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Comparison Tests
2004 Full-Size Truck Comparison Test
Top 10 Features
By Ed Hellwig
Date Posted 05-16-2004
When you're buying a vehicle that you expect to do a little bit of everything, having the right features can be the difference between a truck that exceeds your expectations and one that leaves you wishing for more. After driving our test trucks for the better part of two weeks, we asked each editor to pick the top features that he or she thought would be the most useful to the average buyer in this segment. Any feature that was standard on all five trucks was thrown out and points were awarded based on whether each feature was standard, optional or not available.
Features
| |
Chevrolet Silverado |
Dodge Ram |
Ford F-150 |
Nissan Titan |
Toyota Tundra |
| Adjustable Pedals |
N/A |
O |
O |
O |
N/A |
| Adjustable Bed Tie-Downs |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
O |
N/A |
| Compass/Temp Gauge |
O |
O |
S |
O |
O |
| Lighted Tailgate Area |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
O |
N/A |
| Off-Road Package |
O |
O |
O |
O |
O |
| Power Rear Window |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
S |
| Rear A/C Vents |
S |
N/A |
N/A |
O |
S |
| Side Airbags |
N/A |
O |
N/A |
O |
N/A |
| Spray-In Bedliner |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
O |
N/A |
| Stability Control |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
O |
O |
Key:
S: Standard
O: Optional
N/A: Not Available
Adjustable Pedals: This handy feature allows you to move the pedals in
relation to the seat in order to find a more comfortable driving position. The
Dodge, Ford and Nissan trucks all offer this feature as an option, while it is
unavailable in the Chevrolet or Toyota.
Adjustable Bed Tie-Downs: While just about every pickup truck offers places
to tie up loose cargo, the Titan took this idea one very useful step further with
heavy-duty cleats that can be repositioned just about anywhere along the sides
of the bed. Utility rails along the sides and floor of the bed provide the anchoring
points and no tools are needed for adjustment.
Compass/Temperature Gauge: Knowing which way you're going and how hot or cold
it is outside might not seem like crucial information, but once you have it, it's
hard to do without either of these convenience features.
Lighted Tailgate Area: Most trucks offer a cargo lamp for the bed that
provides some measure of light when you're loading things up at night. The problem
is most of these lamps are too far away from the actual cargo to be of much use.
In addition to its standard reverse-facing cab lamp, the Titan also provides lights
built into the side of the bed where the tailgate latches. It might not seem like
much, but when you're trying to load something off the end of the tailgate at
night, you'll appreciate these well-placed lights more so than the one way up
at the top of the cab.
Off-Road Package: Whether you just want the look of an off-road-ready vehicle
or you actually plan to do a little backroads exploring, an optional off-road
package will set your truck up for either scenario right from the factory. Most
of these setups combine all-terrain tires, heavy-duty shocks, retuned springs
and various underbody skid plates. The Nissan and Toyota trucks offer an off-road
package on all trim levels while the Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge models offer such
a package only on the higher trim levels.
Power Rear Window: Toyota pulled this one out of its hat when it introduced
the Double Cab this year. Instead of the typical sliding rear window, the Tundra
rear window can be rolled down completely to provide additional air flow throughout
the cabin.
Rear A/C Vents: When you're sitting in the back of some these big trucks,
the dashboard vents can seem pretty far away. Having auxiliary vents that route
air directly to the rear seats can be a lifesaver on long summer trips. Both the
Chevrolet Silverado crew cab and Toyota Tundra Double Cab offer this feature as
standard, while the Titan offers it as standard on the top-level LE model only.
Side Airbags: Side airbags have proven to be very effective in reducing
injuries caused in side-impact accidents. The Nissan Titan offers optional seat-mounted
side airbags that protect your torso as well as side curtain airbags that protect
your head. The Dodge Ram offers side curtain airbags only. The F-150, Tundra and
Silverado do not offer any type of side airbag protection.
Spray-in Bedliner: While most bedliners are simply plastic covers that
are dropped into the bed, the Nissan Titan offers a spray-in liner that not only
looks better, but features a non-slip surface that won't trap water underneath
(trapped water can, of course, lead to rust).
Stability Control: This electronic safety system can sense when the vehicle
is deviating from the driver's intended path and uses a combination of individual
brakes and reduced throttle to restore control. Only the Nissan Titan and Toyota
Tundra offer this option although the Toyota doesn't allow it to be combined with
an off-road package.
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