If you’re looking for something fast that can pull a heavy load, the Colorado is one option.
Curiously, the similarly spec’d GMC Canyon doesn’t boast the same acceleration times. Though the GMC Canyon features similar hardware options, it hits 60 from a standstill in a slower (but still quick) 6.9 seconds. The Canyon might lose on acceleration, but it does have plusher trim options.
Ford F-150
Very few consumers were excited about Ford’s decision to redesign the most popular truck in America with an aluminum bed and body. As it turns out, the new F-150 packs a serious punch. While it’s not the fastest truck in the world, it’s not far off.
The redesign shaved a cool 700 pounds off of the F-150’s overall weight. The weight saving, in combination with the F-150’s 5L engine, boosted the truck’s performance significantly. It now produces 325 hp and 376 lb.-ft. of torque, with a top speed of 107 mph. And the 0 to 60 time? 5.6 seconds. This acceleration is as high as some of the (slower) sports cars in the world today.
Despite the excellent performance, the F-150’s efficiency is reasonable. It has an EPA rating of 20 mpg combined. Note that these fuel ratings change when you drive at high speeds or when you floor the pedal every chance you get. Ford also offers a 3.0L diesel option with superior fuel economy but far less performance.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 does 0-60 mph in an unbelievable 5.4 seconds. The secret to the Silverado’s success is the muscular 6.2L V8 engine producing a whopping 420 hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque. The Silverado 1500’s engine includes cam profile changes determined by power needs, dynamic cam timing, and cylinder deactivation on two cylinders. For deactivation, low-power, and high-power capabilities, each camshaft offers each valve 2 or 3 different lift profiles.
Vintage Chevy enthusiasts will be pleased to know the old “Tri-Power” system has been brought back with this model. An electric water pump assists in reducing drag to the power system. Similarly, the GMC Sierra is also fairly quick when equipped with the V8 engine. However, despite sharing 99% of the same DNA as the Silverado, it hits 60 mph from a standstill at a slightly slower time of 6 seconds flat.
Dodge Ram R/T
The Dodge RAM R/T can get from 0- 60 in 5.4 seconds. The 5.7L V8 engine is capable of producing 395 horses and a mammoth 410 lb.-ft. of torque and is backed by an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
Not only is it fast, but it also has decent pulling power. Capable of towing weights of up to 5,000 pounds, the RAM R/T manages to strike a healthy balance between sports performance and everyday practicality. It’s not ridiculously inefficient either. The fuel economy is rated at 14 mpg for city driving, which is decent for a truck of this size.
Ford F-150 SVT Lightning
Though discontinued in 2004, the Ford F-150 SVT Lightning had a decade run as the fastest of the fast trucks, reportedly reaching a top speed of 147 mph. Compared with many modern-day trucks, it’s a veritable speed demon.
The Lightning’s success was thanks to its beautifully engineered — and supercharged — 5.4L V8. The result was an output of 380 hp, 450 lb.-ft. of peak torque, and a very impressive 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds.
Ford F-150 Raptor
The critically acclaimed Ford F-150 Raptor is no slouch on speed. Famed as an off-road beast thanks to its long-travel suspension and off-road lineage, this truck is a veritable powerhouse out on the trails. The Raptor also boasts serious on-road performance. The secret to the Raptor’s speed and success is down to the truck’s burly twin-turbo 3.5L V6 engine.
In terms of acceleration, this 450-hp beast can get the Raptor from 0-60 in a speedy 5.1 seconds. And with 510 lb.-ft. of torque and a max tow rating of 8,200 pounds, the Raptor isn’t a one-trick pony. While many Raptor fans might have been reeling when Ford ditched the V8 in favor of V6, with performance statistics like that, how can you complain?
Dodge Ram SRT-10
A list of fast trucks would not be complete without the Dodge Ram SRT-10, short-lived but speedy pickup only available from 2004 to 2006. This superfast truck had the same V10 engine featured in the Dodge Viper.
The engineers developed this bolt of lightning in 2004 using extensive wind tunnel testing and inserted the Viper engine, a 500-hp 8.3L V10 that generated up to 525 lb.-ft. of torque. The top speed for this monster was 155 mph. Capable of hitting 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, this is one of the fastest truck models to grace the nation’s roads.
GMC Syclone
The GMC Syclone is an oldie but a goody, and still one of the fastest production trucks in the world. The Syclone was only available for the 1991 and 1992 model years and fewer than 3,000 were ever produced making them very rare.
In a famous 1991 comparison test, Car and Driver compared the Syclone’s acceleration to a Ferrari. The small pickup packed a wallop thanks to a turbocharged 6-cylinder 280-hp engine and all-wheel drive. Reported 0-60 times are conflicting, though. Some boasted of seriously fast times like 4.5 seconds, while others have a more reserved (but still incredibly quick) 5.3 seconds.
Ford F-150 Lightning
Ford boldly resurrected the Lightning name for a unique – and fast — rendition of the best-selling F-150. The electric F-150 Lightning outfitted with the extended battery makes 563 hp and 775 lb.-ft. of torque. Ford claims that will be good for a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds, making it the most powerful F-150 that Ford has ever produced.
And it still delivers on the pickup front with a towing capacity of 10,000 pounds. The extended battery is good for a driving range of about 300 miles on a single charge which means you can go fast and far with Ford’s first EV pickup.
Toyota Tundra Supercharged TRD
TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development, and the clue to this truck’s performance capabilities is very much in the name. “Temporary insanity” is what one reviewer claimed when this rocket hit the streets in 2009.
The supercharger takes the truck’s 381-hp V8 into the stratosphere with 550 lb.-ft. of torque and more than 500 hp. But how fast is the supercharged Tundra? Well, some say it can hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, though some daredevils claim that these fast trucks can hit 60 in 4.4 seconds.
Dodge Ram 1500 TRX
If you want a traditional gas-powered pickup to play with the EVs off the line, the Ram 1500 TRX is your best bet. This speedy pickup can do a sub-4 second 0-60 mph thanks to its supercharged 6.2L V8 which makes 708 hp.
With a towing capacity of 8,100 pounds and plenty of off-road capability, this pickup is capable of being both fun and practical. However, it is not the most fuel-efficient option, as the TRX gets only 11 mpg combined.
Rivian R1T
Newcomer Rivian has made a splash with the Rivian R1T, an electric pickup that the brand claims will deliver 300 miles of driving range and speedy acceleration. The truck’s four electric motors deliver 835 hp and 908 lb.-ft. of torque. Early tests have the Rivian pulling to 60 mph in right at or just over 3 seconds.
The R1T isn’t just designed to be fast in a straight line either. With a towing capacity of 11,000 pounds and a lot of off-road-ready features, this EV pickup is clearly intended to go both on and off-pavement with ease – and speed.
GMC Hummer EV Pickup
GMC isn’t holding back on the latest iteration of the Hummer, as a glance at the truck’s specs will reveal. The 2022 Hummer EV pickup is slated to come with an eye-watering 1,000 hp and 1,200 lb.-ft. of torque. All that power equates to a remarkable 3.0 second 0-60 in what is decidedly not a small truck.
GMC estimates the range at 350 miles for the pickup which also comes decked out with some unique off-road features. Between the off-road modes, adaptive air suspension, and “crabwalk” mode, the Hummer EV has more than a few tricks up its sleeve. That alongside being one of the fastest production trucks on the market makes it an interesting EV to consider.
Ranking the Fastest Production Trucks in the USA
- GMC Hummer EV
- Rivian R1T
- Dodge Ram 1500 TRX
- Toyota Tundra Supercharged TRD
- Ford F150 Lightning
- GMC Syclone
- Dodge Ram SRT-10
- Ford F-150 Raptor
- Ford F-150 SVT Lightning
- Dodge Ram R/T
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- Ford F-150
- Chevrolet Colorado
- Toyota Tundra
- Toyota Tacoma
- Nissan Titan
The Fastest Production Trucks Will Keep Getting Faster
When it comes to creating a definitive list of the fastest production trucks, you can always expect some controversy. Performance statistics change depending on who’s recording them, and often brand claims aren’t always confirmed in real-world tests. Still, we have tried to put together a list that fairly represents the performance of the trucks on sale in North America, past and present.
And with EVs making significant inroads with major manufacturers, it’s anyone’s guess how long these gas-powered pickups will hold onto their claim as the fastest production pickups. If the first round of EV pickups is any indication, production trucks are about to get faster — a LOT faster — thanks to that on-demand electric torque. We concede that this list could see some big changes in the coming years. However, if you’re looking for a list of the fastest product trucks at present, these are worthy contenders.
