The Detroit Auto Show turned into the Detroit Pickup Truck (and Supercar) Show this year. Much attention at recent auto shows has been paid to connectivity, alternative fuels and self-driving.
But the new crop of pickup truck shown in Detroit this week is proof that companies know what their customers want in the next one to two years, ahead of the next ten to 12.
Heading into full-size mainstream: the 2016 Nissan Titan XD
Perhaps the most important, for its automaker anyway, was the 2016 Nissan Titan XD. Nissan has seemingly embraced its place as a fringe player in the full-size truck segment and doubled down on appealing to a more targeted audience. By the company's estimation, 150,000 customers are potentially looking for something heavier than a light-duty, but lighter than a heavy-duty truck—hence the Cummins 5.0-liter V8 turbodiesel we've heard so much about. The Titan XD, which will launch first as a diesel model, offers more bed lengths and cab sizes than before, and a swanky new Platinum Reserve trim that may sound like a top-shelf liquor, but has plush interior fittings to compete with other big-buck trucks. The Titan may never topple Ford, General Motors or Ram in the sales races, but this model may actually have a purpose in life.
Rebooted: the 2016 Toyota Tacoma
At least until last year, the Toyota Tacoma pretty much was the midsize pickup segment after the roster of players dwindled way down. But with competition suddenly emerging from General Motors, the 2016 Tacoma has been rolled out to bring the aged truck up to date. The result is partially successful. A 6-speed automatic and new styling, a TRD Pro off-road pack and infotainment tech help out, although the new model has blasé looks. The Tacoma is still in command of the segment, and it makes sense that the new pickup could continue to reign.
The fire-breather: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Ford gambled with the 2015 F-150's aluminum body and turbocharged V6s and had to answer whether or not buyers in this conservative segment would go for something that radical. The gamble appears to be paying off. Now, Ford is unleashing the 2017 F-150 Raptor, which will ditch a V-8 in favor of an turbocharged V-6 and a new 10-speed automatic. Thankfully, the Raptor is still a mean-looking thing, with an ever-bigger grille and larger F-O-R-D letters front and rear. And it doubles down on the off-road angle of the old one, with a new transfer case and beefier suspension. It's more of a techie than before, but it looks like the Raptor can still be wild.
The rogue: the 2015 Ram 1500 Rebel
The Raptor's popularity has promoted competition in the form of the 2015 Ram 1500 Rebel, in all its swollen-face glory. It casts a sizable shadow in a brash Ram way, with its blacked-out exterior trim, 33-inch off-road tires and a hiked up ride height. Oh, and it, like the Raptor, wears a big, blocky brand name front and rear. Unlike the Raptor, the Rebel doesn't get a bespoke engine or even standard four-wheel drive, so it's much more of a style statement. But how many Raptors running around Malibu are really going off-road much, anyway?
The unexpected: Hyundai Santacruz concept
Among the conventional reveals, Hyundai announced the sort of anti-truck that just happens to have a bed. The Hyundai Santacruz concept comes after repeated denials from Hyundai that they would ever build a truck. But they admit it isn't one, instead describing it as a crossover that just happens to have a pickup bed. Aimed at those who like to buy local and rediscover architecture or something like that, the Santa Cruz treads where vehicles like the Subaru Baja and Honda Ridgeline have fumbled: by embracing the car virtues and keeping the efficiency, as Hyundai aims for high 30s MPG with the 2.0-liter turbodiesel in this concept. Will it see production? Hyundai seems to make a pretty good case for it.
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