Luxury carmakers have made a few attempts at entering the lucrative pickup truck segment, with little success. Anyone remember the Lincoln Blackwood? I didn’t think so. But traditional truck companies like Ford, Chevy, Dodge and even Toyota have done a bang-up job of offering luxury options and trim levels on this most rugged class of vehicles.
2014 Chevrolet Silverado High Country ($45,000, est.)
Distinguished from other Silverado models by a chrome grille with horizontal bars, body-color front and rear bumpers, unique 20-inch chrome wheels, and chrome handles, mirrors and body trim, the High Country is Chevy’s luxury truck. The rich interior goes for a Western feel, featuring heated and cooled premium leather bucket seats. Luxury amenities include Bose premium audio system, eight-inch touch screen, power-sliding rear window, available chrome rear bumper with CornerStep, sunroof, navigation, and a rear-seat entertainment system as well as a High Country Premium Package. But there’s no sacrifice in durability, with a standard 355-horsepower V-8 engine, and optional trailering packages.
2013 Ford F-150 King Ranch Super Crew ($43,920)
Powered by a 360-horsepower V-8 engine, the King Ranch is all truck, with the highest towing capacity of any small-displacement V-8 engine, plus best-in-class payload. Yet, it is as luxurious as it is tough, with Chaparral-leather heated and cooled 10-way adjustable front bucket seats, keyless entry and remote start; the excellent SYNC My Ford Touch system is standard. And, the second row seats are heated. Exterior styling cues include a body-colored grille and an accent color for a two-tone look. A chrome look is optional.
2014 Ram Laramie ($39,925 to $48,080)
The Laramie comes in three luxury editions: Laramie, Laramie Longhorn, and Laramie Limited. All feature high-back leather bucket seats, full power accessories, and like the others, luxury options and premium styling cues. All are powered by Dodge’s V-8 HEMI engine, producing 383 horsepower. Navigation system is standard on the Longhorn and Limited models, on an 8.4-inch touch screen display.
2014 Toyota Tundra ($44,270 to $47,320)
Just this September, the millionth truck rolled off Toyota’s San Antonio, Texas, assembly line. New for 2014 is the Tundra 1794 luxury trim, with the name giving a nod to the year the ranchland on which the plant stands was founded. The 1794 Edition reflects a western lifestyle theme and includes exclusive saddle brown premium leather-trimmed seating with embossed leather and ultra-suede accents. Matching soft-touch materials also accent the shift console, the front and rear door trim, and the instrument panel. The 1794 Edition includes an array of standard features that includes heated and ventilated front seats, and Entune Premium JBL Audio with navigation.
