With the advent of crossover vehicles this segment has become less defined. Once the domain of work-related heavy-duty pickups, buyers are now demanding that their full-size trucks do double duty. Our Best Buys remain the Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150, and GMC Sierra. These trucks offer a wide range of powertrain combinations, plenty of luxury accommodations, and ample towing power--though the GM twins are the only ones to offer full-time 4WD.

The big-rig-styled Dodge Ram matches the new Ford and GM models feature for feature but can't match their ride comfort or civility. We also like the expensive Toyota Tundra. What it lacks in brute strength, it more than makes up for with refined road manners.

The redesigned Ram 1500s must sell well to speed the turnaround of DaimlerChrysler's troubled U.S. division, and early returns are encouraging. On a year-to-basis, total Ram sales were up 8.5 percent in the first quarter of 2002 after losing 9.5 percent in calendar 2001. The surge does not reflect availability of the redesigned 2500/3500 models, which were only just reaching dealers.

Due to hit showrooms in early 2003 is a Dodge "muscle truck" answering Ford's SVT F-150 Lightning. Dubbed SRT-10, it's the first product of a new Chrysler Group unit called Performance Vehicle Operations (PVO), a sort of U.S. equivalent to parent Mercedes' AMG "tuner" division. As previewed at the 2002 Detroit Auto Show, the SRT-10 uses the same 8.3-liter V-10 engine as Dodge's redesigned 2003 Viper (to be badged SRT/10). As in the sports car, horsepower checks in 500, torque at 500 lb-ft, enough to shove the burly short-box regular-cab pickup from 0 to 60 mph in under 5 sec, according to Dodge. That's with 6-speed manual transmission, the only one offered. Other features include a slightly modified front end with prominent hood scoop, mammoth 24-inch wheels and tires, and a choice of red or black paint only. No word yet on price or projected sales, but the SRT-10 will surely be a limited edition priced close to its Ford rival.

Further out, Ram 1500s and perhaps certain 2500s are expected to add an optional gas/electric powertrain for 2005, perhaps '06. This combines a 3.9-liter V6 with a three-phase induction motor. Unlike the 4-wheel-drive hybrid option developed for next year's redesigned Dakota pickup and Durango SUV, the Ram system uses its electric motor only to boost acceleration and for interim restarts of the gas engine, which shuts off on coming to a stop to reduce fuel use. Sources say the option will run about $5000 and could account for 10-15 percent of light-duty Ram sales.