A learner’s permit is a driver’s license given to those in the process of learning to drive. Learner’s permits are normally associated with teenagers, but some states require permits for anyone under 21, and still others (Wisconsin, primarily) require them for anyone getting a license for the first time.
Your truck likely sees hard use. Whether it’s new, old, or somewhere in between, your pickup truck is your solid companion. It is likely an extension of yourself in many ways too. Trucks come in many shapes, sizes, and with varied capabilities. Here we’ll look at tires that match your truck’s needs and your needs as its owner. Every tire listed is available in wheel sizes ranging from 17 inches to 20 inches, so whether you have a hardcore working truck, a beefy off-road pickup, or a highway-cruising daily driver, we will have you covered here. Our goal here is to cover pickup trucks in the half-ton (1500), three-quarter ton (2500), and one-ton (3500+) classes. Whatever size or capability your truck might be, we have tire suggestions and options for you. So read on.
With pickup trucks, sport utilities, and many four-wheel drive vehicle owners, paved roads are optional. When going off the road and into less hospitable terrain, your vehicle’s tires are its most important piece of equipment when it comes to capability. Most all-terrain-capable vehicles will have wheel diameters ranging from 15 inches to 20 inches. Vehicles with serious off-road capability will have 15- or 17-inch wheels while those with a less intense mixture of on/off-road may have 19- or 20-inch wheels instead. For our purposes, we’ll focus on 15/17 and 19/20 as two separate needs.
The 2021 Infiniti QX80 is a big, powerful, luxury sport utility vehicle that hasn’t changed much since it was introduced about a decade ago. This SUV is far more capable than its luxury persona might attest, however. Our road test coincided with the QX80’s entry into the 2020 Rebelle Rally, so we thought it fitting to talk to the women who drove it in that competition and find out just how capable it is.
The 2020 Cadillac CT4 is all-new, entering the market as a compact, entry-level luxury sedan to compete against the smaller sedans of Europe. The CT4 replaces the ATS, modernizing the small Caddy sedan offering and hitting all of the marks required of a car in this class.
Polaris has announced the 2021 model Slingshot autocycle. The Slingshot is half-motorcycle, half-car with two wheels in front and one in the rear. Propelled by a high-revving four-cylinder engine, the 2021 Slingshot now has a shiftable automatic transmission as well.
The Nissan Titan has been around for quite a while, but it went largely unnoticed until the introduction of the current-generation with its XD model. The Titan XD is a heavy-duty half-ton truck, meaning it fits somewhere between a standard half-ton pickup (1500) and a larger three-quarter ton (2500). There were, however, several flaws in the newly-introduced Titan. This new, updated 2020 Titan XD remedies almost all of those.
The 2020 Nissan Frontier has seen a powerful change for this model year: a new powertrain. The new V6 is right-sized for the truck at 310 horsepower and the nine-speed transmission it’s been mated to is a huge step up from the five-speed automatic of before. This is a far better setup for the truck. Everything else? Well, it all basically stays the same. For now. Nissan has an all-new Frontier with this same powertrain and a full body and interior redesign for 2021.
BMW has been slowly electrifying all of its vehicles. The small X3 crossover has been a popular staple in the automaker's lineup for a few years, offering family-sized luxury with BMW’s signature driver’s focus. Now the X3 has a plug-in option, the X3 Hybrid.
When Chevrolet introduced the new Corvette in 2019 it was an instant blockbuster. The redesign, which made it a mid-engined sports car to compete with high-end supercars, was a jaw-dropper, as was the retention of the relative affordability the Corvette has always been known for.
In this full review of the 2020 Santa Fe, Aaron looks at the improvements made to the crossover before its facelift coming for 2021. The Santa Fe is a smart, tech savvy, well-done crossover that fits a lot of needs and lifestyles. Definitely worth a look.
In this review, Aaron looks at the GMC Canyon in its AT4 off-road package. The GMC Canyon is a midsized truck that comes with a V6 gasoline or diesel engine and which competes against mainstays in the midsized truck market like the Tacoma and the Frontier. See how it stacks up.
The Honda Odyssey is a best-selling minivan and for good reason. As a staple in the Honda lineup for some time, the Odyssey has undergone many changes over the years. This new 2021 model has a lot of useful technology, family-friendly passenger space, and smart things for parents. With a good drivetrain, the 2021 Honda Odyssey is well-designed overall. Check it out.
Potential buyers for the Porsche Taycan electric sports car may have balked at its US$103,800 starting price, but need no longer worry. The automaker has introduced a new Taycan entry-level model priced just below $80,000, to appease those with tighter wallets.
For the 2021 model year, Mercedes-Benz has added AMG tuning to both its midsized GLE sport utility and its full-sized GLS. These luxury SUVs now come in both standard and AMG-tuned models with powerful six- and eight-cylinder engines.
The 2021 Sierra 1500 in its AT4 package is a nice setup for a good price point. With a mix of luxury, smart pickup truck ergonomics, and usefulness, the Sierra with its AT4 add-ons does very well. The AT4 off-road upgrades are simple and fit what the majority of off-pavement drivers really need without adding a huge amount of weight and cost to the truck as a result.
In this review, Aaron looks at the 2021 Camry in its XSE package. The sport package adds some extras to the car and the price tag is pretty on point for the segment. The midsized Camry does have one flaw, though. Check it out.
The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX, affectionately called the T-Rex and with Easter egg graphics to encourage that moniker, boasts 702 horsepower (523.4 kW) and a 0-60-mph (0-96.5-km/h) sprint of about 4.5 seconds. In a full-sized pickup truck. Ridiculous? Yes. Ludicrous? Yes. Awesome? You bet.
Nissan has unveiled its 2022 Frontier pickup truck in a virtual press conference. The new Frontier features the engine and transmission introduced last year, an all-new exterior design, a new interior, and several world-first safety technologies.
If ever there’s been a crossover that’s been both over- and underrated, it’s probably the Subaru Crosstrek. Subaru’s lowest-priced wagon has long been the subject of love and hate in the auto world. Since its introduction in 2013, it’s had a unique look that mixes rough-and-ready with road-worthy style that’s struck a cord among buyers. Some of those things change for the all-new 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. And only for the better.
In this review, Aaron takes a first drive impression of the 2021 Mazda CX-30 in its Turbo model with the new 2.5-liter turbocharged engine. An excellent upgrade for this already well-done CUV. Check it out.
In this review, Aaron looks at the 2021 Tundra pickup truck in its TRD Pro packaging. This Toyota truck has been a staple on the truck market for some time and epitomizes the idea of a “plain, workaday truck” as a buyer option. See what the TRD Pro adds and why this is still great value for the price.
When the current-generation RAV4 crossover was introduced in 2019, Toyota promised both a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid option. We’ve driven both as 2021 model year offerings. Here’s what we learned about Toyota’s electrified RAV4s.
Volkswagen introduced the Atlas three-row crossover-SUV in 2018 and it’s been a popular family hauler since. Though now seeing strong competition from fierce rivals from Korea and Japan, the 2021 Atlas remains relevant thanks to a slight restyling and continued excellence in three-row expectations. The Atlas is spacious and efficient, meeting the expectations of Volkswagen buyers while checking the boxes most families will have for their three-row.
The current-generation Equinox was introduced in 2018 as the third generation of this popular family crossover. The Equinox meets a continually-growing segment of buyers looking for a midsize crossover on the slightly smaller side and with a comfortable interior and affordable price tag. For the 2020 model year, the Chevrolet Equinox sees a couple of changes, starting with package changes for the trim levels to better match consumer needs. Safety equipment such as forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking are now standard on all 2020 Equinox model trims. Finally, Chevy decided to drop the diesel engine amid trouble with certifications and a low customer interest. The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox remains one of the lowest priced options in its segment, a big attractant to customers for the model since its introduction. As with previous years, the base model is largely a "paper only" trim that must be special ordered. The extremely low price advertised as the base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Equinox should thus be taken with a big grain of salt. The 2020 Equinox is a five seat, large compact crossover. Four trim choices are available, starting with the special order model L and rising through the LS, LT, and Premier trims. Two engine choices are available and both front-wheel and all-wheel drive are options.
Heavy duty pickup trucks have been getting more and more capable. Almost to the point of ridiculousness. Often at the top of that heap, with many "best in class" boasts to prove it, is the Ram 3500. With up to 35,100 pounds of towing capacity, a huge interior, and beyond premium fitment in some models, the new Ram 3500 is more than just a workhorse. The heavy duty pickup truck lineup from Ram Trucks saw a total makeover in 2019, marking the fifth generation of the Ram HD line. The Ram 3500, as the top consumer-grade model in that heavy duty series, was one of the more anticipated of those trucks. For 2020, Ram added a few more things, including some driver aid and safety options, a larger fuel tank option, and more. From basic work truck to luxurious trailer puller, the 2020 Ram 3500 has a build option to fit most any need in the one-ton consumer or commercial pickup truck market. Below the Ram 3500 are the 2500 and 1500, both consumer-grade pickups with commercial options. Above the 3500 are the 4500 and beyond, even heavier-duty pickups largely aimed towards a commercial buyer. For 2020, the Ram 3500 is offered in five trim levels, three cab configurations, two bed lengths, and both rear- or four-wheel drive. Most Ram 3500 models can also be had with a single or dual rear axle and any of three engines.
As the premier vehicle in Subaru's lineup, the Legacy often carries forward the latest and greatest that the company wants to display. The 2020 Legacy was completely redone for the new model year, sporting a new engine option, a huge infotainment interface option, and more along with the things that Subaru is most well known for. The 2020 Subaru Legacy offers a premium experience as the most well-known sedan in Subaru's line. Like most Subaru vehicles, it has all-wheel drive, spacious seating, and active safety and driver assist features as standard features. The Legacy competes in the midsize sedan market, which is both highly competitive and experiencing dwindling sales figures. Subaru's goal with the new seventh-generation design for this sedan was to gain market share among the heavy-hitters already doing well. The Legacy starts from a strong position, though, and has added a lot of good reasons to consider switching brand loyalties from the best-seller crowd. The 2020 Subaru Legacy is a four-door, midsized sedan offered in six trim levels. There are two engine options with all-wheel drive as standard on all Legacy models.
The world of heavy duty pickup trucks seems to mainly be about who gets to claim “best-in-class” and “most powerful” descriptions. Ram Truck often gets to use those descriptors with a free hand and the 2020 Ram 2500 is a good example as to why that is.
The Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator are the most-accessorized vehicles in the United States and are some of the most popular overlanding rigs on the planet. So when we were asked to try a from-the-dealership, ready-to-go setup from RMT Overland, we grabbed keys and took off.
The Mercedes E-Series is well-regarded and often held as a benchmark for luxury sedans. There’s good reason for that and the new 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 is a solid example of how it is that Mercedes keeps that benchmark status.
Consumer surveys and after-sale studies are showing that many vehicle owners–as many as 25 percent or more–skip recommended service intervals. Nearly all vehicle owners surveyed in the last year have delayed routine maintenance past recommended intervals for various reasons. Could this explain some of the jalopies seen on the road lately?
In this quick review, our Senior Editor Aaron gets into the new RX hybrid from Lexus. This midsized SUV offers fuel efficiency and comfort and adds more power and more technologies for 2021. Check it out.
Volvo has launched a new battery-electric crossover, the C40 Recharge, which is the first Volvo ever designed to be electric-only. The automaker has also announced that all EV sales will move to an online platform.
For 2021, Chevrolet has completely redesigned the Tahoe to be larger, roomier, and more road worthy than any Tahoe before it. This 5th-generation of the SUV marks it as the most spacious and capable so far. There are a few downsides to the all-new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe, but there are a large number of pros to outweigh those cons.
For this model year, GMC added the AT4 package to the midsized Canyon pickup truck, bringing that truck into line with the GMC lineup of trucks and SUVs. We drove both pickups in this package and found them to be very different. One person’s AT4 is not another’s.
The BMW 5-Series is regarded as the definition of luxury midsized sedans. Here’s the most mainstream of the 5 Series options, the 540i with xDrive all-wheel drive. Check it out!
Currently in its fifth generation, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class of midsized cars is an unusual case of what happens when an automaker does both road-going (touring-class) and sports models really well. We had the chance to drive examples of both, for a week each.
Mazda did a redesign of the little Mazda3 compact for the 2019 model year. That restyling included some fresh (and eye-catching) new looks and an interior revamp for a more upscale feel. This year, Mazda has replaced the base engine in the 3 and added a bigger displacement upgrade that also has a turbocharged option that really changes the game for compact cars.
Volkswagen ("VW" to most of us) has changed its name to Voltswagen – at least in the US. Volkswagen of America is now Voltswagen of America, to signify the brand's move to fully electric vehicles in the near future ... and perhaps as a bid to shed the "dieselgate" negativity the brand has suffered.
The Jeep Gladiator debuted with a lot of interest and excitement. It’s since gone on to become one of Jeep’s best selling models. Powered by the same Pentastar V6 engine that operates the Wrangler, the Gladiator upped the output a bit to accommodate more towing and hauling, but was otherwise very much like the Wrangler in terms of power. When the diesel engine debuted for the Wrangler, though, many of us were chomping at the bit for them to drop that torquey diesel into the Gladiator.
Hyundai has released digital sketches of the upcoming Santa Cruz pickup truck. The Sport Adventure Vehicle will combine SUV and pickup truck elements as a competitor to the Honda Ridgeline, and is slated to enter production later in 2021.
Subaru has unveiled the 2022 Outback Wilderness model. This upgrade for the Outback takes some cues from the popular Outback Onyx Edition and the larger Ascent while adding a few unique items to give it more off-pavement capability.
This time, I go up into the hills to talk about the Jeep Gladiator in its new diesel engine option. Coming in Firecracker Red, this is a beast of a midsized truck with all the great Jeepiness one could ask for. Here’s the skinny.
Kia revamped the Sorento for the 2021 model year, giving it a redesign from the wheels on up and adding new hybrid and plug-in hybrid options to the family. With excellent fuel economy and a comfortable ride, the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid looks to be the pick of the bunch.
The GMC Hummer EV SUV and Hummer EV Pickup have debuted in their production formats with several new technologies and a few surprising details. Among those are the production dates, with the pickup truck model beginning Q3 2021 and the SUV in early 2023.