Tough-Looking Pickups With Poor Performance
Sure, pickups can look like monstrous machines, but there are some that you should steer clear of (pun intended!) Looks aren't everything when it comes to deciding what truck to buy; you've also got to consider the performance. So, continue reading to uncover the pickups that look tough but have weak performance.
1963 Jeep Gladiator
The 1963 Jeep Gladiator was a fierce presence on the roads and a unique design for the 1960s. However, its performance wasn't up to par. These trucks were prone to rusting easily, which led to a mountain of problems with the electrics and wiring.
Ford F-250 'Highboy'
While iconic, the 'highboy' failed to achieve offroad fame as a result of low fuel economy and a stiff ride, which lowered its level of performance. Sure, the heightened body looked tough, but who really wants to do pull-ups every time they go for a drive?
Napco Chevy GMC Truck
The Nepco Chevy earned its popularity by being one of the earliest 4-wheel drive trucks, but there's a reason it's on this list. There's no denying it was the definition of vintage appeal, but its heavy-duty build made handling difficult, which, in turn, lowered its performance.
Dodge Rod Hall Signature Edition
Just one look at this pickup and you're transported to classic American car shows. Its white, red, and yellow colorway might look fun, but how does it drive? Heartbreakingly, its stiff suspension and heavy build makes driving rough.
Chevy Blazer Chalet
A camper SUV-like truck was a one-of-a-kind design for the 1970s, which is what made this truck so desirable at first. But owners quickly realized its practicality did not make up for its awful gas mileage and its heavy feel while driving.
Dodge Power Wagon
If you're into tough-looking military-grade trucks, this one's for you! Unfortunately, you'll also have to deal with snail-like speed and a stiff suspension. Yes, it's an offroad classic, but its poor performance makes it super impractical to actually drive.
Dodge Lil' Red Express Truck
You don't even need to see an image to know what this truck looks like, and that's what makes it so memorable. But does its tough, workhorse design live up to its name? No, it does not. The main drawbacks are its rigid ride and its tendency to guzzle fuel!
W-250 Dodge Power Ram Cummins Turbo Diesel
This truck was expected to be one of the best off-road pickups on the market in the 1990s, thanks to its tough look and powerful engine. But expectations were quickly let down. While the engine was a powerhouse, transmission problems and rust issues hindered performance.
F-100 Ford Truck
Although the Ford F-100 has a proud and classic design, it also has its faults. The truck has outdated suspensions that cause a bumpy ride. On top of this, turning is challenging due to weak power steering. Combine all of this, and you realize its performance really isn't all that.
International CXT
With a huge exhaust on the side of the truck, and oversized grills on the front, this truck looks like an absolute beast. Despite it looking like it could handle heavy loads, its practicality turned out worse than expected. It was impossible to park and ride rough (even on flat roads!).
Dodge Power Wagon Top Hand
Just because this truck was a one-of-a-kind special edition doesn't mean its performance was also "special." Its quirky western-themed design looked awesome, but its heavy build led to a pile of problems, such as a stiff ride, poor fuel economy, and even lackluster speed.
Chevrolet 454 SS
This truck stuck to the traditional red V8 engine pickup design - and collectors loved it. It might look good on a shelf, but it's a nightmare to actually drive. Despite its classic muscle-truck favor, it failed in towing capacity. So what use did it really have?
Ford F150 Flareside
Although it had a distinctive appearance, the Ford F-150 Flareside wasn't as useful as it was advertised to be. Not only did its slim pickup bed restrict freight room, but rust was also a problem, which made the ride annoyingly stiff.
Chevrolet S10 Cameo
If you're into sporty-looking cars but also need a work truck, then the Chevrolet S10 is a great option. But don't expect any real 'sportiness' from this vehicle, as its tiny engine grappled with power, which limited its performance appeal.
GMC Sonoma
The GMC Sonoma looks like the kind of vehicle you'd find on a construction site, doing all of the hard work. But in reality, its performance is the opposite. Surprisingly, its engine failed to produce impressive power, which made hauling and towing a challenge.
Ford Ranger Splash
While fashionable with its flareside storage, the Ford Ranger Splash is definitely not a top choice for strenuous work. As a result of a weak engine, this supposed 'offroad' truck makes even highway driving look like a difficult feat.
1995 Mazda B Series
The Mazda B Series might have looked clean and reliable, but actually driving it felt like driving a tractor. Despite its purpose as a pickup truck, it struggled with carrying large loads and had a tendency to overheat while doing so.
Dodge Ram SS/T
This truck's sporty styling wasn't enough to overshadow the lack of actual towing capacity. Sure, it might be pleasing to the eyes, but who wants to have to deal with breakdowns in the middle of hauling a heavy load? No one!
1996 Dodge Dakota
While this truck provided even more power than a compact truck could, it was not the finest option in the long run. Sure, it looks like it would be a reliable, tough workhorse, but it has some issues. As well as issues with rust, transmission problems were also common.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado was a leap toward modern designs, but that doesn't mean performance was also improved. Excess cab access sounds great, right? Well, disappointment arose when latches began to fall off, and engine breakdowns became frequent.
GMC Sierra
GMC is a company famous for their tough-looking pickups, but the GMC Sierra turned out to be a sheep in wolves' clothing. Transmission issues and electrical failures are the cause of this let-down.
GMC Sierra 3500
Imagine the 2000 Sierra but with an elongated pickup bed. That's the 2001 GMC Sierra 3500. GMC tried to make up for their failure in 2000 with this truck, but a longer bed and '3500' added to its name did not change much in terms of performance.
Lincoln Blackwood
The Lincoln Blackwood was a high-end vehicle with a classy appearance but little practicality. The carpet in the bed of the truck might have appealed to some, but certainly not for all. Strangely, the truck does not have a 4-wheel drive, which made it perform horrendously as a work truck.
Ford F150 Harley Davidson
Harley Davidson vehicles are known for their unique and enjoyable designs, and this truck is the perfect example. But, unsurprisingly, the sporty styling did not add any functionality, which has made it into a collector's artifact rather than a useful work truck.
Ford Ranger Edge
While stylish with the classic, rugged design, the Ford Ranger Edge achieved an 'F' in 'Performance.' Sure, the V6 engine had sufficient power, but it quickly became rusted and damaged. You know what that means? Constant repairs burn a hole in your pocket.
2005 Dodge Dakota Redesign
The Dodge Dakota facelift sought a fiercer look than the previous version, which they achieved! But, the public's expectations were shot down when they realized the truck had issues with the transmission, which hindered its overall performance.
Lincoln Mark LT
This truck was way overpriced, considering it's basically just a rebadged F-150, but with minimal modifications to its lackluster performance. Sure, the outside looks like a luxury, desirable vehicle, but its soft suspension ruins the inside.
Mitsubishi Raider
This truck looked like nothing else on the market in 2007, yet it still struggled to succeed. Why's that? Well, when the truck was based around the Dodge Dakota, it also inherited its reliability problems; including awful fuel capacity and electrical glitches.
Dodge Ram SR 10
With a V10 Viper engine, this pickup was a workhorse - but only for a couple of months, give or take. After some use, the so-called 'powerful' engine begins to struggle with heavy loads; defeating the entire purpose of a pickup vehicle.
2009 Dodge Dakota
There's no denying that the 2009 Dodge Dakota looks like a beast on the road, but looks don't necessarily translate into performance in this case. This truck's main drawbacks include wiring issues and a rough ride compared to competitors.
Chevrolet Colorado V8
This truck was highly anticipated among enthusiasts when it was first announced, but fame and power can't make up for its deteriorating interior and shocking towing capacity. Despite its intended use as a pickup, this vehicle would break down with heavy loads.
2011 Chevrolet Silverado
Although the Chevrolet Silverado featured a sturdy appearance, ex-owners beg to differ on its true performance ability. There have been several complaints of electrical problems and excessive oil usage.
Suzuki Equator
This truck was essentially a rebadged version of the Nissan Frontier, meaning it failed to stand out among the crowd of much better-performing pickups (despite its good looks). The Equator's main problem was its outdated features that led to complications in almost every mechanical aspect.
2013 Ford F150
The Ford F-150 was a top seller thanks to its elegant appearance, but it also had its fair share of issues. The top three most common complaints by previous owners were turbo failures with the Ecoboost option, carbon buildup, and electrical faults.
Ford F-150 Aluminum
There were some pros and cons to the Ford F-150's move to an aluminum exterior. Although it weighed less and used less gas, it also became costly to fix and easily dented. Transmission troubles and turbo concerns also plagued the Ecoboost engine option.
