2010 Ford F150 3DR CPE GT

It is hard to imagine a more inauspicious time to have introduced a new full-size pickup truck – with the possible exception of the Eve of Destruction – but last year's introduction of the all-new Ford F-150 seems to have defied the odds of failure. Shouldering its way into the U.S. market on a crest of increased capabilities across the board, Ford has correctly figured that the bulk of its sales will come from buyers who genuinely need the unique aspects full-size pickups offer – big payload and towing capacities among them – instead of those who simply want to be seen in a pickup. With this in mind, Ford engineers have built in class-leading capabilities in both these areas while, at the same time, boosting fuel economy across the board. But don't think they skimped on creature comforts, as the 2010 Ford F-150 offers increasing levels of luxury from among its 35 variants.