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Trucks have their purpose; they are generally practical vehicles offering a truck bed. They can also be used for towing, but for many, a large-size family SUV serves the purpose of a pickup truck.
So, what SUVs are most like a pickup truck? SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition are most like a truck, and to a lesser extent, the Dodge Durango SRT. These SUVs have quite a few similarities to pickups, but of course, stand apart in the passenger room (and a little bit of fun).
Jump to:
1. Chevy Tahoe
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The Chevy Tahoe is a top-rated SUV with several capabilities similar to a pickup truck. Apart from serving your family for a trip on the weekend, it is also an excellent towing machine.
It has the latest 5.3-liter V8 engine, offering ample power on request. What is impressive about this SUV is that it can tow above 7,900 pounds, even with AWD. The Chevy Tahoe is the SUV you should opt for if planning a vehicle with capabilities like a truck.
Apart from power, the Chevy Tahoe is a beast regarding cargo space. It is estimated that when the seats are folded, this SUV offers around 122.9 cubic feet of cargo space, which is insane for any SUV. The Tahoe from Chevrolet has immense features even in the base model, making it a favorite family SUV.
Please note: While I am explicitly talking about the Chevy Tahoe here, the Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon Yukon XL, and Chevrolet Suburban are all based on this same platform and can apply here.
2. Toyota Sequoia
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The SUV from Toyota is one of the best SUVs and has plenty of truck-like features. It offers a pickup truck experience with its fabulous towing capacity. The SUV can tow up to 9,520 pounds, making it very helpful when you need an SUV for transporting freight or carrying your boat and gear.
The SUV also offers a generous cargo space of around 86 cubic feet when the seats are folded flat, making it almost as good as the Chevy Tahoe in terms of cargo space. Some fantastic features offered by this SUV are:
- A 6-speed automatic transmission system allows a smooth pace and a comfortable drive
- The SUV has several safety features, ensuring safe driving even when facing situations without sufficient visibility.
The SUV from Toyota is among the most preferred SUVs for those looking to buy a truck-like SUV with an SUV price tag. The SUV offers many features in its base model, making it much worth your money.
Please Note: If you like Toyota’s and still want the truck characteristics (but don’t want this size), the Toyota Land Cruiser, 4Runner, and the larger Lexus SUVs are built similarly to this one.
3. Ford Expedition
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Ford, as we all know, is the king of pickup trucks, but the Ford Expedition is nothing much less when compared to one of Ford’s own pickup trucks. The Ford Expedition tops many lists regarding large SUVs offering ample space for your entire family.
The towing capacity of the Ford Expedition shows that it can offer a towing capability of up to 9,200 pounds with AWD and 9,300 pounds without AWD. Even when you have cargo loaded onto these beats, it can tow 9,000 pounds, which is remarkable.
When it comes to cargo space, the Ford Expedition has ample space on offer. When the rear seat is down, the Ford Expedition offers 104.6 cubic feet of space and can max the cargo space up to 121.7 cubic feet with passenger seats folded.
Suppose you are looking for an SUV with capabilities similar to a pickup truck. In that case, the Ford Expedition is the one you should opt for.
Apart from power, it has every amenity you can ask from a luxurious car. The SUV has immense towing capacity and can be used to trek and off-road (especially with the right tires) without hesitation.
Please note: If you like the Expedition but want something nicer, the Lincoln Navigator is a much nicer version of the Expedition and is still on the same platform.
4. Ford Bronco
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This is one of my personal new favorite vehicles. It is a direct competitor to the Jeep Wrangler and is heavy on off-road prowess.
It is built on the same platform as the Ford Ranger, making it very much like a pickup truck in the ways that count.
It is an exceptionally smooth ride, which differs from its pickup upbringing and sets it apart from the Jeep Wrangler.
You can buy the Bronco in a wide array of different specifications ranging from the base model that has steel wheels all the way up to luxurious Wildtrack trim.
That said, the Raptor trim version is one of the best overall SUVs, which will top all the rest of the trims and enhance its off-road credibility.
The Bronco is also one of the rare vehicles that can be purchased as a 2-door or a 4-door vehicle.
5. Dodge Durango
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Okay, this is a unibody vehicle, not built like a truck. However, it is a vehicle that should be mentioned, as it has the high power output you would expect from a pickup in a fun-to-drive platform.
The Dodge Durango is an SUV that you would love to own. Equipped with the latest features, this SUV is a beast boasting features almost equal to a truck. This beast is a perfect alternative to a muscular pickup truck. It offers ample space for you and your family to sit and still have enough space for luggage.
It can tow 8,700 pounds, which is rather high up there for a family-size SUV. This SUV is a complete-featured loaded vehicle offering every amenity you want from a luxurious car.
This vehicle has a powerful 6.4 V8 engine in the SRT trim level and can offer speeds equal to a sports car. The car provides around 85.1 cubic feet when all its seats are folded. However, this SUV is more on the expensive side. It offers many features and power similar to a pickup truck, justifying the price point.
The car has a fully folding passenger seat that offers ample space capabilities, much like a pickup truck. However, the space in the pickup truck’s bed is much more than what the Dodge Durango provides. Still, it gives tough competition in power and usability, much like a pickup truck.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an SUV be a truck?
You hear plenty of people calling an SUV a “Truck.” However, they aren’t trucks at all. Trucks have pickup beds on them. Meanwhile, SUVs have passenger areas in the rear. That said, if you were to call an SUV a truck, it would be exclusive to SUVs built on a ladder frame rather than Unibody.
What is better, a truck or SUV?
Choosing between an SUV or a Pickup truck is up to personal choice. If you are comparing something like a Tahoe to a Silverado, you will have all the same great towing capacities and such. However, you must decide between extra passenger areas, having a bed that can carry dirt, or, more commonly, a single McDonald’s wrapper.
Which SUV is the most fun to drive?
If you are looking for a spirited driving SUV, you must move away from the truck-based trucks we discussed here. Instead, you should look for vehicles like the Lamborghini Urus or, the Porsche Macan and Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk for a lower cost.
Conclusion
Though the towing capacity of pickup trucks is much more significant when compared to the SUVs mentioned above, it still offers several other features that match a pickup truck. The entire car discussed above is a perfect alternative for a pickup truck.
Suppose you are looking for something powerful that offers ample seating and cargo space and is equipped with the latest features. In that case, SUVs are the best option. Mentioned above are three top SUVs that are most like a truck.