2009 Car of the Year: Pickup

Oct 30, 2008

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Special to the Star

Pickup trucks – it's the auto makers' meat and potatoes market – and two of the Big Three hoped to feast at TestFest with their new tasty offerings.

Chevy won this category last year but it was Ford and Dodge in a head-to-head battle this year.

Winner: 2009 Dodge Ram

New sheet metal and a new interior are strong suits for the2009 Dodge Ram – a third generation of the now iconic "Big Rig" design.

Inside are a new centre console, upper and lower gloveboxes and a sculpted dashboard featuring chrome, leather and cloth accents – including real saddle stitching across the dash. It's also dressed with new options like power adjustable pedals, double the number of previous storage spaces and for the first time, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats and even a heated steering wheel.

Also look for the RamBox. These are two weatherproof, lockable storage bins that run the length of the 5-foot, 7-inch box on the high-end model.

The long-serving 5.7 L Hemi has bumped up the Ram's torque and added some horsepower with variable value timing but the tranny remains a five-speed. It will tow 4,128 kg and has a payload of 862 kg.

Price as tested: $48,910

2009 Ford F-150

Celebrating its 61st birthday, this truck shows no signs of slowing up – or getting smaller.

The F-150 towing capacity has increased to 5,125 kg, while payload has risen to 1,374 kg as a result of a new frame designed with high-strength steel.

The truck is also bigger, with a longer wheelbase that supports a stretched four-door SuperCrew. This cab adds to the F-series choices that bring as many as 35 different trucks to market.

New is a six-speed tranny with a double set of overdrive gears that contributes a 4-to-6 per cent fuel savings over the old four-speed. Other innovations include an integrated trailer brake controller, Trailer Sway Control system, retractable box-side steps, and stowable bed extender.

Price as tested: $52,589

Toronto Star