The Best Choice for Your Next Truck Idania Montufar Molly Blair Kanesha Roberson Keith Kearney Cory Hanson

Introduction The focus of this feasibility is what is the best choice for your next truck. The feasibility is intended for college students. We researched four trucks – Ford F-150, Dodge Ram 1500, Chevy Silverado 1500, and Toyota Tundra – and evaluated them based on horsepower, towing capacity, fuel economy, and cost. This report compares the data of each truck via ranking charts and concludes with our recommendation for choosing the next best truck.

Methods We researched the Ford F-150, the Dodge Ram 1500, the Chevy Silverado 1500, and the Toyota Tundra, and gathered information on each criterion through their respective websites. We then ranked the horsepower, fuel economy, cost, and towing capacity on a scale of one truck to four trucks with one truck being the least successful and four trucks being the most successful.

Methods

Criteria Horsepower Horsepower is based on the amount of power or rate at which work is done. Fuel Economy Fuel economy is based on the fuel efficiency relationship between distance traveled by an automobile and the amount of fuel consumed. This commonly measured in mpg or miles per gallon. Cost Cost is based on the starting price on each truck’s base model before any modifications or additions are made. Towing Capacity Towing capacity is based on how heavy a trailer can be to hitch to your vehicle and drive it safely.

Ford F-150

The American classic company Ford is known for many types of vehicles including the Ford F-150 pick-up truck. Like America itself, the Ford F-150 is all about power. It takes top marks in horsepower (411 hp) and towing capacity (14,700 lbs); however, it is not the cheapest option at the starting price of $23,258 and only reaches an average 15.5 mph.

Ford F-150

Dodge Ram 1500

When you think of Dodge, you typically think heavy-duty trucks. Their reputation does not falter. The Dodge Ram 1500 gains high marks in horsepower (390 hp), cost ($22,595), and fuel economy (16 mph). However, on the downside, the towing capacity ranks on the lower side at 8,900 lbs, and the Dodge Ram 1500 does not particularly excel in any of the four criteria.

Dodge Ram 1500

Chevy Silverado 1500

When it comes to trucks, Chevrolet’s Silverado is a popular choice. This is due to its exceptional scores in the fuel economy (18 mph) and cost ($22,590) criteria. The Chevy Silverado 1500 also ranks well in towing capacity (14,000 lbs). However, this truck’s only negative aspect is its low horsepower at only 315 hp.

Chevy Silverado 1500

Toyota Tundra

The Japanese-based company Toyota is typically known for sedans; however, there is the option of the Tundra. As its reputation would suggest, Toyota provides a truck with excellent fuel economy at 18 mph. However, the Tundra falls short in the rankings of the other criteria with only 381 hp of horsepower, $25,355 in cost, and can only handle a towing capacity of 8,100 lbs.

Toyota Tundra

Results The trucks ranked closely with no clear outlier. The Ford F- 150 and the Chevy Silverado 1500 tied for the best truck with a total of 12 points in the criteria rankings. The Dodge Ram 1500 followed with a total of 11 points in the criteria. Finally, the Toyota Tundra took last place in our truck rankings with only 8 points in the criteria.

Results

Recommendations Based on our research, everyone has a different opinion on trucks. If you are on a budget, we suggest the Chevy Silverado If you are looking for the best fuel economy, you should buy the Chevy Silverado 1500 or Toyota Tundra. If you are all about the power, go for the Ford F-150. If you are a working man or woman in need of good towing, the Ford F- 150 is the way to go. However, for the average college student, we recommend the Chevy Silverado 1500 for its price and fuel economy.

Conclusion Determining your next choice of truck can be a difficult process. According to our research, people like all the different characteristics of each truck. They like the Chevy Silverado 1500 for its price, the Toyota Tundra for its fuel economy, the Ford F-150 for its horsepower, and the Chevy Silverado for its best-in-class towing capacity. Based on our results, the Chevy Silverado 1500 is the best choice for your next truck due to its high fuel economy and low price.