Best in class: Pickup trucks over $25,000

This is where the full-sized trucks reside, from nicely equipped extended cab two-wheel-drive models to loaded-for-bear "dualie" trucks with turbo-diesel engines, four doors and every modern convenience. Until recently, it was the sole segment of the automotive market where domestic manufacturers had an almost exclusive grip. Toyota and Nissan have since joined the fray, although Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge are still the sales leaders. But that sales edge shouldn't foster complacency in Detroit, because the Toyota Tundra and the Nissan Titan are worthy competitors. Here are the best of the bunch for 2005:

Ford F Series Click image for larger view

Ford F Series: The truck that has been the sales leader for nearly three decades continues to dominate for 2005. The volume leader F-150 was redesigned for 2004, with a Tonka truck edge to its styling and a choice of some of the best-designed interiors ever put in a pickup. For 2005, Ford extended the new look to its brawny Super Duty F-Series, the 250 and 350.

The F-150 comes in two body styles and three cab styles -- regular, extended and crew. All have four doors: the regular cab has twin rear-access hatches to reach a small storage area; the extended cab has a bench seat suitable for hauling one or two passengers for short distances; the crew cab has four regular-sized doors and room for two adults in the back -- three if they don't mind being cozy. There are three bed lengths (five-and-a-half foot, six-and-a-half foot and eight foot) and five different trim levels (XL, STX, XLT, FX4 and Lariat).

There are three engine choices: a 4.2-liter 202 horsepower V6; a 4.6-liter 231 horsepower V8 and a 300 horsepower 5.4-liter V8. There's a five-speed manual gearbox standard on the V6 models and a four-speed automatic is standard on the V8s. Tow capacity ranges up to a hefty 9,900 pounds, with maximum cargo capacity at 2,640 pounds. On the downside of the F-150, there's no side-curtain airbag available, and to get sparkling acceleration, you better opt for the 5.4-liter V8. Shop the XLT model and go light on the options, and it's possible to get an F-150 for a sticker price of about $30,000.

Nissan Titan: Nissan's first foray into the full-size pickup market is a remarkable achievement. From its standard 305-horsepower V8 to its unique rear-cab doors that open 180 degrees, the Titan is a winner. The negatives are few: a very limited number of body and chassis configurations, and the uncertainty of reliability when considering an all-new vehicle from a manufacturer that's new to the segment. Nonetheless, the 2005 Titan is one of Bankrate.com's 10 vehicles to watch.

Dodge Ram Click image for larger view

Dodge Ram: This is the pickup for buyers who want a truck that shouts toughness and adds a considerable dash of "look-at-me." Redesigned in 2002, the Ram still looks distinctive. The addition of the 345-horsepower, 5.7-liter Hemi V8 makes the Ram one of the most powerful trucks on the market. Among the pluses are that the Quad Cab model offers much the same room of the competitors' crew cabs, but in a shorter, more garage-friendly overall length. Dodge does it by shaving three inches off the pickup bed, and a few dimension tweaks in the cab. The biggest drawback to the Ram is that its fuel mileage, even with the smaller 4.7-liter V8, is disappointing. The EPA rates it at 14 miles per gallon in the city, 19 mpg on the highway. Expect a nicely equipped SLT Quad Cab to sticker at about $27,000.

-- Posted: Feb. 15, 2005