Best pickup trucks 2026: six double cabs for work, towing and the US
A pickup truck has to haul, tow and cope with rough ground, and many buyers also want it to work as a family car. This list covers the three one-tonne double cabs sold new in Europe in 2026 and three full-size and electric trucks from North America. The European trucks are compared with the figures listed by ADAC, Germany's motoring club; the American ones with manufacturer data reported by English-language Wikipedia.
Quick picks
- Best all-rounder in Europe: Ford Ranger – diesel or plug-in hybrid, 3,500 kg towing.
- Toughest build: Toyota Hilux – 309 mm ground clearance.
- Most car-like double cab: Volkswagen Amarok.
- Biggest towing figure: Ford F-150 – up to 5,800 kg.
- Best electric pickup: Rivian R1T – up to 645 km EPA range.
| Model (version) | Market | Power | Braked towing | Payload | Safety | List price from, Germany |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Ranger (2.0 EcoBlue XL 4x4) | Europe | 125 kW (170 PS) | 3,450 kg | 876 kg | Euro NCAP 5 stars, 2022 | €46,755 (2023) |
| Ford Ranger (2.3 EcoBoost PHEV) | Europe | 207 kW (281 PS) | 3,500 kg | 989 kg | Euro NCAP 5 stars, 2022 | €55,442 (2025) |
| Toyota Hilux (2.8 D mild hybrid) | Europe | 150 kW (204 PS) | 3,500 kg | 960 kg | – | €53,491 (2026) |
| Volkswagen Amarok (2.0 TDI) | Europe | from 110 kW (150 PS) | – | – | Euro NCAP 5 stars, 2022 | – |
| Ford F-150 (14th generation) | North America | up to 522 kW (Raptor R) | up to 5,800 kg | – | – | not sold in Europe |
| Rivian R1T | North America | 397–623 kW | 4,990 kg | – | – | not sold in Europe |
| Tesla Cybertruck (AWD) | North America | 450 kW (600 hp) | 4,990 kg | 998–1,134 kg | – | not sold in Europe |
A dash means we had no checked figure. A European double cab with 3,500 kg towing covers most caravans, horse boxes and plant trailers. The larger American trucks suit buyers in North America; private imports are hard to register in many European countries.
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1. Ford Ranger P703
Best all-rounder in Europe
- Production years
- 2022–present
- Body type
- Pickup
- Fuel
- Petrol, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid
- Power output
- 125–302 kW (170–411 PS)
The current Ranger went on sale in Germany in March 2023 and offers the widest choice of any European pickup here. The 2.0 EcoBlue diesel comes with 125 kW (170 PS) or 151 kW (205 PS), and the 3.0 V6 diesel with 177 kW (240 PS). Since 2025 there is also a 2.3 EcoBoost plug-in hybrid with 207 kW (281 PS). The PHEV's 11.8 kWh (net) battery gives 42 km of WLTP electric range, yet it still tows 3,500 kg and carries 989 kg. Euro NCAP awarded five stars in 2022. The drawback: the base diesel uses 8.4 l/100 km WLTP and the vehicle warranty is two years.
Full review: Ford Ranger P703Pros
- Diesel, V6 diesel and plug-in hybrid versions
- 3,500 kg braked towing (PHEV)
- Five-star Euro NCAP (2022)
Cons
- 8.4 l/100 km WLTP for the base diesel
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2. Toyota Hilux IX
Toughest build
- Production years
- 2025–present
- Body type
- Pickup
- Fuel
- Petrol, Diesel, LPG / CNG
The ninth Hilux reached German showrooms in 2026 with two very different drives. The 2.8-litre diesel now has 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance and 150 kW (204 PS). For the Double Cab 4x4, ADAC lists 3,500 kg braked towing, 960 kg payload and 309 mm of ground clearance, from €53,491. For the first time there is also an electric Hilux with 144 kW (196 PS), from €70,210. The eighth generation, launched in 2015, was the first Hilux with optional autonomous emergency braking. The drawback: the diesel is thirsty at 9.8 l/100 km WLTP.
Full review: Toyota Hilux IXPros
- 309 mm ground clearance
- 3,500 kg braked towing (diesel)
- Electric version available
Cons
- 9.8 l/100 km WLTP (diesel)
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3. Volkswagen Amarok II
Most car-like double cab
- Production years
- 2022–present
- Body type
- Pickup
- Fuel
- Petrol, Diesel
Released in July 2022, the second Amarok is built by Ford at Silverton, South Africa, on the same platform as the Ranger. Volkswagen gives it its own styling and cabin. Engines start with a 2.0 TDI with 110 kW (150 PS) or 125 kW (170 PS). Twin-turbo versions offer up to 154 kW (209 PS), and the 3.0 V6 TDI up to 184 kW (250 PS), depending on the market. Euro NCAP awarded five stars in 2022. It suits buyers who like the Ranger's hardware but want a Volkswagen badge and dealer. The drawback: there is no plug-in hybrid, unlike the Ranger.
Full review: Volkswagen Amarok IIPros
- Ranger engineering with Volkswagen design
- V6 diesel with up to 184 kW
- Five-star Euro NCAP (2022)
Cons
- No plug-in hybrid version
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4. Ford F-150 XIV
Biggest towing figure
- Production years
- 2021–present
- Body type
- Pickup
- Fuel
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid, Electric
- Power output
- 186–537 kW (253–730 PS)
Production of the fourteenth-generation F-150 began in October 2020 at Kansas City and Dearborn. It can tow up to 5,800 kg when correctly specified, far beyond any European pickup. The 3.5 EcoBoost V6 and the 5.0 V8 have 298 kW (400 hp) each. The PowerBoost hybrid has 321 kW (430 hp), and the Raptor R's 5.2-litre V8 522 kW (700 hp). An onboard generator of 2.4 kW or 7.2 kW can power tools on site. The drawback: it is not sold in Europe, and Ford stopped building the electric F-150 Lightning in 2025.
Full review: Ford F-150 XIVPros
- Up to 5,800 kg towing
- PowerBoost hybrid with 321 kW
- Onboard generator up to 7.2 kW
Cons
- Not sold in Europe
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5. Rivian R1T I
Best electric pickup
- Production years
- 2021–present
- Body type
- Pickup
- Fuel
- Electric
Rivian delivered the first R1T in autumn 2021 from its plant in Normal, Illinois. Dual-motor versions have 397 kW (533 hp) or 496 kW (665 hp), and the quad-motor 623 kW (835 hp). Battery packs of 105, 135 and 149 kWh give up to 645 km of EPA range with the largest. It tows 4,990 kg, can wade through 1,095 mm of water and adjusts its ground clearance between 201 and 366 mm. A gear tunnel behind the cab adds 328 litres of lockable storage. The drawback: it is a North American truck without an official European launch.
Full review: Rivian R1T IPros
- Up to 645 km EPA range (149 kWh)
- 1,095 mm wading depth
- 328-litre gear tunnel
Cons
- Not sold officially in Europe
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6. Tesla Cybertruck I
Most radical design
- Production years
- 2023–present
- Body type
- Pickup
- Fuel
- Electric
Deliveries of the stainless-steel Cybertruck began in November 2023 from Gigafactory Texas. The dual-motor version has 450 kW (600 hp), tows 4,990 kg and carries up to 1,134 kg with all-terrain tyres; the tri-motor Cyberbeast has 630 kW (845 hp). EPA range estimates run from 484 to 583 km depending on version and wheels. The bed is 6 ft (1.8 m) long. The drawbacks: Tesla sells it only in North America, and Wikipedia counts ten recalls by October 2025, including a sticking accelerator pedal and trim panels that could detach.
Full review: Tesla Cybertruck IPros
- Up to 630 kW (Cyberbeast)
- 4,990 kg towing (AWD)
- Unpainted stainless-steel body
Cons
- Ten recalls by October 2025; North America only
Data ranking: Most powerful pickup trucks — all 20 models in our catalog with a figure, ranked by the numbers.
Catalog: All pickups in the catalog — every model with specs, not only our picks.
How we chose
Selection. The list keeps current pickups with a published model page on 1cars. These are the three one-tonne double cabs sold in Europe and three North American trucks. The Nissan Navara, GMC Sierra and Honda Ridgeline were left out because we could not check enough current data for them.
Data sources. European dimensions, payloads, braked towing limits, consumption, warranty terms and list prices come from the ADAC Autokatalog pages for the named versions (accessed October 2026). Euro NCAP results for the Ranger and Amarok come from Euro NCAP's own 2022 result pages. North American figures come from English-language Wikipedia; US prices are not given because 1cars quotes prices only in euros.
Ranking. The order is editorial and weighs towing, payload, safety, choice of powertrains and availability in Europe. It is not a test score. Full generation histories are on our model pages for the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and Volkswagen Amarok.
Frequently asked questions
Which pickup truck can tow the most?
In Europe the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux are rated at up to 3,500 kg braked, the usual legal limit for this class. In North America the Ford F-150 is rated at up to 5,800 kg, and the Rivian R1T and dual-motor Tesla Cybertruck at 4,990 kg.
Is there a plug-in hybrid or electric pickup in Europe?
Yes. The Ford Ranger PHEV combines a 2.3 EcoBoost petrol engine with an 11.8 kWh (net) battery for 42 km of WLTP electric range and still tows 3,500 kg. Toyota sells an electric Hilux in Germany from May 2026, priced from €70,210.
Are the Ranger and Amarok the same truck?
They share their underpinnings. The second-generation Amarok is built by Ford at its plant in Silverton, South Africa, on the Ranger platform, with Volkswagen's own styling and equipment.
Can you buy a Tesla Cybertruck in Europe?
Not officially. Tesla said it would be available exclusively in North America, and individual imports run into type-approval rules in many European countries.
