Big 3 Truck Landscape in 2024
What’s new with 2024 Ford, GM, and RAM full-size trucks?
Light Duty trucks are as popular as they’ve ever been in the USA. Once a tool of farmers, construction workers, and other tradesmen, trucks are now seen as a viable choice for those that sparsely wield a wrench. There’s no hate in that statement either, as pickups are a great choice for families, overlanders, and even those looking for luxury.
The pickup market is slated to grow by over $50 billion during the 2022-2027 period and the growing pool of shoppers, new electric and hybrid trims, and availability all contribute to that.
For 2024, it’s more of a retooling year for America’s big-three purveyors of pickups. Rather than anything monumental, all three are making minor changes as major redesigns are on the horizon. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to talk about.
Let’s take a look at what to expect for the 2024 model year in the 1500 space.
FORD
Of the Detroit 3, the F-150 has the biggest change for the 2024 model year. While it’s still part of the 14th generation that began in 2021, the best-selling pickup gets a nice mid-cycle refresh before the next generation launch, slated for 2026. Back in mid-2023 Kumar Galothra, the president of the internal combustion engine division (Ford Blue) raised a few eyebrows by saying two things in reference to the 2024 model year:
“We’re going to reduce the orderable combinations on the F-150 by a magnitude that we’ve never seen before.”
“From one model year to another, we’re taking about 2,400 parts out of the F-150.”
The optimist would think that perhaps these changes may lead to savings for the consumer, but according to the Ford website, the 2024 model has a base price around $2,800 more than the previous year’s. So, it’s safe to assume that the reduction of configurations and parts is an internal strategy to minimize production costs and maximize profit margin on each truck sold.
The silver lining for truck buyers is that by eliminating excess parts, Ford will hopefully be able to improve quality, make repairs simpler, and decrease supply chain delays.
Innovative Enhancements
As for the truck itself, the first noticeable difference is a more refined exterior. It’s still easily recognizable as an F-150, but things like updated exterior lighting, grille adjustments, and new wheel designs make the Ford look a bit more polished.
Another addition that we were anticipating is a new tailgate system. While we’re partial to the look of a clean, gapless tailgate, Ford joined the Swiss-Army movement with their Pro Access Tailgate. Think of it as a combination of GMC’s MultiPro and RAM’s Barndoor offering.
In the engine department, Ford has removed the old base V6 and replaced it with the once-optional turbocharged 2.7L V6. If you’re looking for more power, the 3.5L V6, hybrid V6, and 5.0L V8 are still available.
In the cabin, the 12-inch info screen is now standard across the lineup. Also, a new system has been introduced to locate your F-150 if God forbid, it’s ever stolen. Finally, it’s garnered a lot of mixed press in other vehicles of other makes, but for the first time in an F-150, Ford’s hands-free driving system—Blue Cruise—is now an option.
Raptor Updates
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the flagship Raptor as well. It gets the same styling cues as its F-150 brethren and gets optional Fox Dual Live Valve Shocks. Raptors with bigger factory tires see updated bumper caps and an optional LED lightbar. Shelter green—a sharp new color—is now available. And the Raptor R gets a few more HP, bumping the total up to 720.
CHEVY/GMC
GM may have the least to talk about for their 2024 offerings. Despite this, there are a few things we can mention that have changed in the 1500 lineup.
For the Silverado, one thing that we’re happy to see is that wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and OnStar have now been added as standard for all models—from the base work truck up to the High Country trim package.
Two new colors, Metallic Lakeshore Blue and Slate Gray have been added to the lineup. While we prefer a bit of boldness in our truck colors, many like the more muted tones, and the Slate Gray is a good-looking color that matches any outer trim color very well. It’s a solid alternative to the sea of whites, blacks, and silvers on the road today.
And speaking of trim, the popular Blackout appearance package is now available on the Custom, RST, Custom Trail Boss, and LT Trail Boss models for ‘24. Keeping with the black, the Midnight Edition is now available on the High Country Trim.
As far as under the hood, any 2024 Silverados equipped with the 6.2L V8 now feature an active exhaust, which gives the truck a nice beefy note when switched into sport mode. And while it’s just a nametag, the 2.7L four-cylinder that Chevrolet offers has now been christened the TurboMax.
On the GMC Side…
The Sierra has a few minor retoolings as well. The main change for 2024 is that the high-end AT4X off-road trim now comes with the 3.0L inline-six Duramax diesel as the standard powertrain. Also on tap are the same two new colors as the Chevy mentioned above. However, for GMC, they labeled them as Downpour Metallic and Thunderstorm Gray. GMC also adds a few new wheel options and its inline-four get the TurboMax moniker as well.
RAM
For 2024 it’s business as usual for the RAM—although changes are on the horizon. The current generation 1500 has arguably been the brand’s most successful, winning several Car & Driver and MotorTrend awards over the past few years. While sticking to what works is generally a good thing, the RAM has slowly started to lag behind its competitors in fuel economy, hybrid tech, and max towing capacities. RAM knows this, and the 2024 models are a bit of a holding pattern until the 2025 models arrive.
As far as trims are concerned, you’ll see an attendance list of familiar names. From bottom to top you have the Tradesman, Tradesman HFE, Big Horn, Laramie, Rebel, Longhorn, and Limited. Of course, MSRP seems to be just an arbitrary number these days, but the lower end Tradesman package starts right around $40K and the Limited will set you back at least $67K. With all the different cab and bed lengths, you’d be looking at over two-dozen different configurations to choose from.
TRX Final Edition
Don’t worry, we didn’t forget the much-loved TRX package—the pinnacle of performance that RAM enthusiasts haven’t stopped talking about since its debut in 2021. Well cover your ears, as this part may sting a little. This year will be the last year for the TRX and, for its swan song, RAM will be offering the TRX Final Edition package in addition to the standard TRX trim.
The Final Edition Raptor combatant keeps the same powerplant—a 6.2L supercharged Hemi V8, offering 702 HP, 650 lb-ft of torque, and a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds. What is added on the Final Edition are bead lock capable wheels, a unique splash screen on the infotainment system, and special numbered badging throughout.
These are some nice, albeit a bit rudimentary, add-ons. And while we’re sure there are those out there that will eat this up at launch, with a price tag of $120K, it really doesn’t add great value for money over the standard TRX.
Big Changes for 2025
For four years, the TRX was a formidable soldier in the RAM lineup and a true testament to the insatiable performance insanity that RAM engineers into its top-of-the-line halo trucks. But as we bid farewell to a fallen warrior, 2025 brings new promise and optimism for the RAM 1500.
While many details are still unknown, the RAM will undergo a major update for next year. We hate to see another V8 exit the segment, but RAM’s Hurricane inline-six promises plenty of power while fixing the sore spot of meager fuel economy. In addition, we can expect a Ramcharger in 2025. No, it’s not a Dodge Charger with a truck bed, but rather a plug-in hybrid RAM.
We’re also anticipating the RAM 1500 REV, a fully electric truck coming at the end of 2024. Sometimes RAM folks can be a bit stubborn when it comes to modern tech, but we think the focus on electricity and fuel economy is a welcome change. And c’mon, you’d have to be a little naïve to think RAM doesn’t have something up its sleeve as far as a successor to the TRX. We’ll just have to wait and see.
