1/2-Ton Pickup Shootout: Track Testing V8 Four-Door 4x4s

Updated Apr 14, 2015

Price comparison of 2015 1/2-Ton 4x4 V8 pickups as tested by Cars.Com and Hardworkingtrucks.com during Arizona shootout. Note Ram 1500 was a Crew Cab model.Price comparison of 2015 1/2-Ton 4x4 V8 pickups as tested by Cars.Com and Hardworkingtrucks.com during Arizona shootout. Note Ram 1500 was a Crew Cab model.

Engine power comparison of 2015 1/2-Ton 4x4 V8 pickups as tested by Cars.Com and Hardworkingtrucks.com during Arizona shootout.Engine power comparison of 2015 1/2-Ton 4x4 V8 pickups as tested by Cars.Com and Hardworkingtrucks.com during Arizona shootout.

Axle ratios and transmission comparison of 2015 1/2-Ton 4x4 V8 pickups as tested by Cars.Com and Hardworkingtrucks.com during Arizona shootout.Axle ratios and transmission comparison of 2015 1/2-Ton 4x4 V8 pickups as tested by Cars.Com and Hardworkingtrucks.com during Arizona shootout.

EPA mpg comparison of 2015 1/2-Ton 4x4 V8 pickups as tested by Cars.Com and Hardworkingtrucks.Com during Arizona shootout.EPA mpg comparison of 2015 1/2-Ton 4x4 V8 pickups as tested by Cars.Com and Hardworkingtrucks.Com during Arizona shootout.

MPG comparison during highway tests of 2015 1/2-Ton 4x4 V8 pickups as tested by Cars.Com and Hardworkingtrucks.Com during Arizona shootout. Trucks towed identical 6,700-pound horse trailers.MPG comparison during highway tests of 2015 1/2-Ton 4x4 V8 pickups as tested by Cars.Com and Hardworkingtrucks.Com during Arizona shootout. Trucks towed identical 6,700-pound horse trailers.

1/4-mile speed comparison during tests of 2015 1/2-Ton 4x4 V8 pickups as tested by Cars.Com and Hardworkingtrucks.Com during Arizona shootout. Tests conducted at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports complex in Phoenix. Pickups carried 1,240 lbs payload.1/4-mile speed comparison during tests of 2015 1/2-Ton 4x4 V8 pickups as tested by Cars.Com and Hardworkingtrucks.Com during Arizona shootout. Tests conducted at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports complex in Phoenix. Pickups carried 1,240 lbs payload.

1/4-mile times comparison during tests of 2015 1/2-Ton 4x4 V8 pickups as tested by Cars.Com and Hardworkingtrucks.Com during Arizona shootout. Tests conducted at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports complex in Phoenix. Pickups carried 1,240 lbs payload.1/4-mile times comparison during tests of 2015 1/2-Ton 4x4 V8 pickups as tested by Cars.Com and Hardworkingtrucks.Com during Arizona shootout. Tests conducted at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports complex in Phoenix. Pickups carried 1,240 lbs payload.

0-60mph acceleration comparison during tests of 2015 1/2-Ton 4x4 V8 pickups as tested by Cars.Com and Hardworkingtrucks.Com during Arizona shootout. Tests conducted at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports complex in Phoenix. Pickups carried 1,240 lbs payload.0-60mph acceleration comparison during tests of 2015 1/2-Ton 4x4 V8 pickups as tested by Cars.Com and Hardworkingtrucks.Com during Arizona shootout. Tests conducted at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports complex in Phoenix. Pickups carried 1,240 lbs payload.

Curb weight as measured at certified truck scales, no driver onboard. Payload result of GVWR minus curb weight.Curb weight as measured at certified truck scales, no driver onboard. Payload result of GVWR minus curb weight.

Emergency braking (60mph-0) distance comparison during tests of 2015 1/2-Ton 4x4 V8 pickups as tested by Cars.Com and Hardworkingtrucks.com during Arizona shootout. Tests conducted at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports complex in Phoenix. Pickups carried 1,240 lbs payload.Emergency braking (60mph-0) distance comparison during tests of 2015 1/2-Ton 4x4 V8 pickups as tested by Cars.Com and Hardworkingtrucks.com during Arizona shootout. Tests conducted at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports complex in Phoenix. Pickups carried 1,240 lbs payload.

By the numbers; we test five of the most popular 1/2-ton 4×4 crew cabs to see how they compare

Bragging rights are always fun to establish, especially if your favorite brand holds the title as “best” in whatever category it is you’re debating.1-2ton V8 group shot

There’s a lot to debate, too. Competition in today’s 1/2-ton four-door 4×4 pickup market is stout. So earning bragging rights is a big deal.

But you may not really care about the winner as much as wondering where your truck falls in the performance mix.

For that reason we teamed up with Cars.Com/Pickuptrucks.Com to see how five 2015 1/2-ton V-8 pickups compare when subjected to acceleration, braking and mpg numbers – empty and loaded with a trailer in tow or cargo in the bed.

Each truck was subjected to numerous acceleration and braking runs on the dragstrip, the bed both empty and loaded.Each truck was subjected to numerous acceleration and braking runs on the dragstrip, the bed both empty and loaded.

We travelled to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Phoenix, AZ to do the dragstrip tests with the trucks empty.

Then the track test crew loaded each truck bed with 1,240 pounds of bagged salt, a load that was the maximum for the truck with the smallest payload capacity.

The mpg numbers were compiled while driving on a 100-mile highway loop between Glendale and Canyon Lake, 40-miles to the east of Phoenix.

The highway mpg numbers were figured with drivers alternating between vehicles during multiple runs both empty and towing 6,400-pound horse trailers while maintaining posted speed limits.

The trucks were filled at the same gas pump before and after each runs and the mpg numbers were then averaged.

Fuel economy numbers were figured based on real-world highway driving while both towing and unladen.Fuel economy numbers were figured based on real-world highway driving while both towing and unladen.

Here’s a list of the 2015 four-door V-8 1/2-tons tested:

  •  Chevy Silverado 1500 Z71 LTZ w/ 6.2L
  • Ford F-150 XLT w/ 5.0L
  • GM Sierra 1500 SLT w/ 6.2L
  • Ram 1500 Longhorn Crew Cab w/ 5.7L
  • Toyota Tundra TRDPro w/ 5.7L

(Photos by Cars.com/Evan Sears)